A circus acrobat costume is easy to build and very comfortable: a sparkly leotard, tights, soft slippers and a feathered headpiece. It is the classic big-top aerialist and trapeze artist look, with sequins and bright red, gold and silver doing the work. Every piece below also works for dance class afterwards.
How to Make Circus Acrobat Costume
Sequin LeotardRed Rhinestone BodysuitBallet TightsBallet SlippersFeather HeadpieceGold TutuStriped SingletLong Sleeve UnitardKids Acrobat LeotardKids Trapeze LeotardSaveTap any item in the photo to shop itClick any item in the photo to shop it
| # | Item | Description | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sequin Leotard | Start with a silver sequin leotard with mesh sleeves. It catches the light like a trapeze outfit under the spotlights. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 2 | Red Rhinestone Bodysuit | Want the classic red circus colour instead? Wear this rhinestone long-sleeve bodysuit. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 3 | Ballet Tights | Wear footed ballet pink tights for the smooth, long line performers have. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 4 | Ballet Slippers | Pink leather slippers keep the look light on your feet. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 5 | Feather Headpiece | Add a red sequin headband with a tall feather plume. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 6 | Gold Tutu | Layer a sparkly gold tutu over the leotard for a bareback rider or tightrope-walker look. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 7 | Striped Singlet | For men, a black and white striped singlet gives the vintage circus performer silhouette. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 8 | Long Sleeve Unitard | Wear a black stretch unitard underneath the singlet for full coverage. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 9 | Kids Acrobat Leotard | For kids, this red sequin trapeze artist leotard with striped bottom and gold trim is ready to wear. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 10 | Kids Trapeze Leotard | Or pick this red and white striped leotard with matching long gloves. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
How to Get the Acrobat Look Right
Think shine and stretch. A big-top acrobat or trapeze artist is dressed to be seen from the back row, so pick sequins, rhinestones and metallic fabric over plain cotton. Red, gold and silver read as circus at once, and white-and-red stripes tell people you came from the tent.
Keep the line clean from the waist down. Pink footed tights with ballet slippers look best, and you can swap in black tights if you prefer a darker version. Pin the feather headpiece with a few bobby pins, since it will tip when you move.
Wear a flesh-tone or matching bra under thin sequin leotards, and try the sizing before the party. Sequin pieces run snug, so go up a size if you plan to dance.
Male acrobat or strongman
Men can skip the sparkle and go old-school: striped singlet over a black unitard, with black ballet slippers or plain gym shoes. Add a curled moustache and you have a vintage circus strongman. For the full strongman look, see the Cirque du Soleil costume guide, which has a ready-made strongman suit.
Kids
The two kids' leotards above are made to look like circus performers, so there is no extra assembly. Add pink tights, soft shoes and a hair bun with a feather clip and they are ready for trick-or-treating or a school show.
Group Ideas
An acrobat is the easiest piece of a full circus group. Go as a trapeze artist, then recruit a ringmaster and clown with the Cirque du Soleil outfits, a lion tamer and a rodeo clown. A killer clown crashes the show if your group likes spooky. For something closer to the studio look, a ballet dancer swaps the sequins for tutus.
About Circus Acrobats
Acrobats are circus performers who use balance, flexibility and strength to tumble, balance, and fly. Trapeze artists and other aerialists swing and catch each other high above the ring, usually in glittering leotards that stand out under the lights. The classic big-top style of bright colour, sequins and feathers was shaped by 19th and 20th century travelling circuses and is still the first image people picture for a circus costume.
