Pimp Costume
Bring the ultimate 1970s swagger with velvet, animal print, and gold.
The classic 1970s pimp costume is a legendary choice for Halloween and retro parties, known for its unapologetic flashiness and swagger. This iconic look features a vibrant velvet suit with bold animal print accents, completed by oversized gold jewelry and a matching wide-brimmed hat. It is a fun, high-energy outfit that lets you channel retro-cool confidence all night long.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as Pimp
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Pimp costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Pimp costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Velvet or velour suit jacket
A long-line jacket in a vibrant color like purple, pink, or red, featuring wide lapels trimmed with leopard or zebra print.
DIY: Use a colorful blazer and fabric glue to attach faux leopard-print ribbon along the collar and cuffs.
Matching velvet bell-bottom pants
High-waisted trousers matching the jacket's color, ideally with animal print flared inserts at the bottom.
DIY: Wear matching colored dress pants or sew animal print fabric wedges into the outer seams of old trousers.
Wide-brimmed fedora hat
An oversized hat matching the suit's color, wrapped with an animal print band and decorated with a long feather.
DIY: Take a wide-brimmed hat, wrap a strip of animal print fabric around the base, and tuck in a craft feather.
Gold dollar sign necklace
A chunky, oversized gold chain featuring a large dollar sign ($) pendant.
DIY: Cut a dollar sign out of cardboard, paint it metallic gold, and loop it onto a thick gold-painted plastic chain.
Oversized sunglasses
Large, retro aviator sunglasses with gold wire frames and tinted or gradient lenses.
DIY: Use any oversized retro sunglasses you already own.
Pimp cane
A black walking cane topped with a decorative gold handle or a large faux diamond knob.
DIY: Paint a wooden dowel black and hot-glue a gold-painted plastic ornament or a large clear plastic gem to the top.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Pimp costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the velvet bell-bottom pants and pair them with a matching velvet jacket over a bare chest or a silk shirt.
- 2
Adjust the wide lapels of the jacket so the animal print trim is fully visible.
- 3
Place the matching wide-brimmed hat on your head, angling it slightly to one side for added attitude.
- 4
Layer the chunky gold dollar sign necklace over your chest.
- 5
Put on the oversized gold sunglasses.
- 6
Equip your hands with chunky gold rings and carry the gold-topped cane to complete the high-roller look.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair styled in a retro 70s fashion, such as an afro wig or slicked-back hair. A thin, well-groomed pencil mustache adds the perfect vintage touch.
Pimp for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up as a Pimp and a 1970s Foxy Lady or Disco Queen in matching velvet and sequins.
- group
- Have a group wear matching velvet suits in contrasting neon colors like purple, green, pink, and blue.
- kids
- A miniature version featuring a colorful velvet tracksuit, a small plastic gold chain, and a tiny fedora.
- Plus size
- Velvet suits with elastic waistbands offer a comfortable, flexible fit for all-night wear.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a tiny leopard-print cape and a miniature gold chain collar.
Tips
- Velvet and velour can get warm indoors; wear a lightweight, breathable undershirt if you plan to dance.
- Practice walking with the cane beforehand so it feels like a natural extension of your swagger rather than an obstacle.
- Make sure your pants are hemmed correctly so they flare out over your shoes without dragging on the ground.
- For photos, strike a confident pose leaning slightly back on your cane with one hand on your lapel.
Pimp costume FAQ
- What color suit is best for a pimp costume?
- Purple is the most iconic and popular color, but royal blue, hot pink, emerald green, and bright red are also classic choices.
- What kind of shoes should I wear with a pimp costume?
- White platform shoes, shiny gold loafers, or classic black dress shoes work best to match the retro 70s aesthetic.
- How can I make a cheap DIY pimp cane?
- You can paint a plastic broom handle black and hot-glue a gold-painted tennis ball or a large plastic doorknob to the top.
Did you know? The flamboyant 'pimp' aesthetic popularized in Halloween costumes originates from the 1970s Blaxploitation film genre, which heavily influenced street fashion and hip-hop style.