Game characters make good costumes because they're drawn in bold colors and simple shapes, which is exactly what reads from across a dark street. Fortnite keeps adding seasonal outfits and silly variants, so there's a character for every kind of friend: the ones who'll wear a banana head, the ones who want armor, and the ones who'd rather just wear a suit. Each idea below covers the clothes, hair or headwear, makeup, a prop and shoes. Most of it comes from closet basics, thrift finds, felt, fabric paint and craft foam. I've noted where a big headpiece can be swapped for something simpler, because a costume that's comfortable for school or trick-or-treating gets worn a lot longer than one that isn't.
Sewing a Character Hood That Keeps Its Shape
Half the costumes in this list hinge on a character hood: Peely, Fishstick, Cuddle Team Leader, Rippley, Kit and the Llama. A floppy hood is what makes a homemade costume look sad by the end of the night, so I spend most of my time here.
- Use a hoodie that fits as your pattern. Trace the hood pieces with an extra finger's width all round for seams.
- Cut from fleece or felt. Fleece is warm and forgiving; felt is stiffer and holds ears and points better.
- For ears, stems or points, sandwich a piece of thin craft foam between two layers of fabric and stitch around it. Pipe cleaners sewn along an edge let you bend an ear back into place.
- Stitch the big cartoon eyes on the forehead area, above your own eyes. Where a hood must come down over the face, cut a window and sew in black mesh, which you can see through but others barely notice.
- Add a chin strap of elastic with a hook-and-loop end so the hood doesn't slide back when you turn.
Before decorating, I wear the plain hood around the house for ten minutes. If it's hot, it needs a mesh panel at the back. If it pulls at the neck, the opening needs to be wider. Fixing it then is far easier than unpicking felt eyes later.
1. Jonesy Fortnite Costume
Jonesy is the easy default, and the green scarf is the piece I'd never skip; without it he's just a guy in cargo pants. Layer an olive sleeveless utility shirt over a tan fitted top, then add brown cargos, a webbing belt and fingerless gloves. A short blond wig with a little spiking, or your own hair with washable gel, gets the hair. A small backpack, a folded map and an empty blue bottle as a shield potion are light, harmless props. Sturdy black lace-ups finish it.
2. Ramirez Fortnite Costume
Ramirez pairs perfectly with Jonesy, and both costumes share half their shopping list. A fitted grey tank, olive cargos, a dark utility belt, black fingerless gloves and a green neck scarf set her up. Fabric knee pads strapped over the trousers add the adventure detail; I sew the straps from wide elastic so they don't slide down when you walk. A long dark brown wig in a low ponytail if you need it. Carry a cardboard map or a foam potion, and wear comfortable combat-style boots.
3. Peely Fortnite Costume
Peely is the banana, and the curve of the hood is the whole costume, so that's where I'd put my sewing time. A yellow hooded bodysuit, or a yellow sweatshirt and leggings, is the base. I make the banana hood from two layers of yellow felt with thin foam sandwiched between, which keeps the point standing, and finish it with a brown felt stem. The face goes on the chest or hood in black fabric paint, with mesh at the eye area if the hood comes down low. Yellow gloves keep the color unbroken. For a cooler version, a yellow tracksuit and a banana hat do the job.
4. Agent Peely Fortnite Costume
Agent Peely is the one for adults who want to be funny and still look sharp. A slim black suit, white shirt, narrow black tie, black gloves and dress shoes are the easy half. The banana head is the hard part. I build it as a hood on a soft foam frame covered in yellow felt so it sits on the head rather than pressing on it. If a full head feels like too much, a yellow beanie with a felt banana tip and a light touch of yellow face paint gets the joke across. A black briefcase is the right prop.
5. Fishstick Fortnite Costume
Fishstick depends on the eyes, and the eyes are also where people make it impossible to see. Orange leggings and a long-sleeve orange shirt go under a pale blue sleeveless tunic, belted in brown. For the head, I use an orange balaclava and stitch big white and black felt eyes on the forehead, well above your own line of sight. Soft orange felt lips and a small blue cap finish the shape. Orange gloves and shoe covers over light sneakers keep the color going. A plush fish or a small foam cooler is a fun, harmless prop.
