The best Star Wars costume ideas don’t often come from Halloween stores or what Lucasfilm sells to kids who want to play dress-up. No, the best Star Wars costume ideas usually come from a specific kind of superfan: the cosplayer. At its most reductive, cosplayers are adults (and children) who like to dress up like their favorite characters from fiction. This might seem childish and silly to some. Of course, they’re right. But who’s to say a little silliness and childish behavior isn’t exactly what you need? Like trick-or-treaters, cosplayers do it because it’s fun to play dress-up. However, it's a very serious hobby and an art form in itself. 

It’s more than the wearing of the best Star Wars costume ideas for many of these folks. If you wanted to cosplay as Chewbacca, you’d have three options. The first is to make almost no effort, ultimately looking and feeling ridiculous. The second is to find a Wookiee suit for sale and buy it, which can run anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. The final option is to make one yourself. For most of us, that latter option sounds terrible. But for cosplayers, it sounds like an amazing challenge. The creation of these Star Wars costume ideas and getting them screen-accurate is another enjoyable part of the hobby.

Outside of Halloween, the reason to put your best Star Wars costume ideas into use is simply because it’s fun. By cosplaying Star Wars characters, you can join a large community full of kind and supportive people.

Take the case of Albin Johnson, who in 1994 was depressed after losing his leg in a car accident. His friend Tom tried to cheer him up, discovering they both loved Star Wars. When the films were re-released, he and Tom bought Stormtrooper armor to wear for a laugh.

Other fans, though, treated them like they were really part of the movies. Two decades later, Albin is the founder of the 501st legion, a fan group of Star Wars cosplayers 13,000 strong located all over the world. They do charity work for kids, and they also join in Star Wars events, all free of charge.

But it’s more than that. When Johnson’s daughter Katie developed cancer, he used Star Wars to help her deal with it. Smitten with R2-D2, she asked her dad for her own droid.

Albin knew droid builders via the Legion, but he found out he couldn’t build her a droid before she succumbed to her illness. So, the community came together and built her a pink droid named R2-KT of her very own. It watched over her until the end.

Eventually Lucasfilm put the droid, name and all, in both The Clone Wars television show and the new films. For Albin, this community of superfans helped him and his daughter through the most difficult thing a family can endure. Yes, it’s fun to wear these get-ups, but it can be much, much deeper than that.

Whether you should buy or make the costumes ultimately depends on why you are looking for the best Star Wars costume ideas. Are you going to a costume party or, for perfectly adult and respectable reasons, want a full Chewbacca costume in the house? Then you should probably look to buy one or, better yet, have one custom-made. If you’d get a tuxedo tailored, you should probably have your Wookiee suit tailored as well. Thanks to the popularity of Star Wars there are cheaper options for these Star Wars costume ideas, especially for kids. You can also pay top dollar to expert craftsmen to build a replica of your favorite character’s costume.

However, if you are crafty and want experience with mending or sewing clothes, maybe you should try making the costume. Believe it or not, the majority of Star Wars costume ideas aren’t that elaborate. With the exception of those characters at the center of galactic society and power, they mostly wear simple fabrics. A novice at the sewing machine could whip up Emperor Palpatine’s cloak or add the stripes to a pair of plain pants that make them Han Solo’s. If this sounds like an unbearable chore to you, that answers your question. You’re a buyer. If making the Star Wars costume ideas sounds like as much fun as wearing it, then you are a maker.

Since there has been 40 years of Star Wars, we thought we’d offer up the 40 best Star Wars costume ideas we can find. With ten movies, hundreds of hours of cartoons, and thousands of books and comics, there are no shortage of characters to choose from. You’ll find some old favorites and “deep cuts” below.

The Jawas are the little creatures seen messing with the droids in the first film, becoming iconic Star Wars creatures. Luckily, these Star Wars costume ideas are incredibly easy to duplicate. All you really need are a brown robe with a hood, reflective lenses like from sunglasses, and a black stocking to hide your face. You also might want black gloves, since they have weird little insect-like hands. You can, of course, decorate the robe with little bits of sci-fi tech and things like that. It could be a very simple costume or very complex, but everyone loves a Jawa. Ootini!

For many Star Wars fans, their feelings about Ewoks depend largely on their age. These fuzzy little murderbears were perhaps the first thing that the Star Wars fandom either loved or hated. Yet, luckily, those who were kids when they first saw Ewoks far outnumber their detractors. All you really need for an Ewok is a fuzzy outfit, bear ears, makeup, and a hood. Ewoks didn’t wear much, the advantages of fur in the Star Wars universe, so there’s not much else you need. If you want to be movie accurate, it will essentially be full bodysuit. Though, on cold Halloween nights, that might be just what you need for warm trick-or-treating.

