Marty McFly Costume
Travel back to 1985 with the ultimate layered retro look.
Marty McFly from Back to the Future is a pop culture icon, making him a go-to choice for 80s-themed parties and Halloween. His signature look is defined by casual, everyday 1980s streetwear layered to perfection. The centerpiece of the outfit is his bright red puffer vest, paired with a denim jacket and classic retro sneakers.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as Marty McFly
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What you need for a Marty McFly costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Marty McFly costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Red puffer vest
A bright red, sleeveless, quilted puffer vest that mimics Marty's famous 'life preserver.'
DIY: Thrift a vintage red ski vest or use fabric paint to add horizontal quilted lines to a plain red vest.
Blue denim jacket
A classic, light-wash denim jacket with metal buttons, worn unbuttoned under the vest.
DIY: Use a well-worn denim jacket from your closet or a local thrift store.
Checkered button-down shirt
A long-sleeve button-down shirt featuring a small black and white checkered grid pattern.
DIY: Any casual plaid or grid-patterned shirt in neutral colors will work in a pinch.
Maroon t-shirt
A simple crewneck cotton t-shirt in a deep red or maroon shade, worn as the base layer.
DIY: Any dark red, burgundy, or rust-colored t-shirt from your wardrobe.
Light-wash jeans
Faded, straight-leg blue jeans to complete the classic 1980s denim-on-denim aesthetic.
DIY: Classic blue jeans, slightly cuffed at the bottom ankles.
White retro sneakers
White leather low-top sneakers with a red logo stripe, matching the style of classic Nike Bruins.
DIY: Apply red tape or red fabric paint to the sides of plain white tennis shoes.
Casio calculator watch
A retro black digital watch with a miniature calculator keypad on the face.
DIY: A standard black digital sports watch.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Marty McFly costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the maroon crewneck t-shirt as your base layer.
- 2
Layer the black-and-white checkered button-down shirt over the t-shirt, leaving the top few buttons open.
- 3
Put on the light-wash denim jacket over the checkered shirt, keeping it unbuttoned and folding the collar down.
- 4
Put on the bright red puffer vest over the denim jacket, leaving it completely unzipped.
- 5
Wear the light-wash jeans, cuffing the hems slightly at the ankles to show off your shoes.
- 6
Lace up your white retro sneakers with red details and strap the black calculator watch onto your wrist.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in a messy, feathered 1980s look using pomade or texturizing spray for volume. No makeup is required, keeping the look natural and casual.
Marty McFly for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with Doc Brown in a white hazmat suit or Jennifer Parker in her 80s floral vest and teal pants.
- group
- Assemble a group with Doc Brown, Biff Tannen, and Lorraine Baines for a full Back to the Future theme.
- kids
- A miniature red puffer vest and tiny denim jacket make an adorable, easily recognizable kids' costume.
- Plus size
- Look for relaxed-fit denim jackets and puffer vests with stretch side panels for a comfortable layered fit.
- pet
- A small red dog sweater or vest can instantly turn your pup into Marty's dog, Einstein.
Tips
- Layering can get very warm indoors; choose lightweight cotton shirts and a thin denim jacket to avoid overheating.
- Thrift stores are goldmines for authentic 1980s denim jackets and retro jeans at a fraction of the cost.
- Carry a printout of the 'Save the Clock Tower' flyer or a vintage skateboard as a highly recognizable prop.
- Keep your hands in your pockets or check your watch frequently to mimic Marty's anxious, energetic body language.
Marty McFly costume FAQ
- Why do people call Marty's vest a life preserver?
- In 1955, puffer vests weren't common, so characters like the diner owner mistake Marty's bright red quilted vest for a sailor's life preserver.
- What kind of shoes does Marty McFly wear?
- Marty wears white Nike Bruin leather sneakers with a red swoosh. Any white retro sneakers with red accents will work perfectly for the costume.
- How do I style my hair like Marty McFly?
- Blow-dry your hair upward and back, then use a light pomade or texturizing spray to create a messy, feathered 1980s look.
Did you know? Marty's iconic red puffer vest was actually chosen by the costume designer to make him stand out visually against the muted, pastel backgrounds of the 1955 scenes.