Pete is about the easiest picture-book character to dress a child as, because his whole look is a blue cat with yellow eyes and a great pair of shoes. Start from a blue hoodie, leggings and sneakers and you're halfway there. His adventures take him far past the basic cat, though: groovy buttons, school shoes, bedtime pajamas, sports kits, rock-star gear and a long run of uniforms. The thirty looks below cover those, plus versions for teachers, couples and families. Each one lists clothes, headwear, makeup, props and shoes, and most are gentle enough for a school parade or a library event as well as trick-or-treating.
Those Sleepy Yellow Eyes Are Half the Character
Pete's face is mostly his eyes: big yellow ovals with round black pupils and a heavy, half-closed lid that makes him look relaxed about everything. Get that lid right and even a plain blue hoodie reads as Pete. Leave it off and you have a generic blue cat.
- Cut two tall yellow felt ovals, roughly the size of the child's palm for a hood and a little smaller for a headband.
- Add a black felt circle for each pupil, set low in the oval so he seems to be glancing down.
- Cut a half-oval eyelid for each eye from blue felt that matches the hood, and lay it across the top third of the yellow. This is the detail most homemade versions miss.
- Bond the layers with fusible web before stitching so nothing shifts under the needle.
- Stitch the eyes onto the crown of the hood, well above the face opening. Set too low, they flop forward over the child's own eyes.
If you only have time for one handmade piece, make this one. The rest of Pete can come out of a drawer.
1. Pete The Cat Four Groovy Buttons Costume
This is the outfit from Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, and it's the version most children ask for. A yellow tee goes over a blue long-sleeve top, with blue pants or leggings. Cut four big felt circles in red, green, blue and purple, draw buttonholes on with a fabric marker, and stitch them in a column down the shirt. A blue beanie or hood with felt ears, big yellow eyes and a white nose does the head. I'd skip full blue face paint for most children; a painted nose and three whisker lines on each cheek are enough. Bright red sneakers, a stuffed felt tail and a copy of the book to carry finish him.
2. Pete The Cat White Shoes Costume
The white shoes are the star here, straight from I Love My White Shoes. A blue sweatshirt and blue joggers give you the furry body without a bulky suit. Add a cat-ear headband, blue gloves and a felt tail pinned securely at the waist, and tuck hair behind the ears or under a blue beanie. Yellow eye shadow, a small black nose and simple whiskers do the face. Clean white canvas sneakers are the piece to protect, since one puddle turns them grey. For a nod to the story, carry four small shoe cutouts in white, red, blue and brown, one for each colour his shoes turn.
3. Pete The Cat School Shoes Costume
Heading to a classroom parade? This version comes from Rocking in My School Shoes and feels more like everyday clothes than a costume, which matters at recess and for bathroom breaks. A yellow buttoned shirt, blue jeans and red high-top sneakers. A blue hood or knit cap gets cat ears, large yellow felt eyes and a pale triangular nose. Fix a slim blue tail to the back of the jeans with two safety pins on the inside of the waistband. Light makeup lasts the full day: a black nose and neat whiskers. A child-size backpack, a lunch box and a couple of colourful notebooks are the props, with a card school bus or pencil if you want one more.
4. Pete The Cat Bedtime Blues Costume
Striped pajamas make the coziest Pete, and the one I'd choose for toddlers. Blue-and-white separates or a one-piece sleeper, with red slippers that have nonslip soles. The headpiece is a blue knit cap with soft felt ears and flat yellow eyes. No wire, nothing stiff, because a child who gets sleepy in the stroller will lean right back on it. Sew a small blue tail to the pajama top or attach it with hook-and-loop tape. A tiny black nose and short whiskers in washable face paint, a plush pillow or stuffed cat to cuddle, and a blue thermal underneath if the evening turns cold.
5. Pete The Cat Rock Star Costume
Pete plays guitar in plenty of his books, so the rock-star version suits him. A blue top, slim blue pants and a bright yellow vest with colourful felt buttons stitched on. Cover the hair with a blue cat-ear hood, or wear a short blue wig under an ear headband. Yellow eye makeup, a black cat nose and crisp whiskers. Red sneakers keep him tied to Pete's footwear and are good for dancing. I'd pick an inflatable guitar over a toy one; it weighs nothing and doesn't hurt when it swings into another child. Add a toy microphone and a few wristbands, and save the oversized sunglasses for photos, since they slide straight down small noses.
