Demogorgon Costume Guide

Channel the Demogorgon's nightmarish presence by crafting its iconic look. We've covered ready-made costume options above, but if you're ready to unleash your creativity (and save some cash), let's build this monster from the ground up. Remember, the Demogorgon's head, with its horrifying flower-like face, is the star of the show!

The Headpiece

What You Need:

• Large cardboard box or sturdy poster board
• Scissors
• Masking tape or duct tape
• Brown and black acrylic paint
• Paintbrushes
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Elastic band
• Black sheer fabric or mesh (optional)

How To Do It:

1. The Foundation: Sketch the basic shape of the Demogorgon's head on the cardboard or poster board. Get creative and reference images from the show.
2. Fleshed-Out Form: For dimension, crumple newspaper or tissue paper and attach it using masking tape. Build out the layers until you're happy with the general shape.
3. Petal Power: Cut out five or six petal shapes from cardboard, tapering towards a point. Attach these around the mouth portion of the headpiece using tape or hot glue.
4. Unleash the Beast: Paint the headpiece brown, then add details with black paint. Consider adding textural effects for a realistic, weathered look.
5. Secure and Obscure: Attach two elastic bands inside to secure the headpiece like a mask. Optionally, you can glue a piece of black fabric across the face opening to make it harder to see your face.

Bonus Tips:

• Experience Speaks: I've experimented with papier-mâché for costume pieces and found fantastic results. Substitute newspaper with paper towels and white glue for added strength!
• The Devil's in the Details: Study Demogorgon images closely. Don't be afraid to add extra flaps or teeth for a touch of gruesome realism.

Textured Bodysuit

What You Need:

• White bodysuit (long-sleeved)
• Bubble wrap
• Brown spray paint
• Dark brown or black acrylic paint
• Paint brush or sponge

How To Do It:

1. Bulking Up: Cut pieces of bubble wrap and loosely attach them to the bodysuit using safety pins or a loose basting stitch. Focus on areas like the shoulders and chest.
2. Skin of a Monster: Lay the bodysuit flat. In a well-ventilated area, lightly spray brown paint over the entire suit, paying attention to crevices around the bubble wrap.
3. Weathered Flesh: Dip the brush or sponge in the dark paint and dab it over the brown areas. This will add depth and a sense of age to the creature's skin.

Bonus Tips:

• Personal Touch: "I think painting in multiple thin layers is key to achieving a realistic weathered look. Be patient and add more paint as needed.
• Less is More: Start with less bubble wrap and paint than you think you need. It's easier to build-up than tone down.

Eerie Arm Extensions

What You Need:

• Cardboard or foam piping insulation tubes
• Duct tape or masking tape
• Brown spray paint
• Dark brown or black acrylic paint
• Sponge or brush

How To Do It:

1. Creature Limbs: Cut the tubes to a length that extends slightly past your elbows when your arms are bent.
2. Structural Integrity: Strengthen the tubes by wrapping them in tape.
3. Unnatural Coloring: Spray paint the tubes brown, then add the dark paint for depth, following the same technique as the bodysuit.

Bonus Tips:

• Creature Comforts: To wear the extensions, you might consider attaching strips of elastic or fabric to the inside portion near your upper arm, or simply hold them in place.

Claws and Feet

What You Need:

• Long black gloves
• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Black fabric or mesh (optional)

How To Do It:

1. Formidable Fingers: Sketch claw shapes onto the cardboard. Cut them out, keeping them long and slightly curved.
2. Attaching the Talons: Using hot glue, attach one claw to the tip of each glove finger.
3. Repeat for Feet: You can either use a pair of shoes and attach claws in the same fashion, or create foot covers out of brown-painted fabric for a more seamless look.