Labyrinth is a gift to costume makers because the cast is so mixed: a heroine in ordinary clothes, a Goblin King in theatrical tailoring, and a crowd of creatures built from fur, foam and pure imagination. You can make Sarah's maze outfit or Jareth's wardrobe from thrifted clothes, fabric scraps and costume jewelry, while Ludo, Hoggle and Sir Didymus turn the theme into a group or family plan. Sarah and Jareth also pair up easily for couples. I've written each idea below to cover clothes, hair, makeup, shoes and safe props, and I've flagged where sewing helps and where you can skip it.
Sewing Worth Doing Even on a Thrifted Build
Most of these costumes can be bought, thrifted or glued together. A few details, though, look cheap unless they're sewn, and they're the ones people notice first. These are the three places I'd spend my machine time.
Sarah's sleeves
A thrifted white blouse rarely has enough volume. To fake a poet sleeve, cut the existing sleeve off above the elbow, then sew in a much wider rectangle of lightweight cotton or voile, gathered into both the cut edge and a new cuff finished with narrow elastic. Two rows of long machine stitches, with the bobbin threads pulled up, give even fullness without lumpy pleats.
Jareth's high collar
A stand-up collar flops unless it has something stiff inside. I fuse heavyweight interfacing to both layers, or slip a strip of plastic canvas or millinery buckram between them, then topstitch close to the edge to hold everything in place. Leave a finger's width of space at the front of the neck so you can still turn your head.
Ludo and the Fireys' fur
Faux fur throws off clouds of fluff if you cut it like ordinary fabric. Cut from the back with a craft knife or the very tips of small scissors, slicing only the backing, and the pile stays whole. After sewing, pick the trapped fur out of the seam with a pin so it hides the stitching. Do the cutting outdoors or over an old sheet; it gets everywhere.
1. Sarah Maze Costume With White Blouse
Sarah's maze outfit is the easiest place to start, because most of it is regular clothing. Look for a loose white poet blouse with gathered sleeves and a ruffled or tied neckline, then layer a brown or burgundy brocade vest over it with fitted blue jeans and flat brown boots. The outfit was always meant to sit between the real world and the fairy tale, which is why ordinary jeans work. Wear long brown hair loose with soft waves, keep makeup natural, and carry a handmade Labyrinth book, a small peach prop or a plush creature. I scuff the boots and vest with removable fabric chalk so they look like they've walked the maze; it brushes off afterwards.
2. Sarah Ballroom Costume With Silver Gown
Sarah's ballroom gown is the showpiece, and I'd almost always start from an existing dress rather than a pattern. A thrifted formal or wedding dress in silver, pale gray or icy blue with a full skirt and fitted bodice saves days of work. Add sheer puff sleeves, a layer of iridescent tulle, pearl trim and a scattering of sequins; sew the sequins on by hand in small groups, because glued ones drop off once you start dancing. Long brown curls with loose tendrils, pearly shadow, pink blush and a glossy neutral lip suit the dreamlike scene. Low silver shoes, crystal earrings and a delicate mask on a stick, so you aren't wearing it all evening, finish the gown.
3. Sarah Red Cape Costume
Adding a sweeping red cape over the maze clothes gives Sarah movement and color. The base stays the same: white puff-sleeve blouse, embroidered brown vest, fitted jeans and comfortable knee-high boots. Choose a lightweight crimson or burgundy cape that stops at mid-calf; anything longer gets stepped on, by you or by someone behind you. A gray lining makes it look finished when it flips open. Long brown waves and barely-there makeup keep her youthful. A storybook, a decorative clock or a clear acrylic sphere works as the prop. Because the clothes underneath are everyday pieces, this version is easy to walk and sit in at an outdoor party.
