Doctor Who Costume
Grab your sonic screwdriver and travel through time in style.
Doctor Who is one of the most iconic sci-fi characters in television history, making the Time Lord a perennial favorite for Halloween and cosplay. While there are many incarnations, the Eleventh Doctor's look is instantly recognizable, quirky, and easy to assemble. This guide focuses on his classic ensemble, featuring his signature tweed jacket, suspenders, and a bow tie.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $45–120
Try it on
See yourself as Doctor Who
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What you need for a Doctor Who costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Doctor Who costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Tweed jacket
A brown or tan tweed blazer, preferably with elbow patches, to capture the classic academic look.
DIY: Find a vintage tweed or wool blazer at a local thrift store.
Button-down shirt
A light pink, light blue, or white long-sleeve dress shirt.
DIY: Use any light-colored button-up shirt from your closet.
Red bow tie
A classic red or burgundy bow tie, either self-tie or pre-tied.
DIY: Cut a strip of red fabric or ribbon and tie it into a neat bow shape.
Red suspenders
Elastic clip-on suspenders in a matching red or burgundy shade.
Dark trousers
Slim-fit black, dark grey, or navy blue dress pants.
DIY: Any dark, fitted trousers or dark wash jeans will work.
Sonic screwdriver
The Eleventh Doctor's signature green-tipped sonic screwdriver prop.
DIY: Use a silver flashlight or pen with a green LED light.
Fez hat
A red felt fez hat to complete the Doctor's favorite quirky accessory look.
DIY: Roll red cardstock into a cylinder and attach a black yarn tassel to the top.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Doctor Who costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the light-colored button-down dress shirt and button it all the way to the collar.
- 2
Put on the dark trousers and secure them with a belt if needed, though suspenders will hold them up.
- 3
Clip the red suspenders onto the waistband of your trousers, crossing them over your shoulders.
- 4
Fasten the red bow tie securely around your shirt collar, ensuring it sits straight.
- 5
Slip on the brown tweed blazer over the shirt and suspenders.
- 6
Place the red fez hat on your head, tilting it slightly to one side.
- 7
Hold the sonic screwdriver prop in your hand, ready to scan for alien activity.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in a messy, swept-forward side part with plenty of volume. Keep makeup natural and minimal, focusing on a clean-shaven, youthful appearance.
Doctor Who for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up as the Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond, who wears a red flannel shirt, denim skirt, and tights.
- group
- Form a TARDIS crew with other Doctors, Clara Oswald, Rory Williams, or a Dalek.
- kids
- A miniature tweed jacket, tiny red bow tie, and toy sonic screwdriver make an adorable kid's costume.
- Plus size
- Look for unstructured tweed blazers and adjustable elastic suspenders for a comfortable, flexible fit.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a simple red bow tie collar or a custom blue TARDIS dog sweater.
Tips
- Practice your best 'Bow ties are cool!' catchphrase to deliver to fellow fans.
- Keep the sonic screwdriver in your blazer's breast pocket so it is easily accessible for photos.
- Opt for comfortable dress shoes or boots, as the Doctor does a lot of running.
- Thrift stores are goldmines for vintage tweed jackets and unique dress shirts at low prices.
Doctor Who costume FAQ
- Which Doctor Who incarnation is this costume for?
- This costume represents the Eleventh Doctor, famously played by Matt Smith, known for his tweed jacket, bow tie, and fez.
- What are the most essential props for a Doctor Who costume?
- The sonic screwdriver is the absolute must-have prop. A red fez or a blue TARDIS prop also instantly identifies the character.
- Can I dress up as other Doctors using this guide?
- Yes, you can easily swap the tweed jacket for a long brown trench coat and blue suit for the Tenth Doctor, or a velvet coat for the Twelfth Doctor.
Did you know? The Eleventh Doctor's famous declaration that 'bow ties are cool' actually caused a massive real-world spike in bow tie sales in the UK after the episode aired.