How to Make a Jock Costume

The word "jock" is a stereotypical label that applies to enthusiastic athletes and sports fans who aren't very interested in other things, like academics. Still, since it is a stereotype, there is a lot of room for variation when it comes to jock costumes. Jock outfits can be women's or men's costumes and can be basic, over the top or somewhere in between. One of the advantages to fun costumes such as these is that they're easy to throw together for last-minute events.

School sports teams can promote tough, competitive, emotionally inexpressive mentalities when the game is all-important and life off the field is not. Movies sometimes portray jocks as bullies, but this is not always the case. Sometimes, the characters are more emotionally in tune with others, are popular with everyone and end up being heroes. When they are portrayed as bullies in movies and TV shows, they are usually taught lessons by nerds and others.

A good starting point is to look for pictures from movies that feature jocks. Some of the best movie jock costume ideas are:

• Johnny Lawrence in ‌The Karate Kid‌
• Biff Tannen in ‌Back to the Future‌
• Ogre in ‌Revenge of the Nerds‌

You will get plenty of the best Halloween jock costume ideas from these characters.

To become a quintessential jock, wear a track suit or a football, hockey, baseball or other sports jersey with a pair of jeans. If you have a sports uniform, you could wear that instead. You get bonus points if you choose clothing in your high school colors. This is especially fun if you're going to a costume party with a group of others doing the same thing.

Jocks wear sneakers. To go with your track suit, jersey or uniform, you should wear athletic sneakers or cleats. It's especially accurate if they match your outfit colorwise or if they correspond to the sport you choose to represent.

The defining garment for a jock is the varsity jacket. If you don't have one, you may be able to find a used one or make one yourself. These jackets have a letter over the left breast beneath the clavicle, names or words on the back, scholars' patches on the right arm and numbers on the left arm (all below the shoulder).

If you have a thick wool coat or an old varsity letterman jacket, this is the perfect addition to your high school jock costume. It's even better if you happen to live in a cold area and need the benefit of an outer layer.

Bring a ball, bat, stick or paddle along with you for trick-or-treating or to a Halloween party when you wear your DIY costume. Match the accessory to the sport you are representing for an accurate costume.

Stereotypical jocks, especially those of the Biff Tannen variety, liked to slick back their hair. Use hair gel as grease to make yourself look like one of these athletes. Put a little too much gel in your hair as an added touch.

You can also wear a class ring on your pinkie to accessorize your jock outfit.

Besides carrying a football or baseball glove, one of the best adornments for a jock is a cheerleader, so if you have a friend willing to join in on the fun, go for some group costume action.