William Shakespeare Costume
Bring the Bard of Avon to life with classic Elizabethan style.
Dressing up as William Shakespeare is a sophisticated choice for history buffs, theater lovers, and literature enthusiasts. This iconic Renaissance look is instantly recognizable by its structured doublet, stiff white ruff collar, and classic writing accessories. Whether for Halloween, a theater production, or a historical event, this guide helps you assemble a historically inspired ensemble.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as William Shakespeare
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What you need for a William Shakespeare costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete William Shakespeare costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Elizabethan Doublet or Vest
A button-up, structured vest or jacket in a dark color like black, brown, or burgundy, preferably with gold trim or jacquard patterns.
DIY: Use a thrifted dark vest and sew gold ribbon trim along the edges and collar.
White Ruff Collar
A pleated white neck ruff, characteristic of Elizabethan fashion.
DIY: Fold white cardstock or stiff ribbon into accordion pleats and secure it around a fabric neckband.
Puffy Renaissance Shirt
A white or off-white long-sleeve shirt with billowy sleeves and ruffled cuffs.
DIY: Use an oversized white button-down shirt and push the sleeves up to create a gathered, puffy effect.
Breeches or Pumpkin Pants
Puffy, thigh-length trousers in a matching dark color, worn over tights.
DIY: Use dark sweatpants, cut them off below the knee, and insert elastic into the hems to make them puff.
Dark Tights or Hose
Opaque black or dark brown tights or tall socks to wear underneath the breeches.
DIY: Wear black leggings or knee-high dress socks.
Feather Quill and Scroll
A large feather quill pen and a rolled piece of parchment paper tied with twine.
DIY: Trim a large craft feather to a point at the tip and roll up tea-stained printer paper.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made William Shakespeare costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the black tights or knee-high socks first.
- 2
Pull on the puffy Renaissance breeches over the tights, securing them just below the knees.
- 3
Slip on the white billowy poet shirt, pulling the cuffs down so they peek out.
- 4
Layer the structured doublet or vest over the shirt and button it securely.
- 5
Fasten the white pleated ruff collar around your neck, adjusting it so it sits upright.
- 6
Put on dark leather loafers or slippers to complete the footwear.
- 7
Carry your feather quill and rolled parchment scroll as your primary props.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair with a high forehead and shoulder-length curls, or use a bald cap with a brown curly wig. Add a thin, neatly trimmed mustache and a small pointed goatee using a brown makeup pencil if needed.
William Shakespeare for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Queen Elizabeth I in a matching royal gown, or Juliet in a Renaissance dress.
- group
- Form a theater troupe with actors dressed as Hamlet holding a skull and Romeo in Renaissance garb.
- kids
- A simplified version with a brown felt vest, a paper plate ruff collar, and dark sweatpants.
- Plus size
- Choose a loose-fitting poet shirt with an open-front lace-up vest for an adjustable, comfortable fit.
- pet
- A small white pleated ruff collar worn around a dog's neck for a simple 'Bard' look.
Tips
- The ruff collar can get itchy; line the inside band with soft moleskin tape for comfort.
- To make your parchment scroll look authentic, stain white paper with wet black tea bags and let it dry before rolling.
- Keep your hands free by tucking the rolled scroll into a belt loop or a pouch on your doublet.
William Shakespeare costume FAQ
- How do you make a quick DIY Shakespeare collar?
- You can make a simple ruff collar by folding white coffee filters or cardstock into accordion pleats and stapling them to a ribbon that ties around your neck.
- What kind of shoes did William Shakespeare wear?
- He would have worn simple, flat leather shoes or slippers. Plain black loafers or dress shoes work perfectly for this costume.
- What props should I carry for a Shakespeare costume?
- A feather quill pen, a rolled parchment scroll, a leather-bound book, or even a prop skull (referencing Hamlet) are excellent choices.
Did you know? While Shakespeare is famous for his plays, he was also an actor himself and regularly performed in his own theatrical productions.