Cotton Candy Halloween Costume DIY

Hi friends! This is THE post for anyone who is interested in candy costume ideas. Today I am sharing a Cotton Candy Halloween Costume DIY! I love creating fun, detailed costumes for Halloween every year, and this time I wanted to make one all by myself. My blog started as a place where I shared thrifted transformations and DIY’s, so this feels like going back to my roots! If you’re looking for a fun and comfortable costume, this is the one for you.

Time to Complete Project: 2 hours (30 minutes to let spray paint dry; 1.5 hours to assemble costume) 

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Supplies

To make this DIY cotton candy Halloween costume, there aren’t too many supplies that are needed! I originally was planning to use hot glue for the hat, but the glue would not stick to the fiber fill. The spray adhesive is MUCH better to use on all parts of this project!

White T-Shirt (I used a 2XL and I’m usually a M/L; I’d size up two sizes)

Spray Adhesive (Cheaper option linked here)

Ribbon

Thin Poster Board

Fiber Fill (5 bags; 8oz each)

Spray Paint (I used Color Shot spray paint from Michael’s in the shade Farmer’s Daughter)

Clear Tape 

Total Cost: $62.20 (I feel like some of these items you might already have, or could get for cheaper elsewhere, but I just grabbed everything at Michaels!) 

Step 1: Shaping Fiber Fill for Your Shirt

Pull apart the fiber fill and make it into about 30-35 small misshapen puffs. Once you’ve made these, throw them all into an empty box (I just used a box from a Target order). I did this to prevent getting spray paint all over the ground! Once you’ve gotten all of your fiber fill ready to go, spray paint the top and bottom of the puffs. I left the edges mostly untouched by paint, which gave it the cotton candy look! Let the paint dry for about 30 minutes.

Step 2: Making the Cotton Candy Cone

While you are letting the paint dry, use that time to put together some other pieces of the costume! For the next portion of my DIY cotton candy costume, I decided to measure out the cone of the hat next. This is what ties the entire costume together (in my opinion), so I wanted it to be perfect!

1. Measure & Cut Out The Cone

To measure out the cone, find the center of the poster board and mark it. I used measuring tape and just lightly marked the center with a pencil. After that, put a pin in the center of the poster board (through the measuring tape) and use a pencil to draw a circle in the center.

I measured out an 11in diameter, but make it larger or smaller depending on the size cone you need! I’d recommend making it slightly larger so it stays on your head more easily. This one was a bit floppy! (Need a tutorial on how to complete this step? Check my Instagram Reel HERE)

2. Shape the Cone

Once you cut the circle out, begin to roll it up into a cone. I just started twisting it like you would a newspaper to swat at a fly! Once you have the cone molded into the shape you need, use clear tape to tape up the back. Since it’s clear you will barely be able to see this on the completed hat (or use double sided tape)!

3. Cut the Straps

To cut the straps for the hat, I suggest using the following method. I put the ribbon around my head, and pulled it so that both of the ends would come to my hips. This length allows you to tie a bow, but you’ll still have some left over to look cute!

Pro tip: Use a lighter to harden the ends of your ribbon. This will keep it from fraying! 

4. Add the Straps to The Cone

After the cone is complete, you will then add the straps! I would suggest using a hole puncher, but I couldn’t find mine for the life of me. I decided to just use my scissors to cut small holes in each side which turned out to work perfectly! The puffs will cover these up so it doesn’t matter how it looks. Putting the hat together took me almost exactly 30 minutes, so it was the perfect length of time.

Step 3: Put Your Shirt Together

The next step in your cotton candy DIY costume is to put your shirt together! Lay your t-shirt flat on some spare cardboard (I cut a box open to just lay flat) and pull out your spray adhesive. This stuff is STICKY and will be hard to scrub off your hands so wear some cleaning gloves while working with it!

Once you have your gloves on, start gluing the fiber fill puffs onto the shirt. This takes about 20-30 minutes to do! I then left it outside to dry for an hour or so before brining it in. The spray paint AND spray adhesive have strong scents, so it’s best to let it air out.

Pro tip: Save about 6-8 puffs for your hat!

Step 4: Add Fiber Fill Puffs to Your Hat

The last step of your cotton candy costume DIY is to add some puffs to your hat! This is originally where I planned to use hot glue, but it was NOT sticking well to the fiber fill. Spray adhesive worked like a charm! I also only ended up needing one can of spray adhesive and one can of spray paint for this entire project. You’ll likely have some left over as well in case you wanted to do a Mommy & Me costume!

And that’s it! Just finish off the look with a long-sleeved white tee and some leggings. This is a super easy Cotton Candy Halloween Costume DIY that will make you the talk of your Halloween party! I know $60 for a costume may seem like a lot, but most costumes you buy from Amazon or Spirit Halloween will cost that much, or more!

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If you end up putting together a costume using this blog post, I would LOVE to see you wear it! Be sure to tag me, @sequinsandsales, on Instagram. I also have a Reel showing the process of me putting together the costume that you can watch (here)!