Lando Calrissian, played on-screen by Billy Dee Williams and, more recently, Donald Glover is a large figure in the Star Wars Universe. While some might there are only specific people who can dress as Lando, this is not the case. To embody Lando you just need three things: a moustache, a cape, and swagger. You can find movie accurate outfits, but you can also just get away with a blue, collared shirt and dark pants. Also, thanks to the more recent Han Solo prequel film, we see that Lando has a varied wardrobe. You can copy these Star Wars costume ideas or improvise your own, original Lando look.

This is one of the best Star Wars costume ideas for a last-minute costume to make at home. All you need are an orange jumpsuit, black gloves, black boots, and straps to mimic the pilot harness. If you’re really feeling creative decorate a helmet and pick up a blaster, to really look like a part of the Rebellion’s elite squad of X-Wing fighter pilots. Add a lightsaber and a blond mop-top, and you could even be Luke in his pilot uniform. It’s also one of the more comfortable options, since it’s mostly an airy jumpsuit.

The Stormtrooper is an iconic Star Wars character, instantly recognizable by all. As one of the most popular Star Wars costume ideas, there are a range of options to choose from. You can get the drug-store costume, complete with weird bodysuit and thin, plastic mask. Or, you can get serious. Hobbyists across the globe assemble their own movie-accurate armors. There are plenty to choose from, as well. There are different stormtroopers in almost all the films. In the prequels, the stormtroopers are replaced by the visually similar Clone Troopers. Though, thanks to the cartoon series, they have names and backstories. Whether you want to be a generic bad guy or a specific character from the Clone Wars, the trooper’s armor is serious Star Wars cosplay.

If someone is already going as Lando, you could always go along as that character’s best buddy, the silent Lobot. You’ll need a bald cap, unless you’re head is already clear of hair. The outfit is a gray jumpsuit and white, billowy sleeves. But the really iconic bit that makes Lobot, well, “Lobot” are the weird cybernetic boxes over his ears. He doesn’t do much in the movies, which makes his one of the best Star Wars costume ideas for a party where you want to keep it low-key.

Thanks to the cultural ubiquity of Star Wars, even if someone isn’t a fan they can likely spot a Jedi when they see one. If you have a brown bathrobe, a proper cloak, and some decent boots, you can pull off the generic Jedi look. You can create your own character, or you could bring to life a lesser-known Jedi from the books or video games. Some people take their cosplay characters very seriously, and you can even get custom designed lightsabers for them. Like most of the best Star Wars costume ideas, this is one you can pull off in a rush or cultivate over time.

The new hotshot pilot in the Star Wars universe is Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron. In the director’s commentary for The Force Awakens, J.J. Abrams said that this character was supposed to die. However, Isaac was so good in the role he changed his mind, for which all the fans are thankful for. You can pick up screen-accurate versions of Poe Dameron’s jacket, but the real signature is the mop of curly black hair. Bring along a plush BB-8 as an accessory, and this is one of the more easy and relevant Star Wars costume ideas. 

Also known as “Sand People,” the Tusken raiders made trouble for the first two generations of Skywalkers on film. While these intricate Star Wars costume ideas look like they would be difficult to make, it’s easier than it looks. The costume is just billow, desert-colored robes, gloves, and a bandolier or belt. The tricky part is the headdress, which is really just bits of fabric and metal molded onto a mask. Easy to pull off, this costume takes a lot of commitment. The mask especially could get stuffy and stifling after some time. Still, it’s one of those Star Wars costume ideas people will want to take pictures with.

Chances are, if you want to dress up like a Star Wars character, it’s gonna be Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, or Han Solo. Luckily, these are easy Star Wars costume ideas to put together. You can order screen-accurate outfits from a number of sellers, of course. But these looks aren’t that hard to assemble on your own. Han Solo is either a black vest or blue long-sleeved jacket over a white shirt. The pants are tricky, blue with a red stripe or brown with a yellow stripe. Then there are riding boots. Luke’s outfits are either all black, all gray, or all white. Leia’s most iconic look is simply a loose white dress and that earmuff hairstyle. With these characters, it’s the accessories that really sell the fantasy, such as lightsabers or blasters.

An alien character from a species known as Togruta, Ahsoka Tano is one that only experienced hobbyists should attempt. The tendrils on the head and the full-body make-up needed make this a great costume to see completed but tough to “live” in. Still, as the main character of The Clone Wars series and also Rebels, Ahsoka is many fans’ favorite character. While she’s never appeared in the films, fans go to great lengths to sport her look. If the challenge appeals to you, this is the best of Star Wars costume ideas to go for.

