Tricky is the blonde skater who runs alongside Jake in Subway Surfers, and many fans search for her as Trixie. Her look rests on a handful of pieces: pigtails, a red beanie, black glasses, a short top, baggy trousers and sneakers. The game also gives her plenty of alternate outfits, which is where most of the ideas below come from. You don't need licensed gear. Thrifted streetwear, a few craft supplies, light makeup and a board prop made from foam or cardboard get you there. I've included faithful versions, covered and modest versions, cold-weather builds and a few fan-made twists, and I've noted what I'd change for school, a long party or a chilly street.
The Four Details That Make Tricky Read as Tricky
Every outfit in this list changes her clothes, so the character has to live somewhere else. In my experience it lives in four places, and if you get these right you can change almost everything below the neck.
- Blonde pigtails. Low and fairly full in her classic look. This is the clue people spot first from across a room.
- Red headwear. Usually the slouchy beanie, sometimes a cap. Keep it red even when the outfit changes color.
- Black square glasses. They give her face its shape in photos.
- Baggy trousers with sneakers. The loose leg and the chunky shoe give her the skater outline.
When I'm short on time or budget, I spend on the wig and the beanie and pull the rest from the closet. A perfect top with the wrong hair won't read; a plain white tee with the right pigtails and hat usually will.
Getting a Cheap Wig Into Pigtails That Last
Budget synthetic wigs shed, tangle at the nape and flatten under a hat. Brush the wig gently with a wide-tooth comb before you style it, and mist it with a little diluted fabric softener to calm static. Section the pigtails while the wig sits on a head form or a rolled towel, not on your head, so the parting stays straight. Tie each one with a fabric-covered elastic, then wrap a small strand around to hide it. Pin the beanie through the wig cap with two or three bobby pins at the sides. Keep curling irons and hair dryers away from synthetic fiber, which frizzes and can melt with heat.
1. Classic Tricky Subway Surfers Costume
This is the version people know: a fitted white tank, loose light-wash jeans, a black belt and red-and-white sneakers. Let a red camisole or waistband peek above the jeans to copy her layered color without baring more than you'd like. Put a blonde wig into two low pigtails and add a slouchy red beanie and square black glasses. Pink blush, defined lashes and a natural lip are all the makeup it needs. For the board, I'd use foam or cardboard, which keeps you inside most venue prop rules. If you only have an hour, this is the one, because the hair and hat do nearly all the work.
2. Tricky Heart Outfit Costume
The Heart Outfit swaps her usual colors for purple. Start with a white cropped tee carrying a large purple fabric heart, and pair it with roomy purple cargo pants or wide track pants. Red-and-white sneakers, colorful bracelets and turquoise hoops come next, and a red baseball cap replaces the beanie over neat pigtails. I cut the heart from felt and stitch it on with a running stitch around the edge; glued felt on a stretchy tee lifts at the curves within an hour. Purple lipstick, lavender shimmer and a small heart on one cheek finish the face. A flat board painted with pixel hearts is safer than a real skateboard where props are checked, and the sportswear goes straight back into your closet afterward.
3. Tricky Camo Outfit Costume
Camo is the tougher-looking variant. Build it on loose camouflage cargo pants and a fitted tan crop top, with a black camisole underneath if you want more coverage. Black sneakers with bright green laces, a deep red slouchy beanie and narrow black sunglasses come next. Because the sunglasses hide much of the face, the blonde pigtails matter more here than in any other version, so don't skip the wig. Bronzed skin, a neutral lip and a thin line of green liner suit the palette. Fingerless black gloves and a small board painted in green camo finish it. It's less flashy than the classic, which suits anyone who'd rather not wear bright red head to toe.
4. Tricky B-Girl Costume
The B-girl version is built for movement. A cropped red-and-white athletic jacket goes over a black fitted tee, with oversized blue cargo jeans with utility pockets. High-tops look right and are comfortable for dancing or a long walk. High pigtails and a sideways red cap give the cartoon shape. Small hoops, graphic liner, glossy lips and a star drawn near one eye add attitude. A foam boombox is a light, fun prop. A checked shirt tied at the waist adds color, and I'd knot it twice, because a single knot works loose as soon as you start moving.
