How to Create a Jack Skellington Costume

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 25, 2023

Jack Skellington's look from Tim Burton's 1993 movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a fun and simple costume to make. With the right materials, the look can easily be recreated from scratch.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Making a Pinstriped Tuxedo Jacket and Pants

Download Article

1
Pin a solid black, long sleeved t-shirt onto a large foam board. ^{[1]
X
Research source} The board can be pinned to the wall or laid onto a table, as long as it is a flat and secure surface.
- Lay the shirt completely flat with the front of the shirt facing upward.
- Secure the sleeves, neck area and bottom of the shirt to the paper using sewing pins. This will keep the shirt nice and flat while you paint. ^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
2
Outline the lapel area to create a tuxedo jacket look. You will want to outline from the base of the neck down to the middle of the shirt, creating an oval shape. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Paint the inside the oval area using white fabric paint and a wide paint brush and This will give the appearance of Jack Skellington’s white shirt underneath the jacket.
- You may also cut along the outline of the initial oval area using fabric shears, then simply wear a white t-shirt underneath your costume for the same effect.
Advertisement
At this point you should have the appearance of a white shirt with jacket lapels on each side. This should look like an inner ‘U’ shape and an outer ‘U’ shape that both meet in the middle of the shirt. ^{[4]
X
Research source}
4
Paint small pinstripes down the arms and center of the shirt. Using a small paintbrush white fabric paint, start at the ends of the shoulders and paint 6-8 straight, vertical lines all the way down to the bottom of each sleeve.
- Use a ruler to keep your lines straight while painting.
- Paint horizontal lines on the lapel from the tops of the shoulders down to the center of the jacket using a small paintbrush, the lines should be drawn about ½ of an inch apart.
5
Draw vertical lines down the body of the jacket. The lines should run down to the bottom of the shirt starting from the left underarm. With the white fabric paint, use a small paintbrush and a ruler to keep the lines straight. These lines should also be approximately ½ inch apart.
- As you move toward the center of the shirt, be sure to start painting your pinstripes from the outer edge of the lapel down to the bottom of the shirt.
- Repeat the same instructions for the right side, painting approximately 8 lines per side.
6
Draw a straight horizontal line across the navel area. Use your small paintbrush and white fabric paint to from the left side of the shirt to the right.
- In the center of the jacket, directly underneath bottom of the lapel, use your white fabric paint to draw a small, circle about the size of a 50 cent piece to replicate the button on Jack’s tuxedo jacket. ^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
- Set aside to allow all paint to dry.
7
Pin your solid black pair of cotton or polyester pants to a large foam board. Use sewing pins to clip the waist area and very bottom of the pants to the paper to ensure that the pants remain flat and secure while painting. ^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Paint small, vertical lines that run from the left hip area down to the bottom of the left leg. Use a ruler to keep your lines straight and keep them approximately 1 inch apart.
- In the center of the pants, be sure to paint the lines from the top of the waistband to the bottom of the crotch area. Allow the paint to dry and repeat these instructions on the backside. In the end, the pants should have approximately 8 lines per leg on the front and back.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Making the Bat Bow Tie

Download Article

1
Draw a bat on black construction paper using a white colored pencil. The bat’s head should be approximately 3 inches wide with winged tipped ears. You can use the construction paper itself as the bat’s head, or black felt by using what you’ve drawn as a stencil and cutting around it. ^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Outline both eyes with the white colored pencil and then fill them in with either the pencil, or with whiteout.
2
Outline 3 large wingtips per side (6 total) using black construction paper. Each wingtip should extend approximately 8 inches outward with pointy ends. Wings should extend approximately 2-3 inches past each shoulder.
- Cut around the outline to create the wings. You can use these construction paper wings or create more life-like wings by using black felt. ^{[8]
  X
  Research source} You can use your outline as a stencil to cut the felt into wings.
- Use white paint or whiteout to draw small horizontal lines within each wingtip. There are no set amount of lines to draw, but shoot for a minimum of 2-3 lines starting at the tip of each wing down to the center.
3
Pin the bat to the neck area of the costume using two silver safety pins. You can use one pin on either side of the bat’s face, or place one at the top of its head and another at the bottom.
- The wings should be left unpinned and should be sticking straight out about 2-3 inches past the shoulders.
- Pinning the bow tie may be best accomplished once you have already put on the suit.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Applying Makeup and Skull

Download Article

1
Draw a circular outline around the eyes. Using black liquid eyeliner or a black eyeliner pencil, the outline should start underneath the eyebrows and continue underneath the eyes, stopping before you reach the bridge of the nose to recreate Jack Skellington’s black, sunken eyes. ^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Apply black makeup underneath the eyebrows, completely over the eyelids and underneath the eyes.
2
Draw a ½ inch thick line across the left cheek. Use black liquid eyeliner or black lipstick to create a straight line that extends from the bottom of the ear to the corner of the mouth. ^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Apply the liquid eyeliner or lipstick to draw stitches vertically across the horizontal line, then repeat on the right side of the face to recreate Jack Skellington’s stitched mouth.
- Color your lips using black lipstick, then create the same stitch effect from right above the upper lip to right below the bottom lip.
3
Cover face and skin with white powder makeup. Include the ears the base of the skull and the front and back of the neck. While adding makeup to the ears, be sure not to get powder inside of the ear canal.
- Be sure to dab both around and inside the stitches so that they remain visible. ^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
4
Wear a plain white or flesh colored latex cap to replicate the bald white skull. The cap should fit snug and tight with few wrinkles.
- Use gel or bobby pins to slick the pair down to create a smooth base for the cap to fit securely. ^{[12]
  X
  Research source} White latex caps can be found online and in costume shops.
- Dab the edges of the cap with a bit of white of flesh colored powder makeup to achieve a blend.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Where can I find the shirt and pants?

Community Answer

Any store that sells clothing should have these basics.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 0
Question

Can I remove my hair?

Community Answer

You can shave your head bald if you so choose, though the bald cap advised in the article would be less drastic.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 7

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

You can also cover your hands with white makeup or purchase skeleton gloves to complete the effect.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
Wear black shoes, preferably platform-style to make you appear taller if you feel too short.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Alternatively, you may slick your hair back into a ponytail or low bun and use a liberal amount of baby powder to coat the hair.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

If using baby powder on your hair, be sure not to get it in your eyes. Another person may be able to help with this stage. If your costume is already on at this point drape yourself in a large towel to avoid getting baby powder all over.

Thanks
Helpful 7 Not Helpful 0
A white turtleneck underneath can be a great alternative to painting the front of the shirt white and adding makeup to the neck area.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 3
You can also use a plain, white latex swim cap, though this may not blend with makeup as easily.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 4

Things You'll Need

A foam board or surface where clothing can be securely clipped to prevent sliding
Solid black t-shirt and solid cotton or polyester black pants
Sewing pins
Small safety pins
A small paintbrush
A wide paintbrush
White fabric paint
Black construction paper and/or black felt
Scissors or fabric shears
White or flesh colored latex cap or solid white swimming cap
White colored pencils/whiteout
Black liquid eyeliner or eyeliner pencil
Black lipstick
Halloween makeup kit
White powder makeup
Baby powder

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

Log in

How to Create a Jack Skellington Costume

Steps

Making a Pinstriped Tuxedo Jacket and Pants

Making the Bat Bow Tie

Applying Makeup and Skull

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories