How to Make a Teen Cheerleader Costume

If you're in a pinch for a quick and easy costume idea, this teenage cheerleader costume is perfect. If you can't find an authentic cheerleader uniform at a resale shop or sold online, you can make your own using clothing items that are easy to find.

Things You'll Need

• Pleated skirt
• Sleeveless V-neck shirt
• Megaphone
• Pom-Poms
• Ribbons
• Tennis shoes
• Socks
• Iron-on letters
• Iron

Instructions

Assemble the Pieces of a Cheerleading Costume

1. Find a short, pleated skirt. The skirt should hit the mid-thigh. Preferably, it should be solid-colored or have only a decorative stripe at the bottom. Look for these types of skirts in resale shops, athletic equipment stores and costume shops.

2. Pair the skirt with a solid-colored v-neck sleeveless shirt. You can either pick a coordinating color or choose a shirt the same shade as the skirt. The shirts can be found at atheltic stores, discount stores or anywhere T-shirts are sold.

3. Using a warm iron and a set of iron-on letters, affix letters to the shirt following instructions on the iron-on letter packaging. You can spell out a school name, the word "cheer," or a mascot name, such as mustangs or lions.

4. Tie your hair in a ponytail. Tie the ribbons in a bow on the ponytail.

5. Put the pleated skirt, shirt, socks and tennis shoes on.

6. Purchase a megaphone and pom-poms from a sports equipment store or costume store. These items will complete your costume.

Tips & Warnings

• Coordinate your outfit using just one or two team colors

• Look at pictures of cheerleaders to get ideas for uniform colors

• Shop online for authentic cheerleader uniforms

References

• Costumzee: How to Make a Cheerleading Costume
• Cheerleading Costumes