What Do I Need to Dress Up as a Clown?

Clowns sometimes wear white gloves.

Whether you’re planning to run away and join the circus, entertain kids at a birthday party or put together a memorable clown costume for a party, you need the right components. While there are a variety of clown looks and styles, there are some consistent parts that make up a clown costume. Getting these parts right will ensure you get the big laughs.

Shoes

Clowns are known for their oversized shoes, which are much bigger than any normal human being would wear. Like other parts of a clown’s costume, the shoes are often colorful, such as bright red or purple.

Makeup

No clown would be complete without the proper clown makeup. This is one of the areas where clowns get creative, but all clowns typically paint their entire face, including adding exaggerated lips and eyebrows and designs on the cheeks. Common makeup colors include white, red and black.

Hair

Clowns often wear brightly-colored wigs, such as green or red, that are big and curly. Rarely do clowns have hair that’s brunette, black or blonde. Some clowns wear bald caps, making them look bald. On top of your hair, you can also wear a large top hat or other hat.

Nose

In addition to makeup on their faces, clowns typically wear an exaggerated red nose. This nose slides over your existing nose and helps accentuate the center of your face.

Clothes

Like the rest of their look, clowns wear brightly-colored, silly clothing. You can buy a clown costume or make your own version. For example, use large baggy red pants with a wacky green top. Add a comically-large bow tie and put on a pair of bright green socks.

References

• Merchant Circle: How to Make a Clown Costume

Resources

• All About Clowns: Famous Clowns