Tudor Costume Ideas for Men & Women

Gorgeous Historical Costumes from the Tudor Era

Tudor Costume IdeasBefore we talk about Tudor Costume ideas, let’s think about the span of the historical era we refer to as Tudor & what this means for Tudor fashions.

The Tudor period took place between 1485 when Henry VII came to the throne (the first Tudor monarch) and 1603 when Elizabeth I died (the last Tudor monarch), this means that there were changes in the fashions from the beginning of the period to the end.

This is great if you’re looking at making your own costume because you can make choices between early Tudor clothing and late Tudor clothing based on what you have available.

There are also a number of famous men and women from Tudor times who you can dress up as if you choose (or you can just be a member of the court or a Tudor peasant – the choice is yours) such as Henry VIII, Cardinal Wolsey, Walter Raleigh, Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I, or Mary I.

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In a Hurry?

==> Go Straight to a Selection of Tudor Costume Ideas

As you can see from the image above of Mary I and Princess Elizabeth entering London in 1553 (this is when Mary entered the capital to claim her throne upon the death of their brother Edward VI) society Tudors certainly used a lot of fabric in their clothing. Whenever I think of Tudor clothing I think of sumptuous materials that also had a lot of detailing on them, embroidered by gold and silver threads and even the button details on outfits could be made from metal or jewels.

Someone’s status was very tied in to how they dressed so you made sure to wear the best you possibly could …… unless you were poor that is! The Tudor peasants wore very different clothes to those in society and these were often made from scratchy wool and were certainly a lot plainer! If you’re a beginner who’s looking at making your own costume then I would definitely look at a peasant costume as opposed to a court one!

tudor costume ideas for men

Understanding Tudor Fashions

When it came to Tudor fashions for men it did change from the beginning of the Tudor era to the end, but one thing remained constant and that was hose and doublets.   Hose was basically the name given for the tight-fitting trousers that they wore which are very much like leggings today.   A doublet is basically like a tight fitting jacket that’s worn over their hose.

In early Tudor times the look of men’s fashion sees a square shape happening as they wore coats over their doublet and hoses with big shoulders – think of a classic Henry VIII outfit.   By the end of the Tudor era men’s fashions were much sleeker (think of Sir Walter Raleigh classic image) with much shorter slimline jackets being worn, along with Elizabethan ruffs around their necks.

If you want to make your own Tudor outfit for a man then you’ll find this link invaluable –

  • Kentwell Mid-Tudor Men’s Clothes – Kentwell Hall is a stately Tudor Mansion in Suffolk, England that holds regular Tudor Re-Creation Days, people take a lot of trouble to ensure that they do wear historically accurate clothing which is why the link is very handy for people making their own Tudor costumes.
  • What to Wear – Men – This site is written by someone who us a UK Re-Enactor who enjoys spending a lot of time at Kenwell Re-Creation days and is sharing her knowledge of Tudor clothing for you.

There really was a clear cut difference between what the aristocratic classes wore during Tudor times and what the everyday person would be wearing and it didn’t depend on what they could afford either!   Henry VIII passed laws about what clothes people could wear based on their position in society for example only the King and his immediate family could wear cloth made of purple silk or gold; Dukes and Marquises could use only cloth of gold woven into their coats and doublets.

You can find out more here – Mid-Tudor Sumptuary Laws

Let’s look at some ideas for specific Tudor costume ideas for you – 

Henry VIII Costume Ideas

Very Regal Tudor Costumes

When you think of men in Tudor times then Henry VIII has to be one of the first names that springs to mind doesn’t he? Henry VIII has certainly had a larger than life effect on history in several ways so it seems appropriate that if you’re thinking of a man’s Tudor themed costume that you would think of him and I’ve found a few costumes for you to choose from.

Men’s 16th Century King Henry VIII Costume

This is probably the best Henry VIII costume that I’ve seen ready to buy – it actually looks regal enough for a king and the big shoulders on the coat along with the flat cap just makes me think of Henry’s classic image.

It’s certainly a very sumptuous looking costume and embraces a lot of what I think of when I think of Tudor costumes.