5. Tricky Bubble Pop Costume
Bubble Pop is the pastel version. Wear a pink bomber over a turquoise fitted top, with loose lilac cargo pants with elastic cuffs. White platform sneakers, beaded bracelets and a small blue crossbody finish the clothes. The hair is the fun part: bubble pigtails, made by placing bright elastics every few inches down each section and puffing out the hair between them. On a synthetic wig I use small silicone elastics, which grip the fibers without snagging. Top it with a pink cap or beanie. Glossy pink lips, sky-blue liner and a few pastel circles near one eye suggest bubbles. Fill a clear bag with tissue-paper balls instead of real gum, which is a sticky mess on a wig.
6. Super Runner Tricky Costume
Super Runner gives her a superhero edge without a stiff suit. Start with a fitted blue athletic top with red and yellow geometric panels, and wear navy joggers or leggings under loose shorts. Running shoes beat boots here, since she's always moving. Pull the hair into high pigtails tied with red elastics and add a red sporty headband, fingerless gloves and a foam wrist device with colored buttons. Winged liner, bright blush and a small lightning bolt at the temple finish the face. A slim cardboard hoverboard painted with speed lines is easy to carry. It's my pick for an active party or outdoor event where you want full coverage.
7. Ballerina Tricky Costume
Pair a fitted white athletic top with a layered pale pink tulle skirt over bike shorts, and you have streetwear meeting dancewear. Striped knee socks and white high-tops keep it practical; I wouldn't wear real ballet slippers outdoors, because the thin sole picks up every pebble. Braid the blonde wig into two pigtails and set a small red beanie toward the back of the head. Wrap pink ribbon loosely around the sneaker ankles for the ballet nod, and tuck the ends in so they don't trip you. Rosy blush, soft pink shadow, gloss and tiny stars finish the face, with a pastel board decorated with ribbon graphics. The bike shorts are what make the tutu comfortable for a whole night.
8. Rainbow Tricky Costume
Rainbow can tip into chaos, so I keep the colors in one or two controlled places rather than on every piece. A white cropped sweatshirt with a single rainbow stripe is the anchor. Relaxed blue jeans with rainbow ribbon tacked along the side seams keep it going, and I tack with a few hand stitches so the ribbon comes off cleanly later. Red sneakers, mixed bracelets and a bright belt bag come next. Weave narrow colored ribbons through each pigtail, and keep the red beanie and black glasses so she still looks like Tricky. Rainbow liner and a neutral gloss are enough on the face. A foam board with curved color bands rounds it off, and none of it needs a sewing machine.
9. Mallard Tricky Costume
The Mallard outfit borrows duck colors. Wear a glossy green bomber over a white fitted top and loose brown cargo pants, with orange sneakers or orange laces for the last pop. A green cap with a small craft-foam bill gives the bird hint; keep that bill small, or it starts to look like a mascot suit. I attach it with a strip of fabric tape under the brim so the cap isn't damaged. Green shimmer around the eyes, peach blush and an orange lip tint suit the palette, and a few blue-purple patches on the jacket suggest feathers. A green foam board with wave graphics finishes it. It's a quirky pick for a fan who knows the game well.
10. Crewmate Tricky Costume
For a space-crew take, a roomy red or blue utility jumpsuit goes over a white fitted shirt, cinched with a black belt, with white sneakers and a small silver crossbody. Keep the blonde pigtails and red beanie so the costume still points back to Tricky. For the visor, I cut clear blue plastic, such as a report-cover sheet, into a band and fix it to a comfy headband so it sits above the eyes rather than over the whole face. Silver liner, cool highlighter and a clean pink lip give a futuristic finish. Carry a foam tablet or a small starry board. It's a modest option that's easy to wear indoors or at school.
11. Winter Elf Tricky Costume
The Winter Elf version is genuinely warm. Layer a fitted green sweater under a short red hoodie, and add loose green joggers with red side stripes, thick striped socks and high-tops. A long green stocking cap with a soft pom-pom goes over the pigtails. Pointed foam ears are optional, and I always mount them on a headband instead of gluing anything to skin. Rosy cheeks, green liner and a berry lip keep the face bright. A candy-striped foam board or a small fabric gift bag works as the prop. Every part of it is soft and flexible, so it handles an outdoor event in real cold.
