When it comes to iconic villain fashion, no one does it better than the Joker.
The Joker is not only the most celebrated and massively loved villain for his character but also for his distinctive style. His ludicrously colored attire, combined with his chaotic makeup, has been the talk of the town for decades.
A character so emotionally rich and psychotic that two amazing actors—Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight and Joaquin Phoenix in Joker—performed the role with a completely different edge each time. And it hit the mark both times just as well.
Heath Ledger brought to us a crazy, chaotic, and messy Joker. His portrayal of the character showed a dark figure who’s constantly looking to destroy and create havoc. This crazed personality also impacted his styling decisions. Ledger’s Joker is adorned in the iconic Joker purple suit, paired with a green vest. His makeup is unkempt and all over the place. This symbolizes the disturbed and unpredictable nature his character is famous for.
On the other hand, we have Joaquin Phoenix in Joker. His play on the character is quite different from Ledger’s. He shows us the careful plot of a man slowly losing his touch with reality. His Joker isn’t a purposeless anarchist but someone who struggles alone and doesn’t fare well with fighting his mind. His costume, which differs from the comics, consists of a red suit jacket with a bright yellow vest and a green undershirt, along with carefully applied clown makeup. While well-kept, his costume has a vintage feel to it that symbolizes his slow descent into madness.
With that said, are you trying to decide which version would suit you? Let’s compare.
The Psychology Behind the Looks
Joker is a very complex character from DC comics. His main appeal is his messy backstory and even messier persona. Ledger and Phoenix both unpack a different side to Joker that we’ll break down for you.
Ledger’s Joker: Chaotic, gritty, anarchist style
Starting with Heath Ledger’s portrayal of Joker in The Dark Knight. The film revolves around the chaos planned by Joker and Batman’s effort to put an end to it and capture him—the classic good vs evil.
Joker’s sole purpose shown in the movie was to spread destruction, sow discord and reap the pain and suffering he caused. He was notorious for his unpredictability, chaotic but insanely genius, too.
Ledger’s Joker isn’t given a distinct backstory, which adds to his mysterious aura and creates a more terrifying atmosphere. His looks are a testament to that as well. While he dons a suit, it’s disheveled, unkempt and unruly. The attire is ill-fitting, showcasing a blatant disregard for norms. His clown makeup is hastily done, or maybe intentionally messed up, to create a look of a maniac. The color scheme—purple with green—draws attention just like his acts.
His unserious attitude, coupled with his chaotic dressing sense, creates a dark, gritty and disturbing persona—a perfect villain who thrives on nihilism and anarchy.
Phoenix’s Joker: Lonely, tragic, retro with a touch of flair
Phoenix’s Joker is comparatively stable. The Joker movie is a biopic of the villain that everyone loves to hate. It shows us his past life and his origin as a famous villain. His backstory goes into great detail about Joker’s mental and physical struggles in life.
Phoenix brings us the real image of the man behind the makeup. And even before the makeup. His Joker shows us the broken man pushed to his limits. His story uncovers the failures he was surrounded with constantly: his failed career as a comedian, his lack of social life and constant bullying.
Shunned by society, warring with his loneliness, Joker is born as he finally embraces his madness. His costume symbolizes his careful descent into a villain accurately. He wears a red coat over a vibrant yellow waistcoat and green undershirt. The color scheme here denotes the struggle of a man trying to fit in but obviously failing with his attempts. His makeup is also carefully done as if a persona is being put in place specifically. Although his style is well-kept, it has a rugged look that embodies the loss of empathy as he finally becomes a villain.
Costume Breakdown: Heath Ledger’s Joker
Now that we know the intention behind each actor’s get-up for Joker let’s discuss how one can achieve those looks.
Heath Ledger’s Joker is famous for his disheveled, Devil-may-care personality, and his outfit reflects exactly that. His attire includes a purple coat, a green vest, and a purple and green plaid shirt, paired with a dirty white button-down shirt, purple gloves, and a messy tie. From his gaudy color scheme to the ill-fitting style of the trench coat, Joker is the epitome of rugged and mad.
His makeup is smudged and haphazardly applied, giving the look of a terrifying madman. His hair is intentionally filthy, which further adds to his anarchist persona. He exudes crazed energy, and his actions further prove them.
The infamous Joker purple trench coat is available at New American Jackets. Pair it with a dark vest and vintage or worn undershirt, a lack of empathy and a black soul, and you have the look of a nihilist villain all ready to go.
