Biggie Smalls Costume
Channel the King of New York with iconic 90s hip-hop style.
Dressing up as Biggie Smalls (The Notorious B.I.G.) is a tribute to one of the most influential rappers of all time. His legendary style defined 90s East Coast hip-hop, blending luxury fashion with street style. This guide focuses on his most iconic looks: the colorful textured Coogi sweater or the red leather jacket paired with a gold crown.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as Biggie Smalls
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What you need for a Biggie Smalls costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Biggie Smalls costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Colorful textured sweater
A vibrant, multi-colored knit sweater with abstract, swirling patterns in the style of a vintage Coogi sweater.
DIY: Use any oversized, brightly patterned 90s knit sweater from a thrift store.
Gold crown
A simple, metallic gold plastic toy crown, replicating his famous 'King of New York' photoshoot.
DIY: Cut a crown shape out of gold poster board and tape the ends together.
Oversized sunglasses
Black acetate sunglasses with thick frames and gold detailing on the temples.
DIY: Use any chunky black sunglasses you already own.
Chunky gold chain
A thick, shiny gold-colored rope chain or a chain with a large gold medallion pendant.
Timberland-style boots
Classic wheat-colored, high-top nubuck work boots.
DIY: Any chunky tan or brown boots will work.
Baggy blue jeans
Classic 90s-style loose or relaxed-fit blue denim jeans.
DIY: Wear your loosest pair of blue jeans.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Biggie Smalls costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the baggy blue jeans and secure them with a belt if needed to keep them loose but comfortable.
- 2
Lace up the wheat-colored work boots, leaving the laces slightly loose in classic 90s fashion.
- 3
Pull on the oversized, colorful textured knit sweater.
- 4
Layer the chunky gold chain necklace over the collar of the sweater.
- 5
Put on the thick-framed black sunglasses.
- 6
Place the gold crown slightly tilted on your head to complete the 'King of New York' look.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair natural or wear a short black buzz cut wig if needed. Facial hair should include a neat, short mustache and goatee.
Biggie Smalls for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with a partner dressed as Lil' Kim in a colorful 90s outfit or Faith Evans.
- group
- Assemble a Bad Boy Records crew with friends dressed as Puff Daddy (P. Diddy) in a shiny suit and Ma$e.
- kids
- A mini colorful sweater, tiny gold chain, and plastic crown make for an adorable kid's tribute.
- Plus size
- This look is naturally plus-size-friendly, as Biggie's signature style relied on comfortable, oversized, and draped garments.
Tips
- The sweater is the centerpiece; look for high-texture knits with 3D swirls rather than flat prints.
- Carry a vintage-style microphone prop to make the hip-hop theme instantly recognizable.
- Keep the boots unlaced at the top and tuck your jeans loosely behind the boot tongues for authentic 90s styling.
Biggie Smalls costume FAQ
- What is the most iconic Biggie Smalls outfit?
- His most famous looks are the colorful, textured Coogi sweater with a gold chain, or the red leather visor and jacket, and the 'King of New York' photo shoot featuring a tilted gold crown.
- What kind of hat did Biggie Smalls wear?
- He frequently wore black fedoras, newsboy caps, and occasionally a red leather visor.
- How do I make a cheap Biggie Smalls costume?
- Thrift an oversized 90s patterned sweater, buy a cheap plastic gold crown and chain online, and wear them with your own baggy jeans and boots.
Did you know? The iconic gold crown Biggie wore in his last photoshoot in 1997, just three days before his death, was a plastic novelty prop that sold at an auction in 2020 for $594,750.