This playful milkshake costume is perfect for groups, couples, or anyone who wants a quick, wearable DIY that still looks polished. The idea is simple: use a plain dress as the base and add a whipped-cream headpiece with balloon “cherries.” The costume is easy to make, comfortable to wear, and can double as everyday clothing after the event.
Supplies:
- Simple dress in your chosen color (white, brown, or pink work great)
- White cotton batting
- 5″ red balloons
- Red cardstock
- Headband
- Hot glue (use low setting when gluing balloons)
- Clear shipping tape
- Scissors
How to make the whipped-cream headpiece:
- Cut a long strip of cotton batting about 4 feet long and 10 inches wide.
- Roll the batting into a loose cylinder, then twist and swirl it into a whipped-cream shape—wrap it around twice, leaving a pointed peak at the top.
- When you have the shape you like, secure the layers together with hot glue. Attach the finished swirl to a headband by gluing the base to the band.
- Cut thin cherry stems from red cardstock.
- Inflate the mini red balloons shortly before wearing (no more than a day in advance). Using the low setting on your glue gun, place a small line of hot glue where you want each balloon to sit on the whipped-cream swirl, then press the balloon gently onto the glue to adhere. Avoid touching the tip of the glue gun directly to the balloon.
- Fold about 1/2 inch of the bottom of each cardstock stem and tape it to the tied end of a balloon so the stem looks attached. That’s it.
Soda jerk costume idea: To complement the milkshake look, dress a partner as a classic soda jerk. You’ll need a white button-down shirt, white pants, a red bow tie, a red apron, a paper soda-fountain hat, and a milkshake glass prop to complete the ensemble.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
Optional extras: turn a cardboard tube into a striped paper straw to tuck behind the headpiece for a more detailed effect. These milkshake costumes also pair well with other diner-themed DIYs like burger and fries for a coordinated group look.
If you make one of these costumes, share your photo on Instagram with #studiodiyincostume to be featured on the original project feed.