9 Halloween Costumes for People Who Wear Glasses

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Masks fog up your lenses, and costumes that need contacts aren’t an option for everyone. So skip both. Plenty of famous characters wear glasses, and your frames can be the best part of the costume.

Each of these either needs glasses or looks better with them. Round frames, thick frames, wire frames: there’s a match for every pair.

Jump to a Costume

1. Mad Scientist
2. Secret-Identity Superhero
3. Boy Wizard
4. Mystery-Solving Sleuth
5. Hippie
6. 80s Nerd
7. Owl
8. Librarian
9. Disco Dancer

1. Mad Scientist

Glasses make a mad scientist more convincing, not less. Pair them with goggles on the forehead and you’re set.

How to do it: White lab coat, rubber gloves, goggles pushed up on your head, wild teased hair and a glow stick in a clear bottle. Coffee-stain the coat for character.

Worth buying: a cheap white lab coat.

2. Secret-Identity Superhero

The reporter by day, hero by night. Glasses are the disguise, which makes this the cleverest superhero costume there is.

How to do it: Wear a superhero tee or bodysuit under a button-up shirt, and leave the shirt half open to show the logo. Glasses, a tie loosened and slicked hair with one curl. Carry a notebook.

Worth buying: a superhero tee.

3. Boy Wizard

Round glasses are the whole costume. It’s one of the most popular costumes for glasses wearers, for kids and adults.

How to do it: Round wire glasses, a black robe, a striped scarf in your house colors, a wand and a lightning bolt drawn on the forehead with eyeliner.

Worth buying: round wire-frame glasses.

4. Mystery-Solving Sleuth

The orange-sweater detective from the cartoon mystery gang wears thick square glasses. If yours are dark and chunky, this is your costume.

How to do it: Orange turtleneck sweater, red pleated skirt, orange knee socks and red shoes. A chin-length bob and a magnifying glass. Bonus points for dropping your glasses and searching for them.

Worth buying: an orange turtleneck.

5. Hippie

Round tinted glasses are the most iconic hippie accessory. If yours are round, you’re halfway there.

How to do it: Fringed vest, flared jeans, a tie-dye or peasant top, a headband across the forehead and lots of beads. Peace sign necklace.

Worth buying: a fringe vest.

6. 80s Nerd

Big frames, a pocket protector and suspenders. The 80s nerd is a costume that’s affectionate, not mean.

How to do it: Short-sleeve button-up tucked into high-waisted pants, suspenders, a pocket protector full of pens, white socks and a calculator watch. Tape on the bridge of your glasses.

Worth buying: a pocket protector set.

7. Owl

Wise, cute and great for kids. Glasses make the big owl eyes look even bigger.

How to do it: Brown or gray sweater with felt feather scallops glued on, a headband with small ear tufts, and brown eye makeup around your frames. A stack of books makes it a wise owl.

Worth buying: an owl ear headband.

Full guide: our owl costume guide

8. Librarian

An easy costume with a sense of humor. Cardigan, glasses on a chain and a stern look.

How to do it: Cardigan, pencil skirt or slacks, a bun with a pencil through it, glasses on a beaded chain, and a stack of books. Say “shhh” all night.

Worth buying: a beaded eyeglass chain.

9. Disco Dancer

Big 70s frames are part of the disco look, so your glasses fit right in if they’re oversized.

How to do it: Shiny shirt with a wide collar, flared pants or a wrap dress, platform shoes, big hair and gold chains. Strike a pose under any light.

Worth buying: a gold disco chain.

Costume Tips When You Wear Glasses

Skip full masks. They fog your lenses and push your glasses down your nose. Makeup or a half mask works better.

Wear your own frames. Costume glasses on top of real glasses never sit right, so pick a costume that fits the pair you have.

Use an anti-fog wipe before you go out, especially if you’ll be moving between a cold night and a warm party.

Short on time? Our 10 last-minute Halloween costumes all come together tonight, or browse the full costume encyclopedia from A to Z.

Glasses Costume FAQ

What are good Halloween costumes for people with glasses?

A mad scientist, secret-identity superhero, boy wizard, mystery-solving sleuth, hippie, 80s nerd, owl, librarian or disco dancer.

Can I wear a mask with glasses?

Full masks usually fog lenses and push glasses down. Face paint or a half mask is much more comfortable.

What’s an easy costume for someone with round glasses?

A boy wizard or a hippie. Both use round frames as the main piece.

What couples costume works with glasses?

A superhero and a reporter, a mad scientist and a monster, or two disco dancers.