4. Sarah Junkyard Costume With Gray Shawl
The junkyard scene gives you a layered costume that looks detailed without hard sewing. Start with Sarah's white blouse, brocade vest, jeans and boots, then drape a faded gray shawl over the shoulders and pin on mismatched fabric scraps, costume necklaces, keys, ribbons and small trinkets. Keep every item light; heavy pieces drag the shawl off one shoulder within an hour, and I stitch rather than pin anything with weight. Tease the hair slightly and dust the cheeks with muted taupe for a tired traveler's face. A cloth bundle of crumpled paper or a miniature music box finishes the scene. Sarah's own clothes stay visible underneath, so she's still easy to place.
5. Jareth Throne Room Costume
Jareth's throne room look is aristocratic tailoring with fantasy on top. Start with fitted gray pants, a white ruffled shirt and a cropped black or charcoal jacket with metallic piping, then add a high collar, tall black boots, fitted gloves and layered silver pendants. Choose a spiky blond wig with longer pieces at the back and sweep the bangs off the face. Soft gray contour, defined brows and pale shimmer around the eyes make it theatrical without being scary. Carry a clear acrylic sphere, which is lighter and safer than glass, and add a removable blue or black cape for photos. On a thrifted jacket, the alteration I'd make first is taking in the side seams at the waist; that one change does more for his silhouette than any trim.
6. Jareth Ballroom Costume With Blue Coat
Rich blue velvet makes this Jareth stand out beside Sarah's pale gown. Wear slim gray pants, a white ruffled shirt, a fitted waistcoat for structure, and a long navy or royal blue coat with silver braid, rhinestones or embroidered appliqués on the shoulders, collar and cuffs. Velvet crushes under a hot iron, so I press it face down on a thick towel or steam it from the back. Add tall heeled boots, a blond wig teased high and feathered, and cool blue-gray eyeshadow with subtle contour. Carry an acrylic orb and an ornate silver masquerade mask. A thrifted coat altered and decorated by hand keeps the cost down and still looks rich, especially standing next to a ballroom Sarah.
7. Jareth Final Battle Costume
The final-confrontation Jareth is black and white, and it's easier to move in than the long coats. Wear close-fitting gray or black pants, a loose white pirate shirt with full sleeves, a black leather-look vest or cropped jacket, knee-high boots, and a dark cape fastened with a metallic brooch. The high-volume blond wig is essential, so backcomb the crown and set it with lightweight spray. Smoky gray around the eyes, clean skin, silver rings and layered pendants give the royal finish. Carry a clear acrylic orb or a foam clock rather than anything fragile. I sew a small loop inside the cape hem at each side so you can slip a finger through and lift it on stairs.
8. Jareth White Owl Costume
Jareth's owl form makes a lovely costume if you resist the urge to build a full mascot suit. Build around a fitted white top, slim white pants, white or silver boots and a shoulder cape covered in feather texture. I cut the feathers from layered felt or organza and stitch them in overlapping rows; loose craft feathers shed all over the room and snap in a crowd. White wing-shaped wrist cuffs and a silver belt come next. Style a platinum wig into sharp swept-back layers, and use pearly white eye makeup, silver liner and a few painted feather marks at the temples. A light owl half-mask for photos and a clear sphere at the belt tie it back to the Goblin King.
9. Sarah And Jareth Ballroom Couple Costume
The ballroom is the couples' favorite, and the trick is coordinating without matching. Sarah wears a full silver gown with puff sleeves, iridescent tulle, crystal jewelry, low heels and long brown curls. Jareth wears gray fitted pants, a ruffled white shirt, tall boots and an embellished blue velvet coat, with the spiky blond wig, cool-toned eye makeup and an acrylic sphere. Give both of you masks on sticks so you can talk and eat. Sarah's pale silver catches the light and Jareth's dark blue frames her, which is why the pair reads so well in photos. Thrifted formalwear keeps it simple; hand-sewn trim, beadwork and a structured underskirt take it as far as you like.
