How to Make a Phantom Costume From Scratch

Creating a phantom costume from scratch can be one of the easiest costumes to create. You may also use your creativity and imagination to design the most dramatic, mysterious and intriguing phantom. Have fun and play with the materials that you already have before purchasing any new apparel. Create a more dramatic phantom by experimenting with different makeup and designs. For a scarier phantom, go for darker clothing colors, leaving the phantom mask white and free of designs.

Things You'll Need

• Dark jumpsuit or sweatpants
• Old tuxedo (optional)
• Black garbage bag
• Red lip color
• Rubber bands
• Blank white plastic mask
• White construction paper
• Hole puncher
• Scissors
• Black marker
• Sharp pencil
• Glue

Instructions

1. Sew or purchase a black or dark purple jumpsuit. Men should wear a black or dark purple sweatsuit underneath the costume's cape to add fullness and depth to the costume. For a more "Phantom of the Opera" look, wear an old tuxedo, tucking in the white blouse and vest into pants.

2. Locate a wide, thick black belt. If you do not already have one, Make one from scratch by taking a black garbage bag and cutting it to fit your waist. An old black cummerbund may also work. It is optional to create a darker phantom look by tracing a medium-sized skull's head with pencil out of white construction paper and gluing it to the front part of the belt.

3. Purchase a blank white plastic phantom mask from any craft or costume store. Create a "Phantom of the Opera" mask by tracing a one on white poster-board paper and cutting two small slits for eyes. Design the mask to your liking, using feathers, glitter and stencils to add drama and character.

4. Create more drama and flair to the mask by jaggedly cutting the right side of the mask in half, cutting from the right eye to the mask's chin. With a hole puncher, punch one hole on each side of the mask. Tie or staple a long rubber band to both holes to make a sling that will go around the back of the head.

5. Apply red color to the lips to create a in a dramatic, mysterious phantom look.

6. Grab a black cloak, which can either be bought at a costume store or made out of a black, red or dark purple curtain. It is optional to use a fedora for a headpiece. Finish off the phantom costume with white gloves and black boots.

References

• Costumzee: How to make a phantom costume