How to Build a Killer Zombie Costume Without Breaking the Bank

You don’t need a Hollywood budget—or a professional makeup trailer—to look like you just crawled out of the apocalypse. In fact, the best zombie costumes are often the scrappiest, grimiest, most creatively unhinged ones.

Whether you’re running for your life or joining the horde, here’s how to build a killer zombie costume that looks incredible, survives movement, and keeps your wallet very much alive.

🧠 Start With a Story (It’s Free)

Before you buy anything, decide what kind of zombie you are. A good concept does most of the work for you.

Ask yourself:

• How did you die?

• How long have you been undead?

• Who were you before?

Ideas that cost nothing:

• Office worker turned zombie

• Disco queen from the ‘70s

• Tourist who picked the wrong city

• Mardi Gras royalty gone wrong

A clear character makes even simple pieces feel intentional.

👕 Thrift Stores Are Your Best Friend

Never buy new clothes for a zombie costume. Ever.

Head straight to:

• thrift stores

• clearance racks

• your own closet

Look for:

• basics you can destroy guilt-free

• items that already look worn

• oversized or layered pieces

Pro tip: one amazing jacket or dress can carry the entire costume.

✂️ Destroy With Purpose

Zombie clothing should look lived in, not randomly shredded.

Do this instead:

• tear seams and cuffs naturally

• rough up edges with sandpaper or a cheese grater

• add small holes and frays, not huge rips everywhere

Then dirty it up:

• coffee grounds or tea for stains

• diluted brown/black acrylic paint for grime

• a little red paint for dried blood (less is more)

Let it dry. The smell fades. The realism doesn’t.

🩸 Cheap Makeup That Looks Expensive

You don’t need pro SFX kits to sell the undead look.

Budget essentials:

• black and brown eyeshadow (smudged, not blended)

• cheap foundation one shade too light

• red lipstick or paint for wounds

• toilet paper + liquid latex (or white glue in a pinch)

Focus on:

• dark under-eyes

• uneven skin tone

• one or two strong “injury” points

Skip perfection. Zombies aren’t polished.

🧟 Hair: Messy Is Mandatory

Perfect hair kills a zombie look instantly.

Try:

• teasing hair aggressively

• dry shampoo or baby powder for a dusty look

• a tiny bit of hairspray to lock in chaos

If you’re wearing a wig, buy cheap and rough it up. Zombies don’t condition.

👟 Footwear Matters More Than You Think

You’ll be moving—possibly a lot—so choose shoes wisely.

Best options:

• old sneakers

• combat boots

• anything broken-in and comfortable

Dirty them to match the outfit. Clean shoes ruin the illusion faster than anything.

🧠 Commit to the Character

The cheapest way to upgrade your costume? Performance.

Practice:

• a limp or drag

• slow head turns

• unfocused eyes

• low groans or breathy sounds

A $20 costume with commitment beats a $200 costume without it.

🧟 Bonus Budget Hacks

• borrow accessories instead of buying

• layer instead of adding detail

• reuse Mardi Gras pieces (crowns, beads, capes)

• focus detail on the face—it’s what people see first

🧟‍♀️ Final Rule: Have Fun With It

Zombie costumes aren’t about perfection. They’re about creativity, humor, and going all in without taking it too seriously.

So rip it. Smudge it. Dirty it up.Then show up like you mean it.

Because the best zombie costumes don’t look expensive.

They look undead.