Don’t Get Caught Dead Without A Bonnie and Clyde Couples Costume This Halloween
“We rob banks.”
With those three infamous words, Bonnie and Clyde cemented their place in history as the most notorious crime duo of all time. While we don’t recommend taking up a life of violence and larceny, channeling this outfit-obsessed couple makes for amazing Halloween costumes.
We’ll break down iconic Bonnie and Clyde looks and provide creative costume ideas for partners in crime.
You’ll learn:
- Key pieces for embodying Bonnie’s flair and Clyde’s dapper style
- Funny and musical takes on the deadly duo
- How to create sexy yet marauding costumes together
- Tips for coordinating your criminal couple’s costumes
Channel Bonnie Parker’s Signature Retro Flair
As half of the most fashionable couple in crime history, Bonnie Parker knew how to look glamorous even when robbing banks!
To recreate Bonnie’s iconic retro style:
-
Beret hats were a staple, worn tipped to the side. Opt for black, navy blue, or maroon colors.
The beret was Bonnie’s signature, making her instantly recognizable in photos. It had a jaunty, Parisian vibe that captured her fashionable spirit. Berets can be found for $5-$20 online or in vintage stores.
-
Floral dresses and skirts were feminine favorites. Go for vintage-inspired cuts with bold floral prints.
Soft, girly florals offset Bonnie’s toughness. Look for ’30s or ’40s style dresses and skirts on retro clothing sites or Etsy for $30-$60.
-
Peter pan collared blouses added a delicate touch. Pair with skirts or tuck into jeans.
The innocent collars projected Bonnie’s youth and playfulness. Find similar vintage style blouses on ModCloth and Unique Vintage for $30-$50.
-
Oversized fur coats made dramatic getaway attire over dresses. Faux fur works for a costume!
Nothing said glamour like a fur coat, ideal for a leading lady of crime. Purchase inexpensive faux fur coats at stores like Forever 21.
-
Mary Jane shoes or T-strap heels captured Bonnie’s girlish aesthetic.
The cutesy shoes further played up Bonnie’s femininity. Find many vintage inspired options for under $50 online.
-
Red lipstick and thin arched brows defined her beauty look. Go bold!
-
Cigars and faux gun accessories reference her rebellious activities.
-
Pearl necklaces, gloves, and retro cat eye glasses finished her posh styling.
Get Dapper as Clyde Barrow
As Bonnie Parker’s partner in stylish crime, Clyde Barrow always dressed to impress. With his sharp suits and accessories, he perfected a gentleman gangster look.
To emulate Clyde’s suave retro style:
-
Pinstripe suits were a go-to for a dashing, mobster vibe. Look for vintage cuts in gray or brown.
The bold pinstripes made Clyde stand out from typical cops in plain uniforms. Well-made vintage style suits run $70-$150 from retailers like Unique Vintage.
-
Patterned shirts and ties added flair, like polka dots and Art Deco prints.
Lively patterns reflected Clyde’s colorful personality beneath his criminal exterior. Shop 1940s style shirts and ties for $30-$60 each.
-
Classic fedoras topped off many outfits. Opt for gray, brown, or black.
Tilted down, a fedora gave Clyde an aristocratic edge. Find high-quality vintage fedoras for around $50-$100.
-
Two-tone Oxfords brought polish in black and white or brown and cream.
-
Pocket watches with chains accessorized like an old-school gentleman.
A watch chain conveyed refinement, cleverly contrasting Clyde’s criminal activities. Purchase cheap prop pocket watches and chains online.
-
Cigars were a must-have prop to chomp on. Go for fake plastic or candy ones!
Chomping a cigar created a tough, mobster persona. Buy affordable candy or plastic prop cigars.
-
Toy or prop guns in holsters finish the bank robber look.
-
Fake tattoos representing their “love forever” promise add authentic detail.
Funny Bonnie and Clyde Couples Costumes for Laughs
While most opt for classic gangster style, you can also get humorous with your Bonnie and Clyde couples costumes.
Some funny costume ideas include:
-
Bonnie as Bank, Clyde as Robber: Literally dress as the scene of the crime, with Clyde wearing a burglar outfit and striped shirt. Bonnie wears a box decorated like a bank.
