Couples Costumes That Are Actually Cool · /boyfriend-costumes/
Boyfriend costumes, ranked by how much he'll complain
The problem with buying a man a Halloween costume is that he will wear it exactly once and complain for most of that. So the trick is to pick something with a strong enough silhouette that he gets a reaction the moment he walks in, because a reaction is the only thing that converts a reluctant boyfriend into someone taking photographs at midnight.
Everything below ships from Abracadabra NYC, a costume specialist rather than a supermarket aisle. That is the difference between a Pennywise people recognise and a clown suit. Sorted most expensive first — the full-body animal costumes at the top are the ones that get remembered.
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The full commitment tier
Full-body suits with structure and a head. Expensive, hot to wear, and unbeatable in a room. If he is going to complain either way, get the one people photograph.
Characters people actually recognise
Pennywise, He-Man, Skeletor, Woody, the Grinch. Recognition is the whole job of a costume, and a character nobody places is just an uncomfortable outfit.
Western Fashion
Futuristic Silver Holographic Costume Set with Chain Details
$99.95
Shop at Abracadabra NYC →
Low effort, still fine
For the man who agreed to this in principle and is now regretting it. Jumpsuits and onesies he can put on over normal clothes in four minutes.
Costumes ship from Abracadabra NYC. If he refuses all of it, the couples page has the looks you can build from clothing he already owns.
Boyfriend Costumes FAQ
What is a good Halloween costume for a boyfriend?
Something with a silhouette people read instantly — a full-body animal suit, or a character like Pennywise or He-Man. Recognition does all the work. A costume that needs explaining is the one he takes off at ten o'clock.
How do I get my boyfriend to actually wear a costume?
Pick it yourself, make it comfortable, and make it funny rather than sexy. A jumpsuit he can pull on over jeans has a far higher wear rate than anything requiring a wig, makeup or a bare chest.
When should I order?
By the first week of October. The good sizes in the popular characters go first, and late-October shipping on costumes is unreliable at every retailer, not just this one.
Are the expensive costumes worth it?
For a full-body animal suit, yes — the cheap ones are thin, shapeless and photograph badly. For a character costume, the difference between $90 and $200 is usually the mask, so judge it on that.