A day of the dead costume typically pairs a senorita-style dress or skeleton bodysuit with sugar skull face paint, in Dia de los Muertos colours of black, white and vivid orange or red. The look is Mexican in origin and leans decorative rather than gory, so it works well for adults who want something striking without full horror make-up. Below are outfit options and the accessories that pull the look together, plus notes on how to style each one.
How to get the look: start with a senorita dress or skeleton base layer, build the sugar skull face paint in stages, then finish with a lace veil or dark flower in the hair.
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Dedicated Day of the Dead costumes
If you want the look ready-made, these two pieces are built specifically for the theme rather than adapted from something else.
Day of the Dead senorita costume
The ready-made senorita dress with skull-print skirt and rose detailing - the full Catrina look in one buy.
Sugar skull skeleton skinsuit
A printed skinsuit with sombrero, bow tie and cape for the male half of the theme, Dia de los Muertos head to toe.
Sugar skull face paint and makeup
The face is the centrepiece of any Day of the Dead look. Build it in layers: a white base first, then black detail around the eyes and mouth, and jewels or tattoos to finish.
White face paint kit
A white base with brushes to lay the sugar-skull foundation before you add the black detail.
Face jewels and gems
Stick-on gems and crystals to add the jewelled sugar-skull sparkle with no drawing skills needed.
Sugar skull face tattoos
Nine sheets of temporary sugar-skull tattoos if you would rather stick the design on than paint it.
Veils, flowers and headpieces
A rose veil or flower crown frames the face paint and instantly reads as Catrina. Pick one statement piece rather than layering several.
Black rose veil headband
A black rose veil headband with a sugar-skull face mask - the classic Catrina finishing piece.
Rose flower crown
A bright rose crown with a veil in traditional orange, red and yellow for a bolder headpiece.
Finishing accessories
Small extras carry the theme down from the face - patterned tights and a decorated hat round out the silhouette.
Day of the Dead tights
Patterned opaque tights that carry the sugar-skull motif down from the dress.
Day of the Dead top hat
A decorated mini top hat that finishes a more theatrical Catrina or Catrin look.
Shop the look
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Curated by Halloween Kingdom, updated July 2026. We hand-pick costume ideas and the kit to recreate them. Meet Halloween Kingdom.
Related guides: zombie costume ideas, scary Halloween costume ideas, Halloween makeup ideas and skeleton costume ideas. Day of the Dead costumes.
