Solving crimes in style is the name of the game. Wearing a pair of old trousers and a raggedy top just won’t do a hero justice, even if you manage to solve the trickiest of crimes. A garb that matches suave with exceptional sleuthing skills is the one worn by perhaps the greatest of all detectives, Sherlock Holmes. You can take a page out of the legendary detective’s book and wear his signature set of clothing and accessories.

A Laid Back Fashion Sense

If James Bond and the other super spies are known for their flashy suits and perpetually fixed hairdos, Sherlock Holmes rocks the crime-fighting world with his laid back fashion sense. He wears a long trench coat, brown slacks, an old style detective’s hat (sometimes called Holmes’ thinking cap), a wooden pipe and a pair of shiny brown leather shoes. Clearly, being a class act among detectives has a set of old semi-formal clothes as its prerequisites.

The Trench Coat

Given the time when the fictional hero was created, Holmes must be one of the initial figures who attached the word “cool” to the trench coat. His coat looks used yet trendy, so there is no pressure for you to purchase fancy designer items that will cost you an arm and a leg. You can simply grab a brown trench coat from your father’s closet and that will probably do. If you’re adept at sewing, you can make your own, with the right fabric and a set of large brown buttons.

The Thinking Cap

Looking smart is a prerequisite for a legendary detective like Holmes, so you have no other choice but to follow suit. Purchase a brown or checkered detective’s hat from a toy store or the department store then see how it matches your trench coat. If you look legendary, you’re good to go. If not, a good substitute is a Fedora hat. It may not have been worn by Holmes, at least while solving crimes, but it can certainly make you look like a thinking man’s detective.

The Brown or Gray Slacks

Sherlock Holmes, based on his outfit, is not your average formal guy. If he wore the default black pants, he would have looked more like a business mogul than a detective, which is a no-no for our beloved crime fighter. You must purchase a pair of plain brown or gray slacks, whichever goes well with your trench coat and hat. Remember, those slacks will let criminals recall who holds the pants in the crook-legendary detective relationship.

The Wooden Pipe

Sherlock Holmes without his trusty pipe is much like Superman taking the subway around Metropolis. The pipe is the most prominent symbol in the novel, so it should come first in your list of priorities. Select an old style pipe done with fine craftsmanship. If you’re a chain smoker, you might as well play the role and smoke the finest tobacco leaves that you can find. Non-smokers, on the other hand, can use the pipe to blow bubbles, as done by Bugs Bunny in his Sherlock Holmes spoofs.

Shiny Brown Leather Shoes

Walking in Sherlock Holmes shoes is not an easy feat, but pretty manageable if you have a formal taste in footwear. A dandy pair is pretty expensive, especially if it is designer made. Good thing the fictional hero is not particular with the brand of his shoes, which spares you from emptying your budget, All he really cares about is the intimidating gleam that his footwear emits, even when fighting crime. Just grab a decent looking pair and few dates with the shoeshine boy, if necessary. (Tips on how to shine shoes)

Other Sherlock Accessories

Every detective has loads of tricks under his sleeve. In Sherlock Holmes’ case, he has his magnifying glass and his signature catch phrases. You can purchase a standard magnifying glass or borrow one from your friends. Holmes won’t chide you for that, since he relies more on his deductive reasoning for solving crimes. As for his catch phrases, better perfect each and every one of them. You wouldn’t want your adversaries to die laughing. Remember, Holmes is a do-gooder, not a serial killer.

Holmes is Where the Heart is

With all of the necessary components complete, you can set off and masquerade as the legendary detective. You now have the choice to grab a prestigious “Best in Costume” award or attend a Sherlock Holmes convention. Just don’t forget, the good guys don’t always win in the real world, so leave the crime fighting to the real detectives. That, in the words of Sherlock, is elementary, dear reader. If you enjoy reading this article, you’ll surely be interested in learning how to become a crime scene investigator.

Watch The Video

Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes