How Can Fans Cosplay Rainbow Friend Red With Store-Bought Items?

If I had to make Red from 'Rainbow Friends' quickly and cheaply, I’d hit the craft and party stores. Red hoodie and joggers are the backbone; then get a red fleece blanket to pad the belly. Big round eyes? Buy large white foam balls, slice them open, and stick black discs on for pupils. For the mouth, black felt or a plastic tablecloth taped inside a red motorcycle helmet or a large foam ball works surprisingly well.

Teeth can be white foam cut into triangles and glued along the mouth edge. I always check for airflow and sightlines — replace part of the eye with mesh if needed. It’s a quick, wearable cosplay that still captures the creepy charm.

I’m excited just thinking about thrift-hunting for this — it’s surprisingly doable with store-bought things. First off, picture the basic kit: red hoodie, red sweatpants, red gloves, and a big headpiece. If you don’t want to sculpt a head, the Halloween aisle often has red monster masks that, with a few tweaks (black spray paint inside the mouth, white foam teeth glued on), look pretty close to Red from 'Rainbow Friends'.

If you want it softer, a red plush animal head or a mascot-style hooding head works well; cover seams with fleece. For eyes, I like adhesive white craft foam with black fabric paint pupils so they’re lightweight. For the mouth, black felt or a cheap black tablecloth creates depth. Bulk craft stores carry foam sheets and giant googly eyes, which save time. Finish with red shoe covers (or paint inexpensive shoes) and practice your hunched posture — it sells the look. I always bring safety pins and extra glue to cons because store-bought pieces can shift, and that little repair kit has saved me more than once.

I’m the kind of person who loves group photos, so when making Red from 'Rainbow Friends' I think about how the costume will read from a distance. I’d go for a plush, oversized look: buy a red zip-up hoodie two sizes up and stuff the torso with inexpensive pillow inserts. For the head, a red monster mask from a costume store (then modify it) is the fastest route — cut the mouth bigger and line it with black felt or a plastic tablecloth for depth.

Teeth from white craft foam are light and durable; glue them onto the upper and lower mouth edges. Big white foam eyes with black fabric paint pupils stick well to a foam helmet or the mask itself. Finish with red gloves and shoe covers. I always recommend a test run to ensure visibility and comfort, and maybe a friend to help with photos — the character’s presence is all about posture and timing, so practice your creepy tilt and slow movements for the best effect.

I tend to overplan, so I reverse the usual steps: first I imagine photos and movement, then I shop. For Red from 'Rainbow Friends', my shopping list looks like this — oversized red hoodie, matching joggers, a red mascot head or large red plush hood, black felt, white craft foam, strong Velcro, and cheap red gloves. I’d buy these from a mix of online marketplaces and a local craft store. When assembling, I’d start by creating the mouth frame using a lightweight foam ring glued to the inside of the headpiece so the mouth keeps a wide-open shape even when you move. Glue the black felt to the inside of that ring and line with quilt batting for volume.

For eyeballs I prefer layered foam circles with painted pupils and a light gloss coat to catch flash photography. Shoe covers or red-painted boots keep the color consistent. Practical tips: use Velcro instead of permanent glue where possible for quick fixes, pad the shoulders so the hoodie maintains a bulky monster silhouette, and test a 30-minute wear to find hot spots. I bring spare glue sticks and safety pins for last-minute fixes, and I always leave a small slit for ventilation in the mouth area so it’s breathable during long meetups.

I get a thrill from figuring out how to make a character pop using simple finds, so here’s how I’d build Red from 'Rainbow Friends' with only store-bought stuff. Start with the silhouette: a red oversized hoodie (thrift stores or Amazon) and matching joggers create that chunky, cartoonish shape. Layer in cheap stuffing or a fleece vest under the hoodie to get the rounded torso — think pillow inserts or a small blanket rolled and taped into place.

For the head, I love quick fixes: grab a large red mascot head or an oversized plush animal head from a costume shop, or buy a red balaclava and stretch a foam half-sphere helmet (bike helmet or craft foam glued over a styrofoam ball) on top. Black felt makes the gaping mouth — attach it to the helmet edge and line the interior with black fabric. Teeth are white craft foam or foam board cut into jagged pieces and glued along the mouth. Use stick-on googly eyes or white craft foam circles with black buttons for pupils. Don’t forget red gloves or fleece mitts for hands and simple black boots covered with red fabric tube-socks to match.

I always prioritize being able to see and breathe, so cut hidden mesh eye slits and add a small fan or ventilation holes if the head is enclosed. Glue guns, hot-adhesive strips, and fabric glue from a craft store will be your best friends. It’s a cozy, approachable build that looks great in photos and won’t break the bank.