What do you do when you have a big old beard and you’re trying to come up with a Halloween costume? You use it, of course! Embrace that facial hair and let it be part of your ensemble. There’s no reason you need to shave just for Halloween. No matter if you have a little stubble, a fine mustache, or a long flowing beard, there’s a costume choice for you. We spent some time combing through the farthest reachest of the internet for inspiration for all you whiskered gentlemen.
Normal to Mid-Length Beard
If you sport the “normal dude” beard, you’re in for a treat – you have a world’s worth of Halloween costume options at your whisker-tips. The possibilities are endless; we even had to stop ourselves before we got a little too carried away. Here are some ideas of costumes for you if your beard is regular or a “mid-grower,” as we like to call them.
Alan from The Hangover
The Hangover Alan Costume – Shop Messenger Bag – Shop Las Vegas Visor – Shop
One of the best parts of dressing as Alan from The Hangover for your beard-licious Halloween costume is that it’s basically jeans and a t-shirt. After you put your outfit on, don some aviators and strap a baby doll in a carrier. The other best part about dressing as Alan? Getting to talk about your one-man wolf pack all night. And maybe inviting some select friends to join said pack?! Who knows where the night will lead.
What a guy!
Tom Hanks from Cast Away
Spartan Warrior Costume – Shop Beer Pong Costume – Shop Walking Stick – Shop
With the right accessories, you can be easily recognizable as Tom Hanks’ character from Cast Away this Halloween. First, grab a volleyball and paint Wilson’s face on it. Next, brush your beard out to be as bushy as possible and mess up your hair. Last, go on a strict diet and exercise regimen to emulate Hanks' appearance in the movie. (Just kidding!)
Ugh. Heartbreaking.
Other Ideas
Papa Smurf – Shop Leprechaun – Shop Abe Lincoln -- Shop
Aside from the options we showed above, here are some other ideas we came up with for men with short to mid-length beards!
The Dude from The Big Lebowski | Silent Bob | Bob Ross | Macho Man Randy Savage
That’s right, Bob! This includes growing some amazing facial hair.
Super Long Beard
If you’re in the reaaaal facial hair business, the examples above are laughable, right? Kid’s stuff. No Shave November? More like No Shave Ever! If you are a man of substantial beard, these costumes are for you.
The Dudes from ZZ Top
Black Tuxedo – Shop Blues Sunglasses – Shop Inflatable Guitar – Shop
Black Cowboy Hat – Shop Black Cowboy Boots – Shop
The members of ZZ Top are great guitarists, successful musicians, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, but – ask anyone about them and what’s the first thing they say? “Oh yeah, the guys with the big beards!” If you’re rockin’ some whiskers that almost reach your belly button, then take this look into consideration.
Be sure to learn this guitar trick before you hit the party.
Wizards with Long Beards
Gandalf Staff – Shop Gandalf Costume – Shop Merlin Wig – Shop
Knight’s Sword – Shop Dumbledore Hat – Shop Harry Potter Wand – Shop
When it comes to wizards with really long beards, you can basically take your pick who you want to dress as for Halloween. Feeling academic? Go with Dumbledore! More in the mood for a great adventure? Gandalf is your choice. How about a more Arthurian representation of a magical, bearded dude? Merlin from The Sword in the Stone would work just fine.
This is an impression of you when someone tries to cut in line for Halloween candy.
Other Ideas
Dwarf – Shop King Neptune – Shop Santa Claus – Shop
Why is it that so many super-long beards are snow white?! Is it because it takes an entire life to grow something that long?
An Amish Person -- Shop | Gimli | Forrest Gump | King Triton
(Although, if you need a cautionary tale of being sure to not let that beard grow too long, here is an appropriate Kids in the Hall skit. The beard stays, you go.)
Mustaches
Not all men have a full beard – some males prefer to just focus on maintaining a stunning mustache, resting atop their upper lip. The power mustache is a fashion and lifestyle statement. Are you sure you’re ready to accept that responsibility? If so, proceed.