12. Ice Skater Tricky Costume
Ice Skater mixes pale blue and silver. Wear a fitted blue mock-neck under a cropped silver puffer vest, with white cargo pants or fleece-lined joggers. Silver high-tops stand in for skates. Braid the wig into pigtails and add a blue knit beanie with a white pom-pom. Frosted blue shadow, pearly highlight, pink lips and tiny white dots by the eyes give the frosty look. Knit gloves and a foam board painted like cracked ice complete it. If you add a sheer blue scarf for movement, keep it short; a long scarf catches on bags, doors and other people. It reads wintry without any holiday symbols, so it works well into late fall.
13. Candy Winter Tricky Costume
Peppermint colors give you a sweet winter look. Start with a red-and-white striped long-sleeve top and oversized red cargo pants, then add white high-tops with red laces, a mint belt bag and matching wristbands. Thread red and white ribbon through the blonde pigtails before pulling on a soft green beanie. Rosy blush, white liner and cherry gloss suit it, with small swirls on one cheek for the candy idea. Make the board from foam painted with broad red-and-white curves and leave real candy off; it melts onto everything on a warm afternoon. A thermal undershirt makes it warm enough for a cool evening.
14. Festive Red Tricky Costume
An all-red outfit shows up from far down the street. Wear a red raglan top with white sleeves, relaxed red jeans and a black belt with a silver snowflake buckle, plus red-and-green sneakers or white ones with swapped colored laces. Blonde pigtails go under a red beanie. A heart-shaped antler headband in light felt adds whimsy; felt antlers flop by the end of the night unless you back them with a layer of stiff interfacing or thin foam. Red lip stain, warm blush and a fine gold liner keep the face polished. A compact red foam board with white snowflakes finishes it, and most pieces can come from a thrift run or your own winter clothes.
15. Candy Bones Tricky Costume
Candy Bones is a skeleton in pastels instead of anything frightening. Paint or print simple pastel bone shapes on a black sweatshirt, and repeat them down the legs of loose black cargo pants. Fabric paint stays flexible on a sweatshirt, but I'd let it cure for a full day before wearing so it doesn't crack. Turquoise high-tops, striped socks and pink fingerless gloves add color. The blonde wig sits under a dark red beanie dotted with felt candy patches. Pastel accents around the eyes, a pink lip and a few clean white lines along the cheekbones keep the face friendly, with no cracks or wounds. A foam board covered in bones and candy suits family events.
16. Endearing Pink Tricky Costume
Pink and red make a softer, more affectionate version of the Heart Outfit. Wear a rose-pink hoodie over a white heart-print top, with dark red wide-leg jeans or cargo pants. White sneakers with pink laces and a stack of red, turquoise and lavender bracelets on one wrist come next. Low pigtails go under a pink cap, with heart clips at the elastics. Rosy blush, mauve lips, a little shimmer and a tiny heart below one eye are enough. A pale pink board with bold red graphics finishes it. I'd choose this over the Heart Outfit for anyone who feels the cold, since the hoodie does real work.
17. Tricky Denim Jacket Costume
A cropped denim jacket makes the classic wearable on a cool night. Layer it over a white fitted tank or tee with extra-baggy light-wash jeans, keeping the red waistband, black belt and red-and-white sneakers so her colors stay put. Add patches with removable fabric adhesive or a few stitches, so the jacket goes back to everyday life later. The blonde pigtails, red beanie and square glasses stay. Peach blush, mascara and pink balm keep the makeup simple. If boards aren't allowed, a graffiti-print crossbody does the same job. Cropped jackets ride up when you lift your arms, so check that the layer underneath is long enough.
18. Tricky Hoodie Costume
For a relaxed take, swap the cropped tank for a slightly oversized white hoodie. A hoodie with red drawstrings helps, or thread in red ribbon for the same effect. Loose blue jeans, a black web belt and red sneakers follow. Wear the hood down around the shoulders so the pigtails stay visible; a hood pulled up over a wig flattens the bunches and hides the main clue. Square black glasses, small studs and a belt bag finish it. Bold brows and flushed cheeks suit the casual mood. A foam spray-can prop or a flat cardboard board keeps the theme without anything hard. It's my choice for long outdoor nights.
