Gargamel Costume Guide (The Smurfs)

Published 2023-09-23 · Updated 2026-11-02

Gargamel is the bumbling wizard who has spent decades failing to catch the Smurfs. His design has barely changed since Peyo drew him in the late 1950s: a long black robe with patches, red shoes, a bald crown with a ring of messy dark hair, bushy eyebrows, a hooked nose and a permanent hunch. His cat Azrael, orange with a scruffy tail, is always nearby.

This is one of the easiest villain costumes to assemble because almost everything is black and loose. It is also a natural pairing: one Gargamel with any number of Smurfs makes an instantly readable group costume. If you're building that group, we also have guides for Smurfette, Brainy, Vexy and Hackus.

At a glance

Difficulty: Easy
Rough budget: $40–$80
Time to put on: 15–20 minutes (longer with the bald cap)
What people recognise first: Black robe + bald head with fringe + orange cat

What you need

Black hooded monk or wizard robe — Floor-length and loose. Sew or glue on a couple of grey or brown fabric patches at the elbows and hem; his robe is shabby, not sinister.
Bald cap — Gargamel is bald on top with a messy ring of dark hair. Blend the cap edge with a little foundation if you'll be in bright light.
Black scruffy hair fringe or wig — A combined bald-cap-with-hair piece saves effort. Otherwise, glue dark crepe hair around the cap edge.
Red flat shoes or slippers — Red shoes poke out under the robe in every drawing of him. Cheap red canvas shoes or slippers are fine.
Prosthetic hooked nose — Optional but effective. Pair it with heavy dark eyebrows drawn on or glued on.
Orange plush cat (Azrael) — Carry it under one arm or sew a loop so it hangs from your sleeve. Azrael is scruffy, with a bent tail.
Small black cauldron or butterfly net — A cauldron, a potion bottle or a net for catching Smurfs gives you something to do with your hands.

How to put it together

Robe and shoes

Wear dark clothes underneath so nothing shows at the neck or wrists.
Put the robe on and let it hang loose; a rope belt is optional and should sit low.
Put on the red shoes last so they stay clean and visible.

Head and face

Pin your hair flat and fit the bald cap, pulling it down to just above the ears.
Attach the hair fringe or crepe hair around the sides and back so the crown stays bald.
Draw heavy eyebrows with black eyeliner or glue on fake ones, and add the nose if you're using one.
Deepen the lines from nose to mouth with a grey-brown eyeshadow for a sour expression.

Posture and props

Hunch slightly and keep your hands in front of you, fingers curled; Gargamel skulks.
Tuck Azrael under your arm and carry the cauldron or net in the other hand.
If you have Smurfs with you, chase them for photos. That's the whole character.

About the character

Gargamel was created by the Belgian cartoonist Peyo and first appeared in the Smurfs comics in 1959. He is an evil, mostly incompetent wizard who wants the Smurfs either to eat, to turn into gold or simply out of spite, depending on the story. His cat Azrael is his only companion and treats him with visible contempt.

He became widely known through the Hanna-Barbera animated series that ran from 1981 to 1989, and was played by Hank Azaria in the live-action films of 2011 and 2013. The character has been redesigned slightly for newer animated films, but the black robe, bald head, red shoes and cat have stayed the same, which is why the costume works for every generation.

Frequently asked questions

What colour are Gargamel's shoes?

Red. They're one of the few colours on an otherwise black costume, so they're worth getting right. Flat red shoes or slippers are closest.

Do I need a bald cap for Gargamel?

It helps a lot. Gargamel's bald crown with a ring of messy dark hair is one of his most recognisable features. If you'd rather skip the cap, slick your hair down and wear the hood up with some crepe hair poking out.

How do I make Azrael the cat?

The simplest option is an orange tabby plush toy carried under your arm. For a scruffier look, rough up the fur with a comb and add a bent pipe-cleaner inside the tail.

What's a good group costume with Gargamel?

Smurfs. Blue face paint or blue tops, white trousers and a white Phrygian cap make a Smurf; add a red cap for Papa Smurf and a blonde wig for Smurfette. One Gargamel and three or more Smurfs is the classic arrangement.