A black outfit is the easiest place to start a Halloween costume. Most of the pieces are already in your closet, the look photographs well, and the right accessory (a cape, a mask, a pair of horns) does the rest.
These are 14 characters who are recognizable in black from head to toe. They cover goth icons, villains, assassins and a ballerina, for men and women. Each pick lists the key pieces, and the button under it opens the full guide with a shopping list. Looking for something specific? Try costumes for black women or costumes for black men, which are about people, not outfits.
14 all-black costume ideas
1. Wednesday Addams
The look is a black Peter Pan collared dress, black tights and black shoes, with long black hair in two braids. A deadpan stare is the finishing touch.
What you will need:
- Black collared dress, black tights, black shoes, braided black wig
2. Morticia Addams
Morticia keeps it simple: a long, tight-fitting black gown that spreads out at the floor. Add long straight black hair and slow, elegant movement.
What you will need:
- Long black gown, long black wig
3. Maleficent
A black long-sleeved dress, a black cathedral-length cape, a black choker and tall black horns. A staff is the right prop.
What you will need:
- Black long-sleeved dress, black bridal cape, horns, neck choker, staff
4. Elvira
The Mistress of the Dark is a dramatic black evening gown, a black mullet-style wig, dark makeup and a dagger on a belt. A bat necklace and black heels finish it.
What you will need:
- Black gown with dagger and belt, black wig, black goth heels, bracelet set, bat necklace
5. Nina Sayers (Black Swan)
The dark swan is a black ballerina outfit with a corset top and tutu, black feathers, net stockings and a black crown. Black wings and smoky eyeshadow take it further.
What you will need:
- Black corset top, black tutu skirt, feather belt, net stockings, black crown, black wings
6. Neo and Trinity (The Matrix)
A couples costume that is nothing but black. Neo wears a black shirt, pants, boots and a long black trench coat. Trinity wears a black halter bodysuit, black leggings and a long black coat. Add small round sunglasses.
What you will need:
- Black trench coat, black shirt and pants, black boots, black bodysuit and leggings
7. Darth Vader
A completely black outfit built around the helmet. Add a black cape, black gloves, black boots and a lightsaber.
What you will need:
- Helmet, black hoodie, black cape, black gloves, black boots, lightsaber
8. Kylo Ren
Pitch-black from head to toe, like his grandfather. A black long-sleeved shirt, black pants, knee-high boots and gloves, plus a robe, a mask and a red lightsaber.
What you will need:
- Black long-sleeve shirt, black pants, knee-high boots, black gloves, mask and robe set, red lightsaber
9. Zorro
An all-black ensemble: a black tunic, pants, boots, a billowing cape, a Spanish hat and a mask. A sword completes the swashbuckler.
What you will need:
- Black tunic, black pants, black boots, black cape, Spanish hat, black mask
10. The Crow (Eric Draven)
A black leather outfit: a long-sleeved shirt, pants and a long coat. The black and white face paint is what makes it the Crow.
What you will need:
- Leather shirt, leather pants, leather trench coat, combat boots, black wig, face paint
11. V (V for Vendetta)
A matching black shirt and pants, a tall black hat, a black cape and black leather shoes. The smiling mask with a wig is the part everyone recognizes.
What you will need:
- Black shirt and pants, tall black hat, black cape, smiling mask with wig, black leather shoes
12. John Wick
A black three-piece suit with a black button-down shirt, black tie and black Oxfords. A scruffy beard, a toy pistol and a stuffed beagle make it unmistakable.
What you will need:
- Black three-piece suit, black shirt, black tie, black Oxfords, beard set, toy pistol
13. Agent 47 (Hitman)
A clean black suit with a white shirt and a dark red necktie, black fingerless gloves and formal leather shoes. A shaved head and a barcode tattoo sell it.
What you will need:
- Black suit blazer, black pants, white shirt, red necktie, fingerless gloves, barcode tattoo
14. The Babadook
An all-black ensemble: a trench coat, pants, a top hat and shoes. Add long black hair and long pointed black fingers.
What you will need:
- Black trench coat, black shirt and pants, black top hat, pointed-finger gloves, mask
Wearing all black? Make it stand out
An all-black costume lives or dies on its details. Pick one hero piece (a cape, a mask, horns, a wig) and keep the rest clean and well fitted. Mixed textures such as leather, lace and satin keep the outfit from looking flat.
Want more ideas? Browse the full character list for black-outfit costumes, or start from a franchise you like.