10. Sarah And Jareth Maze Couple Costume
For couples who want comfort over ballroom glamour, the maze versions are easier to wear all night. Sarah wears her white poet blouse, brown vest, blue jeans, flat boots and loose brunette waves. Jareth wears slim gray pants, a white ruffled shirt, a dark fitted jacket, tall boots and a short cape, with the blond wig, subtle gray eye makeup and clear sphere. She carries the storybook and he holds a decorative clock. Practical heroine against theatrical royal tailoring is a contrast people get straight away. I'd choose breathable fabric and walkable boots if you're out for hours, and keep the metallic trim small so neither outfit gets heavy.
11. Hoggle Costume With Brown Vest
Hoggle's layered, mismatched clothes make him one of the best thrift-store characters in the film. Wear an oversized beige shirt, brown pants, a weathered leather-look vest, striped socks and sturdy ankle boots, plus a rope belt hung with little fabric pouches and costume jewels. A soft brown cap with wispy gray yarn sewn around the edge suggests his hair. Instead of a full mask, I'd paint his features: rounded cheek contour, a wider nose, bushy brows and gentle age lines. A plastic garden sprayer or a jar decorated with paper fairy silhouettes is the prop. Resizing secondhand clothes and stitching your own cap keeps the whole thing cheap. Keep every prop light and obviously playful.
12. Ludo Costume With Faux Fur
Ludo takes the most construction of the main characters, but a simplified version can stay comfortable. Start with brown sweatpants and a matching long-sleeve top as a breathable base, then layer a loose rust-colored faux-fur tunic over it with plenty of room at the arms and neck. Oversized padded gloves, furry shoe covers, curved foam horns and a friendly hood with large ears do the rest. Brown and copper face paint goes on the visible face, kept away from the eyes and mouth. On screen he's a full-body creature suit, and a fur tunic over sweats gives you that bulk with far less heat. A cooling layer underneath helps indoors, and a couple of light foam rocks nod to his way with stones.
13. Sir Didymus Costume With Blue Cape
Sir Didymus mixes fox features with miniature medieval clothes, and he's great fun to sew. Wear rust-colored pants, a cream pirate shirt, a fitted vest and a short blue cape, with faux-fur covers on brown ankle boots, a fox-ear headband and a soft tail. Sew the tail to a strip of elastic or a belt loop rather than pinning it; pinned tails end up on the floor by mid-evening. A small feathered cap and fabric eye patch give him his gallant air. Warm orange makeup across the cheeks and nose with fine brown liner whiskers keeps the face open. Carry a rolled proclamation or a soft foam shield, and if you want Ambrosius too, a plush sheepdog on a light hobby-horse frame does it.
14. Ambrosius Dog Costume
If you have a fluffy dog, it can be Ambrosius, the sheepdog Sir Didymus rides. Start with a light patterned saddle blanket fastened through a soft pet harness, not tied around the body. Add a removable brown felt saddle and small fabric reins that can't tighten around the neck. A plush fox rider sits on top in a tiny blue cape, cream shirt, feathered hat and eye patch. Skip shoes, masks, makeup and anything dangling. I'd let the dog wear the harness setup for a few short sessions beforehand, and take it off at the first sign of scratching or freezing in place. The dog's own coat does most of the work, so keep everything else minimal.
15. The Worm Costume With Red Scarf
The Worm is a sweet, comfortable costume for adults or kids. Wear a sky-blue hooded sweatshirt and matching joggers, then add a soft segmented tunic. I make the segments by stitching across a lightly padded blue tube every few inches, so it bends when you sit. Small felt arms go along the sides, with blue sneakers or fabric-covered slip-ons. The hood gets round eyes and tiny dark-blue antennae, and the bright red scarf is his most noticeable detail. Paint the cheeks light blue and leave the rest of the face clear for visibility and air. A small foam teacup or a cardboard doorway is a fun photo prop, and it's a cheerful fit for school events or family parties.
