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Few movie costumes are as easy to read from across a room as a Top Gun look. A sage green flight suit, a leather jacket covered in patches, and a pair of gold aviators say “Maverick” before anyone checks your name tag.
The theme also has unusual range. Two films, released in 1986 and 2022, give you a full roster of call signs across two generations, so a whole family, a couple, or an office party can dress from the same story without anyone doubling up.
The 25 ideas below start with the original film’s characters, move to the Top Gun: Maverick cast, then cover couples, group costumes, kids and dogs, and two budget builds. For looks from outside the franchise, our broader aviation Halloween costume ideas cover everything from barnstormers to flight attendants.
01. Maverick in the Sage Green Flight Suit
What it is A one-piece sage green flight suit in the style of the Navy’s Nomex coverall, with zippered pockets on the chest, right thigh, calves, and left upper arm. Add a name tag reading “Maverick,” a few squadron-style patches, and gold aviator sunglasses.
Why it works This is the look on the poster and in every hangar scene, so it reads instantly to anyone who has seen either film. A one-piece suit also means no layers to manage, which matters at a party that runs past midnight.
How to get it Licensed “Top Gun flight suit” costumes from party retailers come with the name badges already attached. For a sturdier version, buy a genuine surplus flight suit and add iron-on patches. Pick a size up if you plan to wear a hoodie underneath on a cold night.
02. Off-Duty Maverick in the Leather G-1 Jacket
What it is A brown leather G-1 flight jacket with a fur collar, knit cuffs and waistband, and a spread of military patches, worn over a white crew-neck T-shirt with a breast pocket. The rest is medium blue stonewash jeans, cowboy boots, steel dog tags, and gold aviators with green lenses.
Why it works In the story the jacket belonged to Maverick’s father, Duke Mitchell, which gives the costume a bit of backstory to talk about. Every piece except the jacket is probably in your closet already.
How to get it A real leather G-1 is an investment, so costume-grade faux leather versions with pre-sewn patches are the budget route. If you already own a brown leather jacket, a movie patch set lets you convert it. Pair it with any pair of gold wire aviators and you are done.
03. Goose in a Hawaiian Shirt and Mustache
What it is A blue short-sleeve Hawaiian shirt worn open over a white tee or buttoned alone, with jeans and a full mustache. It recreates LTJG Nick “Goose” Bradshaw, Maverick’s backseater, from the scene where the pair sing “Great Balls of Fire” at a bar piano.
Why it works Goose is the fan favorite, and the costume is warm, loud and friendly in the same way the character is. It also works as a flight suit costume if you want the pilot look instead, as long as the mustache stays.
How to get it Thrift stores carry Hawaiian shirts year round, so start there before buying new. Look for a blue base with a large-scale floral print rather than a busy small pattern. A stick-on costume mustache works, but a few weeks of growth works better if you have the time.
04. Iceman’s Frosty Flight Suit Look
What it is The same sage green flight suit as Maverick, with an “Iceman” name tag, short slicked blond hair, and cool-toned aviators. The character is LT Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, Maverick’s rival in 1986 and an admiral by the 2022 sequel.
Why it works Iceman is the character people love to quote, from the jaw snap to “You can be my wingman anytime.” The costume is mostly attitude, so it rewards anyone willing to stay in character all night.
How to get it Use a flight suit costume and swap the name tag for a custom one from an online patch maker. A temporary blond hair spray finishes the look for one night. Practice the jaw snap in a mirror before the party, because it is what sells the costume.
05. Charlie’s Bomber Jacket and Pencil Skirt
What it is An aged leather bomber jacket with the sleeves rolled, worn over a white T-shirt or shirt with a fitted pencil skirt and square-framed aviator sunglasses. It is Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood, the civilian flight instructor in the 1986 film.
Why it works Charlie mixes military wear with 1980s tailoring, so the costume looks polished rather than like a uniform. It is also one of the few Top Gun looks that doubles as a genuinely wearable outfit.
How to get it Any brown or black leather bomber works, and costume shops sell Charlie-style jackets with aviator patches. Choose squarer aviator frames rather than teardrop lenses to match her. An oversized blazer is a good swap if you do not own a bomber.
06. The Instructor: Viper or Jester in Navy Khakis
What it is A tan Navy-style officer’s khaki shirt and trousers with collar insignia, a “Viper” or “Jester” name tag, and a pointer or clipboard. Viper, CDR Mike Metcalf, runs the school in the 1986 film, and Jester, LCDR Rick Heatherly, is one of its instructors.
