The best time to wear a striped sweater may be all the time, according to SpongeBob SquarePants. But, what about striped costumes? You might be surprised to see that plenty of characters wear stripes, perfect for Halloween or any creative party themes. But don't forget about animal costumes or other outside-the-box ideas! You'll love these striped costume ideas for your next costume get-together.
1. Beetlejuice Costume
| Adult Beetlejuice Costume | Girls' Beetlejuice | Child Beetlejuice Costume | Women's Beetlejuice |
You'll see several black and white striped suits in this list, but Beetlejuice is probably the most iconic of them all. This quirky 80s movie ghost wears a black and white suit with thick vertical stripes. (But did you notice that the sleeves have horizontal stripes?) Don't forget a wacky white wig and some ghoulish face paint to complete your look.
2. Freddy Kreuger Costume
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Freddy Krueger reigns supreme as one of the most iconic horror movie villains. The tattered red and green-striped sweater is unmistakable, coupled with his burnt face, claw glove, and brown hat. You can easily find several Freddy Kreuger costumes for men, women, and children of all ages, from the more fashionable to the Halloween costume. You can always hang onto a nicer Freddy Kreuger sweater and accessorize it for Halloween if you feel compelled to have a more sinister sweater season.
3. Jack Skellington Costume
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Disney fans will be delighted to know that Jack Skellingon fits in as a character who wears stripes! His black and white pinstriped suit also has vertical stripes, but the suit itself remains mostly black with very thin white lines. You nearly get bonus stripes with his long, thin mouth and striped lips, and even his fingers. (What counts as a stripe these days?)
4. Wednesday Costume
| Adult Wednesday Costume | Child Wednesday Costume | Plus Size Wednesday Addams | Nevermore Academy Costume |
Wednesday was always known for her black dress and white collar, but now we can add striped outfits to her famous wardrobe! In the Wednesday TV series, Wednesday and her Nevermore Academy friends all wear striped school uniforms. She's still very recognizable with her black hair in two braids, and we encourage Wednesday Addams fans to give this costume a try!
5. Cheshire Cat Costume
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One of the more colorful characters seen here, the Cheshire Cat, is famous for its unnatural pink and purple stripes. These striped costumes come in a variety that's perfect for everyone! Cozy onesie costumes, cute dresses, and even some sexy costumes—whatever suits your taste! This is one costume where a large grin comes in handy, too.
6. Firefighter Costume
| Adult Firefighter Costume | Girls' Fire Captain | Child Firefighter Costume | Women's Firefighter |
Stripes can have their uses, as they're not always for looks. In the case of these firefighter costumes, they have reflective stripes for safety. Real firefighters want to be visible to each other and passing vehicles, so their uniforms contain these safety stripes. That's pretty cool! If you want to wear a striped costume that reminds you of your local, everyday heroes, a firefighter costume might be precisely what you want.
7. Gomez Addams Costume
| Putrid Papa | Child Pinstriped Suit Costume | Gomez Addams Costume | Black and White Striped Suit |
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Have you noticed that stripes seem to run in the family? Of course, Gomez Addams has always been famous for his pinstriped black and white suit, but Pugsley Addams is usually seen in a striped shirt, too. If you want to find Gomez Addams costumes for kids, you might want to take a peek at the 20s gangster costumes. There are plenty of pinstriped suit costumes for the whole family!
8. Prisoner Costume
| Vintage Prisoner Costume | Kids' Prisoner | Child Prisoner | Women's Prisoner |
Is it malicious compliance if you are told to wear a striped costume and you show up in a prisoner uniform? Maybe. But you'll have so much fun it should be illegal! Vintage prisoner uniforms were often striped for visibility, and you'll certainly stand out in a prisoner costume. Whether it's a group or solo affair, you can find prisoner costumes for all ages.
9. Cat in the Hat Costume
| Adult Cat in the Hat Costume | Kids' Cat in the Hat Costume | Child Cat in the Hat | Plus Size Cat in the Hat |
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Many of us grew up with Dr. Seuss books, including The Cat in the Hat. The mischievous tuxedo cat with his tall, striped hat is still memorable. This costume is a hit with kids, whether a child dresses as The Cat in the Hat or an adult. Don't forget to read the book out loud a few times so you don't get your tongue twisted!
10. Traffic Cone Costume
Do you love incredibly ridiculous costumes? This traffic cone costume is exactly what you need to make other people laugh. Taller traffic cones often have stripes of reflective tape so cars can see them and avoid them at night. This is one silly striped costume for adults that will be the talk of the party!
11. Referee Costume
| Adult Referee Costume | Sexy Referee | Child Referee Costume | WWE Referee Shirt |
Many sports need an impartial judge to make the final call. But, in a field full of colorful uniforms, how do you stand out? Referees wear thick, vertical black and white stripes to help make them more visible. These referee costumes will set you apart at any costume party! You'll also be incredibly comfortable with a referee shirt and your own pants if that's how you intend to style it.
