Rabbi Costume
A respectful, classic look featuring traditional garments, hat, and side curls.
The Rabbi costume represents a Jewish religious leader and teacher, typically styled after traditional Hasidic attire for theatrical or costume purposes. This classic look is instantly recognizable by its long black coat, wide-brimmed black hat with side curls (payot), and a white prayer shawl (tallit). It is a popular choice for plays, educational presentations, and themed dress-up events.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $30–80
Try it on
See yourself as Rabbi
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Rabbi costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Rabbi costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Long Black Coat or Robe
A long-sleeved, button-up black coat, overcoat, or zip-up robe that extends past the knees.
DIY: Use a long black trench coat or a black graduation gown.
Black Fedora or Wide-Brimmed Hat
A structured black felt fedora or wide-brimmed hat.
DIY: Use any dark, wide-brimmed hat you already own.
Side Curls (Payot)
Two long, curled dark brown or black hair locks attached to the inside of the hat or worn over the ears.
DIY: Curl dark brown yarn or synthetic hair extensions and secure them inside the hat rim.
White Prayer Shawl (Tallit)
A white shawl with black or blue horizontal stripes and fringed edges, worn draped over the shoulders.
DIY: Drape a white scarf and draw horizontal black stripes near the ends with a fabric marker.
Fake Beard
A full, long dark brown or black synthetic beard with an elastic strap.
DIY: Skip the fake beard if you have natural facial hair, or style a real beard.
White Dress Shirt
A standard white button-down collared dress shirt worn underneath the coat.
DIY: Use any white collared shirt from your closet.
Black Dress Pants
Simple, straight-leg black dress pants.
DIY: Use any pair of black trousers or dark slacks.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Rabbi costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white collared dress shirt and tuck it into the black dress pants.
- 2
Put on the long black coat or robe and button or zip it up securely.
- 3
Drape the white striped prayer shawl (tallit) evenly over your shoulders so it hangs down the front of the coat.
- 4
Secure the fake beard around your head using the elastic strap, adjusting it comfortably over your chin.
- 5
Place the black fedora or wide-brimmed hat on your head, ensuring the attached side curls (payot) hang down naturally in front of your ears.
- 6
Finish the look with simple black dress shoes.
Makeup & hair
No makeup is required. If you have long hair, tuck it under the hat so only the synthetic side curls (payot) and beard are visible.
Rabbi for couples, groups, kids & more
- kids
- A miniature version featuring a small black robe, a felt hat with attached yarn curls, and a striped scarf.
- Plus size
- Use an open-front long black trench coat or a loose-fitting black zip-up robe for a comfortable fit.
Tips
- Ensure the elastic band of the beard fits comfortably under the hat so it doesn't slip down during wear.
- If the synthetic side curls get tangled, gently brush them out with your fingers rather than a hairbrush to keep the curl shape.
- Wear lightweight clothing under the heavy black coat to avoid overheating at indoor events.
Rabbi costume FAQ
- What are the curls on the side of the hat called?
- They are called payot (or sidelocks), which are traditional side curls worn by some Jewish men and boys in accordance with biblical law.
- Can I make this costume at home?
- Yes, you can easily assemble this using a black trench coat, a black fedora, a white scarf with drawn-on black stripes, and DIY yarn curls attached to the hat.
- What kind of shoes should I wear?
- Simple, dark-colored dress shoes or plain black boots work best to maintain the traditional look.
Did you know? The traditional black clothing worn by Hasidic Jews, including the long coat (bekishe or rekel), originated as the standard formal attire of Eastern European nobility in the 18th and 19th centuries.