John Marston Costume
Grip your six-shooter and ride into the sunset as the legendary outlaw.
John Marston is the rugged, fan-favorite protagonist of the Red Dead Redemption video game series. Fans choose this costume to channel the ultimate gritty, turn-of-the-century Western outlaw look. The ensemble features a classic western shirt, a dark denim vest, a signature leather outback hat, and rugged cowboy gear.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $60–150
Try it on
See yourself as John Marston
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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What you need for a John Marston costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete John Marston costume — one box instead of 8 pieces.
Black leather outback hat
A wide-brimmed black leather or faux-leather cowboy hat with a slightly weathered look.
DIY: Use a standard black felt cowboy hat and lightly mist it with water to shape the brim.
Tan western shirt
A long-sleeved, button-down western shirt in tan, beige, or off-white.
Black denim vest
A sleeveless, buttoned vest made of faded black or dark charcoal denim.
DIY: Take an old black denim jacket and cut the sleeves off about two inches from the shoulder seams.
Red neckerchief
A simple red cotton bandana or neck scarf.
DIY: Cut a square of red cotton fabric and fold it diagonally.
Black jeans
Faded, straight-leg black jeans or work pants to match the rugged aesthetic.
Leather gun belt and holster
A brown leather utility belt with a low-slung holster on the right hip.
DIY: Modify a wide brown leather belt by attaching a matching leather pouch or toy holster.
Black leather gloves
Simple black leather or faux-leather gloves, worn and slightly distressed.
Cowboy boots
Rugged brown or black leather cowboy boots with a slight heel.
DIY: Wear any dark leather work boots and pull your jeans down over them.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made John Marston costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the tan western shirt and roll the sleeves up slightly to your mid-forearms.
- 2
Layer the black denim vest over the shirt, leaving it unbuttoned or only partially buttoned.
- 3
Tie the red neckerchief loosely around your neck, tucking the pointed end slightly under the collar of your shirt.
- 4
Put on the faded black jeans and secure them with a standard belt.
- 5
Strap the leather gun belt low around your hips, ensuring the holster sits on your right side, and insert a toy revolver.
- 6
Put on the black leather gloves and step into your cowboy boots.
- 7
Place the black leather outback hat firmly on your head, tilting it slightly forward to shade your eyes.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in a messy, shoulder-length look, or use a dark brown wig. Add a rugged, stubbly beard using a stipple sponge and brown face paint, and draw a thin, pale scar over your right eye and cheek using a makeup pencil.
John Marston for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Abigail Marston in a long Victorian-era skirt and blue blouse, or Arthur Morgan in a blue shirt and leather vest.
- group
- Assemble the Van der Linde gang with friends dressed as Arthur Morgan, Dutch van der Linde, and Sadie Adler.
- kids
- A scaled-down version with a flannel shirt, denim vest, toy holster, and a felt cowboy hat.
- Plus size
- Opt for a relaxed-fit black denim vest and stretch-denim black jeans for comfort during long wear.
- pet
- Dress your dog as a trusty steed with a miniature saddle-bag harness.
Tips
- Scuff up your boots and vest with a little real dirt or baby powder to get that authentic, dusty trail-worn look.
- Ensure your toy revolver has a bright orange tip to comply with local safety laws and event guidelines.
- Wear comfortable socks under your cowboy boots to prevent blisters if you plan on walking a lot.
John Marston costume FAQ
- What kind of hat does John Marston wear?
- John Marston wears a black leather outback-style cowboy hat with a thin band, featuring a slightly weathered and molded brim.
- How do I make John Marston's facial scars?
- You can create his signature facial scars using rigid collodion (scarring liquid) or by carefully drawing them with a pinkish-brown makeup pencil.
- What color is John Marston's vest?
- His iconic vest is made of faded black or very dark charcoal denim, worn over a tan or off-white long-sleeved western shirt.
Did you know? John Marston's signature facial scars were actually given to him by a pack of wolves during a scouting mission gone wrong early in his life.