Coco gives a family a Halloween theme full of color, music and skeletons that are friendly rather than frightening, and it stretches from one child to a whole crowd. The characters people spot first each have one clear cue: Miguel's red hoodie and white guitar, Mamá Imelda's purple dress, Héctor's patched, weathered suit, Ernesto's white performance outfit and Dante's floppy dog features. Most of the clothing is already in a closet or a thrift store, and fabric paint, craft foam, wigs and light props do the rest. As a stylist I keep the skeleton makeup light and quick to take off. I also build every look around a specific character from the film, never around traditional Mexican dress or Día de los Muertos itself. Below are solo, couple, pet and family looks to start from.
Painting a Friendly Coco Skeleton Face
Most of these costumes share the same skeleton base, so it's worth getting it right once. The film's skeletons are cheerful, with bright eye colors and decoration, which means the paint should look soft rather than gory. This is how I do it for a family, with ordinary face paint and no special effects products.
- Patch-test first. Dab each paint on the inside of the wrist a day ahead. Redness or itching means that paint stays off the face.
- Lay the white thin. Water-activated face paint on a slightly damp sponge goes on best in two light passes; one heavy coat cracks as soon as the wearer smiles or talks.
- Add the eye color before any black. Blend the purple or turquoise outward around the socket, then draw the nose and teeth last with a fine brush.
- Set it. Press translucent powder over the whole face with a puff. Cream paints especially need this, because on a warm night they crease and transfer onto hoodie collars.
- Keep paint well away from a child's lash line. Paint near the eye stings and gets rubbed straight in.
To take it off, massage a cleansing oil or balm over dry skin first, then rinse with warm water and a gentle cleanser. Scrubbing with a wipe leaves skin red and still gray around the nose. If a child hates the feel of paint, skeleton-print gloves and a living-world Miguel are a perfectly good way to join the group.
1. Miguel Red Hoodie Costume
Miguel's everyday outfit is where I'd start a child, because nearly all of it is ordinary clothing. Layer a bright red zip-up hoodie over a plain white tank top, add straight-leg blue jeans and comfortable brown ankle boots, and run white fabric tape or ribbon down the sleeves for the thin stripes. Fabric tape lifts after a wash, so if the hoodie is staying in the wardrobe, use ribbon and a few hand stitches instead. Short dark hair stays natural. The white guitar, cut from cardboard or foam board with painted black details and colorful florals, is what tells people who he is. Leave the face clean for the living-world Miguel, or add one small musical note near the cheek; skeleton-print gloves are optional. There's nothing here to itch, so it handles school, a long walk or an active party.
2. Miguel Skeleton Costume
For Miguel in the Land of the Dead, keep the red hoodie, white tank, blue jeans and brown boots and add friendly skeleton details. I apply the white face paint in thin layers, leaving room around the eyes for soft gray shading, because a thick first coat cracks once a child starts grinning. Draw a small black nose shape and a simple curved mouth so the face stays sweet rather than scary. Skeleton-print gloves carry the bone effect onto the hands with no paint at all. A short dark wig helps if the wearer's own hair looks very different from Miguel's. The white cardboard guitar with dark swirls and bright accents hangs from an adjustable fabric strap so it doesn't dig in by the end of the evening. It's more theatrical than the plain hoodie version and still right for children or adults.
3. Héctor Skeleton Costume
Héctor should look mismatched and lived-in, as if every piece came from a different decade. Begin with a faded tan or brown jacket over a loose cream shirt, then add patched brown trousers, a red neck scarf and worn-looking brown shoes. I baste the scrap-fabric patches on with big running stitches so they come off cleanly if the clothes are going back into use. A floppy straw hat over a shaggy black wig gives the outline. His skeleton face needs a white base, dark eye shapes, a black nose and uneven painted teeth; the unevenness is what makes it Héctor rather than a generic skull. Bone-print gloves save painting the arms, and a lightweight brown guitar is his defining prop. For wear and tear, rub washable fabric chalk into the elbows and knees instead of cutting or permanently damaging anything.
