Halloween costumes for glasses wearers

What are the best Halloween costumes for glasses wearers?

Halloween is the perfect opportunity to dress up as your favorite character. But for those who wear glasses, finding a costume that works with your everyday specs can be a challenge. Don't worry — we've got you covered! 

In this guide, we'll explore various Halloween costume ideas that will make you stand out at any Halloween party. With options ranging from iconic characters to quirky personas, you can use your glasses to create an entirely new look for Halloween.

Let’s get started:

Iconic characters with glasses

Famous characters from books, movies and TV shows have always been a popular choice for Halloween costumes. And there are lots of iconic personalities to choose from. Put on round spectacles and a Gryffindor robe to channel the famous wizard Harry Potter. 

Velma from the Scooby-Doo cartoons and movies is another classic option. All you need to channel her character is a pair of thick square frames, an orange sweater, and a red pleated skirt.

And who can forget Tom Cruise in Risky Business? This costume is easy to put together with just a few items: Wayfarer sunglasses, a light pink or white button-down dress shirt, and white crew socks.

Decades-inspired costumes with glasses

Travel back in time by dressing in a style easily associated with a specific decade. Step back into the 1950s with a poodle skirt, cardigan and cat-eye glasses. 

For a look from the 1960s, take inspiration from Holly Golightly’s character in Breakfast at Tiffany's: Wear your favorite pair of cool oversized sunglasses, a long black dress and a string of pearls. Or look to the characters of Mad Men. Harry Crane, for example, wears horn-rimmed glasses (also called clubmasters) with a traditional American suit. Add a bow tie and pocket square for some additional flair.

Superhero alter egos with glasses

Many superheroes wear glasses as part of their secret identity. Dress up as Superman’s modern-day alter ego Clark Kent with dark square frames and a blue business suit. Marvel and DC comic fans can also pay homage to heroes like Peter Parker (Spider-Man) with rectangular frames and Diana Prince (Wonder Woman) with round glasses.

Cartoon characters with glasses

Choose your favorite animated persona and have fun dressing the part. Fans of The Simpsons can emulate Professor Frink, who wears thick-rimmed glasses with a lab coat and bow tie. 

If you watch Bob's Burgers, Tina and Linda Belcher are both excellent choices for a Halloween costume. Get a pair of dark square frames, a light blue T-shirt, a dark blue skirt and knee-high socks with red stripes to complete the Tina Belcher look. To go as Linda, you need red cat-eye glasses, a long-sleeved red shirt, jeans and a white waist apron. You’ll also need to style your hair just right.

Quirky characters with glasses

Some of the most beloved characters in history are also the most eccentric. Embrace your quirky side by dressing up as Professor Trelawney from the Harry Potter books or Doc Brown from Back to the Future. 

Or transform into lovable nerd Steve Urkel with oversized plastic aviator glasses, high-waisted jeans and rainbow-striped suspenders.

Book characters with glasses

Books offer an almost endless supply of inspiration for both male and female characters. Waldo from the Where's Waldo? books and Junie B. Jones from the Junie B. Jones series are two famous children's book characters who wear glasses. 

And although Matilda Wormwood doesn't wear spectacles in the 1996 film adaptation, she does use them in Roald Dahl's original book, Matilda.

Movie characters with glasses

Film fanatics can choose from an array of movie characters for their costume. For example, Austin Powers has thick black glasses frames in every movie. And don't forget about Tony Stark from Iron Man — stylish shades are vital to his look. Several characters from Napoleon Dynamite also wear glasses, including the main lead.

TV show characters with glasses

If you love solving crimes, you can emulate D.B. Russell from CSI: Crime Scene Investigation with a pair of rectangular glasses frames. Or if you want to keep your costume on the other side of the law, Walter White of Breaking Bad wears wire-framed glasses in the first few seasons of the show.

If you like cute oversized frames and vintage-looking A-line dresses, consider dressing as Jess Day from New Girl for Halloween. Or you can keep the frames and add a lab coat to a more modern, brightly colored dress and go as Dr. Mindy Lahiri from The Mindy Project.

Tips for perfecting your glasses-inspired costume

After deciding which character you want to be for Halloween, it’s time to put everything together. You can make your costume unique by taking inspiration from your favorite character and adding your own personal touch. Here are some hints for finding what you need:

Choose the right frames for your character

Consider frame shape, size and color when choosing glasses for your costume. This is key for bringing the character to life. Vintage styles work best for decades-inspired costumes, while frames with bold shapes can make a statement for more quirky personas. Experiment with tinted lenses or mirrored lenses for some extra flair.

Accessorize beyond the glasses

You'll want to have all the right accessories to complete your look. Put together a list of items that are emblematic of the person you're portraying. After all, it's the details that set your costume apart from the rest. This should include makeup, jewelry, hats, scarves and any other props that will help you step into character.

Ensure your comfort while in costume

Remember to choose accessories that won't restrict your movement or cause discomfort. For example, masks or headpieces can make it challenging to wear glasses, so it may be better to avoid them. However, an eyeglass strap can sometimes be used to hold your frames in place. 

If this isn't an option, consider wearing contact lenses when in costume to ensure you still have a clear field of vision.

Benefits of incorporating glasses into your costume

There are endless possibilities for a Halloween costume when you have the right pair of frames. The benefits are pretty good too:

Make use of what you already have

By using an existing pair of frames as part of your costume, you not only save money on accessories but also make your outfit more comfortable and practical. For example, you can still see clearly! Plus, wearing glasses allows you to remain faithful to certain beloved characters known for their distinctive eyewear.

Try a new Halloween look

If you’ve been thinking about trying a new frame style, Halloween is the perfect excuse to take the plunge. Find a character with the type of glasses you’ve had your eye on and build your costume around that. 

Or switch things up with a completely new persona that you create yourself. Whatever you choose, there's no doubt that eyewear can take your costume to the next level.

What if you don’t already wear glasses?

If you don’t need vision correction, you can still dress up as a character who does! You can always get fake glasses with clear, non-prescription lenses. Learn all about eyewear basics, including tips for selecting the best frames. Get ready for some spooky fun this Halloween season.

Page published on Thursday, October 24, 2019

Page updated on Tuesday, October 10, 2023