Abraham Lincoln Costume
Bring history to life with the iconic 16th president's signature look.
Abraham Lincoln is one of the most recognizable figures in American history, making his look a timeless choice for Halloween, school presentations, and historical events. The costume is defined by his towering black stovepipe hat, formal 19th-century frock coat, and distinctive chin curtain beard. With a few key pieces, you can easily recreate this dignified presidential silhouette.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $30–85
Try it on
See yourself as Abraham Lincoln
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What you need for a Abraham Lincoln costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Abraham Lincoln costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Black stovepipe hat
A tall, structured black top hat, ideally 7 to 8 inches high, made of felt or stiff fabric.
DIY: Roll black poster board into a tall cylinder, tape it together, and attach a circular cardboard brim painted black.
Black frock coat or trench coat
A long, double-breasted black coat that falls to about mid-thigh or knee length.
DIY: Use a long black trench coat or a oversized black suit jacket with the collar turned down.
White dress shirt
A classic white button-down shirt with a stiff collar.
DIY: Use any white button-up shirt from your closet.
Black bow tie or neck tie
A thin black bow tie or a black ribbon tied in a neat, small bow.
DIY: Tie a length of 1-inch wide black satin ribbon into a simple bow around the collar.
Black trousers
Standard black dress pants or slacks with a straight-leg cut.
DIY: Any plain black trousers or dark jeans will work in a pinch.
Chin curtain beard
A dark brown or black beard that covers the jawline and chin but leaves the upper lip clean-shaven.
DIY: Use black face paint or a dark brown eyebrow pencil to draw a thick beard along your jawline.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Abraham Lincoln costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white dress shirt and button it all the way to the top collar.
- 2
Tie the thin black bow tie or black ribbon securely around the shirt collar.
- 3
Put on the black dress trousers and secure them with a belt or suspenders.
- 4
Slip on the long black frock coat over the white shirt.
- 5
Apply the fake chin curtain beard using spirit gum or the self-adhesive strip, ensuring your upper lip remains completely bare.
- 6
Place the tall black stovepipe hat firmly on your head.
- 7
Finish the look with black dress shoes or boots.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair parted to one side and tucked neatly behind the ears. If you aren't using a fake beard, use dark brown or black face paint or stipple sponge makeup to create a realistic chin-curtain beard along the jawline.
Abraham Lincoln for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with Mary Todd Lincoln in a Victorian-era hoop skirt dress.
- group
- Go as a Mount Rushmore group with friends dressed as Washington, Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt.
- kids
- A simplified version with a felt hat, black jacket, and a drawn-on eyeliner beard.
- Plus size
- A loose-fitting black overcoat or Victorian cloak provides a comfortable, historically accurate drape.
- pet
- A small black top hat elastic headband and a black felt collar piece.
Tips
- Carry a rolled-up piece of parchment paper to represent the Gettysburg Address as an easy prop.
- If the stovepipe hat is too loose, line the inner band with adhesive foam weather stripping for a snug fit.
- Keep your posture upright and walk with a slow, deliberate stride to match Lincoln's stately demeanor.
Abraham Lincoln costume FAQ
- What kind of beard did Abraham Lincoln have?
- Lincoln wore a 'chin curtain' beard, which features a full beard along the jawline and chin but is completely clean-shaven on the upper lip (no mustache).
- How can I make a cheap DIY Lincoln hat?
- You can roll a sheet of black poster board into a tall cylinder, tape it secure, and hot-glue it to a flat cardboard ring painted black for the brim.
- What kind of coat did Lincoln wear?
- He wore a black frock coat, which is a formal, knee-length double-breasted coat common in the 19th century.
Did you know? Lincoln was the first U.S. president to wear a beard, reportedly growing it at the suggestion of an 11-year-old girl named Grace Bedell, who wrote to him saying his face was too thin.