6. Pete The Cat Skateboard Costume
A sporty blue hoodie is the base, with blue joggers, knee and elbow pads and red lace-up sneakers. I sew the felt eyes, nose and ears straight onto the hood. Glued felt on a hood that gets pushed up and down all night starts lifting at the edges within an hour. A stuffed felt tail goes on the back, and makeup stays minimal: a black nose and three whiskers per cheek. Carry a small toy skateboard or a light card one painted with bright shapes. Nobody should ride a real board while trick-or-treating on a crowded street. A blue helmet with removable felt ears is a practical extra and makes the pads look purposeful.
7. Pete The Cat Beach Costume
A beach Pete brings colour to a dark October night, though it needs warmth under it. A yellow short-sleeve shirt goes over a blue long-sleeve top and blue leggings, with bright swim trunks over the leggings. A blue cat-ear sun hat holds the yellow felt eyes, a white nose and soft whiskers. Paint a black nose and small whisker dots. Red water shoes or red canvas sneakers, never flip-flops, which come off at the first kerb. Child-size sunglasses, a striped towel over the shoulder and a light foam surfboard make the props, or a toy bucket and spade. I'd keep it for indoor parties and school book-character days unless the weather is genuinely warm.
8. Pete The Cat Camping Costume
October weather suits a camping Pete. A blue thermal shirt and blue pants go under a yellow utility vest covered in felt buttons. A blue beanie with soft ears and large yellow eyes keeps the head warm, and washable face paint does the nose and whiskers. Sturdy red sneakers or flat red boots. A small backpack, a rolled foam sleeping mat and a battery lantern make the props, and a felt campfire on card logs is fun to make together. Keep everything flame-free, lantern included. The vest pockets hold tissues and spare treats, which you'll be glad of halfway down the street.
9. Pete The Cat Firefighter Costume
Red over blue looks striking. Wear a blue long-sleeve shirt, blue pants and red sneakers, then add a light costume firefighter jacket with reflective-look strips. Blue felt ears go on a plastic firefighter helmet, placed so they don't cover its front badge. Those helmets can tip forward on small heads, so a red cap with soft ears is the fallback. Draw a small black nose, whisker dots and clean cheek lines. Let a flexible blue tail hang out behind the jacket. Carry a short cardboard hose or a toy radio, and leave out anything that looks like real emergency equipment. Children who love community-helper dress-up days tend to adore this one.
10. Pete The Cat Construction Worker Costume
A yellow safety vest does a lot here. It's already the colour of Pete's shirt and has room for four oversized felt buttons. Under it go a blue sweatshirt and joggers. A child-size yellow hard hat gets removable blue felt ears and large cartoon eyes, and hair tucks underneath. Paint a black nose and simple whiskers. Brown or red work-style boots with flexible soles keep the walking easy. For props, a foam wrench, a plastic tape measure or a card blueprint, never heavy tools. A soft blue tail below the vest finishes him, and a vest with real reflective strips is a genuine safety bonus on a dark street.
11. Pete The Cat Space Explorer Costume
Silver turns a blue Pete into a space explorer. A blue tracksuit or jumpsuit with a silver utility belt and a few felt planet patches. Triangular blue ears and yellow felt eyes sit on a light silver cap or blue hood. Shimmering blue shadow, a black nose and thin whiskers do the face. Silver high-tops, or red shoes with metallic laces. The jetpack is the fun part: two clean plastic bottles wrapped in silver paper and strapped to a small backpack. I keep the bottles short so they don't stick out wider than the child's shoulders; otherwise they bump every door frame and school hallway. A foam moon or a toy telescope is a safe prop.
12. Pete The Cat Scuba Diver Costume
A blue bodysuit or fitted tracksuit is the wetsuit. Layer a short yellow vest on top with a belt of felt fish and bubbles. A blue swim cap with cat ears sewn on works, or set the ears above a child's diving mask pushed up onto the forehead. The mask stays up there. Pulled down, it fogs and cuts off side vision, which is the last thing you want when crossing a road. Blue face makeup, a black nose and short whiskers keep him feline. Red water shoes replace fins, which trip children almost immediately. A small backpack wrapped in silver craft paper looks like an air tank, and a plush fish or card treasure chest finishes the underwater theme.