16. Firey Costume With Red Feather Suit
Fireys should look manic and silly, not frightening. Start with a red long-sleeve shirt and pants, then cover sections with strips of red, orange and purple faux fur. Feather boas go around the shoulders, wrists and ankles; tack them down every few inches with needle and thread, because boas shed and slip, and a trailing one is a trip hazard. Red sneakers and felt claw gloves finish the body. A birdlike hood with big round eyes, a soft beak and tall purple hair sits above an open face with orange paint at the cheeks. A red base outfit, a few boas and thrifted shoes keep the cost low. Detachable foam hands or a removable head prop reference their comic routine without anything disturbing.
17. Goblin Guard Costume With Patchwork Armor
A goblin guard should look cobbled together, which makes it forgiving to build. Wear brown trousers, a muted green tunic, striped socks and worn boots, then layer cardboard or EVA foam armor on top, painted unevenly in bronze, gray and rust. EVA bends with you and survives being bumped far better than cardboard, which creases in the first crowd. Add a crooked fabric cap, oversized pointed ears and a broad belt of harmless trinkets. Green-brown makeup, exaggerated brows and shaded cheekbones make the goblin face, with eyes and mouth left clear. Carry a foam trumpet, wooden spoon or small banner instead of a weapon. I mix burlap, plaid scraps, faux leather and corduroy; the imperfection is the point.
18. Goblin Messenger Costume With Scroll
Not every goblin needs armor, and the messenger is the lighter, more mobile option. Cropped brown pants, a long olive tunic, striped tights and curled-toe fabric shoe covers over comfortable flats make the base, with a patchwork vest, floppy hat, pointed ears and a crossbody satchel. A pipe cleaner stitched into the toe of each cover keeps the curl from flattening as you walk. Mossy green makeup with rosy cheeks and a rounded painted nose suits him. Carry rolled scrolls tied with ribbon and a brass-look bell made from painted plastic. Stamps, patches and crooked buttons make the clothes look collected from all over the maze. With no fur, mask or rigid armor, it's the goblin I'd pick for a warm indoor party.
19. Goblin King And Goblin Group Costume
For a group, put Jareth at the center and let the goblins be chaos around him. He wears gray pants, a ruffled white shirt, a fitted dark jacket, tall boots, the blond wig and theatrical eye makeup. The goblins each get their own patchwork tunic, cropped trousers, striped socks, soft pointed ears and mismatched caps, with a different harmless prop each: a bell, a spoon, a scroll, a banner, a stuffed chicken. Keep the goblins in related earthy colors so they belong together without matching, and keep Jareth's silver, black and white noticeably cleaner. A clear acrylic sphere is his final detail. The format stretches from four friends to ten without any extra planning.
20. Sarah Hoggle Ludo And Didymus Group Costume
Four people can be Sarah and her full band of companions. Sarah wears the white blouse, brocade vest, jeans, brown boots, brunette waves and natural makeup. Hoggle needs layered brown clothes, a soft cap, jewel pouches, sturdy boots and rounded character makeup. Ludo gets the rust faux-fur tunic, padded gloves, furry footwear, foam horns and copper-brown paint, and Sir Didymus wears a cream shirt, fitted vest, blue cape, fox ears, tail, boots and feathered cap. Hand out one prop each: the storybook, a jar, foam rocks and a paper proclamation. The different heights, colors and outlines make the group photograph clearly. When I plan a group like this, I let each person simplify their own piece to suit their sewing skill.
21. Labyrinth Family Costume With Baby Toby
With a baby, the theme writes itself: Sarah's quest to bring Toby home. One adult or older child is Sarah in the white blouse, brown vest, jeans, boots and long brunette hair. Another adult is Jareth in gray pants, ruffled shirt, dark jacket, blond wig, tall boots and cool-toned makeup. The baby wears a comfortable red-and-white striped one-piece with soft socks, which is the simplest Toby costume and the right one. Older children can be Hoggle, the Worm or small goblins in relaxed separates with open-face headbands. I'd keep masks, loose beads, capes and anything small enough to swallow away from the baby. Sarah carries a storybook, Jareth a light clear sphere, and it scales from three people up.