6. Gummy Fishstick Fortnite Costume
Gummy Fishstick is the candy version and an easy pick for a Halloween party. A pink or coral bodysuit under a turquoise sleeveless tunic, a purple belt and colored gloves set the palette. Shiny stretch fabric makes shoe covers that look slightly translucent, like gummy candy. The head follows the original Fishstick build in pink: close hood, big felt eyes, round lips and a turquoise cap. A little cheek shimmer suggests the glossy texture. Fill a clear backpack with scrunched tissue paper candy for a prop that weighs nothing.
7. Meowscles Fortnite Costume
Meowscles is a muscular cat agent, and the joke lands best when the body is chunky and the face is cute. A fitted white tee with black sleeves, black cargos, suspenders and a heavy utility belt give the agent half. White gloves with black felt paw pads and black boots go on next. White face makeup, a pink nose and whiskers give the cat face; I set the white with translucent powder so it doesn't streak onto the collar. Felt ears on a white hood or wig. Keep the tail short; anything past the knee gets stepped on.
8. Kit Fortnite Costume
Kit is the small robot cat, and it's one I'd sew for a child because every piece can stay soft. Grey sweatshirt and joggers make the base, with an orange cat hood carrying the ears, big eyes and a pink nose. The robot body is light silver-painted cardboard hung from backpack straps, so it lifts off in one move when they need the bathroom. Foam buttons in blue, red and yellow suggest controls. Grey gloves, knee pads and silver shoe covers carry the robot look, and a curled orange tail sewn from fleece and stuffed lightly sits off the back.
9. Cuddle Team Leader Fortnite Costume
Cuddle Team Leader is all hot pink, and fleece is the fabric I'd reach for: it's warm, it doesn't fray, and it's easy to sew into a hood. A pink zip-front jumpsuit or matching hoodie and joggers form the base. The white heart on the chest can be felt or fabric paint, with grey straps and knee patches adding dimension. The bear hood gets rounded ears, a white muzzle and big cartoon eyes, one with a broken-heart detail. For an open face, pink around the eyes and a small black nose. A heart-shaped backpack holds candy and keys.
10. Skull Trooper Fortnite Costume
Skull Trooper is the classic, and it's mostly a weekend with fabric paint and black basics. A black jumpsuit or a black hoodie and pants, with white bones painted or stitched across chest, arms, hips and legs, makes the suit. Draw the bones a bit fat and cartoonish; realistic anatomy looks wrong next to the game art. A white skull face with black eye circles and a simple painted grin stays playful. I'd use reflective fabric paint for some of the bones if it's going trick-or-treating, so drivers catch them in headlights.
11. Skull Ranger Fortnite Costume
Skull Ranger is the slimmer, athletic version of the same idea. A black long-sleeve top and leggings or flexible cargos make it easy to move in. Iron-on vinyl gives crisp bone edges, but I'd use a low iron and a pressing cloth on stretch fabric so it doesn't pucker. Put bones on the sleeves, ribs, hips and lower legs so the skeleton reads from every side. A high black ponytail, symmetrical skull makeup, finger-bone gloves and black sneakers finish the look.
12. Raven Fortnite Costume
Raven is about a big purple and black outline. A black long-sleeve tunic and fitted pants, then a deep purple hooded cape with feathery shapes cut from fabric around the shoulders. A face covering below the eyes and purple and pale lavender shadow suggest the glow; skip colored contact lenses unless an eye doctor has fitted them. Foam forearm and shin panels, black gloves and a wide belt give armor. I'd cut the hood wider than looks right so you can still turn your head and see to the side.
13. Ravage Fortnite Costume
Ravage takes the feathers and puts them on a fitted shape. A black bodysuit or top and leggings, with a purple feather-trimmed cape, make the base; pointed felt pieces sewn in rows look feathered without shedding all over the floor. Long black hair or a wig with subtle purple streaks, smoky purple eyes and a cool lip suit the character. A half mask is optional, as long as it doesn't press on the nose. Black gloves, foam bracers, a purple belt and knee-high boots, plus a small cardboard wing backpack, round it out.