Hulk Hogan
Red Boa – Shop WWE Championship Belt – Shop Red Bandana – Shop
Yellow Wrestling Boots – Shop Hulkamania Shirt – Shop Yellow Boa – Shop
That mustache! Hulk’s facial hair is named “the horsehoe,” not handlebar. Don’t mess it up. The blond biker statche is signature to the pro-wrestler. Other people who sport the horseshoe? James Hetfield from Metallica, movie-cowboy Sam Elliot, the leather guy from the Village People, and Lemmy from Motorhead.
The mustache, too, is 100% patriotic. God bless America.
Reno 911
Lt. Dangle Costume – Shop Nightstick – Shop Handcuffs – Shop
Sunglasses – Shop Hat – Shop Police Badge - Shop
Reno 911 has pleeenty of inspiration for mustachioed costumes. You could either be brave and dress as Lt. Dangle here or just dress as a regular cop. (Whatever, lame!) Either way, a nice and thick crumb-catcher hanging out under your nose will be the best accessory when you want to dress as law enforcement.
Alternate idea: wear some white cowboy boots and do some new-boot-goofin’.
Other Ideas
Mario – Shop Sheriff – Shop Charlie Chaplin – Shop
Here is some more inspiration for costumes featuring dudes with mustaches. The ideas for this one go on and on – you could even just put “70s” in front of something normal, and the soup-strainer will automatically change your costume to retro. 70s cop? Cool. 70s anchorman? Yep! 70s ... rock climber? Sure, why not?
Burt Reynolds as Bandit | Mike Ditka | Ron Swanson | Ron Burgundy
Goatee
The goatee is kind of a mystery. What makes something more than just a beard? Some say it’s when there’s just a little tuft of hair on the chin, and some definitions say that it’s when the chin beard connects with a mustache. Either way, it’s ripe for some pretty perfect Halloween costumes.
Heisenberg from Breaking Bad
Hazmat Jumpsuit – Shop Toy Uzi – Shop Clear Aviators – Shop
Porkpie Hat – Shop Los Pollos Hermanos Apron - Shop
Mr. White transformed a lot during the course of Breaking Bad– from Mr. Chips to Scarface himself. That goatee, along with that weird hat, signified Walt’s change from chemistry teacher to Heisenberg, the drug kinpin known and loved by all.
If you dress as Walt, though, people might not ask you to bring the pizza. Why would you do this to a perfect za? :(
The Devil
Prince of Darkness Costume – Shop Devil Tail – Shop Pitchfork – Shop Makeup Kit – Shop
Devil Horns – Shop Red Tuxedo – Shop Red Faded Cape - Shop
If you’re feeling up to a pretty time-intensive makeup look, you and your goatee should dress as a classic devil. The black goatee and all red skin mixed with the usual suspects (you know, horn, tail, pitchfork …) will make this traditional costume idea very memorable.
Other Ideas
Louis CK | Khal Drogo | Ali G | Jamie from Mythbusters
Advanced Facial Hair
Last but not least: a few ideas for those of you bearded men who want to try something a little crazy with your facial hair. Caution: may involve some trimming and shaping! Good luck to you all. Beard at your own risk.
Braided Pirate Beard
Prestige Jack Sparrow Costume – Shop Pirate Sword – Shop
Accessory Kit – Shop Deluxe Accessory Kit – Shop
Captain Jack Sparrow is a perfect costume choice if your bristly beard is nice and long, but you don’t really feel like being anything we suggested above. All pirates are dirty and scuzzy, but Jack seems nice and manicured. (Relatively speaking.) He even plaited that beard! If you aren’t sure how to do two little pigtail braids with your whiskers, we’re sure you can find a friend, mom, wife, girlfriend, daughter, etc … who can help you.
Once you get those whiskered braided up, then, yes! You will be perfect!
Other Ideas
Salvador Dali | Mr. T | Snidley Whiplash | Kathy Bates as the Bearded Lady
How have you used your beard for your costume? Have you shaved, manicured, styled, brushed, braided, twisted, or twirled your facial hair to get the perfect look? Let us know your ideas in the comments! Pics, too!