25 Day of the Dead Costumes

Step out with your entire family in the most quintessentially traditional way with this costume. Each family member can dress up in vivid colors and traditional accessories. The look is further completed with the Day of the Dead skeleton makeup and altar decoration. 

Here is a great example of a traditional Mexican heritage costume from the_life_of_aivax on Instagram. 

Get inspiration from this unique and artfully designed sugar skull theme costume. Mom and the girls can dress up in skeleton dresses, whereas dad and the boys can wear matching suits. Together, they form a united front, as they pay tribute to the generations before them.

Here is a great example of a skeleton family costume from @smiffysuk. 

Channel the ethereal beauty and grace of Catrina de Los Angeles with this family costume. Layer your skeleton garb with dresses and coats of choice. To embody Catrina’s allure, don’t forget the minimalist makeup and floral crown for the ladies. 

Here is a great example of the Catrina De Los Ángeles costumes from @lilylove213. 

Illuminate the day with this radiant Candelabra family costume. To recreate it, you’ll need a red dress and a black veil for your little girl, and a one-piece suit for your little boy. With their skull-painted faces, vibrant attire, and candles or battery-powered lights, they will surely light the way. 

Here is a great example of the Candelabra costumes from Costume Works.

Seek inspiration from the colorful and picturesque streets of Guanajuato with this vibrant couple’s costume. Men can wear the traditional Guanajuato attire, whereas women can cover their bodies in skeleton paint and orange hues. Complete the ensembles with sombreros, as they represent the deep-rooted culture behind the festival.

Here is a great example of the lovers in Guanajuato costumes from @catrinasporelmundo1.

Feel the rhythm and passion of the Day of the Dead with this Mariachi couple’s costume. Men can wear a dashing black suit with intricate golden accents, while women wear an elegant dress and flower crown. The look is completed with skeleton body art and masks. 

Here is a great example of the Mariachi couple’s costume from @childrenofthenight9.

Give your ensemble a modern twist with this Vienna-inspired idea. The gentleman wears a dapper black leather jacket, while the lovely lady wears a stunning black dress that showcases old-world charm. The skull-painted faces and the chic styling make it an unbeatable combination that’s worth showing off.

Here is a great example of the overs in Vienna costumes from Virag Horvath Photo.

Celebrate eternal love with these Day of the Dead bride and groom costumes. Men can wear a dashing black suit with a marigold boutonniere, while women will stun in a hauntingly beautiful black gown, a rose crown, and a bouquet of dead flowers. 

Here is a great example of the bride and groom costumes from Bespoke Bride. 

Celebrate the day in contemporary style with these modern Day of the Dead costumes. To get this look, the man can dress up in a black shirt and black pants, whereas the woman can step out in this elegant black dress. Don’t forget about the skull-painted face and traditional Mexican headgear.

Immerse yourselves in the captivating tales of Mexican folklore with these traditional couple’s Day of the Dead costumes. The man wears a charming charro outfit, complete with a wide-brimmed sombrero, whereas the woman dons a vibrant dress that captures the beauty of traditional folkloric garments. 

Here is a great example of the folklore costumes from @hatos_photography. 

Dress up in this fearsome yet captivating High Priestess of the Dead costume. This authentic ensemble leaves no detail untouched and while it may take a bit of effort to assemble, the end result makes it worth it. From the makeup to her outfit, she is the personification of the Day of the Dead festivities.

Dress up as the charming Catrina by wearing a flouncy purple skirt, a black top, and the majestic marigold crown. Wear black body paint and the traditional Day of the Dead makeup, and celebrate the transformative nature of this sacred occasion. 

Here is a great example of the Catrina ensemble from @vanessabarbadesigns. 

Embrace the timeless essence of the festival with this intricately designed red suit-piece costume. Red. the color of blood, has a revered place in Mexican culture, whereas black represents the Land of the Dead. This vibrant ensemble is the perfect choice if you want to honor the holiday.

You can buy it here from Amazon.

Capture the profound devotion of the Sacred Heart with this striking costume. Drape yourself in a mesmerizing net black gown, decorate your face with traditional Day of the Dead makeup, and wear a headdress to complete the look. 

Here is a great example of the Sacred Heart from The Beautiful Circus. 

Dress up in this red and black costume to ramp up the gothic vibes. Pair your gown with a corset and don’t forget the vibrant makeup as you greet the dead on the day when the veil between the living and the departed is at its thinnest.

Step into the captivating world of Mexican folklore with this DIY costume that mirrors the spirit of La Catrina. This authentic costume embodies the heart and soul of Mexican heritage. You can assemble it at home with a satin skirt and a top with golden trimming. The look is completed with face makeup and a white flower garland.

Here is a great example of the Temptress Catrina costume from @vanessabarbadesigns.

Evoke the charm of Tinker Bell with this whimsical costume. Grab a green dress, and compliment the look with green accessories. Instead of going with black makeup around the eyes, go for greens as an ode to the colors of fall. 

Here is a great example of the Tinker Bell costume from @vanessabarbadesigns. 

Combine grace and elegance with this stunning ensemble. Wear a beautiful white dress with striking red floral details and pearls for a touch of sophistication. For added flair, don a black corset and gloves and your Day of the Dead ensemble is ready to go. 

Here is a great example of the Crown of the Dead costume from @ari3s_m. 

The dress features a lace-trimmed off-shoulder neckline, a corset waist, and a layered ruffled skirt. The authentic attire captures the spirit of the celebration and, together with the signature makeup, you’ll be able to show up to the festivities in style.

You can buy this here from Amazon. 

Don’t have time to shop for a costume? That’s fine. Recreate this mother-and-daughter look that comes together with dresses in your closet. Mom dresses up in an everyday tunic and her minimal makeup highlights her natural beauty. The little girl wears modest home clothes and completes her look with child-friendly makeup and a homemade crown. 

Here is a great example of the sugar skull costumes from @noagord0n. 

Enter the enchanting world of the Day of the Dead with this simple but eye-catching white ensemble. Ditch the black gowns for this simple yet chic pair of white trousers and a matching top. Wear your hair down, as it adds to the no-fuss DIY vibe of the day. 

Here is a great example of the Mirror Palais costume from @actsofwhimsy. 

Recreate the magic of Frida Kahlo with this simple and captivating look. All you need is a black tube top and minimalist sugar skull makeup. Lastly, wear a vibrant flower crown as you honor the Mexican legend and pay tribute to her beauty. 

Here is a great example of the Frida Kahlo costume from @bywildwood. 

Dress your little girl in a simple ballerina outfit, and accompany the look with sugar skull makeup and a flower crown. This look is playful, creative and pays homage to those who came before her. Best of all, it can be put together easily with clothing items you already have at home. 

Here is a great example of the ballerina costume from @foxytwine. 

This DIY costume is about as unique as they come. For this look, you can take an everyday dress and embellish it with photo frames of those who have long since passed on. Each picture tells a unique story, and all eyes will be on you at the celebration.

Here is a great example of the memoriam costume from @ketsugistreet.

Channel the playful spirit of Miguel from the movie “Coco” with this kid’s costume. Recreate it for your little boy with a red hoodie, comfy jeans, and skeleton gloves. The skull-painted face (using kid-friendly makeup) elevates the look, and the guitar, Miguel’s treasured possession, ties it all together.  

This is a great example of Miguel’s costume from Primary.