How To Make a Punk Costume: Homemade Punk Costume Ideas
Ranked #4,007 in Holidays & Celebrations, #65,340 overall
Don't Buy Into the System
The first thing you need to know before making a punk costume is that it's kind of hard to define what "punk" is. Of course, you can always check out the Wikipedia article, but that's only just scratching the surface.
The main thing about being "punk" is that it is what you want it to be. It's about breaking rules, and not letting the man tie you down. Which basically means you can use these examples as guidelines, but don't be afraid to take the costume in your own direction!
The second thing to remember is that contrast is good. Hard and soft, bright and dark, playful and angry; the more, the merrier!
If you like this costume, you might also like my homemade Rock Star costume!
Images from this site are also on Flickr.
The main thing about being "punk" is that it is what you want it to be. It's about breaking rules, and not letting the man tie you down. Which basically means you can use these examples as guidelines, but don't be afraid to take the costume in your own direction!
The second thing to remember is that contrast is good. Hard and soft, bright and dark, playful and angry; the more, the merrier!
If you like this costume, you might also like my homemade Rock Star costume!
Images from this site are also on Flickr.
The Punk Costume Shirt
Show Your Punk Pride
You have a lot of options when choosing a shirt for your punk costume. The old band shirt is always a good choice, as is any shirt with bright colors (preferably that is really tight on you).
Alternately, you can head to your local thrift store to get some good punk costume shirts. Look for anything with strong patterns, and anything that contrasts with other parts of your costume (such as the pants). If you see anything that makes you scratch your head, like a shirt with a beheaded doll or a dead chicken, it is probably perfect.
Don't be afraid of modification! I cut slits in the sides and top of the shirt on the left, then tied up the sides to give it a "distressed" look. It's a great way to add your own personality to an outfit.
Alternately, you can head to your local thrift store to get some good punk costume shirts. Look for anything with strong patterns, and anything that contrasts with other parts of your costume (such as the pants). If you see anything that makes you scratch your head, like a shirt with a beheaded doll or a dead chicken, it is probably perfect.
Don't be afraid of modification! I cut slits in the sides and top of the shirt on the left, then tied up the sides to give it a "distressed" look. It's a great way to add your own personality to an outfit.
The Punk Costume Pants and Shoes
Put Your Crazy Pants On
If you want, you can use tight jeans or leather pants as your punk costume pants.
Alternately, scour the thrift store or other local low-cost clothing store for pants with a strong graphic pattern. Plaid pants are a good choice; anything labeled "golf pants" especially will likely create the right look. BDU camoflage pants also work. The more they contrast with your shirt, the better!
As for the shoes, black boots such as combat boots are a good choice. Alternately, you can wear statement sneakers such as Converse.
Alternately, scour the thrift store or other local low-cost clothing store for pants with a strong graphic pattern. Plaid pants are a good choice; anything labeled "golf pants" especially will likely create the right look. BDU camoflage pants also work. The more they contrast with your shirt, the better!
As for the shoes, black boots such as combat boots are a good choice. Alternately, you can wear statement sneakers such as Converse.
The Belt Necklace
A Punk Look
What Is Your Favorite Part of the Punk Costume?
Vote Here!
Loading poll. Please Wait...
A Studded Collar is Good as Well
Gothic Spiked D Ring Black Leather Choker Fantasy
Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 06/01/2012)
A studded collar can be used with or without a belt necklace. This necklace is definitely an integral part of the punk costume. You can find necklaces like this at Hot Topic, Spencer's Gifts, or other similar stores.
How To Do a Mohawk Video (No Shaving Required)
Pretty Sweet!
I followed this video loosely to get my punk hairdo (scroll down for more pics!)
powered by Youtube
The Punk Rock Quiz
How Many Can You Get Right?
Punk Costume Musical Inspirations
Get Into the Mood
Earrings and Other Accessories
The Icing on the Punk Cake
If you have piercings in your ears or elsewhere, simply find some large, dramatic jewelry to fill them with.Safety pins and other graphic items are good; I wouldn't want to stick an actual safety pin in my ear, but you can find safety pin jewelry, or simply put safety pins in your clothes.
Nose, eyebrow, lip, and other piercings are very punk. If you're not up to getting a piercing just to suit your costume, consider some fake jewelry. You can find these in both magnetic and flexible form.
More Accessories for Your Punk Costume
Make Sure to Stock Up!
The Finished Costume
My Interpretation of Punk
The rolled-pant leg look.
Camoflage on eBay
A Great Camo Source
eBay is like the thrift store of the internet. You never know what you're going to find, and you can sometimes get sweet deals!
Punks need sweet wheels.
Are You Going to Try This Punk Costume?
Can You Handle It?
Vote here! Anyone can say "Hell yeah!"
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Punks in Movies
Find More Ideas Here
The Complete Guide to Punks on Film
The #1 Punk Inspiration
Destroy All Movies!!! The Complete Guide to Punks on Film
Amazon Price: $64.75 (as of 06/01/2012)
If you really can't get enough of visual examples of punk, this book is for you. It describes punks in detail, in a variety of movie situations dating up until 1999. Click here to see a review of the book with interview on Woot.
Movies To Explore Your Inner Punkdom
Watch and Learn
More Great Halloween Sites
Click to Visit
Thoughts on Making a Punk Costume?
Share Them Here!
Or just drop in to rock on!
-
-
Lou
Apr 17, 2012 @ 6:14 pm | delete
- My daughter is having a dance recital. We have to make a punk costume, but I don't like these ideas!!!!!!!
-
-
-
emmalarkins
Apr 17, 2012 @ 10:57 pm | delete
- Sorry you didn't find what you were looking for! Don't worry, there are a wide range of "punk" looks to choose from. If you're looking for different top ideas, a military/leather jacket (often found in surplus or thrift stores) can go over just about any sort of interesting t-shirt you can imagine. For the bottoms, you have a lot of options: anything from faded/torn jeans to even dark tights and a plaid skirt. You can do an internet search for images of "punks" or "punk clothes" to get more ideas. Hope this helps!
-
-
-
glodny
Feb 25, 2012 @ 4:37 am | delete
- I like Your "doing punk hair" tips :)
-
-
-
emmalarkins
Feb 25, 2012 @ 6:53 pm | delete
- Thanks! Glad you like it :)
-
-
-
Srena44
Nov 17, 2011 @ 3:08 pm | delete
- great lens
-
- Load More
by emmalarkins
I had a bunch of fun making this simple homemade punk costume, and I hope you will, too!
- 105 featured lenses
- Winner of 33 trophies!
- Top lens » The 10 Best Kinect Games (Voted on by You!)
- This lens » Selected as Lens of the Day
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- Hot Topic Costumes Hot Topic Costumes
- Top 10 Candy Bars for Halloween Top 10 Candy Bars for Halloween
- Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas: Adult Costumes Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas: Adult Costumes
- How To Make Homemade Costumes How To Make Homemade Costumes
- Nerd Costume Ideas: Homemade Nerd Costume Nerd Costume Ideas: Homemade Nerd Costume
- Axl Rose Halloween & Party Costumes Axl Rose Halloween & Party Costumes
More Great Costume Sites
A Great Addition To Your Punk Costume
Monster Mohawk Wig Adult
Amazon Price: $14.58 (as of 06/01/2012)