4. Mamá Imelda Purple Dress Costume
Mamá Imelda's purple dress gives an adult a commanding silhouette that's still comfortable. Look for a long purple dress with puffed sleeves, a high neckline and enough room in the skirt to climb stairs. Layer a dark brown or black apron over the skirt, then add gold hoops and a deep purple choker. Her hair is the detail people check: a black wig in a tall structured updo with white streaks. I build the updo over a foam bun form and pin it to a wig cap, because a heavy updo on a cheap wig slides backward by mid-evening. Her animated skeleton face needs only a thin white base, dark eye accents and delicate curved lines on the cheeks. Skeleton gloves, black loafers or low heels and a soft prop shoe, held and never thrown, round out a polished adult Coco costume.
5. Mamá Coco Costume
Mamá Coco is a gentle role for an older relative or anyone who wants a quiet part in a family group. Wear a pale pink or lavender nightgown-style dress with a white collar and long sleeves, and wrap a knitted shawl in muted burgundy or warm brown over the shoulders. Gray hair in two loose braids, or a silver wig braided the same way, does most of the identifying. Brown slippers or flat shoes keep it practical. Her look is from the living world, so I'd use natural makeup and a touch of rosy cheek, not skeleton paint. A wheelchair belongs in the costume only if the wearer already uses one; it isn't needed to read as the character. A printed family photograph or a toy guitar in her lap tells the story better.
6. Ernesto De La Cruz White Suit Costume
Ernesto's stage look is all white, and white is the least forgiving color in any costume. A white blazer with matching trousers and a white button-down shirt is the base, with silver trim, embroidered-looking appliqués or removable craft gems along the jacket edges. Add a wide silver bow tie, white boots and a broad white hat. I put the face paint on before the jacket and keep a damp cloth handy, because gray shading and black liner smudge onto a white collar the moment you pull it over your head. Dark hair goes neatly under the hat, or use a short black wig. The skeleton version wants a smooth white base, gray eye sockets, a black nose and crisp painted teeth, plus a light white guitar with black ornamental details. Keep it to the animated performer's fictional stage wardrobe rather than any real ceremonial or heritage garment.
7. Dante Dog Costume
Dante is the goofy role, and goofy is easy to build. Start with a fitted brown bodysuit, a matching sweatsuit or a long-sleeve shirt with leggings; Dante is a hairless dog in the film, so a dark charcoal base reads just as well as brown. Attach a soft fabric tail at the back with safety pins or hook-and-loop strips. Cut oversized pointed ears from brown felt and back them with interfacing, or they'll fold flat within an hour. Skin-safe face paint gives the darker patch around one eye, a small black nose and a pink tongue, and brown socks or soft slip-on shoes stand in for paws. A red collar adds color. He's at his best standing next to a Miguel, and the same ears and collar can go on a real dog.
8. Pepita Alebrije Costume
Pepita is a huge winged creature, so the trick is translating her into pieces light enough to wear. A turquoise or vivid blue top and matching leggings make the base, with a fitted vest painted in pink, orange, purple and yellow patterns over it. Add a long spotted tail of stuffed fabric secured around the waist. Wings cut from foam sheets and painted in jewel tones attach with comfortable backpack straps. I keep them no wider than the wearer's shoulders plus a hand on each side, or they hit every door frame and photo neighbor. A headband with soft cat ears and small colorful horns sits on top. Face paint is a blue base with pink brows, a dark nose and decorative dots, nothing frightening, and matching blue sneakers or paw-shaped shoe covers do the feet.
9. Abuelita Elena Costume
Abuelita Elena is a comfortable, easy role, and a Rivera group feels incomplete without her. Begin with a knee-length purple or plum dress with short sleeves and a modest neckline. A pale floral apron goes over the front, and a warm burgundy cardigan comes out if the night turns cool. Style a gray wig in a tidy low bun and add small stud earrings and rectangular glasses. Flat black or brown shoes keep her walking-friendly, and natural makeup with defined brows and rosy cheeks suits the living-world version. Her slipper is the prop everyone expects, so make it from craft foam and keep it in hand. A woven basket for treats is the practical extra. I'd give this one to a grandparent or a teacher who wants an easy laugh.
