Riff Raff Costume
Step to the right and recreate the iconic Rocky Horror handyman look.
Riff Raff is the creepy, loyal, and secretly alien handyman from the cult classic film The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He is a massive favorite for Halloween, movie screenings, and cosplay events due to his distinct gothic butler aesthetic. His signature look consists of a tattered black tailcoat, a white vest, and long, thinning blonde hair.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $40–100
Try it on
See yourself as Riff Raff
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What you need for a Riff Raff costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Riff Raff costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Black tailcoat jacket
A distressed black tuxedo tailcoat, ideally with padded shoulders to help mimic his hunched posture.
DIY: Cut the tails into a worn, tattered shape on an old black suit jacket.
White tuxedo vest
A sleeveless white formal vest worn buttoned up under the tailcoat.
DIY: Cut the sleeves off a white button-down shirt and hem the edges.
White wing-tip collar shirt
A formal white tuxedo shirt with a wing-tip collar, worn partially unbuttoned.
DIY: Use a standard white dress shirt and fold the collar points down sharply.
Black bow tie
A simple black bow tie, worn slightly askew or loose.
DIY: Tie a strip of black fabric or ribbon around the collar.
Black dress pants
Standard black formal trousers or dress pants.
DIY: Any plain black slacks or dark jeans will work in a pinch.
Balding blonde wig
A wig featuring a bald cap top with long, straight, stringy blonde hair hanging down the sides.
DIY: Use a bald cap and attach long, thin strands of blonde synthetic hair to the sides.
Fingerless black gloves
Short black fingerless gloves, or standard black gloves with the fingertips cut off.
DIY: Cut the fingers off a cheap pair of black knit or jersey gloves.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Riff Raff costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white wing-tip collar shirt, leaving the top couple of buttons open.
- 2
Fasten the black bow tie loosely around the collar so it looks slightly disheveled.
- 3
Put on the white tuxedo vest and button it completely over the shirt.
- 4
Slip on the black dress pants and secure them with a dark belt.
- 5
Put on the black tailcoat jacket, pulling the collar up slightly to emphasize a hunched look.
- 6
Carefully apply the balding blonde wig, securing it with bobby pins and blending the bald cap edge with makeup if needed.
- 7
Put on the black fingerless gloves to complete the hands-on handyman look.
Makeup & hair
Apply pale white face paint or light foundation for a sickly, washed-out complexion. Use dark grey or purple eyeshadow heavily around the eyes to create deep, sunken sockets, and style the wig's blonde side-strands to look greasy and unkempt.
Riff Raff for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Magenta in her maid outfit for the ultimate Rocky Horror sibling duo.
- group
- Assemble a full cast including Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Janet, Brad, and Columbia.
- kids
- A miniature tuxedo with a washable white face paint look makes for a fun, spooky kid's costume.
- Plus size
- Look for stretch-fabric tuxedo jackets and adjustable-back vests for a comfortable, custom fit.
- pet
- A simple black dog tuxedo harness captures the formal butler vibe perfectly.
Tips
- Practice slouching your shoulders forward to capture Riff Raff's signature creepy, hunched gait.
- Use spirit gum or liquid latex to blend the front edge of the bald cap wig seamlessly into your forehead.
- Carry a toy silver candelabra or a prop laser gun (from the movie's climax) as an extra character prop.
Riff Raff costume FAQ
- What does Riff Raff wear in Rocky Horror?
- He wears a tattered black tuxedo tailcoat, a white formal vest, a wing-tip collar shirt with a loose black bow tie, black pants, fingerless gloves, and has long, stringy blonde hair with a bald top.
- How do I style the Riff Raff wig?
- Use a small amount of hair gel or hairspray to make the long blonde side-strands look stringy, flat, and slightly greasy.
- Is a Riff Raff costume hard to put together?
- It is moderately easy. The clothing consists of standard formalwear that can be thrifted, while the specific balding wig and makeup do most of the character work.
Did you know? Riff Raff was played by Richard O'Brien, who actually wrote the original stage musical and co-wrote the screenplay for the film.