If you are looking for a truly awesome costume idea for two friends to enjoy for the likes of a cosplay, fancy dress party or halloween why not consider making your own homemade DIY Shaun of the Dead costume. There are obviously two characters you will need outfits for when making this fancy dress. The characters are Shaun and his friend Ed.
Shaun of the Dead Costume – Shaun of the Dead
Before going into a more detailed guide on how to dress like the Shaun of the Dead characters here is a quick list of the clothing you will need.
Shaun Costume
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Shaun Shirt |
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Shaun Pants |
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Shaun Necktie |
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Shaun Shoes |
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Shaun Cricket Bat |
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Shaun Blood |
Ed Costume
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Ed T-Shirt |
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Ed Shorts |
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Ed Sneakers |
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Ed Shovel |
Shaun Costume
The first in-depth look at the clothing and outfits you need for this Shaun of the Dead costume is for the Shaun character. Here is a detailed look at the clothing you will need.
Shaun Shirt
The shirt you will need for the Shaun character of this Shaun of the Dead costume could not be more simple. For this you simply need a white shirt with short sleeves. You will need to add some fake blood to it but we will discuss this later.
Shaun Pants
You will need to choose a suitable necktie for this Shaun of the Dead costume.
This should be a red necktie which should be worn slightly loose around the neck.
Shaun Necktie
When it comes to footwear for your Shaun costume a simple pair of black formal shoes will work well.
You could even wear a pair of black sneakers.
Shaun Shoes
When it comes to footwear for your Shaun costume a simple pair of black formal shoes will work well.
You could even wear a pair of black sneakers.
Shaun Cricket Bat
In this movie Shaun uses a cricket bat as his weapon of choice.
You can replicate this easily with a cheap cricket bat of your own.
Shaun Blood
The final part of this Shaun of the Dead costume is applying blood to your shirt.
You should apply a limited amount of blood in a splashed fashion to your shirt like the character in the movie.
Ed Costume
Next we will take a look at the clothing and outfit you will need for the Ed character part of this Shaun of the Dead costume.
Ed T-Shirt
The most important article of clothing you will need for an Ed costume is the t-shirt the character wears.
This t-shirt has – I Got Wood – wrote across the front. It is easy to find and buy replicas of this t-shirt.
Ed Shorts
You will need a pair of shorts for your Ed costume.
These should be long denim shorts which are around knee length.
Ed Sneakers
A pair of sneakers will be needed for this Shaun of the Dead costume.
In the movie Ed wears a pair of white Nike sneakers with a red tick.
Ed Shovel
The final part of this Shaun of the Dead costume is this characters weapon of choice.
In this case you will need a simple garden spade.
Shaun of the Dead Costume Tips and Tricks
Making your own Shaun of the Dead costume, specifically the Shaun costume, from the cult classic film “Shaun of the Dead” is a great choice for fans of the film and zombie genre enthusiasts. Shaun’s outfit is iconic yet simple, making it a straightforward and fun ensemble to assemble. Here’s how to put together your own Shaun costume for Halloween or any themed event.
Key Elements of the Costume
- White Short-Sleeve Shirt: Start with a basic white, button-down, short-sleeve shirt. This is Shaun’s most recognizable garment. It’s likely you already have one in your wardrobe, or you can easily find one at a thrift store.
- Red Tie: The red tie is essential and stands out against the white shirt, adding a pop of color and a bit of disheveled sophistication to the ensemble. It doesn’t have to be perfectly tied—Shaun’s tie is often askew, especially as his day goes awry.
- Black Work Pants: Pair the shirt and tie with simple black trousers. They should be straight-legged and more on the casual side, similar to what one might wear as part of a retail uniform.
- Name Badge: Shaun works at Foree Electronics, so a homemade name badge adds a fun and authentic touch. You can easily create one with a small piece of cardboard and a safety pin. Write “Shaun” and “Foree Electronics” on it in bold marker, then pin it to your shirt.
- Fake Blood and Dirt: Since Shaun finds himself in the midst of a zombie apocalypse, his outfit is far from pristine. Smear some fake blood and dirt on your shirt, tie, and pants to recreate his battle-worn look. Focus on areas like the sleeves and chest where it might naturally accumulate.
Additional Tips
- Wooden Cricket Bat: No Shaun costume is complete without his weapon of choice against the zombies—a cricket bat. If you don’t have one, a similar-looking bat will suffice. You can even DIY one using cardboard and paint for a more lightweight option.
- Shoes: Wear comfortable black shoes that you can easily run in—important for any zombie escape plan! They should be simple and unobtrusive, something Shaun might wear for a long shift at work.
- Messy Hair and Stubble: Mimic Shaun’s unkempt hair and stubble to cap off the look. A bit of hair gel can help achieve that just-rolled-out-of-bed style, and if you’re able to grow some facial hair, a light beard or stubble adds to the authenticity. Otherwise, makeup can create a similar effect.
Putting It All Together
Once you’ve gathered all your costume components, the final step is to assemble them with a bit of chaotic flair. Remember, Shaun’s look is that of an everyman thrown into an extraordinary situation, so the more rumpled and distressed, the better. With your white shirt, red tie, name badge, and cricket bat in hand, you’ll be ready to take on any horde of zombies—or just have a great time at your next costume event!
Shaun of the Dead FAQ
Q1: What should I look for in a cricket bat for my Shaun costume?
A: A wooden cricket bat is most authentic, but any similar bat will work. If you can’t find a cricket bat, consider modifying a baseball bat by painting it or wrapping it in brown tape to mimic the look of wood. Remember, the bat is iconic to Shaun’s character as he uses it to fend off zombies, so it’s a crucial accessory.
Q2: How do I make the name badge look authentic?
A: For a convincing name badge, use a small piece of white cardboard or heavy paper. Write “Shaun” in a bold, black marker, and beneath it, write “Foree Electronics.” You can either pin this to your shirt or use a clip. For extra authenticity, laminate the badge or cover it with clear tape to give it a glossy finish.
Q3: What type of fake blood works best for the costume?
A: Liquid fake blood typically looks the most realistic and is easy to apply. You can find it at most costume stores, especially around Halloween. Apply it sporadically to mimic splatters and smears. You can also use a mix of red and black makeup to create dried blood effects.
Q4: Can I use any white button-down shirt?
A: Yes, any white short-sleeve button-down shirt will do. However, try to use one that fits a bit loosely, as Shaun’s shirt is not particularly tailored. It’s okay if the shirt is slightly worn or faded; this could actually add to the costume’s authenticity.
Q5: How can I distress my costume to look like I’ve survived a zombie attack?
A: Besides adding fake blood, you can make small tears or rips in the shirt and pants. Use sandpaper or a piece of steel wool to fray the edges of the fabric and create worn spots. Rubbing a bit of dirt or using brown makeup can also add to the “survived the apocalypse” look.
Q6: What other props can I include with my Shaun of the Dead costume?
A: In addition to the cricket bat, consider carrying around a vinyl record or two, as Shaun uses records to throw at zombies in one scene. You could also include a makeshift Molotov cocktail (obviously just for show), using an empty bottle with a cloth rag.
Q7: Are there group costume ideas that could go along with Shaun?
A: Absolutely! Have friends dress up as other characters from the movie, like Ed, Liz, or even as zombies themselves. Group costumes can recreate iconic scenes and add to the fun, especially if you coordinate your zombie-fighting actions together.
With these tips and your attention to detail, your Shaun of the Dead costume will be a hit, perfectly capturing the spirit of the movie while offering a fun and recognizable look for any event.
See more movie costumes here.
