British Redcoat Costume
Bring 18th-century history to life in the iconic scarlet uniform.
The British Redcoat is one of the most recognizable military figures in history, representing the British Army during the Revolutionary War and colonial era. People choose this costume for historical reenactments, school projects, and classic Halloween looks. The outfit centers around a striking scarlet wool jacket with contrasting blue or white lapels, paired with white breeches and a tricorn hat.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $40–150
Try it on
See yourself as British Redcoat
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What you need for a British Redcoat costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete British Redcoat costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Scarlet military jacket
A red long-sleeved coat featuring blue or white lapels, gold or brass buttons, and white trim.
DIY: Use a long red trench coat, pin back the front lapels, and fabric-glue blue felt panels and gold buttons to the chest and cuffs.
White ruffled jabot or cravat
A white lace-trimmed neckpiece worn under the jacket collar.
DIY: Cut a strip of white lace or ruffled fabric and safety-pin it around the neck of a white collared shirt.
White vest and breeches
A white sleeveless vest paired with matching white knee-length pants or trousers.
DIY: Wear white sweatpants tucked into high socks, or use white slim-fit trousers.
Cross belt harness
White fabric or faux-leather straps crossing over the chest in an 'X' shape.
DIY: Cross two wide white webbing straps or belts over your chest and pin them at the waist.
Black tricorn hat
A classic three-cornered black hat, often trimmed with gold or white lace.
DIY: Take a wide-brimmed black felt hat and pin three sides of the brim up to the crown.
Black boot tops or boots
Knee-high black boots or black vinyl boot covers worn over standard black dress shoes.
DIY: Wear tall black socks pulled over black dress shoes to mimic the look of riding boots.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made British Redcoat costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white collared shirt, white vest, and white breeches or trousers.
- 2
Fasten the white ruffled jabot or cravat around your neck over the shirt collar.
- 3
Put on the scarlet redcoat jacket, ensuring the blue or white lapels are flat and symmetrical.
- 4
Drape the white cross belts over your shoulders so they form a clean 'X' on both your chest and back.
- 5
Pull on the black knee-high boots or secure the vinyl boot tops over your black dress shoes.
- 6
Place the black tricorn hat squarely on your head, adjusting any wig or hair underneath.
- 7
Carry a prop colonial sword or musket to complete the historical soldier look.
Makeup & hair
Keep facial hair clean-shaven or neatly trimmed for an 18th-century military look. For hair, wear a white colonial judge-style wig tied back with a black ribbon, or slick your natural hair back into a neat low ponytail.
British Redcoat for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up as a British Redcoat and an American Revolutionary Patriot soldier, or a Redcoat and a colonial lady.
- group
- Assemble a regiment of Redcoats marching in formation, led by an officer with a sword.
- kids
- A miniature version featuring a simplified red felt jacket, white pants, and a lightweight foam tricorn hat.
- Plus size
- Look for historical coats with adjustable back lacing or choose a size-up unstructured red coat to layer comfortably over a white vest.
- pet
- A red pet cape with gold buttons and a tiny black tricorn hat secured with an elastic chin strap.
Tips
- The wool or heavy polyester jackets can get warm, so wear a lightweight, breathable white t-shirt underneath the vest.
- Ensure your cross belts are pinned or secured to your jacket shoulders so they don't slide off while walking.
- For authentic photos, stand in a rigid, upright military posture with your hands clasped behind your back or holding your prop weapon.
British Redcoat costume FAQ
- What color were the lapels on a British Redcoat uniform?
- Historically, the lapels (called facings) varied by regiment, but dark blue, yellow, green, and white were the most common colors paired with the scarlet coat.
- How can I make a DIY Redcoat costume easily?
- Start with a red blazer or cardigan, add white duct tape or felt for the lapels, sew on gold plastic buttons, and wear it over a white shirt with white pants.
- Did Redcoats wear wigs?
- Yes, 18th-century officers often wore powdered white wigs tied with black ribbons, while common soldiers powdered their natural long hair and tied it back.
Did you know? The bright red color of the uniforms wasn't for camouflage; it was designed to make soldiers easily visible to their commanders through the thick black powder smoke on 18th-century battlefields.