Peaky Blinders Costume
Channel the gritty 1920s style of Birmingham's most notorious gang.
The Peaky Blinders look is a massive favorite for those who love sharp, vintage menswear with a dangerous edge. Inspired by Thomas Shelby and his gang, this costume centers on 1920s British working-class style elevated by tailored pieces. The complete outfit features a three-piece tweed suit, a heavy overcoat, and the iconic flat cap.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $60–200
Try it on
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What you need for a Peaky Blinders costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Peaky Blinders costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Herringbone flat cap
A grey or charcoal eight-panel wool newsboy cap.
DIY: Use any dark grey or black newsboy cap you already own.
Three-piece tweed suit
A matching trousers, jacket, and waistcoat set in grey, charcoal, or navy herringbone wool.
DIY: Pair a grey vest with matching grey trousers from a thrift store.
Penny collar shirt
A white long-sleeve dress shirt featuring a rounded club collar.
DIY: Take a standard white dress shirt and iron the collar points down or tuck them under to look rounded.
Heavy wool overcoat
A long, single-breasted black or dark grey wool coat worn open.
DIY: Any long dark trench coat or heavy winter coat will work.
Albert pocket watch chain
A silver or gold metal chain that drapes across the waistcoat.
DIY: Attach a silver jewelry chain or key chain to your vest button and tuck it into your pocket.
Leather oxford boots
Dark brown or black lace-up leather boots with a vintage profile.
DIY: Any clean black or dark brown dress shoes.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Peaky Blinders costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white penny collar shirt and button it all the way to the top, adding a slim dark tie if desired.
- 2
Put on the matching suit trousers and secure them with a dark leather belt.
- 3
Button up the matching waistcoat over the shirt, leaving the very bottom button undone for historical accuracy.
- 4
Attach the pocket watch chain to a buttonhole on the waistcoat and tuck the watch end into one of the lower waistcoat pockets.
- 5
Put on the suit jacket, followed by the long dark overcoat, leaving both unbuttoned to show off the layers.
- 6
Lace up your dark leather boots and place the herringbone flat cap firmly on your head, tilted slightly forward.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in a classic 1920s undercut, shaved closely on the sides with the top swept forward or slightly to the side. Keep your face clean-shaven or with very light stubble, and maintain a serious, intense expression.
Peaky Blinders for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair Thomas Shelby with Ada Thorne in a 1920s fur-collar coat or Grace Burgess in a vintage green velvet dress.
- group
- Gather your friends in matching tweed suits and flat caps to form the entire Shelby clan.
- kids
- A miniature tweed vest, flat cap, and bow tie make for an adorable vintage kid's look.
- Plus size
- Look for unstructured tweed jackets and adjustable waistcoats to ensure a comfortable, tailored fit.
- pet
- A small grey tweed dog vest and a miniature flat cap secured with an elastic band.
Tips
- Thrifting is your best friend for this look; vintage shops are packed with 1920s-style tweed vests and coats.
- Keep the overcoat open to show off the waistcoat and pocket watch chain, which are key to the silhouette.
- For safety, do not sew real razor blades into the cap; use a silver-painted cardboard cutout if you want to reference the detail.
Peaky Blinders costume FAQ
- What kind of hat do the Peaky Blinders wear?
- They wear a newsboy cap, also known as a flat cap or eight-panel cap, typically made of grey or charcoal herringbone wool.
- Do you need a tie for a Peaky Blinders costume?
- While Thomas Shelby often wears a dark, slim tie, he also frequently goes without one, leaving the top button of his penny collar shirt fastened.
- How do you get the Peaky Blinders haircut?
- Ask for a harsh undercut: shaved back and sides (number 1 to 3 guard) with about two to three inches of textured length left on top to style forward.
Did you know? The real Peaky Blinders gang did wear flat caps, but historians believe they likely didn't sew razor blades into them because blades were an expensive luxury item in the 1890s.