The Best King Costume For Men

Buying Guide

When it comes to king costumes, you have your choice of different time periods and styles. The most familiar ones feature long red or purple robes made of velvet or other luxurious-looking materials, embellished with black-spotted white faux ermine fur collars and trims down the front. A gold crown is also necessary, and optional items include colorful tunics, belts and jewelry. These outfits are perfect for costume parties, holidays, plays and cosplay.

Some king outfits are simple one-piece affairs: they only include a cape secured at the neck. It is not hard to make a DIY crown at home or personalize the costume in other ways to suit a particular aesthetic. But you might want to buy a king outfit that already comes with a crown and other accessories. Some even include swords, but these are also easy crafts you can make yourself.

Crowns and swords can be made out of cardboard or foam core bases and put together with hot glue, basic sewing supplies, gold fabric, “jewels” and other decorations. You can use a broom handle as the base of a scepter. And you can draw or glue on fake mustaches and beards; small kids especially might get a kick out of this!

To complete a king clothing ensemble, you can don a pair of “knickerbockers,” baggy pants that stop at the knee. Wear matching tights, or even long socks: monotone football socks can work, and you can secure them under the knickerbockers with tape, string or gold ribbon.

A pair of short black buckled shoes or boots are also appropriate, and if you have dressy black gloves, you can wear those as well. Statement jewelry like large gemstone rings and medieval crosses hanging on thick chains can complete your look.

• Check the length of the cape before buying a king outfit; it should hit right at mid-calf.
• Velvet robes can look amazing but are heavier than other fabrics like faux fur. Still, they can make you feel more “royal.”
• Most of the capes sold in this category are secured at the neck with a tie closure.
• Your king costume does not have to be traditional. Consider some out-of-the-box ideas and turn yourself into a goth king, a zombie king, a clown king or an alien king.
• King costumes don’t only need to be worn for special occasions; they are great for playtime with your kids, too.