10. Papá Julio Skeleton Costume
Papá Julio is a quieter pick than the central characters, and a good one for an adult who prefers tailoring to bright color. Wear a dark brown or charcoal suit with a cream shirt and a neatly tied bow tie, plus a coordinating vest for the vintage formal look. A short gray wig, round glasses and a tidy mustache establish him. For the skeleton face, use white paint with softly shaded eye sockets, a black nose and neat mouth lines. I set it with translucent powder pressed in with a puff, not swept, so the shading stays crisp through dinner. Skeleton gloves cover the hands, dark lace-up shoes and a small framed family photograph suit his formality, and a few removable floral pins on the lapel add a little brightness.
11. Tía Rosita Skeleton Costume
Tía Rosita brings warmth into a group, with the gentlest skeleton makeup of the aunts. Choose a long burgundy or deep pink dress with a full skirt and fitted waist, add a pale apron with small floral details and wrap a coordinating shawl around the shoulders. Her hair is a dark wig in a high rounded bun decorated with several fabric flowers; I wire the flowers to bobby pins rather than gluing them, so the wig survives for next year. Apply a thin white base, rounded dark eye shapes, a small black nose and delicate painted teeth. Skeleton gloves and low burgundy shoes keep her comfortable, and a small basket of artificial marigold-colored flowers or wrapped candy is her prop. Building her from colors, hair, apron and accessories, rather than a generic skeleton dress, is what makes her readable next to the other Riveras.
12. Tía Victoria Skeleton Costume
Tía Victoria is the serious one, and dark jewel tones say so. Start with a long navy, dark teal or charcoal dress with a high collar and fitted sleeves, then add a narrow belt, lace-trimmed cuffs and a small brooch at the neckline. A black wig in a smooth updo with small blue flowers along one side keeps her hair severe. White face paint, dark navy eye sockets, a black nose and thin mouth lines give the skeleton effect, and bone-print gloves match the hands without more makeup. Black button boots or low-heeled ankle boots fit the period, and a small handbag or a folded fan is enough of a prop. In a group I'd always place her beside Imelda and Rosita, because her darker palette keeps the purple and the warm pinks from blurring together.
13. Óscar And Felipe Twin Costume
The Rivera twins take two people and a bit of fun with near-matching. Each wears a cream shirt, brown vest, dark trousers and a contrasting bow tie, with slightly different vest shades or a pair of suspenders so they're coordinated without being clones. Short dark wigs with the same side part and small mustaches tie the faces together. Both wear the same friendly white skeleton makeup, with shaded eyes, black noses and neat painted smiles. I do both faces in one sitting with the same brushes and paints, since two people painting separately rarely land on the same white. Skeleton gloves and brown lace-up shoes go on next, along with foam shoemaking tools such as a measuring stick and a small hammer. Mirrored poses are half the fun, and thrift-store menswear covers almost everything.
14. Luisa Rivera Costume
Luisa is my answer for someone who wants to join in without face paint. Wear a soft blue short-sleeved blouse with a modest rounded neckline and a calf-length burgundy or muted red skirt, with a light apron layered over the front. Simple stud earrings and dark hair in a low ponytail or neat bun, or a natural-textured dark brown wig if needed, keep her understated. Flat brown shoes or loafers make a long event easy. Carry a small basket of colorful faux flowers, sewing supplies or wrapped candy, and keep makeup to warm blush and a neutral lip. Honestly, on her own she reads as everyday clothes, so I only suggest Luisa when she'll stand beside Enrique, Miguel or Abuelita.
15. Enrique Rivera Costume
Enrique, Miguel's father, is a closet costume for a man joining the family group. Roll the sleeves of a light beige button-down shirt neatly to the elbow, tie a brown work apron over dark blue or brown trousers and wear comfortable lace-up work shoes. Short dark hair with a clean side part, and a subtle mustache if needed, keeps the face simple; he's a living-world character, so no skeleton paint. His props say he's from a shoemaking family: a foam measuring tool, a scrap of imitation leather or a cardboard shoe form. A red fabric wristband or small family photograph adds color. Like Luisa, he's recognized by context, so I'd stand him next to Luisa, Miguel and Abuelita in group photos.
