Knights Templar Costume
Defend the realm in the iconic white and red crusader armor.
The Knights Templar were a legendary medieval military order known for their distinctive white surcoats emblazoned with a red cross. This costume is a popular choice for Renaissance faires, Halloween, and historical reenactments. The look combines a flowing white tunic and cloak with simulated chainmail armor and medieval weaponry.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $50–150
Try it on
See yourself as Knights Templar
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What you need for a Knights Templar costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Knights Templar costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
White Templar Surcoat
A sleeveless white tunic or tabard reaching the knees, featuring a large red cross pattée printed or sewn on the chest.
DIY: Cut a tabard from a white bedsheet and paint a large red cross on the chest using fabric paint.
Matching White Hooded Cloak
A long, flowing white cape with a hood, featuring a smaller red cross on the left shoulder.
DIY: Drape a white flat sheet over your shoulders, secure it with a medieval brooch, and paint a red cross on the shoulder.
Chainmail Coif and Shirt
A silver woven fabric or lightweight plastic chainmail hood (coif) and matching long-sleeve shirt to wear underneath the surcoat.
DIY: Wear a textured silver or grey long-sleeve shirt and a matching grey knit balaclava.
Broad Leather Belt
A wide, dark brown or black leather belt worn around the waist over the surcoat to hold your scabbard.
DIY: Use a long, simple brown leather belt and tie it in a traditional medieval loop knot.
Toy Crusader Sword and Scabbard
A plastic or foam medieval broadsword with a cross-shaped guard, tucked into a belt-mounted scabbard.
DIY: Cut a sword shape out of sturdy cardboard, wrap the blade in silver duct tape, and wrap the hilt in brown electrical tape.
Brown Leather Boots
Knee-high or calf-high dark brown leather boots, or simple brown boot covers worn over dark shoes.
DIY: Wear dark brown work boots and wrap your lower legs in brown fabric strips secured with twine.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Knights Templar costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the silver chainmail shirt and matching chainmail coif (hood) over your head.
- 2
Slip the white Templar surcoat over the chainmail shirt, ensuring the red cross is centered on your chest.
- 3
Wrap the broad leather belt around your waist, securing it snugly over the surcoat to create a cinched waistline.
- 4
Attach the sword scabbard to the belt on your non-dominant side, then slide the foam sword into place.
- 5
Drape the white hooded cloak over your shoulders, fastening it at the collarbone while keeping the hood down or pulled up over the coif.
- 6
Put on your brown leather boots, tucking in any loose pants or chainmail fabric.
- 7
Adjust the layers so the red cross on the chest and the red cross on the cloak shoulder are fully visible.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair simple, either tucked completely into the chainmail coif or styled in a rugged, medieval look. A natural beard or light stubble fits the historical warrior aesthetic perfectly.
Knights Templar for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with a medieval noble lady in a flowing velvet gown, or a fellow Crusader knight.
- group
- Assemble a full unit of Knights Templar, with some carrying large red-and-white banners or shields.
- kids
- A simplified version with a printed foam chest piece, a soft fabric tunic, and a plastic sword.
- Plus size
- Choose a loose-fitting, open-sided tabard that can be adjusted with a long belt to fit any body shape comfortably.
- pet
- A white dog coat decorated with a red felt cross on the back.
Tips
- Fabric chainmail is much lighter and cooler than real metal chainmail, making it ideal for long conventions or warm Halloween nights.
- Make sure your foam or plastic sword complies with local event weapon policies before bringing it to a public gathering.
- If your surcoat is too long, use the belt to blouse the fabric upward and adjust the hemline to just below your knees.
- For photos, stand in a stoic, upright posture with one hand resting on the pommel of your sword.
Knights Templar costume FAQ
- What is the difference between a Crusader and a Knight Templar?
- The Knights Templar were a specific, highly organized monastic military order within the broader Crusader movement, distinguished by their strict code and their white surcoats with red crosses.
- What do I wear under the chainmail shirt?
- Wear a lightweight, breathable black or grey t-shirt to prevent the costume chainmail from chafing against your skin.
- How do I keep the heavy cloak from pulling back on my throat?
- Pin the cloak directly to the shoulders of your surcoat or chainmail shirt using safety pins to distribute the weight evenly.
Did you know? The Knights Templar wore plain white surcoats to symbolize purity and poverty, with the red cross added later by Pope Eugenius III to represent their willingness to achieve martyrdom in battle.