Dress the Part: Halloween Costume Ideas from the National Portrait Gallery

Halloween is just around the corner. Is your costume ready? If not, Joint Programs Coordinator Alli “Elvira” Jessing has some ideas for you, taken directly from the National Portrait Gallery’s collection.

After you’ve selected your perfect costume, wear it to NPG on All Hallow’s Eve and enjoy a special after-hours screening of the classic film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, one of cinema’s best—and first—horror films, in the beautiful Kogod Courtyard. The fun starts at 7:30!

Two portraits, on left: black and white photo of Babe Ruth, sitting and resting his bat on his shoulder. On right: color photograph of Jackie Robinson practicing his swing. — Left: "Babe" Ruth / Nickolas Muray / Gelatin silver print, 1927 / National Portrai Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Right: Jackie Robinson / Harry Warnecke / National Portrai Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

You can annoy the Red Sox fan in your life by dressing up as The Great Bambino, Babe Ruth.

Not a Yankees fan? How about going as Dodgers Hall-of-Famer Jackie Robinson?

Seen any good movies lately? Gravity is breaking records left and right! But before Sandra Bullock and George Clooney went into space, Neil Armstrong made history as the first person to walk on the moon. A legendary astronaut costume will be a real conversation starter!

Painted portrait of Neil Armstong on moon in space suit, carrying large American flag — Neil Armstrong / Louis Glanzman / Acrylic and casein on Masonite, 1969 / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Channel your inner pop culture icon by dressing as Elvis Presley or Marilyn Monroe.

Twi portraits, on left painted portrait of Mariyln Monroe. On right painted portrait of Elvis Presley — Left: Marilyn Monroe / Boris Chaliapin / Gouache and watercolor with granit pencil on illustration board, 1956 / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Right: Elvis Presley / Ralph Wolfe Cowan / Oil on canvas, 1976 - 88 / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Turn up the glamour as famed singer, dancer, actress, and civil rights activist Lena Horne.

Painted portrait of Marilyn Horne in black dress, standing next to a piano — Lena Calhoun Horne / Edward Biberman / Oil on canvas, 1947 / National Portrait Gallery

Two portraits: on left color photo of Dale Evans in cowboy hat and with lasoo. On right: Black and white drawing of Roy Rogers. — Left: Dale Evans / Harry Warnecke / Color carbro print, 1947 / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Right: Roy Rogers / Samuel Johnson Woolf / Charcoal and chalk on paper, 1945 / National Portrait Gallery,Smithsonian Institution

Looking for a couples costume? Dust off those ten-gallon hats and style yourself as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, the husband-and-wife team of singing cowpokes who starred in The Roy Rogers Show.

OK, so maybe you didn’t grow up to become president of the United States like you planned (at least not yet) but you can take your pick of role models from NPG’s Hall of Presidents and call yourself POTUS on October 31.

Photograph portrait of a worn looking Abraham Lincoln — Abraham Lincoln / Alexander Gardner / Albumen silver print, 1865 / National Portrait Gallery

Need something spookier? Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera (er… Museum) has you covered.

Color photograph portrait of Andrew Lloyd Webber, holding a Phantom of the Opera mask next to his face — Andrew Lloyd Webber / Albert Watson / Color photograph, 1988 / © Albert Watson / National Portrait Gallery