14. Drift Fortnite Costume
Drift is streetwear with a fox mask, so the clothes are easy and the mask needs care. Black tee, dark jeans and a red or pink sleeveless hoodie under a long black coat lined in hot pink. Gold fabric tape along the edges keeps the coat flexible. I cut the mask from thin white craft foam, add pink ears and gold markings, and make the eye holes generous. An elastic strap lets it slide up onto the head when you want to talk or eat. Black gloves and high-tops finish it.
15. Catalyst Fortnite Costume
Catalyst runs the fox mask in black and purple. A fitted black jacket with purple panels, pink piping and gold tape details goes over a dark top and leggings. A long black wig with purple or magenta ends worn straight or in a high ponytail is the main hair note. The white foam fox mask gets pointed ears and purple markings, and soft purple eye makeup keeps the look whole when it comes off. A faux-fur purple tail clipped to the belt is fun, but I'd keep it above the ankles.
16. Midas Fortnite Costume
Midas is mostly a black vest and tie over a white shirt, which makes him one of the cheapest builds here. Add black trousers, gloves and dress shoes, and slick a short blond wig back or use temporary blond spray. The gold markings are the character, and I'd suggest gold gloves over painting your hands; gold body makeup transfers onto everything you touch. Washable gold decals on the neck and forearms suggest the patterns. A gold cardboard case is a light prop, and a fabric shoulder strap can hold a folded map.
17. Jules Fortnite Costume
Jules mixes mechanic clothes with red accents. A charcoal sleeveless jumpsuit or a dark tank and cargos, red suspenders, a wide work belt, fingerless gloves and knee pads make the base. A messy high ponytail with loose strands suits her, and washable geometric decals on the arms stand in for her markings. I sew a tiny felt owl onto a backpack strap; it's the small detail fans spot first. A cardboard toolbox with foam gears and black lace-ups finish it.
18. Brutus Fortnite Costume
Brutus relies on bulk, and a padded muscle shirt is the way to get it, but I'd only use one with breathable panels or you'll overheat indoors in an hour. A black suit jacket over a black shirt, black trousers and polished shoes give the agent half. A bald cap matched to your skin tone, or very short hair pressed flat, comes next. Dark sunglasses and a little foam earpiece read as security. A cardboard badge or bright keycard is the prop, and he slots neatly into a larger team.
19. TNTina Fortnite Costume
TNTina has a comic-book look: white top, red pants, black straps. Wear a fitted white tank with bright red cargos, a black utility belt and fingerless gloves, with suspenders for structure. A short black bob, wig if needed, with one bold red streak of temporary color. Winged liner, red lipstick and little comic dots at the temples give the face. For a prop, I'd decorate a cardboard supply box with starburst graphics and skip anything that looks like an explosive, which tends to get questions at school.
20. Rippley Fortnite Costume
Rippley is a cheerful blue blob, and the rounded shoulders make it. A royal-blue hooded bodysuit or sweatshirt and joggers goes under a turquoise utility vest and a chunky brown belt. I sew batting into removable pockets inside the shoulders so the costume can still go in the wash. Big white felt eyes and a smile sit on the hood above your face. Keep shimmery blue makeup well clear of the eyes. A clear backpack stuffed with blue cellophane looks like a liquid tank and weighs almost nothing.
21. Sludge Fortnite Costume
Sludge is Rippley's red cousin, so the build is the same with a deeper palette. Use a red hooded bodysuit or a sweatshirt and flexible pants, a dark utility vest, elbow patches and knee pads. Batting at the shoulders gives the round profile, and the hood carries the felt eyes and grin above an open face. Red gloves and slip-on shoe covers keep the color unbroken. A clear backpack with red tissue paper and foam bubbles is the prop. Supportive burgundy sneakers beat any oversized costume shoe.