 Henry The VIII Costume Mens Henry VIII Costume Men’s Henry VIII Costume

Beefeaters – A Great Tudor Costume Idea

Tudor State Dress Uniform of the Yeoman Warders

If you’ve ever been to the Tower of London then you would have seen the Beefeaters or (as they’re officially known) the Yeoman of the Guard, these were formed during Tudor times by the head of the Tudor dynasty himself, Henry VII.

The Yeoman actually have two different uniforms and the red and gold one that is worn for state occasions or when the sovereign is visiting the tower is actually referred to as the Tudor State Dress because it has changed very little since Tudor times. This makes a Beefeater costume a great idea as a Tudor Costume for men.

Regency Collection Beefeater Mens Costume

This is a ready made costume that would work pretty well for a Tudor themed fancy dress costume, although it’s not an exact replica, in fact when you see the costumes side by side it’s quite obvious which is the costume!

It is definitely Tudor inspired, however and I’m not sure how you’d be able to make a more accurate tunic unless you were good at embroidery as it’s really the detailing on the front of the costume that sets it apart.

More Tudor Costume Ideas for Men

These next couple of costumes are based on two of William Shakespeare’s male characters – Hamlet and Romeo. William Shakespeare having been born into the Tudor era and actually performing for Elizabeth I several times at her court.

I think these two costumes have a lot of Tudor fashion elements to them which makes them perfect if you want a costume that’s already been made for you and is ready to wear.

Hamlet Mens Costume

The styling of this costume is very Elizabethan in look, although the shoulders still give a nod to the squarer look favored under Henry VIII. The fitted, slimline style is totally late Tudor, court fashion though.

Romeo Mens Costume

The puff shoulders and ruffle at the neck are another classic touch associated with late Tudor fashions and this is a gorgeous looking outfit that’s sure to be a hit.

tudor costume ideas for women

Fashions for the Tudor Lady

As you could expect the Tudor fashion for women changed considerably over the course of the 118 years that made up the Tudor era.   At the start of the era the women wore tight fitting bodices with very full kirtles and gowns resulting in a look of two triangles (stacked in an hourglass formation).   On their heads they wore a coif which was attached to a cornet at the back of their head.

By the end of the Tudor era women’s fashions had evolved so that their bodices were not much longer and the skirt was worn over a farthingale.   The head dress had been replaced by jewels and around the neck ladies were wearing an elaborate ruff of lace.

Now what are kirtles, farthingales and ruffs anyway?   Let’s look at some of the words we use when we discuss Tudor fashions.

  • The Ruff is probably the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Elizabethan ladies clothes and basically started life as a frilled collar before becoming more and more exaggerated, check out how it has evolved over the late Tudor era – Elizabethan Ruffs.
  • The Kirtle is basically the ‘dress’ part of a ladies outfit.   They had been around longer than the Tudor era as you can see here, but for help in making your own Tudor Kirtle you’ll want to check out this fantastic site – Making the Kirtle.
  • The Fathingale is basically a circular frame worn under a skirt to hold the skirt out.   The one that is usually associated with Tudor fashions is the Spanish Fathingale, usually stiffened with willow, this frame was made popular by Catherine of Aragon when she first arrived in England to marry Prince Arthur (Henry VIII’s older brother) and ironically Catherine Parr (Henry’s last wife who outlived him, Catherine of Aragon was his first who he divorced) is seen to be wearing one in her portraits.   

If you’re interested in making your own Tudor woman’s costume then I have found a couple of interesting links for you –

  • What to Wear – Woman – this site contains some great information on what constitutes a great Tudor costume and is written by a UK Re-Enactor who has spent quite a bit of time at Kentwell on their Tudor Re-Creation days.
  • How to Create a Green Tudor Gown – follow this lady as she shows you her inspiration for a Tudor gown and how she constructed it.

You can get some patterns for making your own costumes as well and Simplicity did bring out their own Elizabethan gown pattern to mimic the dress used in the 1998 movie Shakespeare in Love. Although the pattern had been discontinued it’s still available to purchase through Amazon as you can see below –

Simplicity Sewing Pattern 8881 Elizabethan Gown

Now a number of people who want truly historically accurate costumes weren’t that happy with this pattern, but one person decided to use it as a template and then produced a page explaining how to improve the pattern by yourself and produce a wonderful Tudor gown that any re-enactor would love to wear.

