How to Dress Like the Beatles

The screaming fans from the height of Beatlemania may have fallen silent, but the band's influence on music, popular culture, and fashion endures. The Beatles split up in 1970, but many of the suits and haircuts worn by John, Paul, George, and Ringo are still widely recognizable. Whether preparing for a costume party or seeking an iconic look that harks back to a classic era in pop music, there are several styles to choose from when dressing like the Beatles.


Dressing Like the Beatles in the Hamburg Years
Before the four guys from Liverpool became megastars, they honed their sound by playing gigs in Hamburg, Germany from 1960 through 1962. Despite it being the early sixties, the band's look was distinctly 1950s, with black leather jackets reminiscent of Marlon Brando in "The Wild One." This all-black attire may not be the most recognizable for a costume party, but it is an enduring, cool look for fans of the early Beatles.

Dressing for Beatlemania
The Beatles' second album in 1963 followed just four months after its debut, and the Fab Four were on their way to conquering the world of music and fashion. This is the era of the classic Beatles suit.

Iconic Beatles Look
In 1963, the Beatles donned the most iconic of all the looks. The Edwardian collarless suits came from the mod youth cult, which was at its peak in the U.K. Wearers can replicate the suit with a pure wool, single-breasted jacket in black, grey, or navy blue with black velvet trim. For an authentic garment, there should be three buttons on the front, a single vent at the back, and one-button sleeves. A white rounded-lapel shirt, narrow black tie, and black drainpipe pants complete the ensemble.

Dressing Like the Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show"
Watching reruns of "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964 is a great way to see the Beatles in action. The band wore Chesterfield-style suits, which are single-breasted, fully lined, and made from pure wool. The suits feature three or four buttons on the front, two vents at the back, and velvet lapels.

Wearers can pair one of these sharp suits in black or gray with a thin tie and crisp white shirt. It is important that all the garments are slim fitting, including skinny pants, to create a sharp silhouette. A silver Chesterfield suit is a great way to recreate the look from the movie "A Hard Day's Night."

Dressing Like the Beatles at Shea Stadium
When the Beatles played Shea stadium in 1965, the fans were so loud the band could not hear the music. Wearers can purchase a fully lined, single-breasted tan jacket with a Nehru collar and epaulet details, and pair it with black skinny pants. Any top works with this outfit, provided it is not visible as the jacket is the main star.


Dressing Like the Beatles in the Hippie Years
The release of "Sgt. Pepper" in 1967 saw a big departure from neutral colors. Instead, the band embraced the psychedelic era with bright colored suits, shirts, and pants. Fans that want to replicate the "Sgt. Pepper" costumes can dress in green for John, blue for Paul, red for George, or pink for Ringo. For a trip to India in 1968, the band wore collarless shirts and sandals. As the four musicians drifted apart in the early 1970s, John reflected his interest in minimalist design with all-white suits.


Completing the Beatles Look
The Beatles haircuts and accessories are as important as attire when dressing like the band. There are many Beatles wigs available to change a haircut just for the night.