22. Labyrinth Family Costume With Ludo And Didymus
For a family that likes crafting, Jareth, Sarah, Ludo and Sir Didymus make a strong set. Jareth wears tailored gray and black layers with a blond wig, tall boots, metallic jewelry and an acrylic sphere, and Sarah balances him in her white blouse, patterned vest, jeans, brown boots and natural brunette hair. Ludo is rust faux fur over soft brown clothes with a horned hood, padded hands, furry shoe covers and friendly creature makeup. The smallest family member can be Sir Didymus in a cream shirt, vest, blue cape, fox ears, tail and feathered cap. Altered thrift-store garments and handmade creature pieces suit this mix well. Share materials across the four costumes, but keep each character's outline distinct.
23. Junk Lady Costume With Stacked Treasures
The Junk Lady is a wearable sculpture, and the build is really about weight. Start with a gray maxi skirt, a long-sleeve top, a cardigan and flat lace-up boots. Make a backpack frame from cardboard, or better, strap a cardboard board to an old backpack, then attach empty boxes, fabric bundles, plastic frames, ribbon, costume jewelry and small plush pieces. Keep the stack below head height, with the heaviest items low and close to your back. A tattered gray shawl and fingerless gloves go on top. Style gray hair into a loose messy bun or wear a wispy silver wig, with soft taupe makeup and rosy cheeks. A tiny music box or mirror is her featured treasure, and every attached item should be soft, empty and firmly fixed.
24. Wise Man And Talking Hat Duo Costume
This duo turns the Wise Man and his chatty hat into two costumes, and the joke only lands if you stay side by side. The Wise Man wears a long blue-gray robe, rope belt, soft boots, a white beard and a tall pointed hat, with gentle age makeup and a rolled map of the maze. The second person is the hat, in a fitted brown outfit with a flared skirt or wide-legged pants and a big foam-brim collar around the shoulders with painted eyes and a mouth on the front. Brown gloves, matching shoes and expressive makeup complete it. I'd build that brim from foam and fabric rather than cardboard, which gets heavy and creases by the end of the night.
25. Door Knocker Duo Costume
The door knockers are a clever pair for two friends, and the faces are where the fun is. Both wear black long-sleeve tops, black pants and comfortable black shoes as a neutral backdrop for large foam door panels, one painted bronze and the other antique gold. Sculpt foam faces with open sections so each of you can see properly. One costume gets a ring by the ears, the other a soft ring at the mouth, just like the film's mismatched pair. Bronze and gold face paint blends skin into the panels, and metallic gloves carry it to the hands. I'd stop the panels above the knee so you can walk and climb steps. Side by side, the swapped rings get the laugh.
26. Helping Hands Illusion Costume
The Helping Hands wall becomes a costume about optical illusion rather than horror. Wear a charcoal bodysuit, or a fitted top with matching pants, and flat shoes. Attach light foam or stuffed fabric hands across a structured vest, in pairs at the shoulders, waist and hips. I fill fabric hands with polyester stuffing and run a pipe cleaner into each finger so they hold a pose. Paint simple eyes and smiles on some palms for friendly hand faces. Gray gloves and a hood leave your own face clear, with cool gray shadow and clean geometric lines. Fix each hand with hook-and-loop so it pulls free if it catches on a doorframe. Point in different directions for photos; it should look handmade and playful, not creepy.
27. The Cleaners Machine Costume
The Cleaners make an inventive machine costume as long as nothing actually moves dangerously. Start with gray coveralls, sturdy black sneakers, metallic gloves and a light foam silver helmet. Build a wide cardboard shell around the torso and hips, keeping the legs completely free, and measure the narrowest doorway you'll face before you decide how wide. Paint it steel gray and add foam gears, flexible tubes, bottle-cap buttons and striped warning panels. Cardboard wheels can turn on paper fasteners, but keep them soft and shallow. Silver around the eyes and hair tucked neatly under the helmet finish the face. Small battery lights add interest if every wire is enclosed inside the shell, away from skin.