12. Bee Costume
| Plus Size Bee Costume | Child Fuzzy Bee | Kids' Bumble Bee Dress | Adult Fuzzy Bee |
We already saw a few instances with striped costumes that were made to be visible for one reason or another. Some animals, like bees, can have colorful stripes and markings as a visible warning to stay away. (Be careful, they sting!) Of course, the only thing you need to "bee" worried about is finding the perfect bee costume. There are so many bee costumes for kids and adults that it can be hard to decide!
13. Mime Costume
| Adult Mime Costume | Girls' Mime | Child Mime Costume | Women's Mime Costume |
Is your charades game top-notch? Are you hoping to find a way to turn your favorite striped shirt into a Halloween costume? These mime costumes are inexpensive to buy or easy to DIY, but your acting is your best accessory here. (And let's not forget the face paint!) This striped costume idea is great solo or with a friend, because how else are you supposed to play pretend tug-of-war or have other invisible interactions?
14. Hamburglar Costume
Is it weird that prison uniforms and burglar outfits can both have stripes? The Hamburglar is one such iconic character from McDonald's, well known for his theft of hamburgers. This petty thief is more silly than he is dangerous, so we can see why someone might want to be a Hamburglar for Halloween. Or comic-con. Do we even need a reason? You can add another costume with stripes with a Ronald McDonald costume for the perfect fast-food duo!
15. Sailor Costume
| Adult Sailor Costume | Toddler Sailor Dress | Child Sailor Costume | Sexy Sailor Costume |
Belt out your best sea shanty in one of these stupendous sailor costumes! Sailors are often depicted as wearing striped shirts, or having striped borders and accents. (Especially vintage sailor costumes!) These costumes with stripes are great for pinup shots and other dress-up fun. Just wear it your way whenever you'd like!
16. Garfield Costume
| Adult Garfield Onesie | Kids' Garfield Costume | Garfield Pet Costume | Adult Garfield Costume |
Our favorite lasagna-eating lazy cat is tabby, meaning he's striped! If you hate Mondays, you have the energy needed to wear a Garfield costume. (Or lack thereof.) These cozy costume onesies are great for cold-weather events and chilly fall days spent trick-or-treating.
17. Mavis Costume
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A newer vampire on the scene, Mavis is well-known for her striped socks. This kid-friendly vampire falls in love with a human who happens upon Hotel Transylvania, a hotel meant for classic scary movie monsters. Kids and adults alike will love these Mavis costumes. And there's even an adorable pair of Mavis boots with little wings! You'll feel ready to go on the prowl for fun this Halloween.
18. Blues Clues Costume
| Steve Costume Shirt | Josh Costume Shirt |
Get ready for one of the cutest Daddy and Me costume ideas ever! Blues Clues is well-known for their protagonists wearing striped shirts. It's an easy and comfortable costume for dads to wear, and your child can dress as Blue the dog. Be sure to take plenty of pictures when you're in costume together so you can hang onto those memories as they get older!
19. Tigger Costume
| Adult Tigger Costume | Kids' Tigger Costume | Plus Size Tigger | Tigger Kigurumi |
Luckily, you don't need to be made of springs to wear a Tigger costume. Like all tigers, Tigger has his famous tiger stripes. The only difference is that he's bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun! Because the most wonderful thing about Tigger is that he's the only one!
20. Waldo Costume
| Waldo Costume | Waldo Pet Costume | Kids' Waldo Costume | Adult Wenda Costume |
Do you want to wear a costume with stripes that's incredibly easy to put together and also incredibly iconic? We have you covered with these Where's Waldo? costumes. Stripes are often used to help people stand out, but in some cases, they're also used as camouflage. It's remarkable how good Waldo is at hiding on a page in a red and white striped shirt.
21. Ginger Spice Costume
What are some of the most common things with stripes? You'd be right if you thought of country flags from around the world! So many of them have stripes and would make excellent costumes, no matter if you're dressing as a flag or wearing patriotic sports costumes. In this case, we shared Ginger Spice and her iconic British flag dress.
22. Gangster Costume
| Mafia Underboss Costume | Girls' Gangster | Child Ruthless Gangster | Women's Gangster Costume |
There are many kinds of stripes, from the extra-wide to the very thin. Extremely thin stripes called pinstripes were popular during the Roaring 20s, making them a staple in gangster costumes. Gangster costumes are great for dressing as a vintage mob boss by yourself, or you can have a mini mob by dressing as a group. Don't forget a fedora and black and white shoes to complete the look!
23. Uncle Sam Costume
| Uncle Sam Costume | Plus Size Uncle Sam |
We want you—to wear these Uncle Sam costumes! Like the American flag, Uncle Sam's outfit is typically adorned with stars and stripes of the red and white variety. You're welcome to dress as the iconic flag, too, but an Uncle Sam costume affords you the liberty to wear a fun character costume.
24. Nemo Costume
| Adult Nemo Costume | Child Nemo Costume |
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Have you considered that fish can have stripes? The clownfish is the most recognizable striped fish that we can think of, especially with the help of Pixar. These Finding Nemo costumes are easy to slip on and wear with their overhead tunic style. You're sure to stand out in a crowd as this bright orange fish with black and white stripes!