Play up the criminal couple’s claim to fame by depicting a bank heist in progress! Have Bonnie wear a cardboard box painted like a brick building. Get a black and white striped shirt and burglar mask for Clyde on Amazon for about $20 each.
-
Police Officer Chasing Couple: Bonnie and Clyde flee from the long arm of the law. She wears a striped prisoner costume while Clyde dons black and white stripes.
Turn the tables by showing the crooks on the run! Buy affordable striped convict costumes on eBay and carry handcuffs for about $15-$20 per costume.
-
Miley and Lil Nas X: The criminal duo gets a modern music makeover as two controversial artists. Twerk away from the haters!
Poke fun at modern “outlaws” with tongue-in-cheek costumes. DIY or buy pieces inspired by Miley and Lil Nas for $30-$50 per costume.
-
Zombie/Vampire Clyde and Bonnie: Add a spooky twist by making the couple undead. Outfits tattered and covered in fake blood add frightful flair.
Make pre-made zombie or vampire costumes your own with era accessories. Buy blood, rips, and makeup to create undead crooks!
-
Hillbilly Bonnie and Clyde: Overalls, straw hats, missing teeth, and banjos transform the duo into backwoods bandits. Yeehaw!
-
1990s Hip Hop Bonnie and Clyde: Baggy clothes, gold chains, and funky hats give the criminals 1990s flavor. Word up!
Naughty and Nice Costumes for Bonnie and Her Clyde
While Bonnie and Clyde’s crime spree certainly wasn’t innocent, you can amp up the racy vibes of your couples costume this Halloween.
Some sexy Bonnie and Clyde costumes ideas include:
-
Bonnie as a Flapper Girl: Channel risqué 1920s style with a fringed dress, seamed stockings, long pearls, and a boa.
Play up Bonnie’s fun and flirty side with a revealing flapper costume. Shop vintage-style fringe dresses and accessories for $50-$100 total.
-
Clyde as a Dapper Gangster: Don a sharp pinstripe suit and fedora for a suave danger vibe. Show some chest in an unbuttoned shirt.
Clyde can be the suave yet scruffy gentleman thief in a suit with some skin showing. Find affordable pinstripe suits under $100 online.
-
Cowboy and Cowgirl: Bonnie wears cutoff denim shorts and a tied up plaid shirt, complete with cowboy hat. Clyde rocks tight jeans and leather chaps.
Go country with Daisy Duke-style shorts for Bonnie and body-hugging jeans and chaps for Clyde. Shop retailers like Dolls Kill for sexy cowboy looks starting around $50 per costume.
-
Creative DIY Shirts: Make matching shirts with cheeky phrases like “Bonnie and Booty,” “Clyde and Ride,” or “Partners in Crime and Bed.”
Get creative with shirt phrases flaunting their sexy chemistry. Make your own shirts at home using iron-on vinyl or fabric paint for under $20.
-
Naughty Name Riffs: Play up the innuendo with sexy spins on their names like “Bonnie de Vile” and “Clyde n’ Hide.”
Shop Smart for Your Bonnie and Clyde Costumes
The right materials and preparation will complete your criminal couple looks. Here are tips on where to shop and budget:
For Bonnie’s Looks:
-
Vintage clothing sites like Unique Vintage ($40-$100 for dresses), ModCloth ($50-$80 for blouses) for dresses, blouses, hats
-
Accessories on Etsy (about $10-$30 each), eBay – necklaces, sunglasses, gloves
-
Shoes at vintage shops or stores like DSW ($30-$60), Target ($15-$25)
-
Hair and makeup – browse drugstores, Sally Beauty, or DIY!
For Clyde’s Style:
-
Men’s vintage clothing sites like What Goes Around Comes Around ($100-$300 for suits), Houndstooth+Tweed ($70-$150 for hats)
-
Online stores like Amazon for fedoras ($15-$30), sunglasses ($10-$25), pocket watches ($10-$15)
-
Thrift and consignment shops for suits ($20-$50), button-ups ($10-$15)
-
Prop weapons – party stores like Party City or improvise toys at home!
Tips for Saving:
-
Shop sales leading up to Halloween
-
Rent key pieces from costume stores ($20-$50 each)
-
Reuse items you or friends own as much as possible
-
Get crafty making accessories and props for under $20
Budget $100-$200 per costume if buying many pieces, less if you DIY and reuse a lot. Focus money on signature items.