16. Berto Rivera Costume
Berto suits an adult who wants comfortable workwear and a supporting part. A pale short-sleeve button-down tucked into dark trousers, a tan or medium-brown apron with large front pockets and suspenders underneath for a little detail make the outfit. Short dark hair and a tidy mustache drawn with washable makeup do the face; a brow pencil works better than liquid liner for a mustache, because it doesn't run when you get warm. Brown work shoes or cushioned boots are the practical footwear. Fill the apron pockets with harmless foam shoe shapes, colorful thread or a soft measuring tape. No skeleton paint is needed. The shoemaking props and his place in the family lineup are what turn ordinary work clothing into a specific character.
17. Chicharrón Skeleton Costume
Chicharrón is for an adult who likes detailed makeup and wants a less common character. Begin with a faded rust or brown shirt under a distressed charcoal vest, plus loose brown trousers, a red scarf and worn-looking boots. Age the clothes with removable fabric chalk, never real dirt or permanent paint. A scruffy gray wig sits under an old-fashioned hat. His face is white skeleton makeup with soft gray shading, drooping eye shapes and thin mouth details, kept friendly. Drooping eyes are easy to overdo, so I draw them while the wearer looks straight ahead with a relaxed face, then check the result in a phone photo. Skeleton gloves, a small warm-brown cardboard guitar and, if you like, a light folding stool for pictures fill out his quiet musician look.
18. Frida Artist Cameo Costume
The film's artist cameo makes a creative costume when you build it from her animated appearance specifically. A long teal dress with a full skirt takes bright floral embroidery as removable appliqués, and a red or magenta shawl goes across the shoulders. The focal point is the hair: a braided crown of dark hair topped with oversized red, orange and pink fabric flowers. Those flowers are heavier than they look, so I anchor them to a thin headband first and pin the braid around it. Natural makeup with strong brows, rosy cheeks and a bold red lip fits the character. Low black shoes stay hidden under the skirt, a foam-board painter's palette with dry paint colors makes the prop, and a small felt monkey can ride on one shoulder. Keep it about the movie's character and scene, never cultural identity as dress-up.
19. Arrival Agent Skeleton Costume
An arrival agent is a clever supporting look for fans who want to step outside the family. Start with a neat teal or green uniform jacket and a matching knee-length skirt or straight trousers, then add a white blouse, narrow neck scarf and rectangular name badge. Black loafers with skeleton-print tights or socks bring the legs into the joke. A colorful wig in a tidy office shape, or dark hair with one bright flower, sits above white skeleton makeup with turquoise eye accents, a black nose and clean painted teeth. Carry a clipboard marked with plain lines and checkboxes rather than copied movie graphics, plus a homemade foam desk stamp. I'd suggest it for a party where several friends are playing Land of the Dead residents and staff.
20. Departure Agent Skeleton Costume
The departure agent is the arrival agent's purple opposite. Wear a fitted purple blazer with matching trousers or a modest skirt, a pale lavender shirt and a gold neck scarf, and add a small hat or structured headband for the uniform outline. Purple eye shadow around white skeleton face paint, a black nose and delicate mouth lines carry the color into the makeup. I blend the purple out over the white rather than the other way around, since white painted over a color tends to go streaky and gray. Skeleton gloves, polished black shoes and a light ticket book, clipboard or cardboard scanner with abstract patterns do the rest, and a bright yellow flower pin pops against the jacket. It stands alone, pairs with the arrival agent or joins a whole Land of the Dead office group.
21. Miguel And Dante Duo Costume
Miguel and Dante suit siblings, two friends, or a child and a pet. Miguel needs the red striped hoodie, white tank, blue jeans, brown boots, short dark hair and a lightweight white guitar, with friendly skeleton makeup only if you want the Land of the Dead version. A human Dante wears a brown top and leggings, pointed felt ears, a fabric tail, brown shoes and a painted black nose. If a real dog takes the role, use only a comfortable red collar and a light soft-ear attachment that doesn't cover the dog's own ears or restrict movement, and take it off if the animal seems unhappy. The musician and dog silhouettes are so different that the pair reads without any extra props or expensive purchased costumes.