While The Phantom Menace was a controversial film among the fans when it came out, everyone agreed that Darth Maul was the coolest thing about it. Ninety percent of this cosplay is relatively easy to find. You need loose-fitting black clothing (pajamas, basically) and a black hooded cloak. However, the facepaint and headgear are meticulous and time-consuming. You can affix the horns to a pre-reddened bald cap and fix the rest of your exposed face with make-up. If you really want to take it to the next level, you can get grody fake teeth and the starburst contacts for your eyes. Done right, this is one of the coolest cosplays you can do.

Cosplay is not just for the young anymore. Thanks to the sequel trilogy, we’ve seen Luke, Leia, and Han as they’ve gotten on in years. So, for the graying Star Wars fan, embrace it and go as these characters as they appeal in the more recent films. Han Solo only has the single look, but for Luke and Leia are there are costumes both simple to pull off and more elaborate. For Leia it’s the high-collared dress she wore in the Last Jedi and Luke it’s the ceremonial Jedi robes. However, their other looks are a bit simpler and easier to pull off.

One thing about kids is that they like to dress up as characters they identify with, and Jake Lloyd’s turn as Anakin Skywalker resonates with a lot of kids. Adult fans may feel differently, but for little kids this is a character who looks and sounds just like them. Young Anakin is also a good costume for a Star Wars-themed family costume. The costume itself is just some loose-fitting, sand-colored clothing. Though, if anyone has trouble figuring out who you’re supposed to be, try spinning. That’s a good a trick.

Most people who choose to dress as Anakin will likely go with one of his looks from the films, but if you want a challenge consider his look from the Clone Wars. The animated models for Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker were different than the film versions. In Anakin’s case his outfit was more armored. Instead of all-black, it’s dark blue and magenta. A more specific look, it’s a lot more fun to create than the simple brown-and-black robes the character wears in the films.

This character is a favorite from books and comics, and many fans worried he was a casualty when Disney rebooted the Star Wars “canon.” However, Thrawn soon appeared in new material in all of his blue-skinned glory. This costume could be difficult to come by, as you need a white Imperial uniform. If you’re going to be around detail-oriented fans, make sure you get the chest plate with the red and blue squares correct. They will notice. Of course, the real trick to this costume is the blue skin and the red eyes. If you don’t mind the contacts, go for it. However, if you paint your face and hands blue, most people will let you slide with your baby browns or hazels or whatever color eyes you have.

People who want to cosplay as Luke and Leia’s mom have plenty of looks to choose from. Unlike Leia in the original films, Natalie Portman’s character had dozens of costume changes. For the adventurous, you can try one of her formal or queenly Star Wars costume ideas. Though these are very specific looks. An easier option is the white bodysuit and shawl she wore during the action sequence of Attack of the Clones. Despite all of her amazing looks in the film, this simple one is arguably the most iconic. It also hearkens a bit to a Leia costume further down the list. 

Jar Jar Binks may have changed Star Wars and movie making forever. Of course, we refer to how Ahmed Best helped pioneer a brand-new motion capture movie tech. The animated character is tough to replicate in real-life, but that never stopped the fans. Still, like most of the alien characters, if you are going to do Jar Jar you have to commit to a mask. A fan theory that surfaced on the internet suggested that Jar Jar might actually have been a dark side character. So, a common Jar Jar cosplay features him in black robes and wielding a red lightsaber.

It might seem weird to dress up as a vehicle from Star Wars, but it’s been done. While anyone can do it, this is one of the best Star Wars costume ideas for kids who need a wheelchair. With careful construction, a parent can turn the wheelchair into the fastest fighters in the galaxy. Dress them up in a pilot’s uniform and a helmet, and they can shoot down Rebels all day. Of course any ship can work this way, with enough creativity from those building it. For those without wheelchairs, you can hang your TIE Fighter costume over your shoulders like a sandwich board.

Just like with Anakin, the Obi Wan Kenobi costume is relatively simple: a brown robe, light underclothes, and probably a beard. However, his look in the Clone Wars is more specific and more of a challenge. He goes for a more armored look than most Jedi, wearing Clone/Stormtrooper armor on his shoulders, arms, and legs. Eventually, this armored look was pared down to just armored gauntlets. Still, it’s a unique look for anyone who wants to distinguish themselves from just any random Jedi.