13. Pete The Cat Superhero Costume
Primary colours turn Pete into a friendly superhero. A fitted blue shirt and blue leggings, red shorts, red sneakers and a bright yellow belt. The cape should be short, ending above the knees, and close at the neck with hook-and-loop tape rather than a tie, so it pulls free if it snags. A blue eye mask with pointed cat ears is an option, though for small children I'd use a separate ear headband and leave the face open. Paint a black nose and tidy whiskers. A big colourful button emblem on the chest makes him Pete rather than any hero. Foam wrist cuffs and a card shield are the props.
14. Pete The Cat Pirate Costume
A pirate Pete can stay cheerful with no weapons and nothing scary. A blue shirt and blue pants, a striped vest, a red waist sash, and brown boot covers over comfortable sneakers. Blue cat ears go on a soft black pirate hat, and the yellow felt eye patch sits on the hatband as decoration, never over an eye. Draw a black nose, whiskers and a slightly curved smile, and let a stuffed blue tail hang below the vest. Carry a card treasure map or a light chest full of colourful paper buttons, which ties it neatly back to the groovy buttons. A plush parrot clipped to the shoulder makes a cheerful sidekick.
15. Pete The Cat Cowboy Costume
Denim does most of the work, since it's already blue. A denim shirt and jeans with a yellow vest carrying four felt buttons. Top it with a soft cowboy hat with blue cat ears and removable yellow eyes. Stiff felt hats sit high on small heads, so check that it won't slide down over the eyes before you commit. Long hair can stay loose under the hat. A painted black nose, whisker dots and cheek lines add the cat. Red Western-style boots, or red sneakers with soft brown boot cuffs. Carry a card horseshoe or a plush hobby horse, and attach a blue tail to the jeans for fall festivals and neighbourhood trick-or-treating.
16. Pete The Cat Pizza Chef Costume
A pizza chef reads clearly to small children, which makes this one easy. Blue pants and a blue long-sleeve top go under a white apron with colourful felt toppings. Soft blue ears and yellow felt eyes go on a tall chef hat; paper chef hats crumple fast, so I'd use a fabric one. Hair stays secured underneath. Washable makeup for the nose, whisker dots and cheek lines, and red slip-on sneakers. The pizza itself can be card on a light tray, but felt is better for younger children, who will drop it and sit on it and still want to carry it. Four round toppings in different colours echo the groovy buttons.
17. Pete The Cat Cupcake Baker Costume
This is a softer, pastel Pete. A blue sweatshirt and leggings with a yellow or light pink apron, decorated with felt cupcakes and four big buttons in different colours. A cat-ear headband can sit beside a small baker's cap, or stitch the ears straight onto the cap. A black nose, delicate whiskers and a touch of yellow shadow. Red sneakers or blue shoes with bright laces. A light card cupcake stand of felt treats makes the prop. Stitch or glue every treat down firmly, because loose pieces get handed out at parties and end up on the floor. A stuffed blue tail goes at the back, and it suits preschool events and library programs.
18. Pete The Cat Crayon Artist Costume
An artist Pete is a sweet idea for a child who's always drawing. Blue shirt and pants make the base, with a white art smock covered in removable felt scribbles and crayon shapes, and four round patches down the front for buttons. A blue beret with cat ears sewn on, or an ear headband with a smaller artist cap. Face makeup is a black nose, whiskers and a tiny washable rainbow on one cheek. Red sneakers keep his feet bright. An oversized card crayon, a blank sketchbook and a light paint palette are the props. Leave wet paint out of it entirely; it ends up on the furniture and on every costume nearby.
19. Pete The Cat Baseball Player Costume
A baseball kit is mostly blue already. Pair a blue jersey and matching athletic pants with a yellow undershirt and red sneakers with white laces. Four colourful felt buttons can go down the jersey, and stitched flat they won't get in the way of a swing. Soft blue ears go on a baseball cap with yellow felt eyes above the brim. Face paint stays minimal: a black nose and three whiskers a side. Keep the blue tail short so it isn't sat on every time the child plops down. A foam baseball and a light card glove replace real equipment. The kit breathes, so it works for a warm school day and a cool outdoor evening alike.
