If you are looking for a costume idea for a Halloween, theme or costume party, one source of ideas you could consider is choosing a dead celebrity. It may seem to be possibly a bit morbid choosing dead celebrities to dress up as someone who is now dead, but this is really quite common, especially for those who have been dead for at least a decade or two – choosing Michael Jackson or Prince is possibly a bit soon. On the other hand, apart from certain figures, many celebrities lose their celebrity status fairly quickly after their death as they slip from knowledge.

There are a number of sources that can be used for inspiration when looking for celebrities to choose from, such as music and film personalities. There are also characters from history who might also be classed as “celebrities” due to the level of fame they still hold.

For a costume to be good, whichever celebrity you choose needs to be recognisable. Distinctive dress is a great help in making them recognisable, whether it is their normal dress or something directly associated with them. There is little point in choosing a costume if no-one recognises it as such.

Here are some possible ideas from history:

Al Capone

Alphonse Gabriel “Al” Capone was a Chicago based gangster active during the Prohibition era, from the early 1920s to 1931. His dress has been associated with gangsters for many years, based on photos of him wearing a blue pinstriped suit and a tilted fedora hat. As such, a, preferably, three-piece suit, tie, fedora and, optionally, a Tommy gun, would be used for a costume.

Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar was the proclaimed dictator of the Roman Republic, which became the Roman Empire. He lived from 100BC until his assassination in 44BC. Whilst his appearance may not be that distinctive, and indeed it is uncertain as to his precise appearance, a costume can be assembled using traditional Roman dress, which was a toga worn over a tunic, and then a laurel wreath for the head.

Cleopatra

Cleopatra VII Philopator was the last Pharaoh of Egypt and a contemporary of Julius Caesar, as she lived from 69BC to 30BC. Again, as with Caesar, her precise appearance is unknown, but traditional Egyptian dress will suffice, white robes with long black hair and a headpiece.

Here are some ideas from film:

Charlie Chaplin

Sir Charles Spencer ‘Charlie’ Chaplin was one of the most famous actors in silent film and his most memorable costume and persona was that of The Little Tramp. This character was first seen in the 1914 Keystone Studios comedy “Kid Auto Races at Venice” (although Chaplin actually portrayed the character in a  shot earlier but released later film). The Tramp’s costume was that of a small bowler hat, baggy pants, a tight coat, a pair of large shoes, a toothbrush moustache and a cane.

Marilyn Monroe

Born Norma Jeane Mortenson, Marilyn Monroe was an iconic sex symbol and model, singer and actress. She appeared in a number of successful films, but the one that created the image most associated with her was The Seven Year Itch. In this film she wears the distinctive white dress that was used on the film poster itself.

Popular music is a good source of inspiration. Many singers have worn extremely distinctive outfits in their careers. Here are some ideas from the music industry:

Elvis Presley

Elvis Aaron Presley, The King of Rock and Roll, was a singer, musician and actor. In his early life he was most known as a singer. After military service, he then concentrated on films. At the end of the 1960s, he staged a comeback to music. It is during this period that Elvis started wearing the jumpsuits associated with him at the live performances in Las Vegas. Often white, the jumpsuits were open to the waist with lots of rhinestone sparkles and gaudiness. This would be accompanied in a costume with sunglasses and a wig.

Freddie Mercury

Born Farrokh Bulsara, Freddie Mercury was the lead singer of British rock band Queen. A colourful character in life he also, like Elvis, wore some very distinctive outfits when performing live. From a sleeveless, open to the waist one piece white jumpsuit to white vinyl trousers and yellow jacket, his costumes always stood out. Topped with a Freddie Mercury moustache of course.

These ideas should give you a starting point and some inspiration for your costume.

David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust

For Men – 1950s Elvis Presley

For Men – 1970s Elvis Presley

For Men – Michael Jackson’s Bad Outfit

For Men – Michael Jackson’s Thriller Outfit

For Women – Marilyn Monroe