18 Free Costume Ideas Decades: Be Groovy!
Transform into a character from a any decade. Do you already know which era you want to explore? Check out these costume ideas that celebrate the iconic styles that made each decade truly unforgettable! If only I had kept those awesome, brown plaid, corduroy, cuffed bellbottoms…
Here is everything you need to create the perfect look. You’ll find tons of inspiring pictures to spark your imagination, links to incredible patterns to get you sewing for a total hit. So, grab your fabric and thrift store treasures, and let’s get stitching on your perfect costume from the past!
1920’s Women
Let’s start our decades tour in the 20’s shall we? The 1920’s, of course. This classic drop waist flapper-style dress is immediately recognizable; along with the bobbed hair, low headbands, and the occasional arm band.
- You can purchase this pattern on etsy, to sew one from scratch.
If you would rather upcycle or DIY your costume, just find a long boxy shirt (or too-large dress) at a secondhand store. You can alter it to your width by taking in the side seams with long straight stitches. It’s an easy costume to come up with on your own because it’s generally a rectangle.
Use any leftover fabric to make a headband that sits low on your forehead and there you have it!
1920’s Men
You have a lot of costume choices for men in the 1920’s decade: mob boss, formal, casual, and working class. I’m going to assume you want to party, so here are my picks.
Grab a vest and a tie; you can go with a bow tie or a standard tie but keep to solid colors. Your pick of hat; a straw boater hat, a fedora, or a newsboy flat cap. Then drum up something to use for a cane, and make a pocket watch from a juice lid or or other material. Make sure you show off that watch with a chain!
- If you prefer to just purchase the accessories shown above, here’s an Amazon link.
1930’s Women
The decade of the 30’s saw a return to the curves of the feminine figure, and a lower, ankle-level hemline where the skirt flares just a bit at the bottom. The neckline is high and the waist is accentuated by a feminine belt.
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- Here is a video about how to sew for the 30’s on a budget by Samantha Snow!
1930’s Men
Clark Gable – need I say more? Did you know that the stock market crash at the end of the 20’s affected fashion? Suits in this decade had a simpler design and focused primarily on durability and functionality. Broad shoulders, high waists, and wide-leg trousers are the main look for a man in the 1930’s.
- If you’re looking to buy a suit, here’s a recommendation.
- If you prefer to make your own costume, here’s a link to the golf suit shown above from Mrsdepew’s Etsy Shop.
1940’s Women
The beginning of the 40’s was dominated by war. Fabric was in shorter supply, and utility clothing styles (victory suits) and uniforms were the look of this decade.
The hourglass figure was big during this time, however, so your costume could include a nice girdle. Women also began wearing pants – wide leg of course, and hats were still a ‘thing’. Turbans decorated with flowers, partial veils, and fedoras were all popular.
1940’s Men
Zoot suits are from this decade! Did you know they were considered a great waste of fabric at the time? Wide legs, tight cuffs, high waist, and a long suit coat are the look of a zoot suit. Pleats will be your friend for the pants, and if you find a wide leg pant at the thrift store you can just tighten the cuff.
- Here’s a zoot suit costume you can purchase already made.
- Here’s a pattern you can buy so you can sew your own.
Your tie should be wide and short, too; you could find an old tie at a second hand store and spread it out. Other options for this decade would include vintage soldier uniforms. Hats included the pork pie hat (as seen on Lester Young), and the hamburg (as worn by Winston Churchill).
Bonus Accessories: Aviator glasses or a monocle
1950’s Women
Marilyn Monroe and Doris Day come to mind for this decade. During the 1950’s women strived to be impeccably ‘turned out’. All the accessories must match, hair just so, shoes to go, etc. During the 50’s cocktail dresses came along too; the idea was the length of a day dress, but embellished like an evening gown.
- Here are the patterns you can purchase for the dresses pictured above: Simplicity 1155 and Butterick B6672
- Here’s a free pattern, from Made EveryDay, for a poodle skirt which is also an iconic look for the 50’s decade!
1950’s Men
A leather jacket, jeans, and a white t-shirt is the iconic ‘greaser’ look of a 1950s man. It’s a classically easy decade to celebrate. Marlin Brando and Elvis (above) rock the black and white beautifully.
A few other celebrities from the 50’s are John Wayne, James Stewart, and Dean Martin.
If you need more ideas, add white socks and a slicked-back quiff hairstyle. The pompadour (aka the James Dean), and the jelly roll (not the fabric bundle), and the ducktail were popular hairstyles.
1960’s Women
- Sew a 1960’s minidress with this free pattern. The keyhole and mini length are a classic look for this decade.
