What most clowns have in common is that they wear outrageous costumes and elaborate makeup. The earliest clowns were called jesters, and they dressed up in flashy colors with wild patterns to draw interest and identify themselves as clowns for nobles and monarchs.
Some jesters performed for the common folk at town markets, fairs and festivals. They became today’s clowns. If you are looking for a clown costume for a child under four, take a look at the Rubie’s Kids Clown Costume. It is a red, yellow and blue jumpsuit with pom-poms, ruffles, polka dots, suspenders and a wacky hat.
There are no standardized sizes in kids’ costumes. One manufacturer says the costume fits Infants, and another says the very same costume fits Toddlers. What one calls large, another calls medium. Avoid these problems by not using the sizes your child wears in regular clothing. Instead, take the child’s age, height and weight into account before buying a kid's clown costume.
Several key areas make a big difference in clown costumes. One thing most of them have in common is the features are oversized. This is essential for a good clown costume.
Big noses are the focal point of many clown faces. Look for masks with big noses or clown costumes that leave the choice of false noses to you. The classic clown nose is big, round and bright red. Wide noses, big noses, and crooked noses are all great visual attention getters. So are big and oddly shaped ears.
A great clown wig has big hair colored wildly and cut outrageously frizzy, floppy or spiky. Red and rainbow are the two classic color choices of clown wigs.
Top hats, derby hats, and mad hatter hats are all brightly colored, and most are oversized. Hats should be silly. Kids who want a different hat for their clown costume might choose a wacky party hat with an umbrella with a headband or one that looks like a roast turkey. Encourage your child’s imagination to think of a hat that looks like something other than a hat.
The classic clown shoe is ridiculously long, floppy and has wild colors with zany patterns. Most are cloth or polyester and soft. The downside of big floppy shoes is that they are hard to walk in. Some clown costumes get around this by including the top of a “shoe,” worn over your child’s own shoe. This presents the appearance of crazy shoes without clumsiness.
When it comes to clown costumes, the wilder the colors, the better. Wild patterns are another essential, so mix plaids with stripes, checks and polka dots for a wild look that will draw smiles.
Most clown costumes for kids cost $20-$40. Some sell for as much as $60, and these tend to be more elaborate costumes with more pieces.
A. Most clowns don’t even speak. The idea behind wearing a clown costume is to dress foolishly, wildly and outrageously. Think of a clown costume as a wearable work of art.
A. Most clown costumes will be baggy and oversized, but not all. As oversize features and clothing are essentials, you will be better off with a too-big clown costume than one that is too little.
What you need to know: This little jumpsuit is colorful fun for infants and toddlers.
What you’ll love: This kid’s clown costume has a blue top with a big yellow pom-pom, red-striped bottoms with attached yellow suspenders trimmed in red, blue booties with yellow pom-poms and a red and blue hat. This outfit is 100% polyester and machine washable.
What you should consider: Some customers report this kid’s clown costume runs smaller than they expected.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Forum Novelties Hoopy the Clown Novelty Costume
What you need to know: From head to toe, this classic clown costume will make you the laugh of the party.
What you’ll love: Start with a loud yellow and red striped shirt with an attached polka dot tie. Add a pair of red paints with blue and yellow dots, red suspenders and a huge waist kept open with an oversized flexi-hoop. Top it off with a silly top hat, and then add your personal touches.
What you should consider: Start with this costume and add your personal touches, like a wild wig, a fun nose and big clown shoes.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Spooktacular Creations Scary Clown Costume
What you need to know: Combine the humor of a clown with a touch of the sinister for a really different clown, the Evil Jester.
What you’ll love: This kid’s clown costume includes pants, tunic, belt, hood with full face mask and a psycho cane with a miniature evil jester skull. The jumpsuit is unisex polyester, and the full head mask is vinyl. This costume comes in sizes for kids from 5 to 14-years-old.
What you should consider: This kid’s clown costume must be hand washed and does not include clown gloves or clown shoes.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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David Allan Van writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.