22. Bushranger Fortnite Costume
Bushranger is a walking tree, and the leaves are where these builds fall apart. A brown sweatshirt and leggings or joggers are the base, with clusters of green, yellow and orange artificial leaves at the shoulders, sleeves, hips and calves. I stitch every cluster through the stems; glue alone lets go as soon as the fabric flexes. The felt hood gets soft branch points and big eyes. Brown face paint blends an open face into it. Never use real branches; they snap, scratch and catch on doorways.
23. Tomatohead Fortnite Costume
Tomatohead is a giant smiling tomato in a pizza uniform. A green long-sleeve shirt under a striped vest, tan pants, a brown belt, green gloves and red sneakers make the body. The head is light foam covered in red felt, with mesh openings for sight, big cartoon eyes, a black mustache and green felt leaves on top. If a full head is too much, a red beanie with leaves and a painted mustache works. Carry an empty pizza box, and keep any logos made up.
24. Beef Boss Fortnite Costume
Beef Boss is the burger mascot, and the stacked head is what everyone will photograph. A striped short-sleeve shirt over a tan long-sleeve, brown pants, a red apron and red or white sneakers make the uniform. I build the burger from foam rings covered in felt layers, bun, patty, lettuce, tomato and cheese, with a mesh front for air. A burger hat with simple mascot makeup is the open-face option. A cardboard tray of felt fries makes the prop. Keep the head light and easy to lift off.
25. Lil Whip Fortnite Costume
Lil Whip is pastel and sweet, and the soft-serve swirl hat is the fun part to sew. Wrap a light foam cone in white fleece, add felt sprinkles and a red fabric cherry, and fix it to a comfortable cap. A white or pale blue collared shirt, a striped vest, white pants, a pastel bow tie, light blue gloves and pink and white sneakers complete the uniform. Rosy cheeks suit an open face. Fleece is warm, so I'd keep the rest light for indoor parties.
26. Mancake Fortnite Costume
Mancake is a pancake cowboy, and the joke is in the head. A brown long-sleeve shirt, dark vest, tan pants, red neck scarf, a wide belt with a round buckle and brown boots make the western half. The pancake head is stacked upholstery foam circles covered in golden-brown fabric, with a felt butter square and syrup drips. Leave a wide mesh window for seeing and breathing. A pancake hat and a curled painted mustache are the lighter option.
27. Brite Bomber Fortnite Costume
Brite Bomber is rainbow and purple, and the chest graphic carries it. A bright purple fitted top, blue leggings or slim cargos, a pink belt, wristbands and knee pads make the base. I cut the rainbow and unicorn from felt and stitch them on; vinyl works too on cotton. A pink wig in a high ponytail, shimmery pink shadow and star stickers keep it bright. Purple high-tops and a rainbow backpack finish it. It's all soft, everyday clothing, so you can dance in it all night.
28. Dark Bomber Fortnite Costume
Dark Bomber is the moodier version, with purple lightning instead of rainbows. A black or deep purple fitted top and leggings carry a purple storm cloud emblem in paint or vinyl. A dark belt, fingerless gloves and purple knee pads follow. A long purple wig with pink highlights in a high ponytail, violet shadow and little lightning decals near the temples suit it. Reflective purple tape on the lightning bolts makes them flash in headlights without any batteries.
29. Red Knight Fortnite Costume
Red Knight is armor over plain black clothes, and elastic straps are what make it wearable. A black long-sleeve shirt and fitted pants go under lightweight red foam chest panels, shoulder pieces and shin guards, all strapped on so they move with you. A red fabric skirt panel and a black belt with a silver buckle sit at the waist. The craft-foam helmet needs a narrow eye slot and a small red plume; a black hood underneath hides the hair. Keep the foam shield small for crowded rooms.
30. Black Knight Fortnite Costume
Black Knight follows the same build in matte black with red. A breathable black athletic top and pants carry foam armor at the chest, shoulders, forearms and shins. A black balaclava fills the gap at the neck. Red fabric at the waist and a red plume on the helmet bring the color. I always round every foam edge with sandpaper or scissors; square corners dig into the inside of the arm. Flat black boots and a small shield with a red dragon emblem finish him.