Why it works Every group of pilots needs someone to be in charge of them, and this costume gives an older guest or a parent a role that is not just another flight suit. It is a good look for a teacher or a boss.
How to get it Khaki work shirts and chinos from any department store get you most of the way. Add pin-on costume rank insignia to the collar points and a clip-on name tag. Carry a laminated “lesson plan” of fighter maneuvers as a prop.
TOPGUN is a real school
The Navy Fighter Weapons School was established on March 3, 1969, at Naval Air Station Miramar in California, and moved to NAS Fallon in Nevada in 1996. It still runs today, and quoting the movie while at the school earns an immediate $5 fine.
07. Captain Maverick, 2022 Edition
What it is The older Maverick from Top Gun: Maverick, now a captain. The costume swaps in a sage green CWU-36/P-style zip-up flight jacket over a white tee and jeans, with captain’s eagle insignia, aviators, and a flight suit as the alternate layer.
Why it works It is the more grown-up version of the classic, which suits anyone who remembers the 1986 release firsthand. It also pairs neatly with a Rooster or Penny costume for a sequel-themed couple or family.
How to get it Nylon summer flight jackets in sage green are sold widely as everyday outerwear, so this one can stay in your wardrobe after Halloween. Pin costume eagle insignia on the collar. Wear the G-1 leather jacket instead if you already own one, since he wears it in the sequel too.
08. Rooster at the Piano
What it is A Hawaiian shirt worn open over a white ribbed tank top, with jeans, gold aviators, and a mustache. It is LT Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, Goose’s son, in the 2022 scene where he plays “Great Balls of Fire” on a bar piano just as his father did.
Why it works The look deliberately echoes Goose, so it lands with fans of both films. The white tank underneath is the detail that separates Rooster from his father, and people who know the movie will notice.
How to get it Buy a ribbed cotton tank and a vintage-style Hawaiian shirt, then add a stick-on mustache and aviators. Fan-made replicas of the screen shirt exist if you want exact accuracy. Bring a phone with the song queued, because someone will ask.
09. Hangman’s Cocky Flight Suit
What it is A sage green flight suit with a “Hangman” name tag, worn either zipped or with the top half tied around the waist over a fitted T-shirt, plus aviators and a helmet as a prop. The character is LT Jake “Hangman” Seresin from the 2022 film.
Why it works Hangman is the sequel’s Iceman: the rival everyone loves to dislike until he saves the day. The costume gives you a character to play, and the tied-waist styling keeps it cool at a crowded party.
How to get it Order a flight suit costume and a custom “Hangman” name patch from an online embroidery shop, which usually ships in about a week. Order early in October to beat the rush. A confident grin is the only accessory you cannot buy.
10. Phoenix in a Fitted Flight Suit
What it is A sage green flight suit tailored at the waist, a “Phoenix” name tag, a low bun, and a flight helmet carried under the arm. It is LT Natasha “Phoenix” Trace, the Super Hornet pilot in the 2022 film’s strike team.
Why it works Phoenix is a working fighter pilot, not a love interest, and the costume carries that. It gives anyone who wants the flight suit look a character of their own rather than a gender-swapped Maverick.
How to get it Women’s cut flight suit costumes exist, but a men’s surplus suit with a belt or a few alteration pins at the waist looks closer to the film. A kid’s toy helmet or a costume helmet makes a good prop. Keep the hair sleek so it looks helmet-ready.
11. Bob the Backseater
What it is A flight suit with a “Bob” name tag, a clipboard or kneeboard, and a mild, earnest expression. LT Robert “Bob” Floyd is the weapons systems officer who flies in the back seat with Phoenix in the 2022 film, and his call sign is simply his first name.
Why it works It is the insider’s pick. The joke is that “Bob” is the least fighter-pilot call sign imaginable, and fans love him for it.
How to get it Reuse any flight suit costume and order a plain “Bob” name tag. A pilot kneeboard or clipboard is the prop that signals a backseater. Pair up with a Phoenix for an easy two-person costume.
12. Penny Benjamin, Bar Owner
What it is A loose linen or cotton button-down shirt, jeans, a leather belt, and a bar towel over one shoulder. Penny Benjamin runs the bar where the pilots drink in the 2022 film, and she sails, so a nautical detail or two fits.
Why it works It is the most comfortable costume on the list and needs no flight suit at all. Carry a small bell as a prop, since the bar’s rule about ringing it is one of the sequel’s running jokes.
How to get it Pull everything from your own wardrobe, then add a brass hand bell from a craft store. A “Penny” name tag on the shirt pocket helps people place you. Stand next to a Maverick costume and the reference becomes instant.
