Let’s be honest. Nobody wants to be just another Dorothy. The blue gingham dress is a classic, sure, but if you're hitting a party or a convention, you’re going to see ten of them before you even get to the punch bowl. If you want to actually turn heads and maybe scare a few kids in a fun, nostalgic way, you go for the henchmen. You go for the wings. Putting together a diy flying monkey costume is one of those projects that sounds intimidating because of the structural engineering involved—wings are heavy, man—but it’s actually surprisingly doable if you stop overthinking the "flying" part.
You’ve got to decide which vibe you're going for first. Are we talking about the 1939 Technicolor nightmare fuel from The Wizard of Oz? Or maybe something a bit more modern, like the sleek, almost steampunk versions from Oz the Great and Powerful? Most people aim for the classic Margaret Hamilton era look because that blue and red vest is iconic. It’s a specific kind of creepy-cool that transcends generations.
The biggest mistake people make? Buying a cheap, plastic-smelling monkey mask from a big-box store. Don't do that. It looks like a lumpy potato and breathes about as well as a plastic bag. We can do better with a little bit of fur, some cardboard, and a decent amount of hot glue.
The Core of the DIY Flying Monkey Costume: The Suit
Before you even touch a feather, you need the base. You’re looking for a grey or charcoal jumpsuit. If you can’t find a one-piece, a matching grey hoodie and sweatpants combo works just as well, and honestly, it makes bathroom breaks way less of a logistical nightmare.
The texture is what sells the "monkey" part of the diy flying monkey costume. You don't need to sew an entire suit of faux fur. That’s a recipe for heatstroke. Instead, focus on the "fringed" areas. You want to attach strips of long-pile grey faux fur to the outer seams of the arms and legs. When you move, it gives that shaggy, primate silhouette without making you sweat through your socks.
That Iconic Bellhop Vest
This is where the magic happens. The Flying Monkeys are basically creepy bellhops. You need a short, bolero-style vest. If you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can whip one out of blue felt in twenty minutes. If you aren’t, find a cheap blue vest at a thrift store and crop it high—like, ribs-high.
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The red and white zig-zag pattern on the edges is the "secret sauce" of the look. I’ve seen people try to paint this on, but it usually looks streaky and sad. Use stiff felt. Cut out white triangles and red triangles, then glue them in an alternating pattern along the collar and the hem. It gives the garment a 3D texture that looks great in photos. It’s tedious. It takes a while. Put on a podcast. It’s worth the effort.
Engineering Wings That Won’t Fall Off
This is usually the part where people give up and just buy a pair of cheap fairy wings. Resist the urge. Fairy wings are too dainty. Flying monkeys have powerful, bird-like wings that look like they could actually lift a small dog into the air.
You need a sturdy base. Corrugated cardboard is your best friend here, or if you want to get fancy, insulation foam board from the hardware store. Sketch out a large "M" shape for the wing structure. You want them to be wide, but not so wide that you’re knocking over drinks all night.
- The Harness: Don’t just safety pin the wings to your vest. They will rip off. You need a backpack-style harness. Use wide elastic straps that go over your shoulders.
- The Feathers: Real feathers are expensive and messy. Instead, use "funky" grey felt cut into feather shapes. Layer them starting from the bottom of the wing and moving up. It gives that heavy, layered look seen in the original film's costume designs by Adrian (the legendary MGM costume designer).
- The Color: Spray paint is your ally. Once the wings are assembled, give them a light dusting with black and silver spray paint to add depth. Flat grey looks like a school project; mottled grey looks like a creature.
The Face: Makeup vs. Masks
If you have the patience, makeup is always superior to a mask. A mask hides your expressions and makes it impossible to drink your cider. For a diy flying monkey costume, you want a "primate" color palette. Think greys, deep blues, and maybe a bit of black around the eyes.
Start with a grey base. Use a darker shade to contour your nose to make it look flatter and wider. Apply a bit of spirit gum to your forehead and chin if you want to add small tufts of crepe hair. It adds an incredible level of realism that a rubber mask just can't touch. If you absolutely must use a mask, look for a "half-mask" that leaves your mouth free. You’ll thank me later.
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Why the Small Details Matter
The hat is non-negotiable. It’s a pillbox style hat, matching the blue of the vest. You can make this out of a literal oatmeal container cut down to size. Wrap it in the same blue fabric or felt you used for the vest. Add the same zig-zag trim. Use a chin strap—an elastic cord works—because if you’re leaning into the character, that hat is going to fly off the second you start "hooting."
Let's talk about the tail. A lot of people forget the tail. Monkeys have tails. Use a long piece of flexible wire (like a coat hanger, but thicker) and wrap it in batting and grey fur. Attach it to a belt under the vest, not to the pants. This prevents the "sagging pants" look that happens when a heavy wire tail starts pulling on your waistband.
Sourcing Materials on a Budget
You don't need to go to a specialized cosplay shop. Most of this can be found at a local craft store or even a hardware store.
- Grey sweats: Target or Walmart.
- Felt by the yard: Joann’s or Michael’s.
- Adhesives: Buy more hot glue sticks than you think you need. Seriously. You’ll use at least twenty.
- The "Blue": Look for "Royal Blue." It pops against the grey.
One thing people often overlook is the footwear. Don't wear neon running shoes. It kills the vibe. If you have old grey Ugg-style boots or even just dark sneakers, those work. Some people even glue fur to the top of their shoes to blend them into the leg pieces. It’s a pro move.
Handling the "Flying" Part
Since you probably don't have a wire-rigging team from a 1930s movie set, your "flying" is going to be ground-based. If you're doing this as a group—which is infinitely better, because a troop of monkeys is terrifying—work on your movement. Monkeys don't walk perfectly upright. Keep a slight bend in the knees. Move your arms with a bit of weight.
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In the original movie, the actors playing the monkeys actually complained quite a bit about the costumes being heavy and hot. Take that as a badge of honor. If you’re a little bit uncomfortable, you’re probably doing it right. Just stay hydrated.
Putting It All Together
When you finally step into the full diy flying monkey costume, check yourself in a full-length mirror. See where the gaps are. Usually, there’s a gap between the mask/makeup and the collar of the vest. A simple grey scarf or a bit more fur can bridge that.
The goal isn't perfection; it’s character. The Flying Monkeys were iconic because they were weird, a little bit clunky, and totally unexpected in a world of witches and munchkins. Your DIY version should feel handmade. It should have that "theatre troupe" energy.
Actionable Next Steps
- Sketch your wing size: Measure your doorway. If your wings are wider than your front door, you're going to have a bad time.
- Thrift the base layers: Go find those grey sweats and a blue vest today. It’s easier to build on existing clothes than to start from scratch.
- Test the harness: Put on the wing harness and jump around. If it wobbles, add a chest strap. Stability is everything if you plan on wearing this for more than an hour.
- Batch-cut your felt: Don't cut triangles one by one. Fold your felt and cut multiple layers at once to save your hands from cramping.
- Finalize the makeup: Do a trial run of the grey face paint a few days before your event to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction to the pigment.
Building this costume is a bit of a marathon, but the payoff is huge. You won't just be wearing a costume; you'll be a piece of cinematic history. Plus, you get to make monkey noises at people all night, and honestly, that’s the real reason we do this.