Gangster Costume
Channel classic 1920s mob style with a sharp pinstripe suit.
The classic 1920s gangster is a timeless costume choice for Halloween, murder mystery parties, and decades-themed events. People choose this look because it is instantly recognizable, sharp, and easy to put together using formalwear. The outfit consists of a pinstripe suit, a fedora, a bold tie, and vintage-style accessories.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $35–120
Try it on
See yourself as Gangster
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.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Gangster costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Gangster costume — one box instead of 8 pieces.
Pinstripe suit jacket and trousers
A matching double-breasted suit jacket and trousers in black or navy with thin white vertical stripes.
DIY: Wear a plain black suit and use white fabric chalk to gently draw thin vertical lines.
White dress shirt
A classic button-down collared dress shirt in solid white or black.
DIY: Use any white button-up shirt from your closet.
Fedora hat
A black or white felt fedora with a contrasting ribbon band around the crown.
Satin necktie
A solid necktie in a bold contrasting color like red, white, or black.
Suspenders
Clip-on or button-on elastic suspenders in solid black or white.
Wingtip shoes or spats
Black and white wingtip oxfords, or white fabric spats worn over regular black dress shoes.
DIY: Wrap white felt or paper around the top of black dress shoes to mimic vintage spats.
Toy tommy gun
A plastic replica of a 1920s Thompson submachine gun with a circular drum magazine.
DIY: Cut a tommy gun silhouette out of heavy cardboard and paint it black and brown.
Fake cigar
A realistic plastic or rolled-paper prop cigar.
DIY: Roll brown construction paper tightly into a cylinder and color the tip gray and red.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Gangster costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white button-down dress shirt and button it all the way to the collar.
- 2
Put on the pinstripe trousers and secure them with the suspenders over your shoulders.
- 3
Tie the satin necktie snugly around the shirt collar.
- 4
Put on the matching pinstripe suit jacket over the suspenders.
- 5
Slip on the black and white wingtip shoes, or secure the white spats over your standard black dress shoes.
- 6
Place the fedora hat on your head, tilting it slightly forward and to one side for a classic mobster look.
- 7
Tuck the fake cigar into the corner of your mouth and carry the toy tommy gun to complete the ensemble.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair neatly slicked back with high-shine gel or pomade. For facial hair, a thin pencil mustache can be drawn on with a black eyeliner pencil to capture the classic 1920s aesthetic.
Gangster for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up as a gangster and a 1920s flapper girl, or go as the infamous duo Bonnie and Clyde.
- group
- Create a mob family with multiple gangsters in matching suits and one designated 'boss' carrying a briefcase.
- kids
- A miniature pinstripe suit with a tiny fedora and a plastic gold pocket watch chain.
- Plus size
- Look for wide-leg pinstripe trousers and a relaxed-fit double-breasted suit jacket for a comfortable, authentic drape.
- pet
- A pet-sized black collar with a red bowtie and a tiny felt fedora with an elastic strap.
Tips
- If you do not own a pinstripe suit, a plain black suit with white suspenders and a fedora still delivers the classic gangster vibe.
- Keep the toy tommy gun orange-tipped or clearly fake if you are wearing this costume in public spaces.
- Tilt your fedora slightly forward and down over one eye for dramatic, vintage-style photos.
Gangster costume FAQ
- What do you need for a basic gangster costume?
- At minimum, you need a dark button-down shirt, suspenders, a fedora hat, and a tie. A full pinstripe suit completes the classic look.
- What kind of hat does a 1920s gangster wear?
- A classic 1920s gangster wears a fedora, typically made of felt in black, grey, or white with a contrasting ribbon band.
- How do you make a DIY gangster costume?
- You can use a regular black suit and use white fabric chalk to gently draw thin vertical pinstripes, then pair it with a paper-folded fedora or a cheap party-store hat.
Did you know? The iconic 'tommy gun' associated with 1920s gangsters was actually invented during World War I but became famous during the Prohibition era.