Dead Presidents Costume
Gear up in the iconic 1990s heist movie look.
Based on the classic 1995 crime drama Dead Presidents, this costume recreates the striking look worn by Anthony Curtis and his crew during the bank heist. It is a highly recognizable pop-culture outfit that combines formal wear with dramatic, skull-like face paint. The look consists of a dark suit, a black turtleneck, and distinctive black-and-white theatrical makeup.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as Dead Presidents
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
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What you need for a Dead Presidents costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Dead Presidents costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Black suit jacket
A classic single-breasted black suit jacket or blazer.
DIY: Use any dark blazer or suit coat from your closet or a local thrift store.
Black dress pants
Matching black dress pants or slacks to complete the suit look.
DIY: Any clean black trousers or dark chinos will work.
Black turtleneck sweater
A fitted black knit turtleneck worn under the suit jacket.
DIY: A black long-sleeve t-shirt or mock neck shirt can substitute.
White cream face paint
High-pigment white theatrical face paint to cover the entire face.
Black cream face paint
Black face paint or a thick black makeup crayon for the eye sockets and details.
DIY: Dark black gel eyeliner can be used for precise lines.
Black leather gloves
Simple black leather or faux-leather gloves to complete the heist aesthetic.
DIY: Any plain black winter gloves or utility gloves.
Canvas duffel bag
An olive drab or black canvas military-style duffel bag to hold your 'loot'.
DIY: Any dark-colored gym bag or canvas tote.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Dead Presidents costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the black turtleneck sweater as your base layer.
- 2
Put on the black dress pants and secure them with a dark belt.
- 3
Apply a solid, even layer of white cream face paint over your entire face, neck, and ears, avoiding the immediate eye area.
- 4
Using black face paint or a makeup crayon, paint large, solid black circles around both eyes, covering your eyebrows down to your upper cheekbones.
- 5
Draw a vertical black line down the center of each eye circle, and paint the tip of your nose black to mimic a skull.
- 6
Put on the black suit jacket over the turtleneck, then slip on the black leather gloves.
- 7
Carry the canvas duffel bag over your shoulder to complete the bank robber look.
Makeup & hair
The makeup is the core of this costume. Apply a full base of white face paint, then use black paint to create hollowed-out eye sockets, a blackened nose tip, and vertical stitch lines over the lips. Keep hair natural or cropped short, as the focus is entirely on the striking face paint.
Dead Presidents for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person dresses in the Dead Presidents suit and face paint, while the other wears a classic 1970s-style military fatigue outfit representing the characters' Vietnam War era.
- group
- Have multiple friends wear matching black suits, black turtlenecks, and the signature black-and-white face paint to recreate the entire heist crew.
- kids
- A simplified version with a black suit, black t-shirt, and quick water-based face paint for a comfortable fit.
- Plus size
- A relaxed-fit black blazer or dark trench coat paired with comfortable black trousers offers an easy, adjustable fit.
Tips
- Use a translucent setting powder over the white face paint to prevent it from smudging or transferring onto your black suit collar.
- Keep a small makeup sponge and extra black paint in your pocket for quick touch-ups around your mouth and eyes throughout the night.
- Wear comfortable black dress shoes or boots, as you will likely be standing or walking around a lot.
- Carry prop money sticking out of your canvas duffel bag for an extra thematic touch in photos.
Dead Presidents costume FAQ
- What is the meaning behind the Dead Presidents costume?
- It is based on the 1995 film 'Dead Presidents,' where a group of veterans turn to bank robbery, wearing theatrical black-and-white face paint to disguise themselves during the heist.
- How do I do the Dead Presidents makeup?
- Cover your entire face in white face paint. Paint large black circles around your eyes, paint the tip of your nose black, and draw vertical black lines over your lips to create a stylized skull appearance.
- What clothes do I need for this costume?
- You need a classic black suit jacket, matching black dress pants, a black turtleneck sweater, and black gloves.
Did you know? The term 'dead presidents' is slang for paper money, which features portraits of deceased US presidents—the ultimate goal of the film's heist crew.