Sherlock Holmes Costume
Channel the world's greatest detective with this classic Victorian look.
Sherlock Holmes is one of the most recognizable literary characters of all time, making him a popular choice for Halloween, mystery parties, and cosplay. This classic Victorian detective look is instantly identified by his signature patterned outerwear and investigative tools. The costume consists of a tweed deerstalker hat, an Inverness cape or trench coat, and a few key detective props.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $35–120
Try it on
See yourself as Sherlock Holmes
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What you need for a Sherlock Holmes costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Sherlock Holmes costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Deerstalker Hat
A brown or grey plaid tweed hat with ear flaps tied at the top and dual visors.
DIY: Use a brown plaid baseball cap worn backward, or pin up the sides of a similar patterned hat.
Inverness Cape Coat
A double-breasted brown, grey, or houndstooth wool-blend coat with an attached shoulder cape.
DIY: Wear a long brown trench coat and drape a matching plaid scarf or small shawl over your shoulders.
Magnifying Glass
A classic hand-held magnifying glass with a black or wooden handle and a metallic rim.
Calabash Pipe
A curved tobacco pipe, typically made of wood or plastic, used as a non-functional prop.
DIY: Cut a pipe shape out of thick cardboard and paint it brown and black.
Victorian Trousers and Vest
Dark brown, grey, or black dress pants paired with a matching button-up vest and white collared shirt.
DIY: Use any dark dress pants and a button-down shirt from your closet.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Sherlock Holmes costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white collared shirt, dark trousers, and button up the vest.
- 2
Tie a simple dark tie or cravat around the collar for an authentic Victorian touch.
- 3
Put on the long Inverness cape coat and button it up to show off the shoulder cape.
- 4
Place the deerstalker hat securely on your head with the ear flaps tied neatly at the crown.
- 5
Hold the magnifying glass in one hand and place the prop calabash pipe in your mouth or other hand to complete the detective persona.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair neat and tucked under the deerstalker hat. Facial hair is optional, but a clean-shaven face or a neatly trimmed Victorian-era mustache fits the traditional look.
Sherlock Holmes for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with Dr. John Watson in a bowler hat, tweed suit, and mustache.
- group
- Add Irene Adler in Victorian gown and Professor Moriarty in a dark suit and top hat.
- kids
- A miniature version featuring a small tweed cape, deerstalker hat, and a plastic magnifying glass.
- Plus size
- Look for loose-fitting double-breasted trench coats or open capes that drape comfortably.
- pet
- A small plaid cape and a miniature elastic-strap deerstalker hat for dogs.
Tips
- Choose a lightweight coat if you plan to wear this costume indoors to avoid overheating.
- The magnifying glass is a great photo prop; hold it up to your eye for fun, in-character poses.
- Thrift stores are excellent places to find vintage tweed coats, vests, and trousers for a budget-friendly DIY version.
Sherlock Holmes costume FAQ
- What is Sherlock Holmes's hat called?
- It is called a deerstalker hat, characterized by its front and back brims and ear flaps that tie at the top.
- What kind of coat does Sherlock Holmes wear?
- He traditionally wears an Inverness cape, which is a sleeveless wrap-around cape, or a double-breasted tweed trench coat with a shoulder cape.
- Is a pipe required for a Sherlock Holmes costume?
- While not strictly required, a curved calabash pipe is one of his most iconic props and instantly helps people identify the character.
Did you know? Although the deerstalker hat and calabash pipe are universally associated with Sherlock Holmes, they were never actually mentioned in Arthur Conan Doyle's original texts; they were popularized by illustrator Sidney Paget and stage actor William Gillette.