Creating a clown costume from scratch is an enjoyable project that allows for creativity and personalization. This approach ensures the final look is tailored to your vision, moving beyond generic store-bought options. The process involves planning, material sourcing, and simple construction techniques suitable for various skill levels.
Selecting Your Clown Persona and Style
Selecting a specific clown archetype dictates the costume’s aesthetic. The classic Whiteface clown, such as the Pierrot, typically wears neat, elegant clothing with a predominantly white or silver color palette. In contrast, the Auguste clown embraces exaggerated, brightly colored, and often mismatched garments with a chaotic silhouette. The Tramp or Hobo clown utilizes a patched, oversized costume, usually featuring darker, muted tones to convey melancholy. This choice determines the fabric patterns, mood, and level of exaggeration required for the main costume pieces.
Constructing the Main Costume Pieces
The core of the costume centers on oversized pants and a simple tunic or jumpsuit to create a voluminous silhouette. For the pants, start with existing trousers and sew a wide strip of fabric into the side seams to increase the leg width. Adding elastic cording to the ankle hems is an effective technique to gather the material, creating the signature puffy, balloon-like effect.
For a no-sew option, modify a large, brightly colored painter’s jumpsuit by cinching the waist and ankles with thick elastic bands or rope. Fabric glue provides a strong bond for attaching large felt polka dots or diamond shapes directly onto the garment surface. This method allows for quick customization without requiring a sewing machine, making it accessible for beginners.
The iconic neck ruff or large collar frames the face and requires specific material consideration. Construct a simple ruff by gathering a long strip of lightweight fabric, such as tulle or cotton sheeting, along one edge. Sew or glue the gathered strip onto a neckband, ensuring the fabric is stiff enough to stand up without collapsing.
Using medium-stiffness felt for a large, flat collar provides a clean, exaggerated shape. A vest or jacket can be incorporated to add visual interest and texture to the torso. This piece should also be slightly oversized to maintain the overall exaggerated proportions. Attaching large, contrasting buttons or pom-poms to the front of the vest enhances the playful, cartoonish appearance.
The Essential Accessories and Footwear
Completing the look requires attention to non-clothing elements that enhance the chosen persona. Headwear is a defining feature, ranging from a simple bowler hat for a Tramp to a tall, conical hat for an Auguste. Wigs should be selected for their bright, unnatural colors and wild, voluminous styles, often made from synthetic fibers that hold their shape.
Footwear requires exaggeration to achieve the clown aesthetic. Create oversized shoes by covering old boots or sneakers with large pieces of foam padding, then covering the foam with brightly colored vinyl or fabric. Alternatively, wearing the largest, most brightly colored sneakers available provides a budget-friendly approach to exaggerated foot size.
Accessories provide the final layer of detail and characterization. A large, brightly patterned bow tie or wide, contrasting suspenders draws attention to the upper body. White cotton gloves are a traditional element that visually separates the hands from the costume sleeves, adding a touch of cleanliness. Simple props, such as a rubber chicken or a flower rigged to squirt water, offer opportunities for interaction and performance.
Clown Makeup Basics
The application of face paint is the final step in creating the clown identity. Grease paint or water-activated face paint are the standard materials used for their high pigmentation and smooth coverage. Before full application, a small patch test on the skin is recommended to ensure there are no adverse reactions.
The process begins with applying a smooth, even layer of the base color, typically white for a Whiteface or a natural flesh tone for an Auguste. Next, define the features using a contrasting color, usually black or red, to draw exaggerated mouth shapes and stylized eyebrows. The eyes are often circled or highlighted with large, geometric shapes to make them appear more expressive. Once the design is complete, the makeup must be set to prevent smudging and transfer. A generous dusting of translucent setting powder is gently pressed over the painted area to absorb oils and lock the design in place.