9 Costumes You Can Make With a Black Suit

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A black suit is the best costume base a guy can own. It’s already the uniform of gangsters, spies, vampires, magicians and undertakers. All you need is the right accessories.

Every idea here keeps the suit clean and wearable, so you’re not ruining your interview outfit for one party.

Jump to a Costume

1. 1920s Gangster
2. Secret Agent
3. Alien-Hunting Agent
4. Vampire
5. Blues Duo
6. Victorian Undertaker
7. Stage Magician
8. Skeleton Groom
9. Bodyguard

1. 1920s Gangster

Pinstripes are ideal, but a plain black suit works fine for a Prohibition-era gangster.

How to do it: Black suit, a dark shirt with a white or loud tie, a fedora, a pocket square and spats if you can find them. Carry a violin case.

Worth buying: a classic fedora.

2. Secret Agent

Black suit, black tie, sunglasses and an earpiece. It’s the easiest costume on this list, and it looks sharp.

How to do it: Black suit, white shirt, black tie, dark sunglasses and a curly earpiece. Talk into your wrist all night.

Worth buying: a secret service earpiece.

3. Alien-Hunting Agent

Pair the secret agent look with a ray gun and you’re keeping the planet safe from aliens.

How to do it: Same black suit, white shirt, black tie and sunglasses, plus a chrome ray gun and a small “memory eraser” (a pen flashlight).

Worth buying: a retro ray gun.

4. Vampire

A black suit and a high-collar cape is a classic vampire with real class.

How to do it: Black suit, white shirt, a red or black vest, a cape with a stand-up collar, slicked hair, pale makeup and fangs.

Worth buying: a stand-up collar vampire cape.

5. Blues Duo

Two guys in black suits, skinny ties, hats and sunglasses is one of the most famous duo costumes ever.

How to do it: Black suit, white shirt, skinny black tie, black fedora and dark sunglasses. Carry a harmonica. Best with a buddy.

Worth buying: a black fedora.

6. Victorian Undertaker

Spooky and dapper. A top hat and a somber face turn a black suit into a funeral director from the 1800s.

How to do it: Black suit, black vest, a tall top hat with a black ribbon trailing off the back, black gloves and a pocket watch. Pale makeup with dark circles. Carry a measuring tape.

Worth buying: a Victorian top hat.

7. Stage Magician

A black suit plus a top hat and wand is an old-school magician, and you can do tricks at the party.

How to do it: Black suit or tux, a cape lined in red, a top hat, white gloves and a wand. Pull a stuffed rabbit out of the hat.

Worth buying: a magician’s hat and wand.

8. Skeleton Groom

A black suit and skull makeup is a sharp, spooky look. Pair it with a ghost bride.

How to do it: Black suit, white shirt, black bow tie, a boutonniere of dead flowers, and full skull face paint.

Worth buying: a skull face paint kit.

9. Bodyguard

Black suit, earpiece and a serious stare. Great as a duo with a friend dressed as a celebrity.

How to do it: Black suit, black shirt or white shirt with black tie, earpiece, sunglasses and a lanyard badge. Stand behind someone all night.

Worth buying: a lanyard badge holder.

Turning a Black Suit Into a Costume

The hat makes the character. Fedora for a gangster, top hat for a magician or undertaker, none for an agent.

Change the tie. Skinny black for blues, loud and wide for a gangster, bow tie for a groom.

Keep makeup off the collar. Skull and vampire makeup rubs off on white shirts, so set it with powder and setting spray.

Need more ideas? Browse the full costume encyclopedia from A to Z, or see our 10 last-minute costumes you can make tonight.

Black Suit Costume FAQ

What costume can I make with a black suit?

A 1920s gangster, secret agent, vampire, blues duo, Victorian undertaker, stage magician, skeleton groom or bodyguard.

What’s the easiest black suit costume?

A secret agent. Black tie, sunglasses and an earpiece.

What’s a scary costume with a black suit?

A vampire, Victorian undertaker or skeleton groom.

What couples costume works with a black suit?

A skeleton groom and ghost bride, a gangster and a flapper, or a bodyguard and a celebrity.