While most of the Jedi in Star Wars are known for their robes, in the final act of the original trilogy, Luke Skywalker gave us a different take. You’ll need high, black boots, black pants, and a black shirt for the outfit. The shirt had a panel that could be pulled back, revealing a light color underneath. This was done to fool the audience into thinking Luke went Dark Side only with the reveal of the light at the last minute. Yet, it also gave us an iconic look that is simultaneously simple and awesome. Add to it a single black glove, and you will be the coolest Jedi knight to ever swing a lightsaber.

In the film Kylo Ren longs to be like Darth Vader, but for fans he definitely pulls it off. Whereas Vader’s costume is a bio-mechanical suit keeping him alive, Kylo’s look is just for vanity. The costume looks simple but the wide belt and arms of the thing are very specific. He also wears many different cloaks in the films. Of course, you’ll need the mask, which is easy to find. You can even get one with a built-in voice-changer. If you’ve got longer, dark hair (or the appropriate wig) you can also go as maskless Kylo. Though, we all know that masks are half the fun.

If you want to be the Dark Lord of the Sith, you don’t want to mess around with a cheap, half effort. To be Darth Vader, you should invest in at least a movie realistic helmet and chest. You could maybe get away with just black pants, shirts, gloves, and boots. However, once you get inside the armor, people will react to you differently. A mixture of delight and foreboding will hit the face of every fan you come across in the outfit.

Along with Darth Vader (and Chewbacca), one of the most intricate and complex Star Wars costume ideas to recreate is that of Boba Fett, the bounty hunter. So well known is this character, that fans know every scorch mark and scratch on the iconic villain’s armor. Still, for the committed cosplayer, it’s quite an achievement to get a set of it. An easier task, perhaps, is the armor of the prequel-era Fett, Jango. Sleeker and silver and blue in color, this costume doesn’t have as much minutiae to consider. Also, as Jango, your weapons are two pistols rather than a blaster rifle. The real trick, of course, is the helmet. You can pick them up from custom-sellers or try your hand at crafting your own.

The sinister and mysterious Emperor makes for a great and easy Star Wars cosplay. All you really need is a big black hooded robe and some facepaint. If you want to really get into it, you can add the veiny detail of the disfigured despot. However white facepaint and some wrinkles in with a black applicator, and you’re ready for ultimate power. Most of the fun of this costume would likely be imitating the distinctive voice of the character, telling everyone how “good” what they are doing is. You can also try to shoot lightning from your fingertips.

This new character, played by Laura Dern, was only in The Last Jedi for a short time, but she left her mark on the universe. With her sleek, flowing lavender dress and bright pink curls, she also makes for an easy cosplay. Visually distinct, this newer character will likely become a go-to cosplay choice for those who want to bring a little color to their cosplay.

In Return of the Jedi, when taken prisoner by the notorious villain Jabba the Hutt, Carrie Fisher brought some real sex appeal to Star Wars. Clad in a metal bikini and red skirt, her prisoner costume is one of the most popular cosplays around. If you want cosplay to feel like you’re wearing your favorite lingerie, this is the costume for you. You can buy screen-accurate versions, but this is a relatively easy costume to improvise. If only because there isn’t much “costume” there to begin with.

The character John Boyega plays in the new films is, arguably, the Han Solo of this trilogy. He starts out a morally gray character before becoming committed to the cause and a special woman he met. He also has a simple look that is, mostly, based on the jacket he wears. You can find screen-accurate copies of this jacket on sale, that aren’t even all that costly. What’s unique about Finn amongst other Star Wars characters is that his costume jacket, is stylish enough to wear pretty much whenever.

The late Christopher Lee brought to live the role of the villainous Count Dooku, a former Jedi gone Dark Side. However, for as complex and mysterious as his character is, the look is not that hard to achieve. A simple black tunic over black trousers tucked into black boots is the first layer. Add a wide, brown leather belt and a brown cape attached at the neck with an ornate chain, and you’re there. Of course, you’ll want to have the shock-white hair and beard Lee wore, to really sell it.

The affable Resistance mechanic played by Kelly Marie Tran in the latest film is the newest cosplay sensation. As one of Star Wars’ first Asian women in a lead role, girls across the world are adopting her look. Though, this could also be because it’s another easy one. All you need is a dingy yellow-green jumpsuit, a brown kerchief, and the distinct Rose Tico hairstyle. You can also back a space-taser like Rose does in the movie but use it against fleeing traitors at your own risk.