Costume Breakdown: Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker
Moving on to Phoenix’s Joker, we see a man broken by society turning into a nightmare for an entire city. His Joker is famous for his tragic lore and gradual downfall into insanity. He gave viewers and fans an understanding of how no one’s born a villain, but they’re made into one.
Phoenix’s Joker represents his mental breakdown and, consequently, his villain origin perfectly. He wears a red or burgundy suit with a yellow or gold-colored waistcoat and a green button-down shirt. His makeup is more elaborate, with properly shaped diamonds around the eyes, red eyebrows, a nose circle, and a smile stretched around his lips. He styled his hair back, even though they’re dyed an unnatural green.
His getup is deliberate as if he’s making a statement. Despite the retro-inspired costume, there is an undertone of desperation present that suggests that this clown isn’t your usual happy-go-lucky one. His theatrical attire, compiled with his sharp acting, is bespoke of darkness lurking beneath.
The iconic burgundy suit can be found at New American Jackets. Pair that with a vibrant undershirt or waistcoat and attentively work on your makeup, and you will easily recreate the tragic, lonely Joker right at home.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Which One Matches Your Vibe?
| Element | Heath Ledger | Joaquin Phoenix |
| Vibe | Chaotic, edgy | Retro, dramatic |
| Makeup | Smudged, messy | Symmetrical, colorful |
| Suit Style | Dark, layered | Bright, clean-cut |
| DIY Level | Moderate to high | Easier to recreate |
| Crowd Impact | Iconic & gritty | Bold & cinematic |
When to Wear Each Joker Costume
Ledger and Phoenix gave us two versions of Joker, who are both iconic in their own right. The vibe they both bring to the party differs but doesn’t lack. If you’re thinking about which style would let you steal the spotlight, then let me enlighten you.
Ledger’s Joker, with his dark, contrasting color palette and disgruntled aesthetic, is the perfect costume for comic cons, cosplay events or halloween parties. The main piece in the attire is the purple Joker jacket that draws all the attention.
Pair the Joker trench coat with his signature messy makeup, and the look is complete. Any dark-colored waistcoat will work out. To make the style your own, you can add details to your makeup, make it messier for a more distressed look, or add props like the Joker card to add flair to the villainous look.
Phoenix’s Joker, on the other hand, has a slightly sophisticated look that is suitable for theatrical performances of high-fashion cosplays. Pair the red suit jacket with a vibrant waistcoat, and add some gloves for a complete look. You can make the makeup even more elaborate and even work out some props like a cigarette or board sign referencing the film.
On top of that, sparkle a little trouble-maker, unhinged and maddening attitude to the mix, and you have a villain on your hands ready to break loose.
Final Verdict: Which Joker Are You?
Still unsure about which Joker suits you best? Take the mini quiz below and discover your aesthetic!
1. What best describes your vibe at a party?
- The wild card—is always the center of attention.
- The silent observer on the sidelines.
2. Your ideal outfit looks like:
- A bold, edgy and messy mix of colors and leather
- Carefully articulated vintage and rich tones
3. When it comes to events, you’re most likely to show up at:
- Underground raves or loud street festivals
- Old-school jazz bars or conversational long nights
4. How do you describe your sense of humor?
- Dark, sarcastic and questionable
- Awkward, ironic and self-deprecating
5. What is your preferred color palette?
- Neon greens, purple with harsh contrasts
- Deep reds, mustard and muted tones
Results—Mostly As
If your answers are mostly the first option, then you are the unhinged criminal mastermind with an equally unhinged fashion sense with your dark and contrasting purple and greens. Think grungy purple coats, layered vests and statement leather.
Results—Mostly Bs
But if your answers have mostly the second option, then you resonate with the lonely, depressive shell of a man who’s had enough and is finally embracing his darkness with shades of reds, mustard and perfect makeup.
Share your favorite Joker look and tag us in your costume reveal!
No Wrong Choice When You Go Joker
Whether your aesthetic leans towards the grungy, anarchist criminal mastermind hellbent on wreaking havoc in Gotham City, or you feel for the man pushed so far by society that he becomes their own personal nightmare, there is no wrong answer.
Joker captured hearts with his crazy and unhinged villain streak in purple, neon and scruffy makeup, and he broke hearts with his anguished struggle and loneliness in an 80s retro suit and detailed makeup.
You can add your personal touch and reflect your crazy side with Joker easily. Whether you go dark and chaotic or bold and tragic, you’re bound to steal the scene.
