King Arthur Costume

King Arthur is the legendary king who has ruled Camelot, gathered the Knights of the Round Table and wielded the sword Excalibur in countless versions of the story. Whether Arthur began with a real historical figure is still debated, but the medieval literary tradition transformed him into one of the most enduring heroes of European legend.

For costume purposes, fortunately, you don't need to settle the historical argument. A crown, cloak, tunic, belt and sword will get you most of the way to Camelot.

Shop King Arthur Costumes

Ready for Camelot? Find your King Arthur look with costumes ranging from simple medieval tunics and cloaks to more elaborate royal outfits, complete with Arthurian accessories.

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Get into character: Bring King Arthur to Life

Look noble. Speak confidently. Try not to lose Excalibur.

A few things to know

The Arthurian stories developed over many centuries, with writers adding characters and episodes along the way. The familiar Arthur of modern films and television owes as much to medieval romance as to any possible historical king.

Camelot, Excalibur, Merlin, Guinevere and the Knights of the Round Table have all become part of the larger Arthurian legend, even though they don't necessarily appear together in every version.

Playing the part

The great thing about playing King Arthur is that everyone already knows roughly who you're supposed to be. Stand up straight, speak with authority and look mildly concerned whenever anyone mentions a sword.

At a party, gather your friends around an imaginary Round Table and appoint them to suitably grand positions. If someone complains about their seat, remind them that there are no corners.

And if somebody asks where Camelot is, point vaguely into the distance. A king should never look uncertain.

Finishing touches that elevate the look

A long tunic or robe, cloak, belt and boots create the basic silhouette. Add a crown or circlet for the royal element and a suitable sword or shield prop for the unmistakable Arthurian touch.

For a more historically inspired look, keep the costume relatively simple and let the fabrics and accessories provide the richness. For a Halloween or cosplay version, you can go much more theatrical. After all, this is King Arthur we're talking about.

Image credit: N. C. Wyeth, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons