Old Man Costume
Channel classic grandpa style with suspenders, a cane, and gray hair.
The old man costume is a hilarious, comfortable, and universally recognized classic for Halloween, parties, or school milestones like the 100th Day of School. The look relies on vintage-style grandpa staples like high-waisted trousers, suspenders, a cozy cardigan, and a walking cane. It is incredibly easy to customize using thrift store finds or items already in your closet.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $20–60
Try it on
See yourself as Old Man
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What you need for a Old Man costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Old Man costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Knit cardigan or sweater vest
An oversized, chunky knit cardigan or button-up sweater vest in brown, gray, or beige.
DIY: Borrow an oversized vintage sweater or find one at a local thrift store.
High-waisted trousers
Pleated khaki, brown, or gray dress pants, pulled up higher than your natural waistline.
DIY: Use any loose-fitting dress pants and pull them up high with a belt or suspenders.
Button-down shirt
A collared dress shirt in light blue, white, or a classic plaid pattern.
DIY: Any standard collared dress shirt from your closet will work.
Suspenders
Elastic Y-back or X-back suspenders that clip onto the waistband of the trousers.
Flat cap or newsboy hat
A classic tweed, wool, or herringbone flat cap to complete the vintage look.
DIY: Use a vintage fedora or a simple baseball cap pushed back.
Walking cane
A classic curved wooden walking cane or an adjustable metal cane.
DIY: Use an old umbrella or fashion a walking stick from a sturdy tree branch.
Reading glasses
Wire-rimmed or thick black plastic reading glasses, ideally worn with a neck chain.
DIY: Pop the lenses out of an old pair of sunglasses or cheap reading glasses.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Old Man costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the collared button-down shirt and button it all the way to the top collar button.
- 2
Step into the trousers and pull them up high, resting just below your ribcage.
- 3
Attach the suspenders to the front and back of the trousers, adjusting them to keep the pants pulled high.
- 4
Layer the knit cardigan or sweater vest over the shirt, leaving the cardigan partially unbuttoned.
- 5
Place the flat cap on your head, angling it slightly forward.
- 6
Slide the reading glasses down to the bridge of your nose so you can peer over them.
- 7
Grab your walking cane and practice a slow, slightly hunched walk to complete the character.
Makeup & hair
Apply temporary gray hair color spray to your hair and eyebrows, or wear a bald cap with gray hair on the sides. Use a brown eyebrow pencil to lightly draw forehead wrinkles and crow's feet around your eyes.
Old Man for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with an 'Old Lady' wearing a floral house dress, a knit shawl, a gray wig in a bun, and a walker.
- group
- A group of retirees wearing matching tracksuits, robes, slippers, and carrying bingo cards.
- kids
- Perfect for the '100 Days of School' celebration using drawn-on wrinkles, a tiny flat cap, and a miniature cane.
- Plus size
- Opt for pleated trousers with an elastic waistband for maximum comfort when pulling the pants up high.
- pet
- A small tweed flat cap and a tiny red bow tie attached to your pet's collar.
More ways people search for this costume
The most-searched variations of “Old Man costume”, and how this look adapts to each.
Child's old man costume
- Perfect for the '100 Days of School' celebration using drawn-on wrinkles, a tiny flat cap, and a miniature cane.
Tips
- Thrift stores are goldmines for authentic, affordable vintage cardigans, trousers, and hats.
- Practice a slow, slightly hunched shuffle to really sell the character in photos.
- Remove the lenses from toy glasses if they cause eye strain or create glare in photographs.
Old Man costume FAQ
- What do I need for a quick DIY old man costume?
- All you need are high-waisted pants, suspenders, a button-down shirt, and some baby powder or gray spray in your hair.
- How do I make my hair look gray for this costume?
- Use temporary gray hair spray, white face paint brushed through with a toothbrush, or baby powder (though powder can be messy).
- What props work best for a grandpa outfit?
- A wooden walking cane, a newspaper, a pocket watch, or a pair of reading glasses on a chain are perfect props.
Did you know? The 'Old Man' look is one of the most popular costumes for elementary school students celebrating the '100th Day of School' milestone.