13. The Admirals: Cyclone, Hammer and Warlock
What it is A navy blue officer’s dress jacket with gold buttons and wide gold sleeve stripes, a white peaked cap with gold embroidery on the brim, and a row of ribbon bars. Pick a name tag: Vice Admiral Beau “Cyclone” Simpson, Rear Admiral Chester “Hammer” Cain, or Rear Admiral Solomon “Warlock” Bates.
Why it works Cyclone and Hammer spend much of the 2022 film trying to rein Maverick in, which gives you an easy running bit at any party. The formal uniform also stands out in a room full of green flight suits.
How to get it Costume shops sell navy officer and admiral uniforms with the sleeve stripes already sewn on. A navy blazer with gold ribbon trim glued at the cuffs is a quick home version. Your line for the night is telling Maverick his kind is headed for extinction.
14. Maverick and Charlie Couples Costume
What it is Maverick in the patched G-1 jacket, white tee and jeans, beside Charlie in a rolled-sleeve bomber, white shirt, and pencil skirt. Both wear aviators, his teardrop and hers square.
Why it works Two leather jackets make the pair look coordinated without being identical, and the film’s romance makes the pairing easy to recognize. It works for any combination of partners.
How to get it Build it from ideas 2 and 5 above, buying the jackets first since they take longest to ship. Match the leather tones so the pair photographs well together. Rehearse “Take my breath away” jokes at your own risk.
15. Maverick and Penny, the Sequel Couple
What it is Captain Maverick in a sage green zip-up flight jacket, white tee and jeans, with Penny in a linen shirt, jeans, and a sailing detail such as a rope bracelet or deck shoes.
Why it works This is the grown-up couples version, and neither half requires a costume that looks like a costume. It suits couples who want a theme without committing to a jumpsuit.
How to get it Most of it is everyday clothing, so the only purchase is usually the flight jacket. Add matching name tags if you want strangers to get it. For more ideas built around two people and aviation, see our aviation date night ideas.
16. Maverick and Goose, Pilot and RIO
What it is Two matching flight suits, one tagged “Maverick” and one “Goose,” with the Goose half adding a mustache. In the film, Goose is Maverick’s radar intercept officer, the crew member in the back seat of their F-14 Tomcat.
Why it works It is the best friend costume, not just a couples one, and it works for siblings, roommates, or a parent and adult child. Two identical suits with different name tags is the cleanest possible pairing.
How to get it Buy both suits from the same seller so the green matches. Order custom name tags for each, and give Goose the Hawaiian shirt for a costume change later in the night. Learn the words to “Great Balls of Fire” together.
17. Goose and Rooster, Father and Son
What it is Matching Hawaiian shirts and mustaches in two sizes, with the adult as Goose and the child as Rooster. Add aviators to both and a small white tank under the child’s shirt.
Why it works The two films are a story about a father and a son, and this costume turns that into something sweet rather than sad. A kid in a fake mustache also wins every photo.
How to get it Look for “family matching Hawaiian shirt” sets online, which often come in adult and kids’ sizes in one print. Use a hypoallergenic costume adhesive or an eyeliner mustache on the child. Toy aviators with shatterproof lenses are the safe pick for small kids.
18. The 1986 Beach Volleyball Squad
What it is A group costume built on jeans, white tank tops or no tops, dog tags, and aviators, with one person carrying a volleyball. Each member adds a call sign: Maverick, Goose, Iceman, Slider, and so on.
Why it works The beach volleyball scene, set to Kenny Loggins’ “Playing with the Boys,” is one of the most parodied moments in the original film. The costume is cheap, needs no sewing, and gets funnier the more people join.
How to get it Buy a multipack of white tanks and some cheap iron-on letters for call signs across the back. Everyone brings their own jeans. Save it for a warm-weather party or an indoor one, and queue the song for your group entrance.
19. The 2022 Dogfight Football Squadron
What it is A full squadron in flight suits with call sign tags from the sequel: Rooster, Hangman, Phoenix, Bob, Payback, Fanboy, and Coyote, with one person as Maverick. Carry a football to reference the film’s beach game of “dogfight football.”
Why it works The sequel has a large, likeable ensemble, so a group of six to eight people can each have a real character. The football gives the group a prop that nods to the sequel’s answer to the volleyball scene.
How to get it Coordinate one bulk order of flight suits so every shade matches. Split the name tags in a single order from one embroidery shop to save on shipping. Assign characters by personality, not by who asks first.
Name tags make the costume
A flight suit without a name tag just reads as a pilot. Custom embroidered or leather-look name tags with a call sign and a set of wings cost little, turn a generic suit into a specific character, and let a group of eight share one costume and still be eight different people.
