The Cheap and Easy Halloween Costume: Marty McFly
So you want to dress up, but you don’t want to look like a total tool. You’re considering the James Bond / sharp suit look but people probably won’t know who you’re supposed to be. You’re running out of time and you don’t want to drop a ton of money on some elaborate costume.
This is heavy.
Or not. Go as Marty McFly. It’s easy, inexpensive, comfortable, and everybody loves it. Marty is as cool as they come. He has style, the ladies love him (especially his Mom but that’s another issue) and if you run into anyone in a 50s era type of costume, you’re golden. Get a pal to don a white lab coat and white wig and there’s your Doc. It’s a costume that requires some of your own wardrobe and a little thrift store shopping. Here’s how to do it:
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The Required Pieces
- The Vest – These are a little hard to find in thrift stores, but don’t limit yourself to just the men’s section. There are plenty of red down type vests that are unisex and get stuck in the women’s area.
- The Jean Jacket – Marty was all about layering. Incredibly easy to find. You want a medium wash, so if you do own a dark wash version it won’t look quite right. Pop that collar.
- The Button Up – Just about any white based patterned shirt will do, but like the jean jacket, these are in thrift stores everywhere. If you can’t find one there, try Old Navy. Button it only half way up and roll the cuffs back, up, and over the cuffs of the jacket.
- The Red T-Shirt – Head to Target and pick up a $7.99 Mossimo athletic fit
- Medium Wash Jeans – If you wear super dark denim, no one will know who you are. You probably have a pair of lighter jeans lurking somewhere in your closet that you use for mowing the lawn.
- White Sneakers – The Nike MAG shoes from II are famous, but any white sneakers will work here.
- Very Little Hair Product – You want your hair dry, windblown, and fluffy. Take it easy with the product.
The Optional Stuff
- Suspenders / Braces – If your vest is on all night, nobody is going to see them anyway. Just don’t wear a belt. Make sure you tuck those shirts in.
- A cam-corder and walkman – You can find these two pieces of flashback technology in plenty of thrift stores.
- Calvin Klein underwear – Maybe it’s best that you don’t wear these. That way you won’t feel obligated to show everyone after a few drinks how truly committed you are to the costume.
- Casio Calculator Watch
– A digital watch of any kind is just fine. Got an Ironman you run with? Use it.
- The Delorean – Seems like there’s one in every large city. If you can somehow borrow one, you’ll be a legend. Or, start saving now and maybe in a few years you can roll up to a party in your own electric model.
- The Lyrics to “Back in Time“ – If there’s Karaoke, Huey Lewis and The News will be required. And, c’mon, the man actually worked “please don’t drive eighty-eight” into a song. Respect.
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Primer Magazine coincidence?
A thought for those who want to show off a well-fitting black suit: Mayhem from the Allstate commercials. Collar bar + butterfly band aid on face + waistcoat.
I tried on a red puffy vest at Old Navy this week and rejected it because I immediately thought it was too Marty McFly. So if you’re looking for a $40 back in time vest go there.
WOW. Yep, coincidence. I’ll be sending Andrew an email 🙂
To make sure people actually realize who you are, wear pink sweatbands (wrists and headband).
The driver from Drive (Ryan Gosling’s character): Jean jacket, black jeans, driving gloves, a hammer.
Basically, check the Dappered post on style from the movie. Extra points if you can get the Korean souvenir jacket with the scorpion, but I have no idea where.
Thanks for the plug. Per the jacket, there are plenty of leads in the comments section: https://dappered.com/2011/09/steal-the-style-ryan-gosling-in-drive/
I’m going to a mustache-themed costume party – Inspecter Clouseau all the way!
Instead of Thomas Magnum?
Mr. Rogers. Red cardigan, white shirt with a tie, canvas sneakers. Done. A combover and walking around singing “Won’t you be my neighbor” always helps.
If you have a well tailored suit and dark hair, and can grow the goatee
build yourself one of these for $20 – $30
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHId9PBYqzk
buy some cheap gaudy red-lens sunglasses, and you are Tony Stark
bonus points for being slightly drunk through the night
won’t have enough of a stash by then, plus the weather is more conducive to overcoats than to Hawaiian shirts.
Joe,
You mentioned “Back in Time” by Huey Lewis and the News. Yes “please don’t drive eighty eight” is in the song. But the song itself was also written especially for the movie. There are several homages to the movie within the song. “Lightning never strikes twice” as a nod to lightning striking the Hill Valley courthouse twice. Before a sax solo, Huey Lewis also says “Get back, Marty.” A great post.
Gives you an excuse to bring out a pair of really nice shoes too. Sit down every once in awhile, change footwear, sing a bit…
Oh yeah, well aware that it was written for the movie, but the 88, I think, is tougher to work in than lightning striking twice. This would set up a great showdown. Kenny Loggins vs. Huey Lewis.
There’s always the old but good Clark Kent/Superman persona. Here’s the best example I found http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwardbacho/2970496805/in/set-72157607087022277/
I read from somewhere else:
Dress in all black (shoes, pants, black turtleneck, black beret) and grow a mustache/goatee. You’re essentially your other self’s doppleganger/evil twin. If you want to take it all the way, act completely opposite of how your normal self would, and be really mean to everyone all night.
Haha that was legitimately exactly my idea for this year. Or an ok pair of shoes because if memory serves he sort of tossed them as he changed.
Indiana Jones: Leather jacket, offwhite shirt, jeans, and hat. A whip is good too, or just some rope. It’s pretty easy to assemble and can be made from stuff you probably already have.
I don’t know about everyone else here but me and my lady friend were going to dress up as a Pan Am Pilot and Stewardess err…flight attendant. Sharp, cool, sophisticated and with enough charm you’ll definetely convince everyone you’re the real deal. Bon Voyage
hmm everything in your ensemble seems fine except for the jeans…
I’ve done Indiana Jones before- a khaki shirt with the sleeves rolled up, chinos, hat, and a brown leather bag with a shoulder strap, and brown boots
Just picked up my outfit for $20 at Goodwill. Now I need my jean jacket and a walkman… and a Delorean…
Well, now it’s pretty safe to assume that anyone who dresses up like Marty on halloween is a dappered/primer reader lol
hmmm i have to think there was some collaboration with primer on this.
i’ll be going as cameron frye.
I’m doing Judge Smails from Caddy Shack when he is blessing ‘The Flying Wasp’ white boat shoes, white chinos, white OCBD, Double breasted navy blazer, just need to get a captain hat and maybe some white or grey temporary hair dye.
“its easy to grin, when your ship comes in, and you’ve got the stock market beat. but the man worthwhile, is the man who can smile, when his shorts are too tight in the seat.”
A pretty good one if you’re fairly slim and tall is one of the 3 “new” Doctors from Dr. Who. Maybe a touch geeky but a pretty cool costume and if you’re Tennant or Smith’s Doctor you can be stylish at the same time!