The Great Gatsby Costume
Step into the Roaring '20s with effortless vintage sophistication.
Whether you are channeling the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby himself or a glamorous party guest from his West Egg mansion, a Great Gatsby costume is the ultimate expression of 1920s luxury. This look focuses on sharp tailoring, art deco embellishments, and jazz age sophistication. It is a perennial favorite for themed parties, Halloween, and formal events.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $40–150
Try it on
See yourself as The Great Gatsby
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What you need for a The Great Gatsby costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete The Great Gatsby costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Three-piece pink or cream suit
A tailored linen or wool-blend suit featuring a matching vest, trousers, and jacket to capture Jay Gatsby's signature look.
DIY: Pair a light-colored blazer and trousers from your closet with a matching sweater vest.
Art deco flapper dress
A shift-style dress featuring intricate beadwork, sequins, and a fringed hemline that hits near the knee.
DIY: Add adhesive sequin trim and fringe to a simple sleeveless shift dress.
Beaded or feathered headband
An elastic or ribbon headband adorned with rhinestones, sequins, and a side feather for the flapper look.
DIY: Hot-glue a decorative rhinestone brooch and a black feather onto a black satin ribbon.
Vintage accessories set
Includes a long pearl necklace, a toy cigarette holder, and fishnet tights or lace gloves.
DIY: Loop a long strand of faux pearls and tie a knot near the bottom.
Oxford shoes or wingtips
Two-tone spectator shoes or classic leather oxfords to complete the gentleman's ensemble.
DIY: Use white and black shoe polish or tape to temporarily convert standard dress shoes into two-tone wingtips.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made The Great Gatsby costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
For the Gatsby look, put on a crisp white dress shirt, tie a silk tie, and layer the vest over it before putting on the suit jacket.
- 2
For the flapper look, slip on the sequined dress and pair it with sheer black tights or fishnets.
- 3
Style your hair according to the chosen look, securing any headpieces or hats firmly.
- 4
Add the accessories: drape the long pearl necklace, carry the cigarette holder, or slip on a pocket watch.
- 5
Finish with classic dress shoes or low-heeled T-strap pumps.
- 6
Carry a vintage-style champagne coupe glass as a prop to complete the party-ready aesthetic.
Makeup & hair
For women, style hair into a faux bob or finger waves, paired with dark, smoky eyeshadow and a bold plum or dark red lip. For men, style hair with a clean side part and high-shine pomade for a slicked-back, dapper look.
The Great Gatsby for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair Jay Gatsby in his pink suit with Daisy Buchanan in a lavender flapper dress and sparkling tiara.
- group
- Gather a group dressed in coordinating black, gold, and silver 1920s attire to look like Gatsby's inner circle.
- kids
- A miniature newsboy look with a tweed flat cap, suspenders, and bow tie, or a simple fringed dress.
- Plus size
- Look for drop-waist flapper dresses with stretch panels, or classic wide-leg trousers paired with a relaxed-fit vest.
- pet
- A small dog wearing a black satin bow collar or a miniature sequined headband.
Tips
- Ensure your shoes are comfortable for dancing, as Gatsby parties are all about the Charleston.
- Use bobby pins to secure heavy headbands so they do not slip down your forehead during the night.
- Keep a lint roller handy if your dress has loose feathers or if you are wearing a dark wool suit.
The Great Gatsby costume FAQ
- What did Jay Gatsby actually wear?
- Jay Gatsby is famous for his pink three-piece suit, white flannel trousers with a blue blazer, and his elegant silver-and-gold accessories.
- How do I dress for a Gatsby party if I don't have a costume?
- Men can wear a simple suit with a bow tie and suspenders. Women can wear a sleeveless cocktail dress paired with long necklaces and a sparkly headband.
- What is the dress code for a Great Gatsby theme?
- The dress code is 1920s formalwear, characterized by beaded flapper dresses, tuxedos, three-piece suits, feathers, pearls, and dapper hats.
Did you know? The iconic pink suit worn by Robert Redford in the 1974 film adaptation of The Great Gatsby was designed by Ralph Lauren, cementing the look in pop culture history.