How to Make an Adult Executioner Costume for Halloween

My husband found a medieval axe replica at the Renaissance fair three years ago and he's been an executioner every Halloween since. He really gets a kick out of spooking the neighborhood kids when they come around for candy. The Executioner costume is a Halloween costume classic. Maybe it's because they're so easy to make at home. It only took me a few hours to make my husband's executioner costume. Here's a tutorial on how to make a quick, realistic, and inexpensive adult Executioner Halloween costume.

The Executioner's Axe

If you can find a medieval axe replica, it will give your executioner costume an authentic feel to it. However, if buying one is more of an investment than you're willing to make for one night, you can make your own.

1. Get yourself a good, stiff piece of cardboard. If you can find one, use an old refrigerator box. The bigger your axe, the more impressive your executioner costume will be.

2. Take a sheet of paper (or, a few sheets of newspaper) and sketch out your executioner's axe. I recommend checking out a few photos online to find one that you like. Next, cut out your template.

3. Trace your axe template onto your cardboard twice. Cut out both pieces and line them up, one on top of the other.

4. Grab a roll of black electrical tape and wrap it around the handle, covering it from top to bottom, stopping at the blade. Cover the blade with heavy duty tinfoil.

The Executioner Costume

1. Get a pair of black tights, or black jeans that fit snugly.

2. Find a hood.

This might be difficult (or pricey). In that case, you can make one yourself. The hood should come down to your shoulders. It can either completely cover your face except for eye holes, or you can leave the face open. To make your own hood, all you need is black fabric, scissors, and a needle and thread. Check online for some free and simple hood patterns.

Or just fold the fabric in half and draw a bell shape on it large enough to cover your head and drape over your shoulders.

Cut it out so that you have two matching bell shapes.

Sew these shapes together.

Put the hood on and have a friend trace the shape of your eye sockets with a piece of chalk and then cut those shapes out.

3. Put on a pair of lace up, military style boots and you're ready to go!