Greaser Costume
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Greasers were the rebellious working-class teens of 1950s America, named for the grease (pomade) in their hair. Movies and musicals made the look iconic, and it’s one of the easiest decade costumes to put together. A greaser can be a guy or a girl.
What Makes It Work
Hair first. Use a strong pomade to slick your hair back into a pompadour or a ducktail. A comb sticking out of your back pocket is part of the costume.
Wear a plain white T-shirt, tight and tucked in, with the sleeves rolled once. A pack of candy cigarettes rolled into the sleeve is a fun detail. Over it, add a black leather jacket or a jean jacket with the collar flipped up.
Dark cuffed jeans and black boots or loafers finish it. For the girls’ version, add a ponytail with a scarf, a fitted top and cuffed jeans.
What People Get Wrong
Skipping the hair. Without the slick pompadour, it just looks like a T-shirt and a jacket. The other common mistake is a baggy white tee. Fitted is the look.
Buy It or Build It?
Greaser costume sets with a faux leather jacket run $30 to $60. If you own a jacket, all you need is pomade and maybe a comb, for under $15.
Where to Buy
| Retailer | What they carry | |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Costume kits, wigs and accessories | Shop on Amazon |
FAQ
How do I do greaser hair?
Use strong pomade on damp hair, comb it straight back, and push the front up and forward into a pompadour.
What's a girl greaser costume?
A fitted black top or a cardigan, cuffed jeans or a pencil skirt, a high ponytail with a scarf and red lipstick.
What couples costume works with a greaser?
A greaser and a poodle-skirt girl, or two matching greasers in leather jackets.
Can I use a jean jacket for a greaser costume?
Yes. Jean jackets were common greaser wear, along with leather.
Next up: Punk Costume
See Also
Free: The Last-Minute Costume Cheat Sheet
Ten costumes you can make tonight, mostly from your own closet. One page, printable, plus a short email before each costume season. No spam.