How to Alter the Simplicity 8881 Pattern for a Better Period Gown.

Anne Boleyn Costumes

Historical Tudor Costume Ideas

Although Henry VIII was married six times in total the wife most people seem to think of when they think of him is Anne Boleyn, probably because she has been held responsible in the history books for causing Henry to split with the Catholic church and appoint himself head of the Church of England. Of course things were a little more complex than that, but this page is about costumes.

It should come as no surprise that the only costumes I could find for any of Henry’s Queens were for Anne Boleyn and there were a few to choose from.

anne boelyn tudor costumeI do like the look of this costume (although it’s presently out of stock) as it seems very in keeping with portraits we have of Anne Boleyn – the square neckline of the gown and the sleeves that become wider at the end.

I would combine this gown with a French Hood as that was Anne’s favored head dress to wear.

How to Make a French Hood – this article explains how you can make your own French Hood to compliment this gorgeous gown and complete your Anne Boleyn costume.

This next two costumes actually include the head dress as well as the gown which is a lot easier if you just want to be able to buy a ready made outfit.   The first one is one that I’ve always liked and you could make even more authentic by making a replica of her famous ‘B’ pendant and adding a couple of other long gold chains around her neck as well.

 Anne Boleyn Costume Anne Boleyn Costume

The second outfit doesn’t look like a Farthingate style of ‘hoop’ is being worn so the skirts don’t seem quite as full as with the other costumes, I also don’t think it looks quite as good around the sleeves so I would definitely pick one of the other two outfits I’ve selected if I were to be wearing them.

As we move on through the Tudor era towards the reign of Anne’s daughter Elizabeth lace starts to be incorporated more and more in ladies outfits.   We see Mary I wearing a little lace at her throat and by the time Elizabeth takes the throne the Elizabethan Ruff is the look that we always associate with the fashion of the court at that time.

This Queen Elizabeth I costume gives you an idea as to how different the Elizabethan Ruff was to early Tudor fashion for women –

Queen Elizabeth I Costume

More Tudor Costume Links

  • How to Make a Katherine of Aragon Costume
    Henry VIII’s first wife, daughter of the Catholic Monarchs was Katherine of Aragon and this page will help you to make your very own Katherine outfit from the Gable head dress to the square-necked Tudor gown.
  • How to Make an Easy Tudor Costume
    An easy way to create your own Tudor costume for men with just a few supplies
  • The Tudor Costume Page
    This website has been compiled by a reenactor who has an array of tips and information for making your own Tudor outfits.
  • Tudor Jewelry
    Learn about the type of jewelry the Tudors wore and what gemstones were used.

I do love the fashions of the Tudor era from the early Tudor fashions right through to those amazing Elizabethan Ruffs (although I think the really big ones may have been really annoying to wear!).

I love the idea of making my very own Tudor costume, but I’m probably more likely (if I’m honest) to buy one ready made!

Tudor costume ideas for both men and women, some great historical costume ideas

Hi I’m Louanne from Everything Halloween, welcome to my blog! I just wanted to let you know that this post may contain affiliate links which means, at no cost to YOU, that I might receive compensation if you purchase something through a link on my site. In the online world this is called ‘affiliate marketing’ and is a very common way that bloggers make their money, if you want to find out more then check out this post to find out what is affiliate marketing and how we make money on this site,  If you want to see my full affiliate disclosure and the other ‘legal stuff’ then click here.

Anne Boleyn Costume Idea

If you’re a fan of Tudor times, whether because you enjoy history or you just love the television show – The Tudors – then you’ll probably enjoy putting together an Anne Boleyn costume.

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There are a number of different dresses that you can use for her costume, I’ve just selected on here which you can see –

Women’s Anne Boleyn Costume

There are a few different reasons that I chose to showcase this particular costume over others and one is because the head dress was included with the gown.   In every portrait I’ve seen of Anne Boleyn she’s always wearing a French Hood which is why I wanted to get that included in a costume.

