Dr. Seuss didn't just write books. He basically built a visual language that has haunted—and helped—parents and party-goers for decades. You've seen them. Those bright red jumpsuits. The chaotic blue hair. It’s the Thing One and Thing 2 costume, a duo look that is arguably the most recognizable "pair" outfit in the history of literacy and pop culture.
People love them. They’re easy. They’re iconic. But honestly, if you just throw on a cheap felt circle and a wig from a plastic bag, you’re doing it wrong. There is a specific kind of magic in the chaos these characters represent. In The Cat in the Hat, published back in 1957, these two were literally "things" let out of a box to cause absolute mayhem. They flew kites in the house. They knocked over lamps. When you wear the outfit, you aren’t just dressing up; you’re carrying a license to be a little bit of a disaster, and that’s why it works.
The weird history of the blue-haired twins
The origin of these characters is actually kind of strange when you dig into it. Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) was restricted to a specific list of words to make his books easy for kids to read. "Thing" is one of the simplest words in the English language. It’s vague. It’s non-descriptive. By naming them Thing One and Thing Two, Geisel created characters that could be anyone or anything.
This is exactly why the Thing One and Thing 2 costume is a perennial top-seller for brands like Spirit Halloween or Etsy creators. It’s gender-neutral. It’s age-neutral. You see toddlers wearing it. You see grandmas wearing it. You see two frat bros wearing it while drinking lukewarm beer. It crosses every demographic line because, at our core, everyone understands the dynamic of a "pair" that causes trouble together.
Why the DIY route usually beats the store-bought bag
Buying a pre-packaged costume is fine if you're in a rush on October 30th. We've all been there. But most store-bought versions use that itchy, thin polyester that breathes about as well as a plastic grocery bag. If you want to actually look good, you've got to think about the textures.
The "hair" is the hardest part to get right. In the original illustrations, the hair isn't just blue; it’s wild, gravity-defying, and almost electric. A cheap tinsel wig looks sad. Instead, people who really nail this look often use blue marabou feathers or even highly-teased yarn. It gives that "just stepped out of a tornado" vibe that the characters are known for.
Think about the patches too. Most people just tape a piece of paper to their chest. Don't do that. Use white felt. Use a thick black Sharpie or, better yet, fabric paint to get those shaky, hand-drawn lines that mimic Seuss’s actual pen strokes. It’s that "imperfect" look that makes it feel authentic to the book.
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Managing the dynamic of the duo
One person is always One. One person is always Two.
It sounds simple, but there’s a weird psychological thing that happens when you pick your number. Usually, the "older" or "taller" person gravitates toward One. It’s a subtle power move. If you’re doing this with twins, the fight over who gets to be Thing One can last for hours. Believe me.
But the Thing One and Thing 2 costume isn't just for two people anymore. I’ve seen families with four or five kids stretching this out to "Thing 5" and beyond. It’s a brilliant way to keep a group together in a crowded neighborhood while trick-or-treating. If you see a swarm of red jumpsuits, you know they belong together. It’s low-key genius for safety.
Small details that make a massive difference:
- Footwear: Stop wearing neon Nikes with a Seuss costume. It kills the vibe. Go with plain red sneakers or even black-and-white Chuck Taylors to keep that "illustrated" feel.
- Face Paint: You don't need a full white-face like a clown. That gets creepy fast. Just a little bit of exaggerated rosy cheeks or a black "cartoon" nose tip is enough to bridge the gap between human and "Thing."
- The Gloves: In the book, they have hands that look almost like mittens. Red or white gloves make the hand movements look more theatrical and less like "Dave from accounting in a jumpsuit."
Not just for Halloween anymore
Teachers have basically hijacked this costume. Read Across America Day (which usually lands around Dr. Seuss’s birthday in March) sees more red jumpsuits than a jumpsuit factory. For educators, the Thing One and Thing 2 costume is the ultimate "work-appropriate" outfit. It’s modest, it’s educational, and it’s fun.
It’s also a huge hit for gender reveals, which is... a choice. But hey, if you’re expecting twins, "Thing 1" and "Thing 2" onesies are the inevitable conclusion of that journey. It's basically a rite of passage at this point.
Addressing the "low effort" stigma
Some costume purists think the "Thing" look is lazy. They think it’s the "Identity Thief" of costumes—the thing you wear when you didn't have an idea.
I disagree.
The simplicity is the point. We live in a world of hyper-complex Marvel costumes with 40-piece 3D-printed armor sets. Sometimes, you just want to be a bright red blur of energy. There is a reason the Cat in the Hat brought them along: they are pure, distilled fun. They don't have backstories. They don't have "dark gritty reboots." They just exist to run around and fly kites.
How to pull this off if you're a trio
If you have a third person, everyone assumes they have to be the Cat. But that’s a lot of pressure. The Cat has to wear a giant hat and carry a cane and act all sophisticated.
Instead, have the third person be the Fish.
Get a gold or orange outfit, carry a teapot, and spend the whole night yelling at the "Things" to stop making a mess. It creates a hilarious group dynamic that actually follows the plot of the book. Most people forget the Fish is the actual protagonist of that story, trying to maintain order while the mother is away.
Practical steps for your next event
If you're planning on rocking the Thing One and Thing 2 costume this year, don't wait until the last minute to find the blue hair. That’s always the first thing to sell out.
- Source your base early. Look for high-quality cotton union suits or joggers and a long-sleeve tee. They are way more comfortable for a long night than cheap polyester.
- Focus on the patch. Use a stiff backing like cardboard or heavy interfacing behind your "Thing" circle so it doesn't flop around or wrinkle when you sit down.
- Coordinate the chaos. If you're going as a duo, decide on a "schtick." Are you going to be high-energy? Are you going to finish each other's sentences? The costume works best when the people inside it are acting like a single unit of mayhem.
- Check the weather. If you're outside, these costumes are great because you can layer thermal underwear underneath the red suit without ruining the silhouette.
Forget about being "cool" or "edgy." Some of the best memories come from the most classic characters. Grab a friend, find some blue fuzz, and embrace the fact that for one night, you're allowed to be the thing that knocks over the lamp. Just make sure you help clean up before the "mother" gets home.