Let’s be real. If you aren't spending half your time in Rockstar’s 2010 masterpiece standing in front of a tailor, you’re playing it wrong. John Marston is a tragic figure, sure. He’s a man haunted by a violent past, trying to save his family from the very government that used him as a blunt instrument. But does any of that matter if he looks like a dusty scrub while doing it? No. It doesn't.
Tracking down Red Dead Redemption all outfits is more than just a completionist tick-box for that 100% trophy. It’s about the vibe. It's about how the world reacts to you. In the original Red Dead Redemption, clothes aren't just cosmetic; they carry weight. Some make people trust you. Others make people want to put a bullet in your head. It’s a mechanic that Rockstar arguably did better here than in the sequel, mostly because the requirements to unlock them felt like a true Western odyssey. You had to hunt, gamble, and explore the furthest reaches of New Austin, Nuevo Paraíso, and West Elizabeth.
The Iconic Gear You Start With
The Cowboy outfit is the default. It’s the classic Marston look—denim, leather, and that battered hat. It’s iconic for a reason. But honestly, it’s a bit basic once you realize what else is out there.
Most players quickly pivot to the Elegant Suit. You buy this in Thieves’ Landing. It’s fancy. It’s clean. Most importantly, it lets you cheat at Poker. If you’ve ever tried to win the high-stakes games at Blackwater without this suit, you know the pain of a slow grind. With it, you can hide a card up your sleeve. Just don't get caught, or you're looking at a duel in the street.
Then there’s the Rancher outfit. You get this late. Like, "the story is almost over" late. It represents John’s dream of a quiet life at Beecher's Hope. It’s humble. It’s bittersweet. Every time I put it on, I just want to milk a cow and ignore the Pinkertons forever. Sadly, the game has other plans.
The Scrappy World of Gang Scraps
Unlocking the gang-affiliated threads is where the game really opens up. These aren't just given to you. You have to earn them by doing specific tasks—scraps, they’re called.
Take the Bollard Twins Outfit. To get it, you have to search Hennigan's Stead, win at Horseshoe Picking (which is way harder than it looks), and claim a Bollard Twins bounty alive. Once you wear it, the Bollard Twins gang thinks you’re one of them. You can literally walk into their camps and they’ll wave hello. It’s a total game-changer for players who hate being ambushed while trying to pick feverfew.
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The Treasure Hunter Outfit follows the same logic. You have to complete the Treasure Hunter challenges, which involves deciphering those cryptic hand-drawn maps. It’s a grind, but it makes you look like a rugged survivalist who has seen some things. Plus, Treasure Hunters won't shoot at you on sight.
Breaking Down the Regional Styles
Mexico—or Nuevo Paraíso—introduces a whole new aesthetic. The Reyes' Rebels Outfit is the standout here. It’s got that revolutionary flair. You unlock it by finishing the "An Appointed Time" mission and doing a bunch of favors for the rebels. It’s lightweight, practical for the heat, and makes the Mexican law look the other way when you’re causing a ruckus.
Contrast that with the U.S. Army Outfit. This one is stiff. It’s blue. It makes John look like a man of the law, which is ironic considering his history. To get this, you need to survive a night in Blackwater and win at Arm Wrestling in the Pacific Union Railroad Camp. It’s a pain to unlock, but walking around West Elizabeth looking like a soldier changes the way the NPCs interact with you. You feel... official.
The Hardcore Grinds: Legend of the West
If you want to talk about Red Dead Redemption all outfits, we have to talk about the Legend of the West. This is the peak. The mountaintop.
To get this, you have to hit Rank 10 in all four ambient challenges:
- Survivalist (picking flowers)
- Master Hunter (skinning cougars and bears)
- Sharpshooter (shooting hats off people without killing them)
- Treasure Hunter (finding the gold)
It takes forever. You will spend hours in Tall Trees looking for that one specific bear. You will lose your mind trying to find a beaver in a game where beavers seem to go extinct the moment you need one. But the reward? The Legend of the West outfit doubles your Dead Eye capacity. You become a literal god with a revolver. John looks like a refined, dangerous frontiersman in a long duster. It is the ultimate flex.
