Conan the Barbarian Costume

Want a Conan the Barbarian Costume? Here are a few tips.

If you want to be the conquering hero of the Halloween parties this year, forget modern masked marauders, and go with a classic pulp warrior.

An excellent Conan the Barbarian outfit will slay your enemies in any costume contest.

Hailing from the north-country of Cimmeria, Conan’s garb derives influence from many Celtic and Viking cultures. Specifically, Conan’s wardrobe indicates that many animals lost their lives so that the Barbarian could be clothed. Emphasizing leather, fur and gilded accessories will ensure a proper Conan the Barbarian Costume – and a  fierce look will be achieved. When in doubt, add more leather, gold and faux animal pelts.

Conan often wears the fangs and talons of slain predators on a leather rope around his neck, kind of like a sabre tooth necklace. Something along these lines can easily be found as part of any prehistoric caveman costume, or even created from scratch with a brown shoelace and white cylindrical beads.

Conan is often shown with shoulder-length hair, bound by a studded leather headband, or contained in a helmet complete with the horns of a bull or a ram.

To achieve Conan’s bulky physique, a faux torso can be purchased, or you can paint a T-shirt in a skin tone and draw muscle contours on the chest and arms. This latter option is preferable to a bare chest, especially on cold October nights. Complete the toned look (and stay warm!) by drawing the Barbarian’s chiseled leg muscles on a pair of skin-tone tights or leggings.

A Conan the Barbarian Costume itself contains more animal-derived accoutrements. Find faux fur and leather (or simply a sturdy brown cloth) at a fabric shop and cover a pair of men’s briefs, as Conan is often depicted in minimal clothing beyond a loincloth or one-shouldered toga. Create a belted vest with strong shoulders for a battle-ready barbarian. Use any leftover faux leather to create the barbarian’s cuffs, which extend up his forearms to protect his extremities from enemy’s blows.

Cut long strips of the leather and wrap them around your calves to achieve Conan’s tall footwear, or wear boots or sandals and allow a 4-5 inch flap of leather-esque fabric to hang over the edge of the top. This is an important part of any Conan the Barbarian Costume.

Though Conan was reputed as a capable warrior with or without a weapon, a sword will make an excellent addition to the costume. (Imagine holding your gleaming broad sword above your head in triumph as you make your entrance to a Holloween party.

Fellow guests will have no doubt about who you are supposed to be dressed as.) Cut a broad sword shape out of cardboard (the longer the better), and wrap aluminum foil around the blade. Add red paint to the edge of the sword to indicate that your most recent battle did not end well for your enemies.

And there you have it! So go out into the night and conquer this year’s Halloween festivities in your fierce and fun Conan the Barbarian Costume costume! Happy Halloween!

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