I’ve actually seen a great Anne Boleyn gown which I preferred the look at on a Tudor Costumes Idea page, but it didn’t come with a French Hood which I think is very important and I didn’t feel like making one myself!

Another reason is that the neckline on this gown is square and in most portraits of Anne she does wear gowns with a square neckline so this seemed in keeping with her.   The sleeves also seemed to be the right style.

I do love the colors on this dress too and they are certainly colors that could have been worn by royalty at that time.

The only thing that I don’t really like about this costume is the gauze like looking material attached to the neckline that goes up into a ruff like collar, but no costume is going to ever be perfect unless you make it yourself!

Now once you have this costume you’ll want to add a couple of extra things to really hit all of the spots.   A piece of jewelry that Anne Boleyn always wore was her ‘B’ pendant which she left to her daughter Elizabeth upon her unfortunate death.

You’ll see in the image above that the model is actually wearing a replica with the gown and it goes beautifully.   I think it’s important to buy the Replica Anne Boleyn Pearl Choker Necklace to wear, but you should also wear a long single strand of pearls with it as well as a plain, long gold link chain.   This will make your Anne Boleyn costume very authentic.

Now you can actually purchase Tudor Shoes, but to be honest I’ve never seen a portrait of Anne Boleyn’s feet so I’d just a plain pair of pumps with the costume myself.

Hi I’m Louanne from Everything Halloween, welcome to my blog! I just wanted to let you know that this post may contain affiliate links which means, at no cost to YOU, that I might receive compensation if you purchase something through a link on my site. In the online world this is called ‘affiliate marketing’ and is a very common way that bloggers make their money, if you want to find out more then check out this post to find out what is affiliate marketing and how we make money on this site,  If you want to see my full affiliate disclosure and the other ‘legal stuff’ then click here.

Halloween Costume Ideas – Costumes Beginning with K

Fancy Dress Ideas Beginning with K

Have you ever been to an alphabet party? When I was in my early 20s they were all the rage, somehow everytime I was invited to one it was always a P party which meant dressing up as something beginning with the letter P. You can choose any letter of the alphabet however and today I’ve chosen the letter K.

Fancy dress parties or costume parties are so much more fun when they’re themed and choosing a letter to base your party around is fun because seeing how people interpret it can be really interesting….some people really know how to think outside of the box.

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Katniss Everdeen Costume

A Hunger Games Costume IdeaKatniss Everdeen, hero of the Hunger Games series of teen books and the movie franchise is a popular choice for a ‘K’ costume. You can make your own Katniss costume – cargo pants, boots, oversized jacket and bow and arrow for example or you can get one that’s ready made like below.

This is from the the second movie in the franchise – Catching Fire and is the suit that Katniss wears when all of the previous winners are pitted against each other in a special Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games Jumpsuit Adult Costume

Kato Costume

The Hero Behind the Green HornetThe Green Hornet’s side kick Kato comes to life with this costume, but unfortunately you don’t get his superb fighting skills just by putting the chauffeur’s outfit on!!

Green Hornet Deluxe Kato Costume

Katy Perry Costumes

There are lots of different options when it comes to dressing up as Katy Perry. Wearing one of Katy Perry Wigs is one idea and dressing in a number of different outfits like a ‘naughty scout’ outfit or a 1940s style dress etc.

Katy Perry Candy Girl Costume

The Candyland inspired outfits are probably the ones that Katy is most famous for and dressing in either of these two outfits will leave no one in any doubt that you’re dressing as Katy Perry!
The Candyland inspired costume here is a fun way to dress up as Katy Perry and is available in sizes x-small up to large.

Here’s a few more of Katy’s array of costumes for you to choose from….

 Katy Perry California Gurl Costume Katy Perry Last Friday Night Costume Katy Perry Whipped Cream Costume Katy Perry Roar Costume Katy Perry Katy-Patra Costume Princess of The Jungle Katy Perry Costume

Kelly Kapowski Costume

Saved By The Bell Costume IdeaIf you were a fan of Saved By The Bell then you’ll love this costume idea –

Kelly Kapowski Bayside Tigers T-Shirt

Add a pair of skinny jeans and white Keds and you have your Kelly Kapowski costume.