Any kind of artistic combination of colors and florals is appropriate. As are all kinds of headbands and accessories. You could also go for an Audrey Hepburn look with a minimalist and monochromatic style
1960’s Men
Jimi Hendrix is shown wearing bold floral prints, and David Bowie is in a satin floral dress. This decade and the next began blurring gender norms for fashion. Anything goes in the 1960’s for sure.
- Here’s a link to a pattern for a men’s jacket
Up to this point there hasn’t been much style change, but starting in this decade more and more everyone was just wearing whatever they wanted. Hit up second hand stores for the wildest fabric and sew a jacket or dress to rock this year.
1970’s Women
You’re going for free-thinking, cool, and individualist for this decade. Wrap dress with a cinched waist, denim and more denim, flared pants, boho tops, statement jackets, plaid and stripes, and the list goes on.
- Here’s a free pattern for making bell bottom jeans from allfreesewing.com.
1970’s Men
There are several iconic looks from the 70’s. I’m not going to be able to address them all (as with some of the other decades), but I will help you style a costume.
- In fact, here’s a 1970’s couple’s costume from Amazon (I get the irony).
In true 70’s style… if you would rather make your own costume I would go to a secondhand store and alter some bold prints. Specifically, you’re looking for anything corduroy, a bold, pointed-collar button down shirt, elevator shoes (not likely at a goodwill, but you can make your own), and you’ll want a chain around your neck.
You could also go with a punk look which started in this decade which needs leather, rips and tears, skulls, and a mohawk or spiked hairstyle.
- Here’s a free pattern for making bell bottom jeans from allfreesewing.com.
1980’s Women
Neon and florescent everything will make your 80’s costume perfect. Also, lots of layers. I don’t mean layers of clothing per se; I mean layers of socks, watches, belts, necklaces, bangles, and shoulder pads. Also wear a baggy shirt and tuck it in to layered belts, or baggy pants and tuck them into layered socks. Maybe even layer your fanny pack!
- Make your own classic accessory with my free fanny pack pattern.
You can easily make a costume without sewing though. For example, find a bright colored tube top and wear it under your chest instead of across it. Then get a bold printed scarf and wrap it over one shoulder. Then tuck the scarf into the tube top below your chest. Tack it together if you’re worried about security, but otherwise you’ve just refreshed some old stuff into a great 80’s look.
1980’s Men
Realistically, I can just copy and paste from the section above. There are no fashion elements to differentiate male from female clothing. You can check out the 80s celebrity scene for some additional inspiration.
- Here’s a great easy 80’s costume set if you don’t have any ideas for this decade yet.
If you’re up for a few more ideas , you can go punk or grunge. Punk is identified by leather, mohawks, and skulls. Grunge is associated with combat boots, ripped jeans, and more of a ‘grungy’ vibe. Simply roll out of bed and think, “Whatever man” and you’re halfway there.
1990’s Women
Think logos and casual wear; lots of logos. And you will want a plaid flannel button down. You can wear it tied around your waist or over a tank top. Pair it with cargo pants and combat boots.
Another option is a baggy pair of denim overalls with a tight shirt underneath. You can wear a bucket hat or really any kind of bright hat, and giant earrings.
- Simplicity 7824 is a great 90’s prom dress pattern that you can purchase.
- McCalls 6446 is a pattern you can purchase for a 90’s Shirt Jacket Dress (that title says all you need to know LOL).
1990’s Men
Grunge is popular for the 1990’s decade and went somewhat mainstream over time, so do what you can to look disheveled and meloncholy.
Since sportswear was acceptable in nearly any setting you can don your team gear and fit right in. BIG logos are the best. Khakis and cargo pants are a good 90’s option as well. The Gap was huge, so if you see a Gap sweatshirt at a thrift store you’re all set.
Hip hop was a big influence in fashion during the 90’s as well. Funky hats, bright colors, huge shirts, plaid flannel button downs, and I specifically remember some people wearing their clothes backwards (maybe it was Kris Kross). Oh, and Timberland boots!
2000’s Women
I’ll wrap it up with the year 2000. I can’t believe that Y2K was over 20 years ago! Girls wore skin tight tops with baggy, wide-legged bottoms.
I have included links below for some of these fashion items from the decade Y2K, but you may already have some of these in your closet. Wide leg is coming back, and skin tight has never really gone out.
- Wide pants for women from Amazon.
- Wide joggers for women from Amazon.
- Fitted shirt with lace from Amazon.
2000’s Men
Lots of men wore flat brimmed baseball/trucker hats. A lot of the young adults wore baggy everything to combine a grunge look with a skater vibe. Tall t-shirts were popular and usually solid colors, but not exclusively.
Here are some links to shop the look in case your secondhand stores don’t have them.
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