Brian May Costume Guide
DIY Costume Items
- Open White Button-Down Shirt See on Amazon
- Yellow-Striped V-Neck Tee Check Price
- White Straight-Leg Trousers See on Amazon
- White Three-Stripe Sneakers See on Amazon
- Red Special Signature Guitar Check Price
- Gray Patterned Guitar Strap Check Price
- Silver Chain Necklace See on Amazon
- Brian May Curly Wig Check Price
How to Dress Like Brian May
Brian May’s 1986 Magic Tour stage outfit lets Queen’s guitarist stand out in white, yellow and burgundy. In concert photographs, an open white shirt frames a yellow-striped V-neck, while white trousers and three-stripe sneakers carry the bright look all the way down. His huge curls and Red Special guitar make the silhouette unmistakable even from the back of a room.
To build this look, layer the striped V-neck under a loose white button-down and roll its sleeves. Wear relaxed straight-leg white trousers with white shoes that show three black side stripes. Add a thin silver chain and the long curly wig, then sling a burgundy Red Special-style guitar over a gray patterned strap. Adjust the strap until the guitar hangs securely without hiding the shirt. The selected BMG Special is an optional real instrument for performers; the clothes and hair carry the look on their own. For a Queen group costume, pair Brian with our Freddie Mercury guide.
Brian May Cosplay Ideas
Wear the yellow-striped V-neck as the visible base layer, then leave the white button-down open and roll its long sleeves to the elbows. The source shirt’s crisp white color and loose drape matter more than copying every seam. The selected striped tee is one pre-owned women’s XL listing, so compare its posted measurements with a shirt that fits you before buying. Its fine horizontal yellow lines and V neckline are the visual match.
Choose bright white trousers with room through the thighs and a straight fall to the shoes. Hem or cuff them enough to leave the black side stripes on the white sneakers visible. Fasten the thin silver chain near the neck rather than letting it disappear under the tee. Place the voluminous curls high around the face and let the longer sections rest at shoulder level. The selected Brian May-style wig is black, a little darker than his warm brown concert hair.
The burgundy BMG Special recreates the distinctive Red Special guitar shape. It is a playable guitar with a gig bag and an optional serious purchase, not a toy costume prop; an amp and cable are not included. Use the separate gray patterned strap as a practical color match to the one visible on stage, and set a comfortable length before a party or performance. Keep the guitar visible against the open shirt when posing.
Brian May Halloween Costume FAQs
These quick answers cover the fit, layering and instrument choices for Brian May’s 1986 stage look.
Put the yellow-striped V-neck underneath and leave the white long-sleeved shirt open. Roll the outer sleeves to keep the relaxed stage silhouette.
It is a pre-owned women’s XL item, so check the seller’s actual measurements against a shirt that fits you. Its white ground, fine yellow horizontal stripes and V neckline are the reason it was selected.
Use straight, relaxed white trousers and adjust the hem so the black side stripes on the white sneakers remain visible.
No. The selected BMG Special is a playable signature guitar and an optional serious purchase for performers. The listing includes a gig bag, while an amp and cable are separate.
The Brian May-style wig has the right volume and shoulder-length curls, but its available black shade is darker than the warm dark brown seen in the concert photos.
About Brian May
Brian May is Queen’s guitarist and songwriter. His long curls and the burgundy Red Special are two of the strongest visual signatures in rock. May built the original guitar with his father, and its unusual shape became a constant companion through Queen performances. He also earned a doctorate in astrophysics after returning to the research he began before the band’s rise.
Queen’s 1986 Magic Tour was the group’s last tour with Freddie Mercury. In the stage photographs used for this guide, May wears an open white shirt over a fine yellow-striped V-neck, relaxed white trousers, white three-stripe shoes and a slim chain. Those small details make this a specific touring look rather than a generic guitarist costume. The open layers also show how May balanced a bright stage silhouette with clothes he could move in while playing. A guitar strap across the shirt and curls around the face give the outfit its familiar performance shape. His dark curls and Red Special finish the picture. For other music-inspired outfits beyond Queen, see our rock star costume ideas.
