George Washington Costume
Lead the Continental Army or the nation in classic colonial style.
George Washington is a staple of American history, recognized instantly as the first President of the United States and the commander of the Continental Army. People choose this costume for historical reenactments, school plays, and patriotic holidays. The look features a classic 18th-century military uniform with a blue coat, buff-colored vest and breeches, and a powdered wig.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $45–150
Try it on
See yourself as George Washington
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What you need for a George Washington costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete George Washington costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Blue colonial military coat
A navy blue frock coat featuring gold buttons, buff or gold lapels, cuffs, and decorative shoulder epaulets.
DIY: Use a navy blue blazer and fabric glue to attach gold ribbon trim and yellow felt lapels.
Buff or gold vest
A sleeveless, button-up colonial-style vest in a pale yellow or buff color.
DIY: Wear a yellow button-down vest or cut the sleeves off an old yellow dress shirt.
White cravat or jabot
A ruffled white neckband or lace tie worn around the collar.
DIY: Fold a white lace handkerchief or strip of white fabric and safety-pin it at the collar.
Buff knicker pants
Knee-length breeches in a matching buff, tan, or white color.
DIY: Cut a pair of tan or khaki trousers just below the knee and hem them.
White knee-high socks
Tall, solid white socks pulled up to meet the breeches.
Black boot tops or colonial shoes
Black faux-leather boot covers worn over dress shoes, or black loafers with gold buckles.
DIY: Cut large buckles out of gold cardboard and slide them onto the laces of black dress shoes.
Powdered colonial wig
A white, synthetic historical wig styled with rolled sides and a low ponytail tied with a black ribbon.
DIY: Glue cotton balls onto a white painter's cap and tie a black felt ribbon at the back.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made George Washington costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the buff-colored knicker pants and pull the white knee-high socks up over your calves.
- 2
Put on a white collared dress shirt, then secure the ruffled white cravat or jabot around your neck.
- 3
Layer the buff or gold vest over the shirt and button it up completely.
- 4
Slip on the navy blue colonial coat, ensuring the gold epaulets sit flat on your shoulders.
- 5
Put on black dress shoes and slide the gold buckle covers over them, or pull on the black boot covers.
- 6
Carefully put on the white powdered colonial wig, securing it with bobby pins if necessary.
- 7
Stand tall with a dignified, presidential posture to complete the historical look.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup minimal and natural. For hair, tuck your natural hair completely under a wig cap before putting on the white, powdered colonial wig, ensuring the black ribbon ponytail hangs straight down the back.
George Washington for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with Martha Washington in a colonial mob cap and floral gown.
- group
- Assemble the Founding Fathers alongside Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.
- kids
- A simplified version with a one-piece jumpsuit designed to look like the coat, vest, and breeches.
- Plus size
- Look for elastic-waist colonial breeches and a coat with a generous cut through the shoulders.
- pet
- A small blue coat with gold trim and a tiny white ruffled collar for dogs.
Tips
- If using a synthetic wig, gently shake it out beforehand to fluff up the side rolls.
- Wear comfortable black loafers if you plan on walking or standing for long periods.
- Carry a rolled-up piece of parchment paper tied with a ribbon to represent the Constitution or a military map.
- Keep the coat unbuttoned to show off the gold vest and white ruffles underneath.
Did you know? George Washington was the only U.S. president who did not represent a political party, as he famously warned against them in his farewell address.