19. Tricky Overalls Costume
Overalls are a playful stand-in for the low-rise baggy jeans. Choose loose pale blue overalls and leave one strap down over a fitted red-and-white striped top, with a black belt at the waist if you want more shape. Red canvas sneakers and striped ankle socks complete the base. Messy pigtails, the red beanie and square glasses keep the character, with freckles, pink blush and a natural lip. Put a removable patch or small graffiti tag on one pocket. A dropped strap slides off the shoulder all evening, so I safety-pin it to the bib from inside at the angle I want. Carry a mini board painted blue, red and yellow; this one suits a wide range of ages.
20. Tricky Track Suit Costume
A matching tracksuit needs almost no crafting. Find a blue jacket and loose trousers with white stripes, and wear a red cropped tee or a full-length fitted shirt underneath. Red-and-white running shoes, a black belt bag and wristbands come next. Pigtails go under a backward red cap. Tuck the square glasses into the neckline when you want a clear view. A graphic red liner wing and tinted balm keep the face fresh, and a foam board with racing stripes fits the runner theme. Tracksuit fabric is breathable, so this is the one I'd pick for dancing or a long day on your feet.
21. Tricky Neon Costume
Neon brings out the skater look in a crowd. Start with a white fitted top and loose black cargo pants, then add neon green straps, hot pink pocket details and electric blue laces. Reflective white sneakers and the red beanie hold onto Tricky's color link. Clip a few temporary neon strands into the blonde high pigtails, and wrap colored tape around the arms of square black glasses. Vivid blue liner, pink blush and a neutral gloss suit the palette. Neon fabric paint glows under black light, which makes it a good fit for an indoor party with UV lighting. The foam board painted in neon shapes needs no batteries at all.
22. Tricky Retro Costume
The Retro version leans into the 1990s: a white baby tee, very loose light-wash jeans and a red plaid shirt tied around the waist, with chunky red-and-white sneakers, a black grommet belt and a mini backpack. Blonde pigtails, tiny colored clips, a red beanie and rectangular black glasses set the shape. Brown lip liner with pink gloss, soft blue shadow and natural blush give the period touch. In a crowded room, I'd carry a foam cassette player or cardboard boombox rather than a full board, which gets bumped into everyone's knees. The denim and bright accessories make it easy to identify, and the nostalgic details suit a themed party.
23. Tricky Skater Dress Costume
The Skater Dress folds her separates into one garment: a white T-shirt dress with red trim, with loose denim shorts underneath for coverage and movement. A black belt goes at the waist, and a red flannel or light denim layer helps if it's cool. Red high-tops and white crew socks keep the skater feel. Pigtails, the red beanie and black glasses stay. Pink cheeks, defined lashes and clear gloss are plenty. A small foam board with graffiti shapes finishes it. A T-shirt dress tends to cling to tights with static, so I mist the inside lightly with water before going out. It's a comfortable, softer silhouette that still feels sporty.
24. Tricky School-Friendly Costume
For school, I aim for full coverage and nothing that gets in the way of a desk. A white long-sleeve tee tucked loosely into high-waisted wide-leg blue jeans is the base, with a red tank over the top if layered costumes are allowed. A black belt, red canvas sneakers and a small red backpack finish it. Natural or blonde hair goes into pigtails under the red beanie, with non-prescription square glasses. Keep makeup to balm, light blush and maybe a few face-safe freckles. A flat cardboard cutout that fits in the backpack replaces the board, or skip the prop. Many schools ban masks and anything prop-like, so check the rules before you build.
25. Plus-Size Tricky Costume
Her proportions come from fit and shape, so choose pieces that fit you well rather than chasing a size. Pair a soft white fitted tee or bodysuit with high-rise, wide-leg light-wash jeans, and add a red camisole for her layered color, a supportive black belt and cushioned red-and-white sneakers. A cropped denim jacket adds structure without restricting your arms. A bodysuit stays tucked when you bend or reach, which saves a lot of tugging through the night. Style the wig or your own hair into pigtails and pin the red beanie in place with hidden bobby pins. Square glasses, rosy makeup and a pink lip finish it. A foam board or a crossbody bag keeps your hands free if you prefer.