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The Weird and the Wonderful
Rockstar always likes to throw in some curveballs. The Bureau Outfit is only available after you hit 100% completion. It makes you look like an agent of the federal government. The perk? Total immunity. You can walk into the middle of Blackwater, dynamite a horse, and the law will just tip their hats to you. It’s broken, but by the time you earn it, you’ve earned the right to break the game.
Then there’s the Dandy Outfit. You buy this in Blackwater. It’s expensive. It’s flashy. It doesn't really do much other than make you look like a city slicker, but sometimes you just want to look like you have money, even if you spent your last dollar on a new horse.
Don't forget the Deadly Assassin outfit if you have the DLC or the Game of the Year edition. It’s arguably the coolest looking set in the game—all black with an eye patch vibe. It makes your Dead Eye regenerate twice as fast. It’s a bit "edgy teenager," but man, it makes those gunfights feel like a movie.
Addressing the DLC and Special Outfits
There are a few outfits that aren't in the base game or require specific versions. The Walton's Gang Outfit is one of them. Like the Bollard Twins set, it keeps a specific gang off your back. You have to win at Poker in Armadillo and do some chores around Solomon’s Folly.
The Expert Hunter and Savvy Merchant outfits were also part of the "Hunting and Trading" pack.
- Expert Hunter: Gives you double the skins from animals. If you’re trying to make money early on, this is the one you want.
- Savvy Merchant: Half-price items at all gunsmiths and doctors. Basically, it’s a permanent discount card for the Wild West.
Why Some Outfits Are Better Than Others
A lot of people think the "best" outfit is just the one that looks the coolest. But if you're playing on Hardcore mode, functionality is king. The Bollard Twins Outfit is actually top-tier because it removes a massive source of random world frustration (gang ambushes).
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The Gentleman's Attire is another one people overlook. It’s only available if you’ve linked your Social Club account. It lets you into the high-stakes Poker games in Blackwater without having to wait. It’s pure utility.
Honestly, the U.S. Marshal Outfit is probably the most satisfying to wear. You have to clear every US-based gang hideout within 24 hours in-game. It’s a high-octane challenge that requires a fast horse and a lot of chewing tobacco. When you put that badge on, you feel like you’ve actually brought some semblance of order to New Austin.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception about Red Dead Redemption all outfits is that they are just skins. In Red Dead Redemption 2, the outfits are mostly about temperature management (hot vs. cold). In the first game, they are about social engineering. They are tools.
If you are wearing the Walton’s Gang Outfit, you aren't just wearing a hat; you are wearing a disguise. If you’re wearing the Elegant Suit, you aren't just dressed for dinner; you’re dressed to steal. Understanding this shift in design is key to appreciating why the first game still holds up so well in 2026.
Actionable Tips for Completionists
If you are going for the full closet, here is how you should prioritize your time:
- Get the Elegant Suit immediately. You need the money from Poker to buy the maps and gear for other outfits.
- Focus on the Treasure Hunter challenges early. The gold you find will fund your entire playthrough, and the outfit itself is one of the easier "combat-lite" ones to get.
- Tall Trees is your endgame. Don't bother trying to hunt the high-level animals for the Legend of the West until you have a semi-auto shotgun or a high-capacity rifle. The grizzlies do not play around.
- Check the scrap requirements in your journal. People often forget which scrap they are missing. The game literally tells you where to go; you just have to look at the menu.
- Use the campfire to save often. Some of these outfit requirements (like clearing hideouts in a certain time) can be ruined by a random mountain lion attack or a horse falling off a cliff.
Go to the tailor in Thieves' Landing or Blackwater to buy the scraps you can't find. Sometimes the hardest part of an outfit isn't the challenge—it's just finding the merchant who sells the damn cloth. Once you've got the full set, you’ll realize that John Marston isn't just a gunman. He’s a man of many faces, most of them looking pretty sharp against a cinematic sunset.