22. Miguel And Héctor Duo Costume
Miguel and Héctor balance nicely, one modern and one weathered and theatrical. Dress Miguel in the red hoodie, white shirt, jeans, brown boots, short dark hair and skeleton gloves. Héctor gets the faded tan jacket, cream shirt, patched trousers, red scarf, straw hat, shaggy wig and brown shoes. Both wear matching friendly skeleton makeup, with the eye shapes adjusted to keep each character distinct. Give Miguel a white cardboard guitar and Héctor a brown one, each with a comfortable strap and rounded edges. When a parent and child wear this, I paint the adult first; the child sees how it feels and is often happier to sit still for their own turn. Matching makeup is what turns two separate outfits into one pair.
23. Mamá Imelda And Héctor Couple Costume
Mamá Imelda and Héctor are the couple most people expect from this film, especially in their skeleton forms. Imelda wears a long purple dress, dark apron, gold hoops, purple choker, black loafers and a tall dark wig with white streaks. Héctor needs a faded jacket, cream shirt, patched brown trousers, red scarf, floppy straw hat, messy wig and worn-looking shoes. Both get white skeleton makeup with character-specific eye accents and bone-print gloves. Her soft prop shoe and his light brown guitar give each a gag to act out, as long as the shoe stays a pretend threat. I'd add a few purple floral details to Imelda's dress and a matching flower on Héctor's lapel, because one shared color is enough to show they belong together while their outlines stay completely different.
24. Miguel And Mamá Coco Duo Costume
This is the tender pairing, and it's comfortable for a child with a parent or grandparent. Miguel wears his red hoodie, white tank, blue jeans, brown boots and short dark hair, with the light white guitar to make the character clear. Mamá Coco wears a pale pink or lavender long-sleeve dress, a burgundy knitted shawl, gray hair in two loose braids and brown slippers. Both keep soft natural makeup rather than skeleton paint. A printed family photo is a meaningful shared prop, and Miguel's guitar brings the music. Mamá Coco can sit in an ordinary chair for photos. I like this one for an older relative who doesn't want a heavy costume, since the shawl and braids carry the whole character.
25. Miguel And Ernesto Duo Costume
Red casual clothes against a gleaming white performance suit make a sharp contrast. Miguel needs the red striped hoodie, white shirt, jeans, brown boots, short dark hair and a white guitar. Ernesto's wearer chooses a white blazer and trousers trimmed in silver, a silver bow tie, broad white hat and white boots. Both can wear friendly skeleton makeup for their Land of the Dead encounter, or Miguel can keep a natural face. Give Ernesto his own lightweight guitar with dark ornamental painting so the two instruments don't look like a matched set. Skip microphones with trailing cords, which trip people on a crowded floor. It suits two confident performers who will happily strike a pose and fake a chord on the way in.
26. Mamá Imelda And Pepita Duo Costume
Imelda's purple tailoring next to Pepita's jewel-toned creature makes a vivid fantasy pair. Imelda wears a floor-length purple gown, dark apron, gold earrings, purple choker, skeleton gloves and black shoes, with her tall black-and-white wig pinned securely. Pepita's wearer needs a turquoise top and leggings, a brightly patterned vest, blue shoes, soft animal ears, compact horns, a fabric tail and colorful foam wings. Imelda gets white skeleton makeup with purple accents, Pepita a blue base with pink and orange creature details. Keep the wings narrow enough for indoor rooms and hang them on a harness, which spreads the weight better than thin elastic. The structured dress beside all those spots and wings is what gives the pair its energy in a picture.
27. Miguel, Mamá Imelda, And Héctor Trio Costume
Three people can show three generations of the Rivera family with costumes that connect but never match. Miguel wears a red hoodie, white shirt, jeans, brown boots and skeleton gloves and carries a white guitar. Mamá Imelda stands out in a long purple dress, dark apron, gold earrings, black loafers and a tall streaked wig. Héctor rounds out the trio with a worn tan jacket, cream shirt, patched trousers, red scarf, straw hat and brown guitar. Use one white skeleton base across all three faces, then change the eye colors and mouth details for each. I'd repeat one lightweight flower appliqué on every outfit as the visual thread. It works for two adults and a child, or three friends who want different levels of detail.