Kenny Costume

A South Park Costume IdeaI haven’t watched South Park in years, but one character who I always remember is Kenny, mainly for the line – “they killed Kenny”.

South Park Kenny Adult Costume (Standard)

King Henry VIII

The Most Famous of the Tudor KingsTudor costumes are always popular and the two most easily identifiable Tudor costumes are those of Henry VIII (as seen here) and his youngest daughter Queen Elizabeth. If you fancy yourself a King of many wives then here’s your chance with this costume!

King Henry The VIII Costume

King of Hearts

Unique K CostumeThis card inspired costume is quite a funny one and definitely one that will stand out from the crowd! Until I saw this costume online I had never seen it before and I love the idea that I could wear a really unique costume like this one.

King of Hearts CostumeKing of Hearts Costume

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King Tut Costume

Egyptian Costume IdeaTutankhamun, or King Tut as we’ve called him to get around the costumes starting with K brief, is one of the best known of the Egyptian pharaohs and has long held a fascination for me.

King Tut Deluxe Costume

Kirk Costume

A Star Trek Costume IdeaIf you feel like you could ‘boldly go where no man has gone before’ then this costume is made for you.

Stepping into the shoes of Captain James T Kirk is no easy feat, but exploring strange worlds sure does sound interesting.

Star Trek Gold Star Fleet Uniform Shirt

Kiss Costumes

Dress Up as Rock Stars!Whether you’re a fan of Kiss or not there’s no mistaking who you’re dressing up as with these costumes!

Whether you’re going on your own or with a group of friends these costumes based on the band Kiss will ensure that everyone will notice you. I think they’ll be really fun to dress up in if you’re going with a small group of friends.

Kiss Spaceman CostumeKiss Spaceman CostumeKiss Demon CostumeKiss Demon CostumeKiss Catman CostumeKiss Catman Costume

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Kissing Booth Costume

An absolute classic costume, I think it’s awesome!  This ready made costume is no longer available, but it would be quite a simple DIY costume to make.

Simply take a large cardboard box, cut a ‘window’ out of one side.  Write Kissing Booth on it and a price and pop it onto your head!

Knight Costumes

In every fairytale there is a knight ready to save the day, these are the more classic versions of them.

Personally I like the knight in shining armour, but I hope the costume’s not as heavy as the real thing….I was allowed to try on the head piece of a coat of armour when I was younger and all I can remember was that it was really heavy!

Knight in Shining Armour CostumeKnight in Shining Armour CostumeMedieval Knight CostumeMedieval Knight Costume

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Koala Costume – Cute Australian Themed Costume

I love koalas so I just had to include a koala costume for you to look at!

I couldn’t personally wear it as the full head costumes make me feel clastraphobic, but the result sure does look good.

Koala Mascot Costume

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Hi I’m Louanne from Everything Halloween, welcome to my blog! I just wanted to let you know that this post may contain affiliate links which means, at no cost to YOU, that I might receive compensation if you purchase something through a link on my site. In the online world this is called ‘affiliate marketing’ and is a very common way that bloggers make their money, if you want to find out more then check out this post to find out what is affiliate marketing and how we make money on this site,  If you want to see my full affiliate disclosure and the other ‘legal stuff’ then click here.

Halloween Costume Ideas – Costumes Beginning with H

Costumes Starting with H

Hippie costumes a cool costume beginning with hIf you’re looking for some awesome costume ideas that start with the letter H then you’ve come to the right place. There are Humpty Dumpty costumes available alongside Halo costumes and more besides.

I love fancy dress parties/events, but I love them even more when they’re themed and one of my favorite type of themes is the alphabet party theme. You take a letter of the alphabet (in this case H) and everyone has to dress as something beginning with that letter. If you’re thinking of hosting an H party or you’ve been invited to one then this is a great webpage for inspiration………or to buy your costume if you fall in love with one.

