Patriot Costume
Bring American history to life with a classic 1776 Revolutionary War uniform.
The American Patriot costume is a timeless historical look representing the soldiers of the Revolutionary War. Perfect for Halloween, school reenactments, and 4th of July celebrations, this outfit captures the spirit of 1776. The look centers around a classic blue and red military coat, white breeches, and a distinctive tricorn hat.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $45–120
Try it on
See yourself as Patriot
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What you need for a Patriot costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Patriot costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Blue and Red Continental Army Coat
A navy blue colonial-style coat featuring red lapels, cuffs, and gold decorative buttons.
DIY: Use a navy blue blazer and fabric glue to attach red felt panels to the lapels and cuffs.
White Ruffled Jabot and Cuffs
A white lace or ruffled neck collar and matching wrist cuffs to wear under the coat.
DIY: Safety pin folded white coffee filters or ruffled white fabric to the collar of a white shirt.
White Breeches or Knickers
White, cream, or beige slim-fit pants that tuck into tall boots or socks.
DIY: Use plain white sweatpants or leggings tucked tightly into tall socks.
Tricorn Hat
A black three-cornered hat, optionally trimmed with gold or white lace.
DIY: Pin or stitch three sides of a wide-brimmed black felt hat up to the crown.
White Knee-High Socks
Thick, solid white knee-high socks to bridge the gap between breeches and shoes.
Black Shoes with Buckles
Black dress shoes or loafers featuring a prominent gold or silver square buckle.
DIY: Cut square buckles out of gold cardboard and slide them onto the laces of plain black shoes.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Patriot costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white breeches or slim-fit pants and pull the white knee-high socks up over the bottom of the pants.
- 2
Put on a white collared shirt, then fasten the ruffled jabot around your neck and attach the ruffled cuffs to your wrists.
- 3
Slip on the navy blue and red Continental Army coat over the shirt, ensuring the lapels lie flat.
- 4
Put on your black shoes and secure the gold decorative buckles over the laces or tongue.
- 5
Place the black tricorn hat squarely on your head, with one point facing forward.
- 6
Carry a prop scroll (representing the Declaration of Independence) or a toy colonial musket to complete the historical look.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair neat and tied back in a low ponytail with a black ribbon, or wear a white colonial judge/soldier wig. Keep makeup minimal and natural.
Patriot for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with a Betsy Ross costume holding an early American flag.
- group
- Assemble a squad of Continental soldiers, complete with a fifer and a drummer.
- kids
- A simplified version with a blue felt vest, white pants, and a foam tricorn hat.
- Plus size
- Look for elastic-waist colonial breeches and an open-front coat for a comfortable, adjustable fit.
- pet
- A small blue pet coat with red trim and a lightweight elastic-strap tricorn hat.
Tips
- For outdoor events, wear thermal leggings under your white breeches to stay warm.
- If using a wig, secure it with bobby pins so it doesn't slide off under the weight of the tricorn hat.
- Carry a rolled-up piece of parchment paper tied with a red ribbon as an easy, lightweight prop.
Patriot costume FAQ
- What did American Patriots wear in the Revolutionary War?
- They typically wore a blue coat with red facings, white or buff-colored waistcoats and breeches, white stockings, black shoes with buckles, and a black tricorn hat.
- How can I make a DIY tricorn hat?
- Take a wide-brimmed black felt hat, fold three sides of the brim up to meet the crown, and secure them in place using safety pins, hot glue, or heavy thread.
- Is this costume suitable for school projects?
- Yes, this historical look is highly accurate and perfect for school presentations, wax museums, and historical reenactments.
Did you know? The iconic blue and red uniform colors of the Continental Army were officially chosen by George Washington in 1779 to distinguish his troops from the British 'Redcoats'.