Zombie Cheerleader Costume
Bring some undead energy and killer team spirit to your next party.
The zombie cheerleader is a classic Halloween favorite that perfectly blends high-energy school spirit with gruesome horror. It is a popular choice because it is instantly recognizable, highly customizable, and incredibly fun to perform in character. The look features a classic cheerleader uniform that has been shredded, dirtied, and splattered with fake blood, paired with messy hair and undead makeup.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $25–60
Try it on
See yourself as Zombie Cheerleader
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What you need for a Zombie Cheerleader costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Zombie Cheerleader costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Cheerleader uniform
A sleeveless shell top and matching pleated skirt, typically in classic school colors like red, black, or blue.
DIY: Use an old school sports uniform or a matching tank top and pleated skirt.
Pom-poms
A pair of plastic cheerleader pom-poms matching the colors of your uniform.
DIY: Cut plastic trash bags or colored tissue paper into thin strips and tie them together at the center.
Fake blood
A bottle of liquid fake blood and some thicker scab blood for realistic texture.
DIY: Mix corn syrup with red food coloring and a drop of blue food coloring to darken it.
White knee-high socks
Classic athletic tube socks, which will be distressed and blood-splattered.
DIY: Use any old white socks and cut small holes or runs into them.
White sneakers
Simple canvas or athletic sneakers that you don't mind getting dirty.
DIY: Use an old, worn-out pair of running shoes and smudge them with dirt.
Hair bow
A large, oversized ribbon hair bow to secure a messy high ponytail.
DIY: Tie a thick piece of satin ribbon around an elastic hair band.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Zombie Cheerleader costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Lay the cheerleader uniform flat outside or on a protective tarp.
- 2
Use scissors to cut jagged rips, tears, and frayed edges along the hem of the skirt and sleeves of the top.
- 3
Flick liquid fake blood onto the uniform, socks, and pom-poms using a paintbrush or spray bottle, then let it dry.
- 4
Rub real dirt or dark brown eyeshadow onto the fabric to give it a grimy, freshly-risen-from-the-grave appearance.
- 5
Put on the distressed uniform, knee-high socks, and sneakers.
- 6
Pull your hair into a messy, off-center high ponytail, secure it with the hair bow, and pull out loose strands.
- 7
Grab your bloodied pom-poms and practice your best vacant, undead stare.
Makeup & hair
Apply a pale foundation base, then use dark grey and purple eyeshadows around your eyes and cheekbones to look hollow and exhausted. Add a few drips of fake blood from the corner of your mouth, and tease your hair with hairspray to create a messy, disheveled look.
Zombie Cheerleader for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with a zombie football player or a zombie mascot for a terrifying homecoming court duo.
- group
- Gather a full squad of zombie cheerleaders, complete with a zombie coach holding a blood-stained clipboard.
- kids
- Use a kid-sized cheerleader outfit, keeping the makeup more cute-spooky than gory with simple face paint stitches.
- Plus size
- Look for pleated skater skirts with elastic waistbands and stretchy athletic tanks for a comfortable, flexible fit.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a tiny red-and-white cheerleader dress with lightweight mini pom-poms attached to their collar.
Tips
- Let the fake blood dry completely on your costume for at least 24 hours before wearing it to avoid staining furniture.
- Wear a pair of dark spandex shorts under your pleated skirt for comfort and coverage while moving around.
- If you are trick-or-treating or outdoors, layer a long-sleeved flesh-colored shirt or distressed tights underneath for warmth.
- Use water-soluble fake blood on your skin so it washes off easily in the shower at the end of the night.
Zombie Cheerleader costume FAQ
- How do I make my cheerleader costume look dirty?
- Mix dark brown and black eyeshadow with a little water, or rub actual potting soil onto the fabric. Focus on areas that would naturally touch the ground, like the hem of the skirt and the knees of your socks.
- What is the best way to apply fake blood to the outfit?
- Lay the clothes flat outdoors. Dip a stiff paintbrush or toothbrush into fake blood and flick the bristles to create realistic splatters, or pour small pools of blood and let them run down the fabric.
- Can I wash the costume after putting fake blood on it?
- Most commercial fake blood will stain permanently, especially on white fabric. It is best to treat this as a single-use or permanently distressed costume.
Did you know? The zombie cheerleader trope gained massive pop-culture popularity in the 2000s and 2010s through horror-comedy films and video games like 'Lollipop Chainsaw'.