20. Mini Maverick Kids’ Flight Suit
What it is A child-size flight suit in sage green with printed or sewn-on patches and a name badge, plus kids’ aviators and an optional toy helmet. Licensed kids’ and toddler versions are sold alongside the adult sizes.
Why it works A flight suit layers over warm clothes, which makes it one of the few costumes that works on a cold trick-or-treat night. Kids also get to play pilot long after Halloween, as part of a dress-up box or an airplane birthday party.
How to get it Size up so there is room for a sweater underneath and for growth into next year. Add reflective tape to the back and sleeves for evening visibility. Skip a helmet for trick-or-treating, since it blocks peripheral vision, and save it for photos.
21. Baby Goose: Toddler and Infant Flight Suits
What it is A soft flight-suit-style romper or onesie for babies and toddlers, usually with snaps at the legs, printed patches, and a “Goose” or “Maverick” name tag. Infant costume dresses in the same style also exist.
Why it works A baby as the family’s wingman completes any Top Gun group photo. The romper cut is easy for diaper changes, which counts for a lot on a long party night.
How to get it Choose a soft cotton or fleece romper over stiff polyester for comfort. Check for snaps rather than a long zipper. Keep props like baby sunglasses for photos only, and skip anything with small detachable pieces.
22. Top Gun Dog Costume
What it is A dog costume styled as a flight suit or flight jacket, usually a vest-style body piece with Velcro closures and printed patches, sometimes with a soft aviator cap. Licensed Top Gun dog costumes are sold in several sizes.
Why it works Pets in costume are the most shared photos of Halloween, and a dog in a flight jacket reads instantly. It also lets a dog walk with a family group costume without anyone needing to explain.
How to get it Measure chest girth and back length before ordering, since sizing varies between brands. Try the costume on for a few minutes at a time in the week before. Skip anything that covers the eyes or ears, and never leave a costumed pet alone.
23. Ride-In Fighter Jet Costume
What it is A soft-structure fighter jet body worn around the waist on shoulder straps, so the wearer appears to sit in the cockpit. Adult and kids’ versions are sold, and the look pairs with a flight suit and helmet on top.
Why it works It is the comedy option. Everyone else is dressed as a pilot, and you are the whole Super Hornet, which is the jet the 2022 cast flies.
How to get it Check the wingspan before buying, because some are too wide for doorways and crowded rooms. A cardboard DIY version with gray paint and a cut-out cockpit costs almost nothing. Add battery tea lights at the tail for afterburners.
24. DIY Coveralls and Iron-On Patches
What it is Olive or sage work coveralls, a set of iron-on military-style patches, a name tag, and aviators. The result is a flight suit that looks closer to the real thing than many packaged costumes.
Why it works Work coveralls are heavier and better cut than thin polyester costume jumpsuits, and you can wear them for yard work afterward. It is the best value build on this list.
How to get it Buy coveralls from a workwear or farm supply store in the greenest shade you can find. Movie-style patch sets are sold online in groups of a dozen or more. Iron the patches through a thin cloth, then add a few hand stitches at the corners so they survive the night.
25. Flight Suit Romper or Dress
What it is A short-sleeve romper or zip-front mini dress in flight-suit green, with patches, a belted waist, and a name tag. Most retailers sell them in regular and plus sizes, often with a matching bomber jacket option.
Why it works It keeps every visual cue of the flight suit while being far easier to wear at a warm or crowded party. It also layers well, since a leather jacket over the top turns it straight back into Maverick.
How to get it Search for “flight suit romper” or “Top Gun costume dress” in regular and plus sizes. Add tights or ankle boots for a cold night. If you want a different aviation look entirely, our aviation movie list has plenty of other characters to borrow from.
FAQ
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.
- Wikipedia, Top Gun (film)
- Wikipedia, Top Gun: Maverick
- Wikipedia, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell
- BAMF Style, Top Gun: Maverick's G-1 Flight Jacket
- Classiq, Style in Film: Kelly McGillis in Top Gun
- AOL, These Are the Best Top Gun Costume Ideas for Halloween This Year
- HalloweenCostumes.com, Top Gun Costumes and Flight Suits
- SlashFilm, Why Top Gun: Maverick Opted for Dog Fight Football Instead of Another Volleyball Match
- Wikipedia, Playing with the Boys
- Wikipedia, United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program
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About the Author
Hanna writes AeroCorner's aviation-lifestyle and decor guides, turning a love of flight into ideas for your home, celebrations, and gift lists.