Creating a Yoda Costume

Yoda is the archetypal guardian of the Star Wars universe, and like all great fictional characters, he has transcended the material. More than thirty years after George Lucas introduced the character in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda is worldwide icon.

This popularity has made Yoda a beloved costume choice for conventions, parties and Halloween since 1980. However, due to Yoda’s size and other non-human characteristics, the Yoda costume has always presented some interesting challenges, especially for adults. Yoda’s size makes the Star Wars Yoda costume best suited to children or exceptionally small people. However, with a little creativity and attention to proportions, it’s possible to create an adult-sized Yoda costume that works well.

The most difficult aspect of the Yoda costume is the non-human features of the head. You have two choices here, buy one or apply the makeup yourself. Professionally made Yoda masks are expensive, but they look incredibly realistic, especially on childrens Yoda costumes.

If you opt for the makeup route, then you’ll require olive green face paint, black facial paint and base facial paint for texturing purposes. You will need to apply makeup to the hands. However, you can buy premade Yoda hands or die cloth gloves. Even if you achieve the Yoda head by applying makeup, you may find it easier to purchase Yoda ears from a costume shop or online.

Another option is to sew the ears, which provides some fantastic results in the hands of a capable tailor. You’ll need a light green hooded sweatshirt or a sweatshirt that you can die to the appropriate color. From the sleeves of that sweatshirt, cut the shape of the ears. Use cardboard at the center of each ear to give it shape and rigidity. Then sew the ears onto each side of the sweatshirt’s hood.

Yoda’s cloak, the centerpiece of the traditional Star Wars Yoda costume, is homemade and worn. Therefore, it’s an easy effect to achieve unless you try to too hard to make it look perfect. It’s best if you have worn materials to use as the costume’s base. If not, then use dirt to soil new fabric and then wash it. Repeat this process until you achieve the desired effect.

Once you have the appropriate material, take measurements of the person who will wear the Yoda costume. Allow enough material for both length and width. As with the ears, it’s very helpful if you have someone who is a proficient sewer. If not, then practice on disposable materials before trying it on the real thing. Remember to add enough materials to the sleeve so that they are extra baggy. That’s it. Now top it off with a Yoda lightsaber, and you’re ready to guide Luke through the trials of Dagobah.

What Yoda costume would be complete without a powerful lightsaber to wield too?

The Force FX Yoda lightsaber is slightly smaller than normal models due to Master Yodas size but has all the same amazing features as the other FX lightsabers.

And for a totally different look for your doggie!

-the Yoda dog costume