28. Four-Person Rivera Family Costume
Four people can be Miguel, Mamá Imelda, Héctor and Mamá Coco, a group that covers every generation of the family. Build Miguel around his red hoodie, jeans, boots and white guitar. Imelda gets the purple gown, apron, gold earrings, streaked updo and skeleton makeup. Héctor wears patched brown clothing, a red scarf, straw hat, shaggy hair, bone makeup and a brown guitar. Mamá Coco brings a softer living-world look with a pale dress, knitted shawl, gray braids and slippers. Matching artificial flowers or family photograph props connect all four. Makeup stays optional for younger or sensitive wearers, and a child who hates face paint can be living-world Miguel and still fit. The mix of living and skeleton looks gives the group variety while letting everyone choose what suits their comfort and mobility.
29. Land Of The Dead Skeleton Group Costume
Friends can invent their own Land of the Dead residents and stay inside the film's colorful world. Give each person a different outfit, such as a turquoise suit, coral dress, purple uniform, green skirt set or burgundy musician costume, then add contrasting hats, flower headpieces, bow ties, shawls and light instruments. Everyone shares a white skeleton base, but eye colors and cheek patterns change from face to face. Bone-print gloves and comfortable black or color-matched shoes keep it practical, and props can be foam guitars, clipboards, flower baskets or cardboard tickets. Base the characters on the film's fictional skeleton residents, not on cultural stereotypes. I'd agree on a shared palette of jewel tones with marigold-colored accents before anyone shops, because that's what pulls a big group together in photos.
30. Full Coco Family Group Costume
A large family can split Miguel, Mamá Coco, Abuelita, Luisa, Enrique, Mamá Imelda, Héctor, Ernesto, Dante and Pepita by how much costume each person wants to wear. Living-world characters use practical dresses, aprons, shirts, trousers, cardigans and flat shoes. Skeleton characters get colorful formal clothing, wigs, hats, skeleton gloves and light face paint. Miguel and Héctor carry foam guitars, Abuelita holds a soft slipper and Mamá Coco has the family photograph. Dante needs brown clothing and felt ears, and Pepita uses turquoise layers, a spotted tail and compact wings. Repeat purple, red, turquoise and yellow accents across the group, give everyone comfortable shoes and make oversized props removable. It's the version with a part for every age and ability, from a toddler as Dante to a grandparent as Mamá Coco.
Stiffening the Guitar Neck Before It Folds
Half of these characters carry a guitar, and a cardboard guitar nearly always breaks in the same spot: where the neck meets the body. I cut the body and neck as one piece from foam board or a double layer of cardboard, then glue a wooden paint stirrer or thin dowel along the back of the neck so it runs a hand's width down into the body. That single strip stops it folding when a child swings it around.
Paint both sides, since people see the back half the time. Attach the strap at two points, the base of the body and the top of the neck, so the guitar hangs across the chest like a real instrument instead of dangling. Ribbon or a cut-down belt makes a good strap; elastic lets the guitar bounce into the wearer's knees.
Casting the Riveras So the Group Reads
In a group, people recognize this family from the arrangement as much as from any single costume. A few habits help.
- Cast Miguel first. He's the character everyone knows, and the others make sense once they stand around him.
- Split living and skeleton roles on purpose. Mamá Coco, Abuelita, Luisa and Enrique need no face paint, which gives children, older relatives and anyone with sensitive skin a real part.
- Give every character one signature piece that can't be skipped: Imelda's streaked updo, Héctor's straw hat, Abuelita's slipper, Ernesto's white hat, Pepita's wings.
- Repeat one accent everywhere. A marigold-colored flower pinned to every outfit ties ten different costumes into one family.
- For photos, group the skeletons together and the living family together, with Miguel between them, the way the film splits its two worlds.
One Red Hoodie Starts the Whole Family
If you only make one of these, make Miguel. A red hoodie and a white guitar get you there, and every other Rivera can be added around him. Purple layers give you Mamá Imelda and patched clothing gives you Héctor, while the supporting characters, Pepita and the bigger family groups cover every age and group size. Start with closet basics or thrift finds, then add removable trim, fabric patches, flowers and craft-foam props. Keep each look tied to a specific fictional character rather than to cultural traditions. Comfortable shoes, light props and makeup that comes off easily will keep everyone happy until the last photo of the night.
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