31. Omega Fortnite Costume
Omega is futuristic armor with glowing red lines. A fitted black athletic set is the base, with angular black EVA foam panels across chest, shoulders, forearms, thighs and shins. Red reflective tape along selected edges imitates the lights without any wiring. The helmet needs narrow red-trimmed eye slots and hidden vents; foam helmets get hot fast. Red geometric makeup near the eyes works if the face shows. Keep panels close to the body so nothing catches on people or doorframes.
32. Carbide Fortnite Costume
Carbide swaps Omega's red for blue and silver. A navy or black fitted base layer carries smooth foam panels painted dark blue and silver, edged with bright blue reflective tape. I'd make the chest and back panels in two pieces joined at the sides with elastic so you can bend forward. A blue and black helmet, or a short brown wig for the unmasked look, goes on top. Cool blue eye makeup, black gloves and navy boots finish it, plus a slim backpack with a round blue foam detail.
33. Lynx Fortnite Costume
Lynx is a sleek catsuit with red accents and light armor. A black jumpsuit, or a black top and leggings, gets red piping from fabric tape plus small foam panels at the shoulders, forearms and shins. A high dark ponytail or a black wig with red streaks; a fitted hood with small cat ears is the armored version. Sharp liner, red shadow and a tiny feline nose do the face. Felt claw tips on the gloves and a short tail finish her, and every piece should flex.
34. The Foundation Fortnite Costume
The Foundation looks heavy, but EVA foam keeps it surprisingly light. A black compression shirt and flexible pants go under red and charcoal foam panels on the chest, shoulders, forearms, thighs and shins. I leave every joint open, elbows, knees and the waist, so you can sit and climb stairs. The enclosed foam helmet gets a smooth black face panel and red accents, with hidden mesh at the lower face for air. A white and black emblem goes at the center of the chest. I strap each panel on with elastic instead of gluing it to the clothes.
35. Fortnite Loot Llama Costume
The Loot Llama is the one I'd hand to a kid or a group. A purple sweatshirt and leggings make the base, with rows of fringed fabric in purple, blue, turquoise and pink stitched across the body, arms and legs. The hood has a soft snout, upright ears and big cartoon eyes. Blue gloves, purple shoe covers and a short fringed tail finish it. A cardboard supply box worn as a backpack with foam game items inside is the prop. Keep the fringe above the ankles and clear of the hands so it doesn't catch on doors.
Props That Get Past a School Costume Rule
Fortnite is a game full of weapons, and many schools and some public events don't allow toy weapons with costumes, even foam ones. I'd plan the prop around that from the start rather than leaving a child disappointed at the gate.
- Swap blasters for game items: an empty blue potion bottle, a cardboard supply drop, a folded island map or a small llama.
- A plush or foam pickaxe is often fine at parties, but check with the school first, since some rules count any tool-shaped prop.
- Character props work best: Peely's briefcase, Jules's toolbox, Tomatohead's pizza box. They tell people who you are far better than a generic gun.
- Give every prop a wrist strap or a hook on the belt, so hands are free for bags and railings.
Splitting the Squad So Every Costume Reads
A group looks strongest when the characters belong together in the game. The food crew of Tomatohead, Beef Boss, Lil Whip and Mancake works as a set, and so do the skeletons, the agents with Midas, Brutus and Meowscles, or the Peely family with Agent Peely beside him. Pairs like Jonesy and Ramirez, or Drift and Catalyst, read instantly side by side.
I'd also balance effort across the group. Not everyone needs a foam head. Mix one or two big builds with simpler costumes, so the people in heavy headpieces have friends who can hold doors and carry drinks. If you're taking photos, put the tall headpieces at the back and the brightest colors in the middle.
Which Character Is Your Group Still Missing?
The Fortnite costumes that work best keep the character's colors and outline and stay comfortable in real life. The list runs from mascots and colorful animals to fighters, mystery characters, the food crew and futuristic armor. Most start with shirts, pants, hoodies, boots, a wig and some craft foam. Get the main colors and silhouette right first, then add one or two signature pieces. Light props, clear sightlines, breathable headpieces and good shoes make every one of them easier to enjoy. I'd start with whoever your friends will spot first, whether that's Peely, Jonesy or a Loot Llama.
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