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Costume Ideas That Begin With the Letter H

  • Halo Master – Created by Microsoft this X-Box game series has taken the gaming world by storm so it’s hardly surprising that you can now get Halo costumes.
  • Hamlet – From the Shakespeare play, this is an opportunity to wear a Tudor themed costume (Elizabethan is the ‘look’ that Hamlet usually boasts).
  • Hangman – Simply don a long black robe with a full face hood for this creepy look. Just remember the hangman was always anonymous so make sure you stay covered up or their may be a lynch mob after you!
  • Hannibal Lector – From Silence of the Lambs this fictional serial killer needs no introduction.
  • Hans Solo – There’s always a Star Wars fan somewhere so I’m glad I’ve got a costume that begins with H just for them!

 Halo Master Chief Costume Harajuku Girl Adult Costume

  • Harajuku Girl – This is a really fun and funky costume idea that I can imagine would be very popular. There are actually four Harajuku Girls that perform with Gwen Stefani which means that this could also be a great idea for a group costume.
  • Harem Girl – Wear a belly dancer outfit and make sure your eyes look smouldering.
  • Hari Krishna – This costume can be worn by one person or by a group of people, just add a tamborine to the long orange robes so that you can chant and dance in style.
  • Harley Quinn – For all Batman fans here’s one of the villains for you to dress up as.   You can choose from the classic Harley Quinn costume to the 2016 reinvention of the Suicide Squad’s Harley Quinn.
  • Harpo Marx – One of the famous Marx brothers comedy act of the 1930s. Wear a long, light-coloured coat, reddish-pink hair, and a top hat.
  • Harry Potter – The wizard of Hogwarts fame, this is a very popular costume idea for the letter H

 Deluxe Haunted Tree Costume Arkham City Harley Quinn Costume

  • Haunted Tree – You can see this costume above and I have to say I think it’s a highly original costume idea that brings a whole new meaning to the words Halloween Tree!
  • Hawkeye – From The Avengers, need I say more?
  • He Man – From cartoon fame comes this hero with bulging muscles/
  • Headless Horseman – I fell in love with this costume the first time I saw it (a number of years ago) and I still love it!
  • Helen of Troy – In Greek literature she is said to be the most beautiful woman in the world – a big title to hold! Wear Grecian robes and a smile
  • Hello Kitty

 Men’s Headless Horseman Costume Highway Patrol Costume

  • Henry VIII – One of the most famous of the Tudor Kings.
  • Hercules – Hercules was the son of Zeus and a mortal woman, but he’s best remembered in mythology for the Labors of Hercules – 12 tasks he was sent on by the Oracle of Delphi.
  • Herman Munster – From the famous 1960s television show, The Munsters, this costume is instantly recognizable as the show has a cult following.
  • Hermoine Granger – A Muggle born student from Hogwarts and one of Harry Potter’s best friends.
  • Highway Man – I grew up on tales of highway men like Dick Turpin and then along came the ‘camp’ version from Adam and the Ant’s music video Stand and Deliver!
  • Highway Patrol – This costume always makes me think of the old television show CHiPs with Ponch and John.
  • Hippie – This is a fun costume idea and can be worn by men or females alike as there are lots of different hippie costumes.

 Hippie Costume, Rainbow, Holly Golightly Costume

  • Holly Golightly – Audrey Hepburn’s most iconic character from the movie Breakfast at Tiffanys.
  • Homer Simpson – The patriarch of television’s The Simpsons, make sure you can say ‘Doh!’ before dressing up as Homer!
  • Hot Dog – You can get a fun hot dog costume, if you want to go as a couple one of you can dress up as a hot dog and one of you can dress up as a hot dog vendor.
  • Hulk – The Incredible Hulk – green, big angry….need I say anymore?
  • Humpty Dumpty – I have found some great Humpty Dumpty costumes available over the years and it’s certainly a cool costume idea.
  • Hunchback of Notre Dame – My hubby dressed up as the Hunchback a number of years ago and he had great fun ‘lurching’ about, but a word of warning his back was quite sore the next day!

I hope you have fun dressing up in something beginning with H and hopefully we’ve helped you come up with an awesome costume idea.

Costume ideas that begin with the letter H from Hippies to Harry Potter and more.

Hi I’m Louanne from Everything Halloween, welcome to my blog! I just wanted to let you know that this post may contain affiliate links which means, at no cost to YOU, that I might receive compensation if you purchase something through a link on my site. In the online world this is called ‘affiliate marketing’ and is a very common way that bloggers make their money, if you want to find out more then check out this post to find out what is affiliate marketing and how we make money on this site,  If you want to see my full affiliate disclosure and the other ‘legal stuff’ then click here.

