• Race Carrace car neon sign image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
  
  Racecar costumes can be appropriate outfits for all ages and either gender. You can create costumes with items found in your home or with a few small purchases from your local craft, vintage or fabric store. A racecar driver can inspire the costume, or the costume can depict a racecar.
  
  

Car

• To depict the racecar the driver uses, use a large box for the bulk of the costume. Choose a box that is wide, approximately 3 to 4 feet wide, depending on your size, and about 1 to 2 feet tall. Remove the bottom flaps and cut holes in the top and sides for your head and arms. Use a piece of cardboard glued to the top front of the box as a windshield, and add details such as side-view mirrors and headlights if desired. For the details, use smaller boxes or Styrofoam blocks and shapes. Paint the entire costume as desired, remembering to add the sponsor logos, prominent on real racecars.
  
  

Jumpsuit

• To dress up as the driver of the racecar, choose a monotone color jumpsuit. For a child, one-piece sleepers will work well. Glue patches and insignias onto the jumpsuit as desired. Use fabric paint to draw sponsor logos onto the clothing as well. Add some gloves, a visor or helmet and boots to round out the costume. Pair this with the box racecar costume, if desired.
  
  

Ready, Set, Go

• One image that comes to mind when picturing racecars is the black and white checkered flag that ends the race. Use this as inspiration for a racecar costume. Choose an all black outfit to wear for the costume. This could include black pants, a black skirt, black shirt or a black dress. Using fabric adhesive glue, create a checkered pattern by gluing small squares of white fabric and felt to the black clothing. This costume will pair well with the other two for a racecar driver ensemble.