26. Modest Tricky Costume
You can keep her colors and shape without anything cropped or low-rise. A long white tunic sweatshirt with red trim goes over loose light-blue cargo jeans, with a black belt over the top if you want shape and red high-tops below. Let a red undershirt show at the collar and cuffs to echo her layered outfit. Low pigtails go under the red beanie, with black square glasses. Soft blush, pink tint and neat liner keep the face playful. Carry a small foam board or a graffiti-print tote. It's the version I'd suggest for work events and community gatherings, and it doubles as a cold-weather pick.
27. Tricky Cold Weather Costume
Outdoors, I'd rather build warmth into the costume than bury it under an unrelated coat. Wear a white thermal shirt under a cropped red puffer, with fleece-lined loose blue jeans, a black belt, red knit gloves, thick white socks and weather-resistant red sneakers. Low braids tangle less than loose pigtails in wind, and the red beanie keeps your ears warm. A strap on the glasses stops them sliding when you lean down. Cold air dries out powder blush, so cream blush and tinted balm sit better. Decorate a foam board in blue and red, or carry a small backpack. Every layer here still points back to Tricky, which makes it a good choice for a cold parade route.
28. Tricky Glam Costume
Glam adds sparkle without losing her casual skater roots. A fitted white sequin top and wide-leg blue satin cargo pants are the base, with a black rhinestone belt and red platform sneakers to keep one foot in streetwear. Smooth high pigtails sit under a red beanie decorated with crystals, and glitter-trimmed square glasses replace the plain pair. Sequins scratch the inside of the arms, so I'd pick a top with a soft lining or wear a thin layer under it. Silver shadow, sharp black liner, glowing blush and a berry gloss make the face. Statement hoops, a small metallic belt bag and a silver foam board dotted with red and blue gems finish it. It's for parties and photos where polish beats strict accuracy.
29. Last-Minute Tricky Costume
You can pull this together from a normal closet in under an hour. Wear any plain white tee with the loosest blue jeans you own, plus a black belt and red sneakers; if you don't have red shoes, lace your sneakers with red ribbon. Split your hair into pigtails or clip in blonde ponytail extensions, and pull on a red knit hat. Plain black reading glasses with the lenses popped out mimic her square frames. Pink blush, mascara and tinted balm are enough. Glue printed artwork onto a recycled cardboard board with non-toxic glue and round every corner. It works because it covers her essentials: blonde pigtails, red headwear, a white top, baggy denim, glasses and sneakers.
30. Thrifted Tricky Subway Surfers Costume
Thrift racks are full of the relaxed shapes her outfit needs. Look in both the men's and women's sections for oversized pale jeans, a plain white tank or tee, a black belt and a red knit beanie. Men's jeans in a larger waist with a belt give the baggy drape faster than anything labeled baggy. Secondhand red sneakers are fine if they're clean and supportive, but comfortable shoes you already own usually beat them. Style an inexpensive blonde wig into low pigtails and add black square costume glasses. Use removable patches instead of permanent paint. Rosy cheeks and a pink lip finish the face, and a board made from reused cardboard and craft paper costs almost nothing.
A Board Prop You Can Carry for Hours
Nearly every version here suggests a hoverboard or skateboard, and the board is the piece that causes the most trouble. A real skateboard is heavy, hard-edged and often not allowed indoors. A light flat prop gives you the same silhouette.
- Cut the shape from foam board or two layers of corrugated cardboard glued with the ridges running in different directions, which stops it bending in the middle.
- Keep it shorter than a real deck. Around the length of your forearm to elbow is easy to tuck under an arm in a crowd.
- Round every corner with scissors, then sand or tape the edges so nothing scratches.
- Paint with acrylic, and give cardboard a coat of clear sealer so a damp evening doesn't soften it.
- Add a ribbon or strap handle on the underside so you can sling it across your back when you need both hands.
For a young fan trick-or-treating, I'd skip the board altogether or keep it backpack-sized. They'll be holding a treat bag and a flashlight, and a big board gets dropped by the second house.
Her Hat, Her Hair and You're Done
Tricky adapts to almost any event, budget, body or comfort level. Start with what makes her readable: blonde pigtails, red headwear, bold glasses, relaxed trousers, sneakers and a board-shaped prop. From there, pick the classic denim, the purple hearts, the camo, a winter build, neon or glam. You don't need every detail. A steady color palette and confident styling usually tell people who you are. Keep props light, wear shoes you can walk in and dress for the weather. A costume you're comfortable in is one you'll actually enjoy.
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