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DIY Cloud Costume: How To Make Your Own Purple Rain Costume for Halloween

by on Oct 24, 2023

Are you a fan of the iconic movie “Purple Rain” and looking for a unique Halloween costume idea? Look no further because we have the perfect DIY tutorial for you. Get ready to turn heads and pay homage to Prince with this DIY cloud costume inspired by his famous song “Purple Rain”. 

This simple and easy tutorial will guide you through the steps of creating your own purple rain costume using basic materials and a little bit of creativity.

Gathering Your Materials

Two purple pieces of paper next to a beige hat and orange scissors on a white table

Alright, let’s kick things off by making sure we have everything we need to create our fabulous DIY cloud costume with a twist of purple rain. I love this project because it is super easy and doesn’t require a ton of materials. 

Here’s what you’ll need to gather: 

Sunhat 

Opt for a large, white one to serve as the base of your cloud. The bigger, the better, as it gives you more room to attach your cloud fluffs and raindrops. 

Poly-Fil Polyester Fiber

This will be used to create the fluffy clouds. You’ll need enough to cover your hat, so grab a bag or two, depending on the size of your hat. 

Purple Satin Ribbon

You’ll need several lengths of this, about 2-3 feet long each, to represent the rain. The satin will give it a nice, shiny look that mimics water. 

Purple Glitter Paper

This will be used to create your raindrops. The glitter will add a sparkly effect, making your raindrops stand out. 

Glue Gun

This is essential for attaching your cloud fluffs and raindrops securely to the hat. Make sure you have enough glue sticks on hand. These materials are pretty straightforward and can be found at any craft store or easily ordered online from somewhere like Amazon.

Creating Your Clouds

Grab your Poly-Fil Polyester Fiber to get started. 

First, you’ll want to take small handfuls of the Poly-Fil and shape them into balls. 

A woman is using a pink glue gun to attach cotton balls to the brim of a beige-colored hat.

Aim for a mix of sizes, but generally, think between the size of a baseball and a softball. 

This variety will give your cloud a more realistic and whimsical appearance. 

Next, fire up your glue gun because it’s about to get sticky. 

Apply a generous dab of hot glue to the base of your Poly-Fil ball and quickly but carefully press it onto your sunhat. Don’t be afraid to really get into the cloud-making spirit here. 

A person attaching cotton to something.

Cluster your Poly-Fil balls close together for that full, cumulus cloud effect. 

You might want to do a few dry runs (placing the balls on the hat without glue) to figure out an arrangement you like before making it permanent. And just like that, you’ve started to bring your cloud to life! 

Keep at it until your sunhat is filled to the brim with fluffy, cloud-like goodness.

This is your cloud base, and next, we’ll be adding some purple rain to really make it pop.

A person is glueing something to a white wall.

Making It Rain Purple

With your cloud base ready, it’s time to sprinkle some magical purple rain. 

Take your purple glitter paper and stack two sheets together. 

Cut out raindrop shapes in varying sizes for a more natural look. Remember, no two raindrops are the same! Once you have your raindrops cut out, it’s time to make them sparkle from both sides. 

Apply a bit of hot glue to the non-glitter side of one raindrop, lay your purple satin ribbon down the center, then press the matching glitter side of another raindrop on top. This will create a double-sided, all-glitter raindrop that’s ready to hang from your cloud. 

Next, cut your purple satin ribbon into lengths of about 2-3 feet, but feel free to adjust based on how long or short you want your rain to fall. 

After attaching your raindrops to the ribbons, it’s time to secure them to your hat. 

A small dab of glue on the end of the ribbon attached to the underside of your sunhat will do the trick. 

Space your raindrops out as you see fit, allowing for a mix of lengths and sizes to simulate real rainfall. 

And just like that, you’re making it rain purple in true Prince style!

Prince purple rain costume

Suggested Customizations

Want to add your personality to your DIY cloud costume and give it a personal touch? Here are some cool ideas to take your purple rain outfit to the next level. 

Mix different shades of purple and silver fabric into your cloud using spray adhesive to create a textured and colorful look. 

You can also use thread to make it look like it’s raining from your hat. 

Adding twinkle lights can make your costume stand out, and crafting miniature musical instruments from purple glitter paper can be a unique touch to honor Prince. 

These customizations are all about showing off your style and making your purple rain costume truly your own, so feel free to mix and match these ideas or come up with your own creative twists!

Accessories That Would Level Up The Costume

To truly bring your DIY cloud costume to the next level and pay homage to the iconic Prince, incorporating the right accessories is key. 

Here’s a curated list of items that will complement your purple rain ensemble and ensure you stand out this Halloween.

Ruffle Shirt

A crisp, white ruffle shirt under your purple trench coat will instantly evoke Prince’s iconic style. It’s all about the details, and this piece adds a touch of classic rockstar flair. 

Purple Trench Coat

Already mentioned as a key part of your outfit, but worth emphasizing. A glossy, deep purple trench coat not only ties the whole look together but also keeps you warm on a chilly October night. 

Costume Jacket

For a more layered look or a nod to Prince’s eclectic fashion sense, consider a flashy, patterned costume jacket to wear over your ruffle shirt. Look for jackets with sequins, velvet, or unique textures to really make a statement. 

Rain Boots

Practical yet thematic, purple rain boots will keep your feet dry and your costume cohesive. They’re a fun nod to the “rain” part of your purple rain theme and a comfortable choice for all-night Halloween festivities. 

Skirt or Pants

Depending on your personal style, a purple skirt or a pair of sleek purple pants can be a great addition. 

These pieces provide an opportunity to customize your costume further—go with a frilly, layered skirt for a softer look, or opt for shiny or leather pants for a rockstar vibe. 

Wig

If you’re committed to authenticity, a curly black wig that mimics Prince’s hairstyle is a must. It’s the crowning jewel of your costume and will pull your entire look together, making you instantly recognizable as the legendary artist. 

Guitar Prop

While not mentioned earlier, a small guitar prop—especially if you can find or decorate one in purple—will add an undeniable Prince touch to your costume, celebrating his musicianship along with his unique style. 

Accessorizing wisely can elevate your costume from good to great. Mix and match these suggestions to complement your DIY cloud and purple rain creation, and you’ll be sure to have a memorable Halloween outfit.

How To Make a DIY Purple Rain (Cloud) Costume

Prince purple rain costume

Materials

Instructions

  1. Shape small balls out of the Poly-fil and attach them to your hat with a glue gun. To be most cloud-like, your balls should range in size of about a baseball to a softball. 
  2. Cut raindrops out of your glitter paper. We stacked two sheets of glitter paper and cut so that our drops could be glued together with a sparkly side out. 
  3. Cut ribbon in varying lengths (ours were about 2-3 feet long).
  4. Using your hot glue gun, put a dab of glue on the inside (no-glitter side) of a raindrop, place your ribbon down the center of the drop and place the matching raindrop on top to make a completely glittery raindrop. Repeat, spacing your raindrops as you like.
  5. Sew one end of your ribbon-y raindrops to your hat. Repeat.

There you have it—a step-by-step guide to creating your very own DIY cloud costume with a purple rain twist. 

This Halloween, you’re all set to channel the iconic vibe of Prince with a costume that’s as unique as it is eye-catching. 

With options to customize and accessorize, your costume can truly reflect your personal flair while paying tribute to a musical legend. 

Remember, the beauty of DIY projects lies in the creativity and fun of making something yourself. 

So, whether you’re hitting a Halloween party or just trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, you’re guaranteed to turn heads and spark conversations with your dazzling purple rain costume. 

What’s your genius costume idea this year?

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