Costumes Beginning with B

Costumes beginning with the letter BIf you’re looking for some costumes beginning with B then you’re in the right place!   If you saw my post a couple of weeks ago you’ll know we looked at costumes beginning with A which is why I thought it would be a great idea to do costumes beginning with B today and boy are there a lot to choose from.

We have all different types of fancy dress ideas from  Bees, Bananas, Ballerinas and so much more to choose from.  Let’s check them all out.

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List of Costumes Beginning with B

  • Baby – all you need is to make what looks like an oversized diaper and a large baby bottle and you’re good to go. Alternatively, you can actually buy baby costumes that consists of a large stretch and go (much warmer for winter parties or Halloween.
  • Baby Doll – Baby Doll is one of the stars of the cult movie Sucker Punch and when I saw the movie I just knew that these costumes would be a hit! Baby Doll isn’t the only character that begins with B, there’s also Blondie as well and you can check them both out on my Sucker Punch Costumes post.
  • Baby Spice – The Spice Girls may no longer be together, but they were a force to be reckoned with and their costumes are still instantly recognizable. You can check out the Baby Spice costume on my Spice Girls Costumes post.
  • Ballet Dancer – a leotard, tutu and ballet slippers are all you need for this costume to work.
  • Ballroom Dancer – if you’re going to the event as a couple you can dress up as ballroom dancing partners, one in a suit, the other a ballgown and make sure that you have numbers on your back for the judges to score you.
  • Banana – the banana costumes that are available to buy are a really fun costume that draws everyone’s attention, although I have been known to ask people wearing such costumes if they can turn into a banana daiquiri for me……..I’m probably not the first person to ask that which could become tiresome!
  • Bandido
  • Bank Robber
  • Barbarella
  • Barbie
  • Barney – everyone’s favorite purple dinosaur, make sure you know a few of Barney’s songs if you choose this outfit!
  • Barney Rubble – Who doesn’t love the Flintstones? I know most people think of Fred and Wilma when the Flintstones are first mentioned, but I do have a soft spot for Barney myself! I feel I should add a warning with this costume….a friend of ours attended a fancy dress party about 20 years ago dressed as Barney Rubble and is still called Barney by just about our entire circle of friends! I’m sure that’s an isolated case though
  • Barney Stinson – If you’ve ever watched How I Met Your Mother you’ll know that the star of the show (in my opinion anyway) is Barney Stinson and it just so happens to start with the letter B! Barney Stinson coined the phrase ‘suit up’ and all you need to dress up as Barney is to dress in a suit and tie and memorize a few Barneyisms to sprinkle through your conversations throughout the night………oh and you’ll need short, tidy hair!
  • Barrister – black robes and a wig will make you look quite distinguished, but I’d make sure to add a big law book and a pair of glasses to really pull off this costume idea.
  • Bart Simpson – an absolutely classic costume
  • Bass Head Trophy – when I first came across this costume online I absolutely fell in love with it and think it’s one of the best B costumes around, check it out below.
  • Bat
  • Bat Girl
  • Batman

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 Costume Accessory: Trophy Head Bass Mask Women’s Dc Comics Superhero Batgirl Bodysuit Batman The Dark Knight Rises Batman Costume

 

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  • Baywatch – you can get official Baywatch costumes for both male and female lifeguards, both are equally recognizable to any fan of the show.
  • Bear
  • Beast – from Beauty and the Beast fame, you could come on your own or with a partner dressed as Belle for the ultimate ‘B’ list couple!
  • (The) Beatles – There are a number of different costumes available of the Beatles from their tidy haircuts and suits days to the Sgt Pepper days, a great group costume idea.
  • Bee
  • Beefeater – did you know that the Beefeaters were first formed in Tudor times and that their costumes haven’t really changed in all of that time?  My Tudor costume page actually features one for you.
  • Beer – always a favorite amongst my hubby’s friends, but there are actually quite a few different beer options available to choose from.

