The Greatest Showman Costume
Bring the circus to life with this dazzling, theatrical ringmaster look.
Inspired by Hugh Jackman's portrayal of P.T. Barnum in the hit musical, The Greatest Showman costume is a spectacular choice for theater fans and Halloween. This look captures the magic of the big top with a bold red coat, gold accents, and a classic top hat. It is a crowd-pleasing outfit that stands out in any crowd.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $50–120
Try it on
See yourself as The Greatest Showman
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What you need for a The Greatest Showman costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete The Greatest Showman costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Red Ringmaster Tailcoat
A crimson red tuxedo jacket or tailcoat featuring black lapels and gold trim or tassels on the shoulders.
DIY: Take a standard red blazer, glue black fabric to the lapels, and add gold rope trim to the shoulders.
Gold Vest
A metallic gold or yellow button-up waistcoat to wear under the jacket.
DIY: Fabric paint an old vest with metallic gold paint, or use gold fabric tape over a plain vest.
White Tuxedo Shirt
A crisp white button-down dress shirt, preferably with a wing collar.
DIY: Use any standard white button-down shirt from your closet.
Black Bow Tie
A simple black satin bow tie.
DIY: Tie a black satin ribbon into a neat bow around your collar.
Black Dress Pants
Slim-fit black trousers or tuxedo pants.
DIY: Use any clean, dark black jeans or slacks.
Black Top Hat
A tall, structured black felt top hat, optionally wrapped with a red ribbon.
DIY: Wrap a strip of red satin ribbon around the base of a basic black party hat.
Ringmaster Cane
A black walking cane with a decorative gold or silver top knob.
DIY: Paint a wooden dowel black and hot-glue a spray-painted gold plastic ornament to the top.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made The Greatest Showman costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white tuxedo shirt and button it completely to the collar.
- 2
Secure the black bow tie snugly around the shirt collar.
- 3
Put on the gold vest and button it up over the shirt.
- 4
Slip into the black dress pants and secure them with a belt if needed.
- 5
Put on the red ringmaster tailcoat, ensuring the gold shoulder tassels hang freely.
- 6
Step into polished black dress shoes or tall black boots.
- 7
Place the black top hat firmly on your head and carry the cane in one hand to finish the look.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair neatly styled, slicked back, or tucked under the top hat. For makeup, a clean-shaven face or a neatly trimmed mustache matches the theatrical P.T. Barnum aesthetic.
The Greatest Showman for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Anne Wheeler in a pink trapeze artist leotard and a pastel pink wig.
- group
- Add the Bearded Lady (Leticia Lutz) in a purple gown, Philip Carlyle in a matching ringmaster suit, and acrobats.
- kids
- A miniature red ringmaster jacket with black leggings and a small plastic top hat.
- Plus size
- Look for stretch-velvet red tailcoats for comfort, and pair with a comfortable gold satin vest.
- pet
- A red pet cape with gold trim and a tiny elastic-strap black top hat.
Tips
- Secure the top hat with bobby pins if you plan on dancing or moving around a lot.
- Wear comfortable black dress shoes or boots, as a ringmaster is always on their feet.
- Steam the tailcoat before wearing to ensure the lapels and tails lay flat for photos.
The Greatest Showman costume FAQ
- What does P.T. Barnum wear in The Greatest Showman?
- He wears a red tailcoat with gold trim, a metallic gold vest, a white wing-collared shirt, a black bow tie, black trousers, and a tall black top hat.
- How can I make a DIY Greatest Showman costume?
- You can modify a red blazer by adding gold trim, wear it over a white shirt and black pants, and add a budget-friendly plastic top hat and cane.
- Is this costume suitable for groups?
- Yes, it is perfect for groups. Other members can dress as the Bearded Lady, Anne Wheeler the trapeze artist, or various circus performers.
Did you know? The gorgeous costumes for the film were designed by Ellen Mirojnick, who blended authentic 19th-century silhouettes with modern, vibrant colors to match the pop-musical soundtrack.