Monty Python Costume
Bring the legendary, low-budget medieval comedy of Monty Python to life.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a cult classic comedy beloved for its absurd humor and low-budget medieval aesthetic. Dressing up as King Arthur or the Black Knight is a popular choice for fans who want a funny, recognizable costume that doesn't take itself too seriously. This guide focuses on the iconic King Arthur look, with easy adaptations for other knights of the Round Table.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as Monty Python
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 Monty Python costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Monty Python costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
White tunic with sun emblem
A long-sleeved white tunic reaching the knees, featuring King Arthur's signature smiling yellow sun emblem printed or painted on the chest.
DIY: Use a plain white long-sleeve tunic or oversized t-shirt and paint the yellow sun emblem on the front using fabric paint.
Chainmail hood and sleeves
A silver woven or knitted fabric hood and matching sleeves that mimic the appearance of medieval chainmail.
DIY: Spray-paint a textured grey knitted sweater and cowl with metallic silver fabric paint.
Gold crown
A simple, lightweight gold crown with basic point details, worn over the chainmail hood.
DIY: Cut a crown shape out of yellow craft foam, paint it gold, and secure it with a band of elastic.
Red cape
A simple red fabric cape that drapes over the shoulders and fastens at the neck.
DIY: Safety-pin a length of red fabric or a red bedsheet to the shoulders of your tunic.
Brown waist belt
A wide, dark brown faux-leather belt with a simple buckle to cinch the tunic at the waist.
DIY: Use any long brown leather belt wrapped twice around the waist.
Toy sword and scabbard
A lightweight plastic medieval broadsword to carry at your side.
Two coconut halves
Real or plastic coconut halves to bang together to mimic the sound of galloping horses.
DIY: Buy a real coconut, saw it in half, hollow it out, and let it dry.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Monty Python costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the chainmail sleeves or a silver-grey long-sleeved shirt as your base layer.
- 2
Pull the white tunic with the sun emblem over your head, centering the graphic on your chest.
- 3
Wrap the brown leather belt around your waist, letting the excess strap hang down in a medieval knot style.
- 4
Drape the red cape over your shoulders and secure it at the collarbone.
- 5
Pull the chainmail hood over your head, adjusting it so it frames your face comfortably.
- 6
Place the gold crown securely over the chainmail hood.
- 7
Strap on your toy sword and grab your coconut halves to complete the comedic look.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup natural or non-existent. A simple, slightly unkempt brown beard and mustache (real or fake) fits King Arthur's look perfectly.
Monty Python for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair King Arthur with his faithful, coconut-clapping squire, Patsy, carrying a massive backpack of gear.
- group
- Assemble the Knights of the Round Table, including Sir Lancelot, Sir Robin, and the terrifying Black Knight.
- kids
- A miniature King Arthur with a felt crown and a small pair of hollow plastic coconuts.
- Plus size
- A loose-fitting, flowing tunic and adjustable ring belt offer a highly comfortable, adjustable fit for all body types.
- pet
- Dress a dog in a small white tunic featuring the red cross of Sir Lancelot.
Tips
- The coconuts are the most important prop; banging them together instantly explains the costume to anyone nearby.
- Opt for fabric 'chainmail' instead of real metal to keep the costume lightweight, breathable, and comfortable for a long party.
- Wear comfortable brown boots or dark shoes, as you will likely be skipping around mimicking a horse.
Monty Python costume FAQ
- How do you make the coconut horse sound?
- Cup the hollow coconut halves in each hand and clap the open ends together in a rhythmic 'clack-clack, clack-clack' pattern to mimic galloping hooves.
- What is the easiest Monty Python costume to make?
- The Black Knight is very easy: wear all black, paint a red boar crest on a black tunic, and wear a black bucket-style helmet.
- Can I buy an official Monty Python costume?
- Yes, licensed King Arthur and Black Knight costumes are widely available online, but they can easily be assembled with generic medieval costume pieces.
Did you know? The iconic running gag of using coconuts for horse hooves was born out of sheer necessity because the film's budget was too low to afford real horses.