20. Pete The Cat Soccer Player Costume
For a child who hates capes, masks and anything heavy, this is the one. A blue soccer shirt, blue shorts over leggings and long yellow socks. Red indoor soccer shoes or red sneakers with flat, nonslip soles; outdoor cleats skid on pavement and polished floors. Put a large button emblem on the jersey and smaller patches on the sleeves. A blue sweatband with felt ears is the lightest headpiece in the whole list, and hair ties back neatly underneath. Draw a black nose, whisker dots and cheek lines. A soft foam ball beats a hard one at any party, and a short blue tail sits just above the waistband.
21. Pete The Cat Rainy Day Costume
Rain doesn't have to spoil this one. Blue waterproof pants and a blue raincoat, with a yellow shirt or vest underneath. Attach the felt buttons to the raincoat with removable fabric tape; stitching through a waterproof coat leaves holes that let water in. A blue hood with cat ears keeps the head dry, and the yellow felt eyes and white nose are sewn to its front edge where they can't block vision. Water-resistant face crayons hold up in drizzle better than water-activated paint. Bright red rain boots are practical and in character. Carry a small blue umbrella with removable paper raindrops, or a light cloud prop where umbrellas aren't allowed, and attach a flexible tail beneath the coat.
22. Pete The Cat Snow Day Costume
On a really cold night, build Pete from the warm clothes: a blue puffer coat, insulated blue pants and a yellow sweater underneath, with felt buttons fixed down the front of the coat where they show. A blue knit hat carries soft ears, yellow eyes and a white felt nose. A blue scarf can stand in for the tail if one end hangs down the back; keep it short enough that it can't be stepped on or caught. Washable paint for the nose and whiskers, and red snow boots or lined red sneakers on the feet. A card snowflake is plenty as a prop. Gloves and reflective trim on the coat matter more than anything else in this costume once it gets dark.
23. Pete The Cat Pumpkin Costume
Two Halloween favourites in one. A blue shirt and leggings go under an orange pumpkin-shaped tunic, with four colourful button patches where a carved face would normally be. A blue hood with cat ears, large yellow eyes and a white nose, plus a green felt stem between the ears to link cat and pumpkin. Keep makeup cheerful: a black nose, whiskers and a little orange shadow. Red sneakers stop the lower half from turning into a sea of orange. I'd pick a soft quilted or felt tunic over a stiff hooped one, since children can actually sit down in it. A friendly jack-o'-lantern bucket and a slim blue tail poking out below the tunic finish it.
24. Pete The Cat Teacher Costume
Teachers have to get through a whole school day in this, so start with comfort. A blue blouse or sweater with blue trousers, then a yellow cardigan carrying four removable felt buttons. Wear a simple blue cat-ear headband, never a mask, because you need your whole face to talk to a class and supervise a parade. A black nose, whisker dots and short cheek lines are enough. Red loafers or supportive red sneakers. Carry a large picture book, ideally a Pete one, or a big card pencil. I'd make the tail detachable, on a clip or a safety pin, so it comes off once you're back at your desk and can't catch on the chair.
25. Easy Adult Pete The Cat Costume
Need something quick after work? A blue sweatshirt, blue joggers and red sneakers, with a yellow tee pulled over the sweatshirt and four felt or paper circles on it. Felt lasts longer; paper circles crease and tear the first time you sit in a car. A blue knit beanie becomes the head when you pin on triangular ears and yellow oval eyes, with hair tucked under or a short blue wig for a bolder finish. Black eyeliner draws the nose, whisker dots and three lines on each cheek in a couple of minutes. Safety-pin on a blue fabric tail, checking it doesn't drag. An oversized card button or a guitar prop if you want one. It's cheap, comfortable and ready in an evening.
26. Toddler Pete The Cat Hoodie Costume
Toddlers who refuse costumes will usually accept a hoodie, which is why this version works. A blue zip-up hoodie and elastic-waist sweatpants. Sew felt ears, yellow eyes, a white nose and soft fabric whiskers onto the hood, with no wire, hard decorations or small parts that can be pulled off. The yellow tee goes over the hoodie with four felt buttons stitched on firmly. Red sneakers with hook-and-loop straps go on and off fast. Face paint can be skipped completely, or just a tiny black nose if they like the idea. A short stuffed tail above the waist and a soft fabric book to hold. Nothing here pulls, scratches or pinches, which suits sensory-sensitive children.
