Taxi Driver Costume
Hail a classic look with a retro NYC cab driver costume.
Whether you want to channel a classic, friendly 1970s New York City cabbie or the gritty, military-jacketed Travis Bickle from the iconic 1976 film, a Taxi Driver costume is a highly recognizable and comfortable choice. This guide focuses on the classic, retro yellow-cab driver aesthetic, which is universally friendly and easy to assemble. The look centers around a yellow checkered shirt, a chauffeur cap, and vintage accessories.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $25–60
Try it on
See yourself as Taxi Driver
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What you need for a Taxi Driver costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Taxi Driver costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Yellow cab driver t-shirt
A bright yellow t-shirt featuring a black-and-white checkered stripe across the chest or a 'Taxi' logo.
DIY: Use black fabric paint or electrical tape to create a checkered pattern across a plain yellow t-shirt.
Chauffeur or cabbie hat
A black retro chauffeur-style cap with a structured brim and a silver or gold badge.
DIY: Use a black newsboy cap and pin a homemade yellow paper 'Taxi' badge to the front.
Aviator sunglasses
Classic gold-rimmed dark aviator sunglasses to capture the vintage 1970s driver aesthetic.
White costume gloves
Simple, clean white cotton gloves for a professional, old-school chauffeur touch.
Toy steering wheel or yellow cardboard cutout
A small plastic steering wheel or a hand-held cardboard cutout of a yellow cab to carry as a prop.
DIY: Cut a steering wheel shape out of cardboard and paint it black.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Taxi Driver costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on a pair of comfortable dark jeans or black trousers.
- 2
Slip on the yellow taxi-themed t-shirt or checkered shirt.
- 3
Put on the black chauffeur hat, angling it slightly forward.
- 4
Put on the gold-rimmed aviator sunglasses.
- 5
Pull on the white cotton gloves for that classic service-industry look.
- 6
Carry your toy steering wheel or cardboard yellow cab prop to instantly communicate the theme.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair neat and tucked under the cap. No heavy makeup is required, but a clean-shaven look or a retro 1970s mustache fits the era perfectly.
Taxi Driver for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person dresses as the taxi driver, and the other dresses as a yellow New York City taxicab or a glamorous passenger.
- group
- A fleet of drivers paired with passengers carrying luggage and hailing rides.
- kids
- A miniature yellow shirt, a soft black cap, and a cardboard box painted like a yellow cab worn with suspenders.
- Plus size
- A loose-fitting yellow polo shirt with a checkered lanyard and an adjustable chauffeur cap.
- pet
- A yellow pet bandana with a black-and-white checkered trim.
Tips
- Wear comfortable sneakers, as real cab drivers spend all day on their feet.
- Print out a fake 'Taxi Driver ID' badge and clip it to your shirt pocket for an extra touch of authenticity.
- If it's cold, layer a black bomber jacket or a tan utility jacket over the yellow shirt.
- Keep a few fake dollar bills in your pocket to hand out as 'change' to friends.
Taxi Driver costume FAQ
- How do I make a quick DIY Taxi Driver costume?
- Wear a plain yellow t-shirt, use black tape to make a checkered line across the chest, and wear a dark baseball cap with 'TAXI' written on it in yellow marker.
- What is the difference between a classic cabbie and a Travis Bickle costume?
- A classic cabbie wears a yellow shirt and chauffeur hat, while Travis Bickle from the movie Taxi Driver wears an olive green military M-65 field jacket, aviators, and has a mohawk.
- What pants should I wear with this costume?
- Any dark jeans, black slacks, or khaki pants work perfectly and keep the costume comfortable for walking around.
Did you know? The iconic yellow color of New York City taxis was chosen in 1915 because a study found it was the easiest color for the human eye to spot from a distance.