Michael Jackson Costume
Moonwalk into the spotlight with the ultimate King of Pop look.
Michael Jackson is one of the most celebrated and visually distinct music icons of all time, making him a perennial favorite for Halloween and retro parties. This guide focuses on his legendary 'Billie Jean' stage outfit, famous for introducing the moonwalk to the world. The look is instantly recognized by its black sequin jacket, black fedora, cropped pants, and a single sparkling white glove.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $35–110
Try it on
See yourself as Michael Jackson
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What you need for a Michael Jackson costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Michael Jackson costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Black sequin jacket
A slim-fit, open-front blazer covered in shimmering black sequins that catch the light.
DIY: Take a plain black blazer and brush fabric glue over the shoulders and lapels, then dust with black glitter.
Black fedora
A classic black felt fedora hat with a matching black ribbon band.
Single white sequin glove
A single, right-handed white glove covered in silver sequins or rhinestones.
DIY: Glue silver sequins or rhinestones onto one side of a plain white cotton glove.
Cropped black trousers
Slim-fit black dress pants hemmed to sit 2 to 3 inches above the ankle.
DIY: Roll up or temporarily hem the cuffs of a pair of black trousers so they sit above your ankles.
White crew socks
Bright, thick white athletic crew socks that are highly visible between the pants and shoes.
Black loafers
Classic black leather or faux-leather penny loafers with a slight heel.
DIY: Any slip-on black dress shoes will work.
V-neck white t-shirt
A simple, clean white cotton V-neck t-shirt worn tucked into the pants.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Michael Jackson costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white V-neck t-shirt and tuck it securely into your black trousers.
- 2
Adjust your black trousers so they sit high on your waist, ensuring the cuffs rest 2 to 3 inches above your ankles to show off your socks.
- 3
Pull on the bright white crew socks, making sure they are fully visible and not bunched up.
- 4
Slip into the black loafers and put on the black sequin jacket, leaving it unbuttoned.
- 5
Place the single white sequin glove onto your right hand.
- 6
Put on the black fedora, tilting it slightly forward and to one side over your eyes.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in wet-look black curls or a loose, shoulder-length wavy black wig with a few strands falling over your face. Keep makeup simple with defined eyebrows and a touch of neutral lip balm.
Michael Jackson for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up as Michael Jackson and a zombie dancer from the 'Thriller' music video.
- group
- Form a group featuring Michael's different eras, including the red 'Thriller' jacket, the white 'Smooth Criminal' suit, and the buckled 'Bad' outfit.
- kids
- A miniature version of the 'Billie Jean' look with a tiny fedora and a single sparkly glove is incredibly cute and easy to scale down.
- Plus size
- Choose stretch-fabric black ankle pants and an open-front sequined cardigan or soft blazer for a comfortable, flexible fit.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a miniature red 'Thriller' style dog jacket.
More ways people search for this costume
The most-searched variations of “Michael Jackson costume”, and how this look adapts to each.
Child's michael jackson costume
- A miniature version of the 'Billie Jean' look with a tiny fedora and a single sparkly glove is incredibly cute and easy to scale down.
Tips
- Practice your stance: tilted fedora, hand on the belt, and heels lifted to sell the look in photos.
- Keep the pants cropped; if they are too long, the iconic white-sock-and-black-shoe contrast is lost.
- Only wear one glove on your right hand—wearing two ruins the specific 'Billie Jean' reference.
- Wear comfortable loafers if you plan on attempting any dance moves or moonwalking.
Michael Jackson costume FAQ
- Which hand does the Michael Jackson glove go on?
- The iconic single glove is traditionally worn on the right hand.
- How do I make my pants look like Michael Jackson's?
- Use safety pins or hem tape to fold the bottom cuffs of black trousers inward so they sit 2 to 3 inches above your ankles, exposing your white socks.
- What is the easiest Michael Jackson costume to DIY?
- The 'Billie Jean' look is the easiest to DIY because it mostly uses closet staples like a white t-shirt, black pants, white socks, and black shoes, requiring you to only source a fedora, a sequin jacket, and one glove.
Did you know? The single white glove was originally adopted by Michael Jackson to cover up early signs of vitiligo on his hand, which later became one of the most famous fashion statements in music history.