27. Baby Pete The Cat Romper Costume
A soft blue romper is the base for a baby Pete. Choose one with snaps you can reach quickly for diaper changes. Sew a yellow fabric panel across the chest with four large flat felt buttons, and use a soft blue bonnet with fabric ears, embroidered yellow eyes and a white nose. No glued bits, no dangling whiskers, nothing a baby can pull free and put in their mouth. The bonnet carries the whole character, so there's no face paint at all. Red socks or soft-soled red booties stand in for his shoes. Sew the tail flat across the back rather than stuffing it so the baby can lie down comfortably. Prop a plush guitar or felt button beside them for photos, then keep it out of the crib or stroller.
28. Plus Size Pete The Cat Costume
Relaxed separates suit this Pete without hiding any of his colour. A blue tunic, sweatshirt dress or roomy sweater over blue leggings, with an open yellow vest or cardigan carrying four big felt buttons. Wearing it open matters. A closed yellow layer over a long blue tunic cuts the body into blocks, while an open one draws a long line down the front. A padded blue cat-ear headband won't dig in, or wear a blue wig with small ears above it. Yellow shadow, a rounded black nose and long whisker lines. Supportive red sneakers or slip-ons for a long night. A flexible tail at the waistband and an inflatable guitar finish it, and stretch fabrics keep everything easy to adjust.
29. Pete The Cat And Callie Couple Costume
Pete and Callie give two people matching cats in clearly different colours. Pete wears the blue hoodie, blue pants, yellow button shirt and red sneakers. Callie wears a white or cream top and leggings with pink accents, a pink skirt and coordinating shoes. Both get cat-ear headbands, flexible tails, painted noses and whiskers, with yellow eyes on Pete's headpiece and softer pink-and-white details on Callie's. Matching card music notes connect the pair. The mistake I see most in couple costumes is one fully built outfit standing next to a headband and a T-shirt, so give both the same level of detail. It works for siblings, friends or a parent and child too.
30. Pete The Cat Family Group Costume
A family group can bring in Pete, Callie, Grumpy Toad and Sally Squirrel. Pete has his blue separates, yellow button shirt, red sneakers, cat ears and blue tail; Callie wears cream with pink accents and a pale tail. Grumpy Toad needs a green hoodie and pants, large felt eyes, a simple smile and green sneakers. Sally wears brown separates with a lighter belly panel, squirrel ears and flat shoes. Her wide stuffed tail is the piece to plan, because sewn only at the waist it flops over backwards, so I anchor the top to the shoulders with a hidden elastic loop. Light makeup for everyone and one safe prop each, like a plush acorn for Sally. Similar fabrics make the group look connected in photos.
Felt Buttons That Outlast Pete's
In the book, the buttons pop off one by one. On a costume, that's less charming. Nearly every look above uses felt buttons, and the right way to attach them depends on what's underneath.
- On a cotton tee, a few stitches around each button hold for good. Fabric glue works too if you leave it overnight to cure.
- On polyester or fleece, glue usually peels within an evening because the fabric is slick and stretches. Stitch instead.
- On a raincoat or anything you want to keep unmarked, sew the buttons to a strip of yellow felt and pin the strip on from the inside.
- For toddlers, keep safety pins off the front of the costume. Stitched buttons can't be pulled off and chewed.
- If you're planning more than one Pete, sew the four buttons onto a strip with hook-and-loop backing and move it from costume to costume.
Shoes That Change Colour on Book Day
For a school book week, I Love My White Shoes is the easiest story to act out. Start in white canvas sneakers, then sew simple slip-on shoe covers from red, blue and brown felt with elastic at the opening. A child pulls one on at each turn of the story, strawberries, then blueberries, then mud, while the class reads along.
The covers keep the real shoes clean and slide off in seconds when it's time to go outside. Cut them a little roomy, because tight elastic over a sneaker toe is hard for small hands to manage.
Blue Cat, Red Shoes, Four Buttons
Every version above comes back to the same few things: a blue cat, a yellow shirt with four buttons, sleepy yellow eyes, a tail and bright shoes. Change the clothes around them and Pete becomes a skater, a chef, a firefighter or a drowsy cat in pajamas. Soft layers for babies and toddlers, removable pieces for teachers and good shoes for anyone walking outdoors cover most of the practical worries. Felt, card, hoodies and basic separates keep the cost down. Start with the groovy-buttons classic, and if your child loves it, most of the others are just a change of hat.
Related posts:
