Bank Robber Costume
Pull off an easy Cat Burglar Costume with items you likely have on hand! This Bank Robber costume is the perfect last-minute costume!
I love Halloween, and we go all out with family Halloween costumes every year. But even with little kids, I’m already experiencing Halloween outings where my kids don’t want to wear the family costume. Also, my husband frequently travels for work, leaving Mom the lone ranger. Honestly, sometimes I feel a little silly dressing up all by myself for a theme.
But, I’ve found one that works great either as a mommy and me costume, a group costume, or all by myself. This easy DIY burglar costume is always a hit!
Super Easy Last Minute Costume Idea
It’s always great to have an excellent and super-easy costume alternative you can wear in a pinch. And a Bank Robber costume DIY is one of those easy, excellent costumes! I mean, most people recognize a cat burglar costume a mile away.
The best part? This costume is so easy to pull off with items you likely already have on hand. It’s one of my favorite last-minute costume ideas.
Cat Burglar Costume
Here are the items you need:
- A black and white striped shirt
Truly, any will do! But opting for a long-sleeved shirt with thinner stripes does the trick to give a bit of a vintage feel and that classic look. Classic burglar stripes are black and white or a cream and black shirt with stripes. And, a comfy knit fabric in a long sleeve cut is ideal. - A black eye mask
I used this superhero mask with an elastic band as an eye mask. Seriously, ditch the cheap plastic mask and grab a cheap superhero mask made of felt with elastic loops! I love that you can easily make adjustments to fit your head with the elastic string. It was comfy and easy, and you can snag free shipping if you need one! I borrowed mine from my son’s toybox.
- Black pants or black leggings
I’ve seen this look with sleek black leggings, and also black jeans. You can’t go wrong with whatever you already own, or whatever you know you’ll get a lot of use out of long after the costume. - A black beanie or skull cap
I know most people in cooler climates may have this sitting in their closets. As a Southwest United States resident, I was happy to find overnight delivery times on this inexpensive hat that worked perfectly! - A money bag with a dollar sign
I ordered some pre-made bags after finding some discounts. But I’ve also seen people make these themselves in a pinch. It’s truly just a bag with a dollar sign that you can draw on. If you only get one, great. But three felt like the perfect quantity for this easy mom costume! - Black Shoes
Any you own will work great! But complete your stealthy thief in the night cat burglar adult costume (or kid costume) with black shoes.
Great Alternatives/Optional Items:
- Jumpsuit
My mom status is going to show big time here, but I always think of Johnny’s dad in the kids’ movie Sing as the classic bank robber. He’s in his blue jumpsuit, and then also an orange prison jumpsuit. His white mask shaped like a bunny is a funny alternative, too. I think you could get away with either if the striped shirt category just isn’t in your cards. - Black overalls
I love my black overalls so much that I wrote an entire post about them! They’re comfortable and wearable well beyond a costume. They also fit the more modern cat burglar costume look. - Gloves
I didn’t bother with them, but they are a fun addition. And, bonus points if you live in a cooler climate. A pair of leather (or faux leather) gloves looks super chic. A pair of fingerless gloves gives a fun, modern look to your cat burglar costume accessories. - Plastic mask
Think of a pirate mask or Westley from The Princess Bride style mask. If it’s black with small eye openings, you’re set!
Fun Cat Burglar Pun Costume Alternative Option
If you love a good pun, a fun alternative option is to incorporate a cat costume with the burglar costume to become the ultimate… wait for it…CAT BURGLAR! Show your cat-like skills and add a few kitty elements to make this a punny costume.
You could include a cat ear beanie, or add some felt cat ears to your existing black knit cap. And who doesn’t love an included tail? You can easily buy or make one and hook a safety pin tail closure on your belt or the belt loop of your pants.
Do some easy cat face paint and add a triangle nose, some whiskers, a widow’s peak on your forehead, and a few freckles to your cheeks.
A faux-gem-studded belt works great as a cat collar. And white paw prints cut out and attached to your loot bag or your pants are a super clever addition to your accessory kit for your costume.
Like this easy Bank Robber Costume DIY? Be sure to check out these costume ideas, too:
Easy Rosie the Riveter Costume
