Arrested Development Costume
There's always money in the banana stand.
Arrested Development is a cult-classic comedy beloved for its highly specific, hilarious character quirks. Dressing up from the show instantly signals you as a fan of smart comedy, with options ranging from Tobias's infamous 'never-nude' look to the iconic yellow banana stand uniform. This guide focuses on the most recognizable and crowd-pleasing look: the Bluth's Original Frozen Banana employee.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $20–50
Try it on
See yourself as Arrested Development
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What you need for a Arrested Development costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Arrested Development costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Yellow polo shirt
A bright yellow, short-sleeved polo shirt representing the Bluth Frozen Banana uniform.
DIY: Use a plain yellow t-shirt if you cannot find a polo.
Blue apron
A royal blue waist apron or full bib apron worn over the yellow shirt.
DIY: Cut a piece of blue fabric and tie it around your waist with a ribbon.
Banana Stand patch or logo
A circular patch or printout featuring the 'Bluth's Original Frozen Banana' logo pinned to the shirt or apron.
DIY: Print the logo on cardstock, cut it out, and safety pin it to your chest.
Khaki pants or shorts
Classic tan khaki chinos or shorts to complete the employee uniform look.
Name tag
A white rectangular name tag reading 'George Michael' or 'Maeby' in black marker.
DIY: Write the name on a piece of masking tape and stick it to your shirt.
Fake frozen banana prop
A plastic or foam banana dipped in brown paint (to look like chocolate) and covered in yellow sprinkles, mounted on a wooden stick.
DIY: Paint a real banana yellow and brown, or craft one out of yellow construction paper and a popsicle stick.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Arrested Development costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the bright yellow polo shirt and tuck it into your khaki pants or shorts.
- 2
Tie the royal blue apron securely around your waist.
- 3
Attach the 'Bluth's Original Frozen Banana' logo patch to the left side of your chest on the polo.
- 4
Stick the handwritten name tag ('George Michael' or 'Maeby') onto the right side of your chest.
- 5
Carry the chocolate-dipped frozen banana prop in your hand.
- 6
Adopt an awkward, slightly anxious posture to fully embody the Bluth family energy.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair neat, simple, and parted to the side for a youthful, dorky George Michael look, or curly and messy for Maeby. No heavy makeup is needed—keep it completely natural.
Arrested Development for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair George Michael in his banana stand uniform with Maeby, or go as Tobias Fünke (blue paint and denim cutoffs) and Lindsay Bluth.
- group
- Gather a group to represent the whole family: Michael in a gray suit, Buster with a hook hand, Gob with a deck of cards, and Tobias in full blue man makeup.
- kids
- Dress your child in a yellow polo and blue apron as a mini banana stand worker.
- Plus size
- The banana stand uniform is highly adjustable and flattering, utilizing standard-fit polos and aprons.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a tiny yellow t-shirt with a hand-drawn banana on the back.
Tips
- Carry a few fake dollar bills tucked into your apron pocket to reference the line 'There's always money in the banana stand.'
- If you choose the Tobias Fünke variant, use high-quality water-based blue body paint and seal it with setting spray to avoid staining furniture.
- Keep the props lightweight so they are easy to carry around a party all night.
Arrested Development costume FAQ
- What is the easiest Arrested Development costume to make?
- The Bluth Frozen Banana employee is the easiest, requiring only a yellow polo, blue apron, khakis, and a handwritten name tag.
- How do I make a Tobias Fünke costume?
- You will need tight denim cutoff shorts (jean shorts), blue body paint covering your torso and face, a bald cap, and a brown mustache.
- What are some good quotes to use while in costume?
- Use classic lines like 'There's always money in the banana stand,' 'I've made a huge mistake,' or 'No touching!'
Did you know? The iconic 'banana stand' was inspired by a real-life business that series creator Mitchell Hurwitz ran with his brother in West Hollywood during their teenage years.