Clark Griswold Costume
Bring the chaotic holiday spirit of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation to life.
Clark Griswold is the ultimate well-meaning, disaster-prone family man from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. People choose this costume for its nostalgic humor, instant recognizability, and festive energy. The look features a classic holiday outfit topped with a Santa hat, a tangled strand of Christmas lights, and a crazed but optimistic expression.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $35–85
Try it on
See yourself as Clark Griswold
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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What you need for a Clark Griswold costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Clark Griswold costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Santa Hat
A classic red plush Santa hat with a white faux-fur trim and pom-pom.
Shawl-Collar Cardigan
A cozy, thick knit shawl-collar cardigan sweater in navy blue, beige, or grey.
DIY: Use any chunky knit button-up sweater from your closet.
Light Blue Dress Shirt
A classic light blue or sky blue long-sleeve button-down dress shirt.
Festive Patterned Tie
A retro, slightly tacky holiday-themed necktie featuring Christmas trees, reindeer, or snowflakes.
Dark Dress Pants
Standard flat-front black or charcoal grey dress pants.
DIY: Any dark chinos or slacks will work.
Tangled Christmas Lights
A strand of multi-colored, vintage-style ceramic C9 LED Christmas lights to drape over your shoulders.
DIY: Use an old, non-working strand of colorful holiday lights from your garage.
Moose Mug
A clear acrylic or glass Marty Moose eggnog mug, held in hand.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Clark Griswold costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the light blue dress shirt and button it all the way to the top.
- 2
Tie the festive holiday necktie around your collar, keeping it neat.
- 3
Put on the dark dress pants and secure them with a simple black leather belt.
- 4
Layer the chunky knit shawl-collar cardigan over the shirt and tie, leaving it unbuttoned.
- 5
Place the red Santa hat on your head, tilting it slightly to one side.
- 6
Drape the tangled strand of multi-colored Christmas lights around your neck and shoulders like a scarf.
- 7
Carry the Marty Moose mug in one hand to complete the festive, stressed-out dad look.
Makeup & hair
Keep your hair neatly parted and combed back under the Santa hat. No makeup is required, but a slightly wide-eyed, manic grin perfectly captures Clark's chaotic energy.
Clark Griswold for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Ellen Griswold in a retro 1980s holiday sweater, or Cousin Eddie in a white bathrobe, black trapper hat, and holding a black sewer hose.
- group
- Assemble the whole Griswold family, including Cousin Eddie, Ellen, Audrey, Rusty, and Aunt Bethany holding a wrapped jello mold.
- kids
- A miniature version featuring a oversized green velvet Santa suit jacket, a tie, and a small plastic moose mug.
- Plus size
- The chunky knit cardigan and relaxed-fit dress pants offer a comfortable, highly adjustable, and flattering fit for all body types.
- pet
- Dress your dog as Snotts, Cousin Eddie's slobbering Rottweiler, wearing a simple red holiday collar.
Tips
- For safety and mobility, use battery-operated LED Christmas lights so you don't have to stay plugged into a wall.
- If you want to go all out, swap the cardigan for a bright red velvet Santa suit jacket over your shirt and tie.
- Keep a few funny quotes from the movie ready, like 'We're gonna have the hap-hap-happiest Christmas!'
Clark Griswold costume FAQ
- What kind of sweater does Clark Griswold wear?
- Clark wears a classic, cozy knit shawl-collar cardigan sweater over a light blue dress shirt and a festive Christmas tie.
- How do I make a cheap DIY Clark Griswold costume?
- Use a light blue button-down shirt and dark pants from your closet, buy a cheap Santa hat, and drape a strand of real Christmas lights around your neck.
- What are the best props for a Clark Griswold costume?
- The best props are a clear Marty Moose eggnog mug, a tangled strand of colorful Christmas lights, or a staple gun.
Did you know? The iconic Marty Moose mug Clark drinks eggnog from is a nod to Walley World, the fictional theme park from the original 1983 National Lampoon's Vacation movie.