Rick Astley Costume Guide (Never Gonna Give You Up)
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The 'Never Gonna Give You Up' video from 1987 made Rick Astley famous twice: once as a pop star and again, twenty years later, as the Rickroll. The look from the video is what people recognise: a tall, swept-back auburn quiff, a long beige trench coat over a dark turtleneck or a white shirt, light blue jeans and the stiff, shoulder-rolling dance.
It is a cheap costume with an enormous payoff, because the moment you do the dance everyone knows exactly who you are. Carry a small speaker and you can Rickroll a party in person.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Easy
- Rough budget: $35–$80
- Time to put on: 15 minutes (mostly the hair)
- What people recognise first: The quiff + trench coat + the dance
What you need
- Beige or tan trench coat — Long, light-coloured and worn open. The coat is in most of the video and it's the piece that says 1987.
- Black turtleneck — Under the coat for the main look. A white shirt with a dark waistcoat is the alternative seen in other shots.
- Light blue jeans — Light wash, straight leg, high-waisted if you can find them.
- Auburn pompadour quiff wig (or strong hairspray) — His hair is a reddish-brown, swept up and back into a tall quiff. If your hair is long enough, a lot of mousse and hairspray will do it.
- Dark sunglasses (optional) — He wears shades in a few shots; useful if you want to hide a bad wig line.
- Handheld microphone prop — A silver mic to sing into.
- Small Bluetooth speaker — Keep it in a pocket, loaded with one song. You know which one.
How to put it together
Outfit
- Put on the turtleneck and jeans, then white or black trainers.
- Add the trench coat open, collar down, sleeves pushed up slightly.
Hair
- Wig: fit it and brush the front up and back into a tall, rounded quiff, then spray to hold.
- Own hair: blow-dry the front straight up and back over a round brush, then set with strong hairspray. Volume at the front matters more than length.
The dance
- Feet planted, knees loose, roll the shoulders from side to side and swing the arms across the body on the beat.
- Add the finger point on 'you' and the sudden spin. Practise once to the song; it takes two minutes to learn.
About the character
Rick Astley was a 21-year-old from Lancashire when 'Never Gonna Give You Up', produced by Stock Aitken Waterman, went to number one in the UK, the US and more than twenty other countries in 1987. The video, with its trench coat, quiff and stiff dance, was filmed cheaply and has become one of the most watched clips in history thanks to the Rickroll, the internet prank of linking to it unexpectedly that took off around 2007.
Astley has embraced the joke, performing the song at the 2008 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and at Glastonbury in 2023. That good humour is why the costume lands as affectionate rather than mocking: everyone's in on it, including him.
Frequently asked questions
What does Rick Astley wear in Never Gonna Give You Up?
Mainly a long beige trench coat over a black turtleneck with light blue jeans. In other shots he wears a white shirt, a dark waistcoat and sunglasses. The constant is the tall auburn quiff.
How do I do the Rick Astley hair?
Sweep the front up and back into a tall, rounded quiff. On your own hair, blow-dry upward over a round brush and set with strong hairspray; otherwise use an auburn 1980s pompadour wig.
How do I do the Rick Astley dance?
Stand with feet apart, roll your shoulders side to side and swing both arms across your body in time, keeping your upper body stiff. Add a finger point and the occasional spin. Watch the video once and copy it.
Is a Rick Astley costume recognisable without the song?
The trench coat and quiff get you most of the way, but the dance is what seals it. Keep a speaker in your pocket; it doubles as a Rickroll.
Further reading
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