25. Smee Costume
Anyone familiar with the animated Peter Pan movie probably remembers Mr. Smee. He's Captain Hook's bumbling right-hand man, who wears a bright red stocking hat and a blue and white-striped shirt. You can wear this character costume by itself, but it might help to have a friend tagging along dressed as Captain Hook.
26. Zebra Costume
| Adult Zebra Onesie | Kids' Zebra Costume | Child Zebra Onesie | Zebra Mascot Costume |
There are costumes with stripes, and then there are costumes that simply are stripes. Zebras were said to have stripes for camouflage, but it might be to ward off flies. Will we ever know for sure? Either way, zebra costumes, like their animal namesakes, are incredibly striking. If anything, these zebra costumes might make you easier to find on Halloween!
27. Skunk Costume
| Adult Skunk Costume | Toddler Skunk Costume |
Do you remember when we talked about cautionary stripes? Anyone who has seen the white stripes on a skunk knows not to get too close, or you'll be in for a bad time. Skunk costumes are pretty cute, given the skunk's reputation, and they're especially popular costumes for babies and toddlers. (Parents know why!)
28. Phineas Costume
| Adult Phineas Costume | Child Phineas Costume |
Did you grow up loving Phineas and Ferb, or have a child who loves the show? Then you'll love these Phineas Flynn costumes! This adorably Dorito-headed character stands out with his orange and white-striped shirt and tiny shock of red hair on the tip of his head. He's also a kid genius capable of making a time machine over summer vacation. We'd love to be Phineas, too!
29. Tony the Tiger Costume
There are tons of popular tiger characters, but this iconic cereal mascot is probably one of the most famous. (They're grrrreat!) Tony the Tiger has been the mascot of Frosted Flakes cereal since 1952, giving generations of cereal lovers a character to enjoy. His defining feature is his red bandana tied as a scarf, which has stuck with him through every evolution of his design.
30. Barbershop Quartet Costume
| Barbershop Quartet Costume | Plus Size Barbershop Costume | Barbershop Quartet Vest |
Do you need a set of striped costumes for four people? The most obvious suggestion is barbershop quartet costumes! These colorful outfits are usually blazers or vests with vertical white and red stripes and a flat-top straw hat. If you're going for the whole look, add a bamboo cane for authenticity. Hopefully, you can all carry a tune together!
31. Vintage Barbie Costume
| Vintage Barbie Costume | Vintage Barbie Swimsuit |
Stripes, but make it fashion! Barbie has always been on top of the trends since the very beginning. The first Barbie ever made wore this stylish striped swimsuit, which has continued to be remembered for its bold look. While it's not the easiest to get your hands on one of these original Barbies, it is much easier to find a Barbie costume. Come on, Barbie, let's go party!
32. Bert and Ernie Costumes
| Bert Mascot | Ernie Mascot | Bert Sweater | Ernie Sweater |
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Is there a more familiar duo in striped shirts than Bert and Ernie? These childhood characters are well known for their antics on Sesame Street. Grab a buddy to dress up with you; you'll be the highlight of everyone's day. There are even options to wear full mascot costumes that capture the essence of Bert and Ernie, or you can casually and comfortably wear their sweaters. Who said striped sweaters aren't the height of fashion and fun?
33. Lighthouse Costume
Lighthouses often served as landmarks for mariners, so they were commonly striped to help them be more visible during the day. You might not be spotted from the sea while wearing this lighthouse costume, but you can be a highlight of the party! (And you'll likely be the only lighthouse, so good on you for being original!)
34. Pirate Costume
| Plus Size Pirate Wench | Child Budget Pirate | Girls' Pirate Captain | Adult Pirate Costume |
You can debate about the historical accuracy of it all, but it's very common to see striped fabric in pirate costumes. As seen in these examples, you'll see a variety of striped pants, shirts, and bandanas. While you never need an excuse to dress like a pirate, if you're tasked with finding a striped costume for any occasion, you won't be disappointed if you pick a pirate costume!
35. Strongman Costume
| Adult Vintage Strongman | Chlid Strongman Costume |
Striped outfits used to be the hallmark of street and sideshow entertainers like jesters and circus performers, because they made you stand out in public. (Europe's sumptuary laws actually designated stripes for outcasts and prisoners!) The humble stripe has since shed many of its earliest influences, although you can still see it in some vintage-style costumes.
36. Ace Ventura Costume
| Adult Ace Ventura Costume | Child Ace Ventura Costume | Plus Size Ace Ventura Costume |
The wackiest character on this list, Ace Ventura, wears a lot of bold patterns including striped pants. (Paired with a Hawaiian shirt, no less!) If you love Jim Carrey, you're bound to enjoy these Ace Ventura costumes. The wacky pet detective has some wild antics and excellent quotes. Allllrighty! Who's ready to party?
We hope you can see that themed costume parties of any kind still have plenty of options to make you look and feel your very best. What was the most bizarre party theme you attended? Are you looking to host a wacky get-together for family and friends? We hope you have a blast at your next bash!
