Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice. Beetleju—-. Alright, we dare not say it three times, and neither do you.
With the recent success of "Beetlejuice" and Halloween approaching, fans are searching for authentic ways to bring their favorite characters to life.
Here are five proven Beetlejuice costume ideas that capture the movie's iconic aesthetic while working for any skill level or budget.
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Top 5 Ohhh-some Beetlejuice Costume Ideas
1. The One and Only Taxi Driver
Transform into the chaotic taxi driver from the afterlife using simple thrift store finds. Start with an oversized trench coat — the more raggedy, the better. Pair it with red flannel, gray slacks, and white knee-high socks for that authentically disheveled look.
Pro tip: Your costume should look like you just emerged from the grave. Embrace the chaos! Add mini bug shapes to your clothes using stamps, and distress that trench coat with sandpaper for an authentic, worn-out appearance.
Then, you can tease your hair to make it appear fuller or opt for a readymade Beetlejuice wig if you want to keep your actual hair clean. You can also DIY the taxi hat by taking an old cap and writing “GUIDE” using a marker.
2. Dress-Up As Beetlejuice Characters
Nothing screams Beetlejuice more than actually going as the characters from this beloved movie:
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Beetlejuice
Go as Beetlejuice in his iconic black and white striped suit [1]. You can either buy a pair of pinstriped top and pants or DIY the costume using paint (black or white, depending on the color of the fabric of your clothing) and masking tape.
Put tape on your top and pants in a vertical position as if creating stripes on both of them. Then, paint the exposed part and let it dry.
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Lydia Deetz
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Barbara Maitland
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After-Life Miss Argentina
Also, don’t forget your beauty queen sash and paint your body with teal to capture that “afterlife glow” (if you know what we mean).
3. Use Anything Stripes & Beetlejuice Wig
If you’re in a rush or don’t have the time to DIY your costume, buy striped (both top and pants) and purchase a Beetlejuice wig from officially licensed retailers to complete your look.
Of course, don’t forget to do your makeup to really get into character! But what happens if you say the name Beetlejuice 3 times?
4. Complete The Beetlejuice Family
Planning a group costume? The Deetz family creates a cohesive theme perfect for families or friend groups. This approach works especially well because each character has distinct visual elements that complement the others.
Charles Deetz: Brown checkered suit representing his stressed businessman persona
Delia Deetz: Vintage black dress with avant-garde artistic flair
Lydia Deetz: Long-sleeved black dress, combat boots, black hat, and vintage camera
Group Strategy: Lydia serves as your group's anchor — once people identify her gothic aesthetic, they'll immediately recognize your Deetz family theme. Focus extra attention on perfecting her look for maximum group impact.
To portray Lydia's character better, wear a long-sleeved black dress, combat boots, a black summer hat, and carry a vintage-style camera. Don't forget accessories like jewelry or a dark shirt underneath for layering.
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5. The Maitlands & Their Scary Masks
Barbara and Adam Maitland offer two distinct costume opportunities: their normal suburban appearance and their terrifying transformation masks that became iconic horror-comedy moments. This creepy option is fun for boys, girls, and anyone wanting to amaze with scary showtime effects.
Normal Look: Barbara Maitland in a floral summer dress, Adam in casual suburban attire
Scary Transformation: Barbara Maitland with a grotesque wide-mouth mask, Adam with his famous stretched-face prosthetic and finger eyeballs
All you need is a floral summer dress and a freaky mask with eyes and a huge tongue inside its mouth. Meanwhile, Adam's is a scary plague doctor mask, complete with eyeballs on his fingers.
You can search online for DIY Beetlejuice masks. Some opt for papier-mache, and some use foams. Pretty much any material works if you have decades of patience, but we recommend starting simple.
If you don't have the time to diy these awesomely scary masks, you can always order them online to finish your costume. Don't forget to check your options and choose what works for your budget - there are plenty of choices at the end of each year. Enjoy these awesome Beetlejuice quotes, too.
CHARACTER GUIDE TO BEETLEJUICE
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Beetlejuice (Betelgeuse) — The mischievous "bio-exorcist" ghost who helps recently deceased spirits scare living occupants from their homes. He is recognizable by his pale complexion, dark-circled eyes, wild green hair, and signature black and white striped suit.
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Lydia Deetz — The goth teenager who bridges the living and dead worlds. Her signature style features all-black outfits, wide-brimmed hats, and vintage cameras, representing sophisticated gothic aesthetics.
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Barbara and Adam Maitland, a recently deceased couple, are haunting their former home. Their normal forms wear typical suburban clothing, while their scary forms feature grotesquely distorted faces and supernatural elements.
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Delia Deetz — Lydia's eccentric stepmother and metropolitan sculptor, known for avant-garde artistic clothing with bold colors and unconventional patterns.
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Charles Deetz — Lydia's stressed real estate developer father, typically appearing in business attire with checkered or plaid patterns that suggest his corporate background.
Enhanced Halloween Costume Tips and Considerations
New Characters from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
The 2024 sequel introduced Bob the shrunken head, creating fresh costume opportunities for fans seeking current references. This character features a tiny head on an oversized business suit, creating comedic proportions that appeal to contemporary audiences. You'll find a ton of added inspiration from these newer characters if you explore the sequel's handbook of new looks.
Makeup and Styling Essentials
Professional-quality transformation requires attention to both visual impact and practical wearability. Use white cream makeup as your base, add strategic decay effects with green accents, and ensure all products are skin-safe for extended Halloween wear. A brush helps create smooth application and even coverage.
Hair Solutions: Whether modifying natural hair or using wigs, focus on creating texture and supernatural wildness that suggests otherworldly origins while maintaining comfort throughout your event.
Group and Family Costume Strategies
Beetlejuice's diverse character roster makes it ideal for multi-person costumes. Consider skill levels when assigning characters — reserve complex transformation masks for experienced costume creators while giving simpler character looks to beginners. Begin with simple characters and gradually work your way up to more complex ones.
FAQs
Can kids wear Beetlejuice costumes for Halloween?
Yes, kids can wear Beetlejuice costumes for Halloween. If they are fans of this timeless classic from Tim Burton, then they surely can recreate some of the iconic looks from the movie.
Your daughter can dress up as the chic gothic Lydia Deetz, and your son can dress up as the star himself - Beetlejuice!
Is it easy to DIY Beetlejuice costumes?
It depends on which character you will be portraying. One easy character to portray is Beetlejuice, since all you need are a pinstripe top, pants, and a Beetlejuice wig. You can find most items in your house or purchase them without spending too much money.
Final Thoughts
Portraying your favorite Beetlejuice characters is quite easy - simply scour the thrift shop for a few items (like a Beetlejuice wig) to replicate their iconic looks and get creative with makeup. Whether you love the classic sandworm scenes or prefer character-focused looks, there are options to amaze everyone.
Join the fun this Halloween season with these timeless costume ideas that never go out of style. Take pictures to create lasting memories, and don't be afraid to add ruffles or other personal touches to make your costume unique. With the right board of inspiration and a little creativity, you'll have the perfect Beetlejuice look in no time.
If you are a huge fan of this movie, make sure not to miss this Beetlejuice collection from Toynk that is to die for (pun intended)!
References:
- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/cast-beetlejuice-1084016/
- https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3553460/beetlejuices-lydia-deetz-goth-girl-hero/
