Dress Up Like Gill Man from Creature from the Black Lagoon

If you are looking for a good Gill Man costume for Halloween or a big cosplay event, here’s the winning formula for creating the most exciting outfit of the party! Let’s see how to dress up as Gill Man from Creature from the Black Lagoon.

Costume Guide For COSPLAY & HALLOWEEN

Costume-Gill Man-Creature from the Black Lagoon

Gill Man from Creature from the Black Lagoon Costume Guide

Shopping List for Gill Man from Creature from the Black Lagoon Costume & Outfit

Shock and delight your friends at your next Halloween party by dressing up as one of the quintessential beasts of horror: Gill-man, also known as “Creature” from Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). Gill-man is immediately recognized by his fishlike features, but what is less recognized (and just as cool) is that the original Gill-man costume was created by a female costume designer, Milicent Patrick

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Caption: Gill-man emerges from dark waters, a monstrous representation of our fear of the unknown. Source: Universal Pictures

If you like the costumes from the era black and white movies, maybe it would be interesting for you to take a look at how to Dress Up Like The Phantom 1925 from The Phantom of the Opera

In the following, we will show you how to create a convincing Gill Man Creature from the Black Lagoon Costume. Have fun!

Getting The Gill-man Costume

Choosing Gill-man as a Halloween costume isn’t a simple choice, but it is certainly a memorable one. The striking Gill-man fish head look can be created in many different ways, depending on your skill level. For cosplay beginners, a ready-made plastic or silicone mask can be found in most major costume shops. Consider a more customized interpretation by using green face paint or makeup, combined with drawn-on neck fish gills and details.

Creature from the Black Lagoon Latex Halloween Mask
Trick or Treat Studios Universal Monsters Creature from the Black Lagoon Latex Halloween Mask

Another option is to purchase a full-body green morph suit, which includes a form-fitting face mask perfect for DIY customization. Break out your best fabric markers to scrawl on black, empty eyes and fanning gills, or use fabric glue to add on three-dimensional gills for added dramatic effect. The full-body morph suit is also perfect for drawing or attaching fish scales and muscular stomach lines to highlight the Creature’s super strength.

Discover how the iconic Gill Man was created, how actors Ben Chapman and Ricou Browning got into the suit, and what the Creature represents for cinema history years after its release in 1954.



Don’t forget about Gill-man’s other iconic feature: his long claws. While premade claw gloves can be purchased, it’s much more fun to make this costume feature your own. An effective and creative suggestion is to purchase long acrylic nails and paint them black to create a clawlike, glamorous effect. To make sure your claws stay affixed all night, invest in a quality nail glue and avoid press-ons!

Rubies Gillman repairs and makeover w/ upgrades! CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON| Universal Monsters

For those who want to avoid the commitment of claws attached to their natural nails, consider using superglue to attach acrylic nails or painted cardboard to green gloves. This way, you can give the full terrifying effect of Gill-man and de-glove to grab Halloween candy at the drop of a hat.

Milicent Patrick is one of the first female costume designers to champion the creation of an iconic horror movie creature, and is only recently getting the full recognition she deserves for her work. Get inspired by her pioneering vision and make your Gill Man Creature from the Black Lagoon Costume your own this year!

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