This is the only character on our list who comes from a video game, but there is probably a list of another 40 cosplay ideas that come from the games alone. Still, Iden Verso is one of our first female Imperial villains, a special forces operator in Inferno squad. Portrayed in Battlefront II by actress Janina Gavankar, her feminine look inside TIE Fighter pilot armor is the hottest new cosplay. The costliest item to get would be the helmet. This is ironic because Iden Versio cosplayers mostly carry their helmets, because otherwise they’d just be a TIE Fighter pilot.

The Imperial leaders of the original trilogy were all dignified and evil until they ultimately died. This sequel trilogy gives us one that has little if any dignity but he’s not yet met his end. More simple than Imperial costumes, the all black coat and uniform of General Hux is easy enough to both fake or make. The hat is very distinctive, but with the right kind of ginger hair and sideburns, you can forgo it. To sell the look, keep an uptight posture and yell in a clipped accent about how bad the New Republic is.

Perhaps the most iconic alien species from Star Wars, outside of a Wookie, is the Twilek. They are aliens with blue, yellow, green, and red skin coloring. What makes them most distinctive are the two tentacle like tails, called “lekku,” that hang from the back of their heads. Originally an exotic alien prisoner in Jabba’s palace, the creative minds behind Star Wars have given this species a rich history. In fact, many cosplayers invent their own original characters rather than dressing as the few named Twilek characters. An involved costume to create and wear, so not for the feint of heart.

The main characters from the Rebels cartoon series quickly went from being curiosities to beloved Star Wars figures. With a diverse cast of characters, including a big purple alien that looks like a gorilla, there are plenty of cosplay options. This picture shows the Perales family each dressed as a character from the show, posing with one of the voice actors. This is a great idea for families who enjoy Star Wars together, and the costumes are a fun challenge to make.

Two of Leia’s most iconic looks are all-white outfits, but since Halloween happens when it’s colder out Hoth Leia might be the one to go with. While it might seem like an easy costume to fake, it’s more specific than it looks. To really evoke Leia from this film, the hair and the outfit need to be perfect. Luckily, this is a very popular costume and it’s been mass produced in varying quality. Still, rocking this costume will help you deal with any scruffy-looking nerf-herders that get in your way.

This magical, mystical, and matriarchal society is a deep cut from The Clone Wars series. They use the Force but do so much differently than the Jedi or Sith. What makes them perfect for Halloween is that they are the witches of the Star Wars universe. There are green spirit nightsisters, zombie nightsisters, and pale-skinned creatures wrapped in red robes. If you are creative with a needle and thread, you could easily make your own costume or customize specific pieces. You will also need a lot of white facepaint and, unless you are going as one of the hooded variety, white for your hair. A good choice if the people you want to impress are other Star Wars cosplayers.

A bounty hunter character from The Clone Wars known for his wide-brimmed hat, Cad Bane is for the serious cosplay hobbyist. As a blue alien (a Duros), you’ll need a good mask or insane make-up skills to get the look right. While his coat, boots, and holsters are very specific (as a Cartoon the model never change), cosplayers can get away with cowboy-style coats, holsters, ad shirts. His signature gauntlets are trickier. Thought with some creative innovation, you could likely cobble together a reasonable facsimile from stuff around the house. Much in the way the original Star Wars props department used what was lying around for the films.

The rebel central to the mission that kicked off this whole fictional universe, Felicity Jones’s character is like a combination of Han Solo and Princess Leia in one. Orphaned, on the run from the Empire, and not afraid to break the law, she is a great choice for cosplay. All you need is a vest, a collared jumper, and a scarf for when things get sneaky. A side holster for your blaster is also a good idea. If you really want to get movie-accurate you can stick or stick the dingy yellow piping on the sleeves of her shirt. You can probably find specialty items, but this one would be a fun one to do yourself.

Dressing up as your favorite characters from Star Wars, or anything really, is the kind of simple, childish fun that used to be frowned on. Serious people didn’t wear plastic armor or carry light-up, pretend swords. Except, today they do. It’s an incredibly creative and exhilarating hobby with an encouraging and supportive community around it. At its core, Star Wars is just a space fantasy story for kids. However, like all great art, it’s become much more than that. Friendships, romances, and families all owe their beginnings to this community. People who would have never met each other if not for their mutual love of dressing up in costumes and Star Wars.

We hope this list has given you an idea of what Star Wars costume you can try first. Whether it’s for a goof or you’re interested in the cosplay scene, the most important thing to remember is that this supposed to be fun. Be comfortable, be safe, and enjoy looking through the eyes of a different character, even if only for a short time.

What do you think? Did we miss any? Share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences in the comments below. Share the article on social media to see which of your friends likes to put on a Stormtrooper mask every so often.

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