The Warriors Costume
Can you dig it? Recreate the iconic 1979 Coney Island look.
Step onto the streets of 1979 New York City as a member of Coney Island's toughest crew. The Warriors costume is a classic, instantly recognizable look defined by its gritty, athletic street style. With a signature brown leather vest, a red bandana, and a pair of worn-in jeans, you can easily bring this cult-classic film to life.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $30–80
Try it on
See yourself as The Warriors
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a The Warriors costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete The Warriors costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Brown leather vest
A sleeveless, open-front vest made of dark brown or reddish-brown faux leather.
DIY: Cut the sleeves off an old brown denim jacket or thrifted leather coat.
The Warriors back patch
A large circular patch featuring the iconic winged skull logo and 'The Warriors' text.
DIY: Paint the winged skull logo onto canvas fabric with acrylic paint and fabric-glue it to the vest.
Red bandana
A classic square cotton bandana in bright red, worn tied around the neck.
DIY: Cut a square piece of red cotton fabric from an old t-shirt.
Worn-in blue jeans
Straight-leg or slightly flared blue jeans with a faded, vintage wash.
DIY: Use an old pair of blue jeans from your closet and lightly scuff them with sandpaper.
Black tank top
A plain black cotton tank top or sleeveless undershirt worn beneath the vest.
DIY: Cut the sleeves off a plain black t-shirt.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made The Warriors costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the black tank top or sleeveless shirt as your base layer.
- 2
Slip on the straight-leg blue jeans and secure them with a simple brown leather belt.
- 3
Attach the large winged skull patch to the center back of the brown leather vest using fabric glue, iron-on adhesive, or safety pins.
- 4
Put on the brown vest, leaving it completely unbuttoned to capture the classic movie look.
- 5
Fold the red bandana diagonally into a strip and tie it securely around your neck, leaving the knot at the front or side.
- 6
Complete the outfit with a pair of scuffed black or brown leather boots.
Makeup & hair
Keep your hair messy, shaggy, or styled in a 1970s-style afro or long, natural waves. No makeup is required, but a light smudge of brown eyeshadow on the cheeks can simulate street grime.
The Warriors for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair a Warrior with a member of the rival all-female gang, the Lizzies.
- group
- Gather a crew wearing matching vests, or have friends dress as rival gangs like the Baseball Furies.
- kids
- A miniature version with a brown vest, jeans, and a red bandana is comfortable and easy for kids.
- Plus size
- Choose a relaxed-fit or open-front faux leather vest to ensure a comfortable fit over a t-shirt.
- pet
- A small brown pet vest with a mini red bandana tied around the collar.
Tips
- Leave the vest unbuttoned for the authentic, breezy 1970s film look.
- Scuff up your boots and jeans beforehand to give the outfit a gritty, lived-in appearance.
- Carry a prop like a replica spray paint can to match the movie's graffiti-tagging vibe.
The Warriors costume FAQ
- What color is the vest worn by The Warriors?
- The Warriors wear a distinctive reddish-brown or dark brown leather vest with their gang logo on the back.
- How do I make a DIY Warriors vest?
- Cut the sleeves off a brown denim or faux-leather jacket, then paint or glue a replica winged skull patch onto the back.
- What do I need for a basic Warriors costume?
- All you need is a brown vest with the back patch, a red bandana, blue jeans, and a black tank top or bare chest.
Did you know? Costume designer Bobbie Mannix created the distinct gang outfits by blending real 1970s New York street fashion with stylized, theatrical elements.