To create DIY Bonnie and Clyde Halloween costumes, you'll want to refer to historic images of the bank-robbing couple as well as stills from the 1967 eponymous movie, which cemented and glamorized the duo's image in pop culture. "Bonnie and Clyde" costume designer Theodora Van Runkle took inspiration from black-and-white snapshots of the duo as well as 1930s style, creating outfits for movie stars Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway that made the criminals the inspiration for a late-60s retro fashion trend. Making your own Bonnie and Clyde costumes may require a trip to your closet or a thrift store, depending on how accurate you want the outfits to be.
Bonnie Costume
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Things You'll Need
Black or peach beret
Close-fitting, long-sleeved sweater
Knee or ankle-length skirt
Toy handgun
Cigar
Skirt and Sweater for Bonnie and Clyde Outfits
When picking out the elements of a Bonnie Parker costume, it's important to pay close attention to the details. In real life, Bonnie chose darker colors for her skirt and sweater. Faye Dunaway's big-screen personification of the gangster opted for lighter colors and pastels. Either should work as long as the fit is right.
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Matching Bonnie's Accessories
A cigar and handgun are part of Bonnie's signature look. However, you don't want to use a real gun. If possible, get a toy gun that resembles the Colt .45 used by the duo.
Get the Hair and Beret Right
Put on the clothes chosen for the outfit. Your hair should be pulled back under the beret or greased back. The beret should be perched at an angle over the ear with some hair showing on one side.
Warning
Do not use real guns for Bonnie and Clyde Halloween costumes, regardless of how realistic you want the look to be. Be sure not to point the toy gun at anyone, even though it's just a toy.
Clyde Costume
Things You'll Need
Wide-brimmed fedora or newsboy cap in brown or white
Pinstriped or brown tweed dress jacket with matching dress pants
White button-down dress shirt
3-inch wide tie with pattern
Black or brown dress shoes, preferably wing tips or another appropriate style
Pomade or hair gel
A toy Tommy gun
Clyde's Office Daywear
While Bonnie and Clyde's brutal crime spree occurred during the Great Depression, Clyde Barrow dressed as if he had an office job. Most matching suit jackets and pants should work for an outfit, although pinstripe or brown is more accurate. If you can find a suit with a wide-lapel in the 1930s style, all the better.
Accessorize Clyde's Outfit
Two accessories make a Clyde costume stand out: the hat and the gun. Clyde Barrow was often photographed without a hat or wearing a grey fedora. However, in the 1967 movie, Warren Beatty made a big impression wearing a brown fedora in some scenes and a white one in others. Any of these choices can work, or even a newsboy cap. If you can't find an appropriate hat, grease back your hair with a part on one side, how Clyde used to wear his.
Clyde was known for carrying a .45 caliber Thompson submachine gun, also known as a Tommy gun. If you can't find a toy version of one, you also can use a toy Colt .45 and be accurate.
Make Sure Clyde Is Spiffy
Put on the clothes for the outfit. Clyde was an excellent dresser, so check that every element is in place and the tie is tied tight. to complete your Bonnie and Clyde outfits.