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 Rasta Imposta Beer Pint Costume, Gold, One Size Rasta Imposta Lightweight Beer Bottle Costume FunWorld Men’s Beer Keg Costume, Silver, One Size

 

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  • Beer Wench – for anyone that’s attended Oktoberfest these are the ‘maids’ that are carrying your beers to you.
  • Beetlejuice – a classic 80s character, if you dressed up in this suit anyone who’s seen the movie would instantly know who you were and what a fun costume it is too!
  • Bellboy
  • Belle – If Belle is your favorite Disney princess then this is the excuse you need to dress up as her, alternatively this could be a great couples costume with the Beast.
  • Belly Dancer – This is a lovely costume for a female with a great figure OR a man who’s up for a laugh……imagine one of the guys you know wearing this it would be the talk of the party, but you’d need a confident person to carry it off.
  • Ben Hur
  • Benedictine Monk
  • Betty Rubble – Barney’s lovely wife Betty is a lovely costume and if you’re going to a party as a couple then you could go as Barney and Betty Rubble.
  • Beyonce
  • Big Bad Wolf – Fancy being the bad guy at the party? The big bad wolf is the biggest bad guy in the fairy tale books, ‘my how big your teeth are Grandma….’This costume idea (from Little Red Riding Hood) is awesome although you may end up saying ‘all the better to eat you’ all night, but that could be fun as it’s certainly an ice breaker!
  • Big Game Hunter
  • Biker
  • Bishop
  • Black Swan – a dramatic ballerina costume idea based on the movie of the same name, if you want to use this costume idea then be sure to check out YouTube for makeup tutorials as Natalie Portman’s make-up in the movie really pulled the look together.
  • Bloody Costume Section – There are lots of different ideas for this from the Bloody Bride, Bloody Doctor, Bloody Surgeon or more. You could even just wear an old outfit of your own with fake blood over it and call yourself a bloody car crash victim.
  • Blues Brothers
  • Bluto – if you’re stuck on an idea and you’re running out of time then grab a sheet and wear it like a toga, just like Bluto in the movie Animal House.
  • Bo Peep

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 Bollywood Actress Costume  Men’s Bishop Costume Bonnie Parker Costume

 

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  • Bob the Builder
  • Bollywood Star
  • Bonnie Parker – of Bonnie and Clyde fame; dress up in 1930s fashion and carry a handgun (a pretend one, it is a party you’re going to after all).
  • (A) Box – the easiest of all costumes, just pop yourself in a box!
  • Boxer
  • Boy George – a classic 80s costume idea, you can find a ready-made Boy George costume on my 80s Costumes Ideas for Men, alternatively, you just need dreadlocks, makeup and a long duster coat!
  • Brave
  • Braveheart
  • Bride – you can go as a classic bride, an undead bride, Bride of Chucky or Bride of Frankenstein
  • Britannia – I don’t think that there’s an actual Britannia costume so you could wear a Union Jack dress and call yourself Britannia or you could wear a long robe with a Roman-style helmet, trident and Union Jack shield as a cross between the British warrior queen, Boadicea and a goddess of war with a little nod to Britain with the Union Jack. If you can’t get a Union Jack shield then just use a plain shield, but have the Union Jack like a cape essentially a British superhero!
  • Britney Spears
  • Buccaneer – a buccaneer is essentially another name for a pirate so if you need more inspiration then check out my pirate costume page.
  • Buddha
  • Buddy Holly
  • Buddy the Elf
  • Buffalo Bill
  • Bugs Bunny
  • Bumblebee
  • Bunny
  • Bunny Girl – this is a very easy costume to pull off in fact my father managed to pull this off for a party when I was a teenager, I remember because I had to help him paint his nails red! Simply wear a leotard with bunny ears and a white cottontail on your bottom. Wear high heels and walk with a wiggle!
  • Burglar – as a last-minute costume this is a good one, dark clothes and a ski mask is all you’ll need.
  • Burlesque Babe
  • Butler
  • Butterfly
  • Buzz Lightyear

I hope you’ve found some great ideas here for costumes beginning with B, if you’re after costume ideas for different letters then you need to visit my A-Z of costumes page.

Some fantastic costume ideas beginning with B from buccaneer to belly dancer

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