How to Make Full Body Costumes for Halloween

Stretchy full body costume

Full body costumes make for great costumes for any kind of occasion. There are also a variety of options for full body costumes, such as a superhero, chicken suit, black cat, and so many more. If you are trying to make a full body costume, learn the simple steps to doing so.

Things You'll Need

• Leotard, preferably long-sleeved
• Tights, 1 or 2 pairs depending on leotard
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Purchase a long-sleeved stretch leotard from your local sports store, in the color of your choosing. If you can't find long sleeved, sleeveless will work too. Fabrics that stretch, like spandex, allow for more movement and breathe better, so you won't be too hot in your full body costume.

2. Purchase a pair of tights that match the color of your leotard costume, unless you prefer a different color. Also, if you are using a short-sleeved or sleeveless leotard, purchase an additional pair of tights to use for sleeves. If you can't find the exact color, you can purchase white tights and dye them to your liking using fabric dye, which you can find at most craft stores.

3. Cut a hole, about 5 inches in width, into the center of the crotch of one of your pairs of tights, if you couldn't find a long-sleeved leotard, and cut off the feet as well.

4. Pull the altered tights over your head much like you would a long sleeved shirt, putting your head through the hole you cut, and your arms through each of the legs.

5. Throw on your second pair of tights as you would regularly wear a pair of tights. Remember with tights to put them on gently, as tights can rip and get runs easily.

6. Put your leotard on over your tights, and you now have a full body costume.

Tips & Warnings

• This method is great to use alone or as a base for another costume, like throwing on a cape and making it a superhero costume, wearing it under a revealing costume, or painting fabrics to look like various animals, like a white stripe on black for a skunk.

• Dyeing tights at home is relatively easy, but start off with the least amount of dye needed, decide if the result is satisfactory to your costume, and then continue dyeing accordingly if it is not.

References

• Weapon of Creation