Candy Cane Costume for Adults | Stripes, Styles & Where to Buy

Adult candy cane costumes come in several commercial styles — bodysuits, tunic sets, and full morphsuits — ranging from $25 to $78, with a DIY option costing about $20 in supplies.

The red-and-white swirl is one of the most recognizable holiday symbols, and dressing up as one is simpler than you might think. Whether you need a last-minute group costume for a Christmas party, a Spirit Week outfit, or something clever for Halloween, three main routes exist: buy a ready-made costume online, build one from a red dress and tape, or commission a handmade piece. Each option suits a different budget and effort level, and the table below sorts them at a glance.

If you are still deciding between costume concepts, our roundup of the best adult candy costumes for every holiday event can help you compare themes and price points side by side.

Costume Type Price Best For
Plus Size Red Candy Cane Bodysuit (Walmart) $50.99 Curvy adults wanting a one-piece jumpsuit
Adult One Size RIP Candy Cane (Kohl’s) $24.99 Budget shoppers — includes foam neck accessory
Adult Red Candy Cane Bodysuit (Halloween.com / FUN.com) $10 – $20 (retail up to $77.98) Standard fit, true-to-size bodysuit
Men’s Candy Cane Man Suit (Morphsuits) Varies by retailer Full-body striped morphsuit — ideal for parties
Custom Adult Candy Cane Dress (Etsy) $111.00 (on sale) Unique, handmade — plan ahead
DIY Candy Cane Costume (red dress + tape) ~$20 in supplies Last-minute or custom sizing

Ready-Made Options: What Actually Ships to Your Door

Four distinct commercial products dominate the market, and they differ in silhouette, fit, and what is included.

The Plus Size Red Candy Cane Bodysuit from Underwraps sells at Walmart for $50.99. It is a full jumpsuit with a zipper closure, designed for adults who need a roomier fit. Two inventory options are usually available, so check stock dates if you are shopping close to the holiday.

The Adult One Size RIP Candy Cane Costume at Kohl’s is the most affordable at $24.99. It is a tunic-length top made from 100% polyester with a foam candy cane that wraps around the neck and hangs on the chest. A waisted tie belt with a 3D green sequined dot finishes the look — note that pants are not included, so wear red or white leggings underneath.

The Adult Red Candy Cane Bodysuit sold through Halloween.com and FUN.com is a stretch-knit jumpsuit (88% polyester, 12% spandex) with a zipper down the center back and a headpiece that fastens with a hook-and-loop closure under the chin. The curved neck section creates the classic candy-cane hook shape.

The Men’s Candy Cane Man Costume from Morphsuits is a full-body morphsuit with striped top, matching bottoms, a matching hat, and a green bow tie. It covers everything from neck to ankle and works well for group themes or dance parties.

DIY Candy Cane Costume: Build It in Under an Hour

For about $20 in supplies, you can create a custom-sized costume that fits better than any one-size option. This method is ideal if the commercial versions do not match your size or if you need an outfit today.

Supplies You Need

  • Red dress (any style you already own or can thrift)
  • White Duck Tape (thicker than standard tape and more visible — do not substitute thin tape)
  • Cardboard
  • Red spray paint (optional, if cardboard is brown)
  • Headband
  • Hot glue gun
  • Cardboard cutter or scissors

Steps

  1. Cut a candy cane shape from cardboard. Use a cutter to shape the hook so it curves around your face. If the cardboard is brown, spray it red and let it dry.
  2. Add white stripes by wrapping horizontal strips of white Duck Tape across the candy cane face. Keep the spacing consistent so it matches the dress.
  3. Glue the candy cane to a headband using a hot glue gun. Hold it in place for 30 seconds until the bond sets.
  4. Add stripes to the dress by laying white Duck Tape horizontally across the red fabric. Follow the same spacing you used on the face piece for a coordinated look.

The entire outfit takes about 45 minutes. If you are truly pressed for time, safety-pin the candy cane to the headband instead of gluing it — the C.R.A.F.T. tutorial notes this works for 10-minute builds.

Which One Should You Pick?

The choice depends on your budget, fit needs, and how much effort you want to invest. The table below maps each option to a typical shopper profile.

If You Want… Pick This Why
Cheapest ready-made RIP Candy Cane at Kohl’s ($24.99) Includes foam neck accessory; just add red pants
Full jumpsuit for curvy sizes Underwraps Plus Size at Walmart ($50.99) One zipped piece, no separate bottoms needed
Full body coverage head to toe Morphsuits Candy Cane Man Morphsuit covers everything, including hat and bow tie
Custom fit or unique design Etsy handmade dress ($111) Handmade, one-of-a-kind, but order early
Spending under $25 total DIY (red dress + Duck Tape) Uses items you may already own; custom sizing is free

FAQs

Do any candy cane costumes include pants?

Only the Morphsuits Men’s Candy Cane Man and the Underwraps bodysuit are full-body pieces. The RIP Candy Cane tunic at Kohl’s explicitly does not include pants, and many jumpsuit-style costumes end at the thigh — check the product description before buying.

Is the bodysuit headpiece uncomfortable?

The Adult Red Candy Cane Bodysuit headpiece uses a hook-and-loop fastener under the chin, which can slip if not fastened tightly. If you plan to wear it for several hours, test the fit beforehand or secure it with a bobby pin. The DIY cardboard-and-headband version stays in place more reliably.

Can I wear a candy cane costume for Halloween, or is it only for Christmas?

It works for both. The red-and-white pattern fits Christmas parties and Spirit Week themes, and it is also a popular Halloween group costume (candy themes, pun costumes, or “sweet tooth” groups). No seasonal restriction applies to the costume itself.

How do I clean a store-bought candy cane costume?

Most commercial versions (RIP Costumes, Underwraps, and the FUN.com bodysuit) are made from 100% polyester or a polyester-spandex blend. Hand wash cold and hang to dry. The tunic and the bodysuit both have zippers, so avoid machine washing to prevent snagging the stretch fabric.

What size should I buy if “One Size” sounds risky?

Adult One Size usually fits women’s sizes 6–12 or men’s medium. If you wear a US dress size 14 or larger, go with the rated Plus Size bodysuit from Walmart. The Morphsuits version is stretchy enough to accommodate a wider range, but check the size chart for exact height and weight limits.

References & Sources

Please use a real email you check. If it's fake or mistyped, your message won't reach us and we can't reply — wrong addresses are rejected automatically.