DIY Shy Guy Costume (Super Mario)

Published 2023-09-29 · Updated 2026-10-15

Shy Guy is one of the simplest Mario characters to make: a red robe with a hood, a white mask with two black oval eyes and an oval mouth, and blue shoes. Because his body is just a red hooded robe, an oversized red hoodie with matching red trousers gets you most of the way there.

The mask is the whole character. Masks sold as "Shy Guy" are available, but you can make one by painting a plain white full-face mask with black ovals. Wearing gloves and keeping all your skin covered helps sell the faceless, slightly eerie look.

At a glance

Difficulty: Easy
Rough budget: $30–$60
Best for: Mario group costumes; groups of Shy Guys are funny
What people recognise first: The white mask with oval eyes

What you need

Oversized red hoodie — Go two sizes up so it hangs like a robe. Pull the hood up over the mask's edges.
White full-face mask — A plain white mask you can paint, or a ready-made Shy Guy mask. Check you can see and breathe comfortably.
Red sweatpants — Match the hoodie's red so the body reads as one robe.
Blue shoes — Shy Guy's feet are blue. Plain canvas sneakers are fine.
Gloves — Optional; covering your hands keeps the faceless effect.

How to put it together

Mask (make the day before)

If your mask is plain, draw two tall ovals for eyes and one oval for the mouth with a pencil.
Paint them black with acrylic paint and let it dry overnight.
Check the eye holes line up with your eyes; you may need to enlarge them slightly and paint around them.

Body

Wear the red trousers and the oversized red hoodie.
Put on the blue shoes and gloves.
Put on the mask, then pull the hood up so it frames the mask's edges.

About the character

Shy Guys first appeared in the 1987 Japanese game Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic, which Nintendo reworked into Super Mario Bros. 2 for Western audiences in 1988. They have since become one of the most common enemies and side characters in the Mario series, especially in Yoshi's Island, Mario Kart and Mario Party.

True to their name, Shy Guys never show their faces, and what lies under the mask is a running joke in the series. Several colours exist in the games, but the red robe is the standard one.

Frequently asked questions

What colour are Shy Guy's shoes?

Blue. The standard Shy Guy has a red robe, a white mask and blue feet.

How do I make a Shy Guy mask?

Paint two tall black ovals for the eyes and a smaller black oval for the mouth onto a plain white full-face mask with acrylic paint. Let it dry overnight before wearing.

Is a Shy Guy costume comfortable for a long event?

The hoodie and sweatpants are very comfortable, but full-face masks get warm. Choose a mask with good ventilation and take it off between photos.

What group costumes go with Shy Guy?

Shy Guys work well in any Mario group, with Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi or Bowser, and a group of several Shy Guys in different colours is a costume in itself.