28. Goblin Masquerade Costume With Gold Mask
Picture a Goblin City resident who got an invitation to the ballroom. Wear a full burgundy or forest-green gown with layered skirts, fitted sleeves and a slightly uneven hem, then add gold lace, mismatched rhinestones and patches of brocade so elegance and goblin disorder fight it out. A high teased updo with small braids and crooked jeweled pins suits it. Olive-toned fantasy makeup, pointed ears and exaggerated brows bring in the goblin. Low gold shoes, fingerless gloves and an ornate gold half-mask finish the outfit, with a drawstring pouch of plastic jewels. Reimagining the film's creatures as ballroom guests is a fun way to make a familiar character your own. I cut the uneven hem after the trim goes on, so I can see the balance.
29. Human Ludo Ballroom Costume
A humanized Ludo brings the gentle creature into the ballroom without a fur suit. Choose a rust, copper or warm brown formal coat with broad shoulders and textured lapels, over brown trousers, a cream ruffled shirt and polished dark boots. Faux-fur cuffs and a furry collar carry the creature texture; I'd sew them on as removable bands so the coat survives for another use. Curved foam horns on a copper headband, auburn tousled waves or a rust wig, bronze eye makeup and softly shaded cheeks give you Ludo's face. Carry a gold masquerade mask decorated with rock-like foam, with a few light stone props hung from the belt. The color and the horns keep him recognizable.
30. Human Hoggle Ballroom Costume
To finish the masquerade set, here's Hoggle as a reluctant but well-dressed guest. Wear brown velvet trousers, a cream ruffled shirt, an embroidered bronze waistcoat and a cropped burgundy tailcoat, with striped socks, buckled shoes, fingerless gloves and small jewel pouches around the belt. Style a gray-brown wig into untidy waves under a decorated velvet cap, and use rounded cheek contour, bushy brows, a wider painted nose and gentle age lines. A bronze masquerade mask in one hand and a pouch of colorful plastic gems in the other finish him. The richer fabrics dress up his layered wardrobe, but I'd leave the waistcoat a button undone so he still looks a bit rumpled. He can stand alone or beside ballroom versions of Ludo, Didymus and the Worm.
Goblin King Hair That's Still Standing at Midnight
Jareth's hair is the one thing a cheap wig can't do straight out of the bag. Buy the fullest, most layered blond wig you can find, ideally labeled heat-resistant, because you'll be backcombing it hard. Tease small sections at the crown from the roots, then smooth only the top layer so it looks full instead of matted. Set each section with strong-hold hairspray as you go.
Pin the wig through a wig cap at the temples and the nape, and put it on before the jacket and collar so you don't flatten the back while dressing. Bring a small comb and a travel can of spray. By the end of a long party even a well-set wig drops a little, and a two-minute lift in a mirror brings it back.
Staying Cool Inside Fur and Foam
Ludo, the Fireys and the Worm are warm costumes, and faux fur traps far more heat than people expect. I build them over a thin, breathable base, plain cotton or a sports fabric that wicks sweat, never a second layer of fleece. Keep the face open, leave room at the neck and wrists for air to move, and make the hood easy to push back.
- Freeze a couple of small gel packs, wrap them in a cloth and slip them into an inner pocket for the first hour.
- Take the hands and hood off between photos instead of wearing them all night.
- Drink water steadily; it's easy to forget when your hands are padded.
- If someone in fur starts looking flushed or dizzy, get them out of the top layer and somewhere cool straight away.
Which Labyrinth Character Fits Your Crew?
Labyrinth covers every skill level, from thrifted Sarah and Jareth outfits you can put together in an afternoon to Ludo, goblin and masquerade builds that take weeks. Start with each character's outline, palette, hair and signature accessory, then add trim, faux fur, fantasy makeup or props as your time and budget allow. Comfortable shoes, breathable base layers and open-face headpieces make the detailed costumes far easier to wear. Couples have the ballroom and maze looks, and families and groups can mix the main characters with creatures and goblins. Easy or elaborate, funny or elegant, it's the head-to-toe care that brings the maze to life.
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