Crocodile Dundee Costume
G'day mate! Bring the legendary Australian outback hero to life.
Michael "Crocodile" Dundee is the rugged, charismatic bushman from the classic 1986 film who took New York by storm. This costume is a popular choice for movie buffs and 80s fans, featuring a distinct rugged outback aesthetic. The signature look relies on a brown leather vest, a tooth-lined hat, and his famously oversized bowie knife.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as Crocodile Dundee
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Crocodile Dundee costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Crocodile Dundee costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Outback Hat
A brown felt or leather slouch hat decorated with a band of crocodile teeth.
DIY: Take a brown wide-brimmed hat and hot-glue plastic toy crocodile teeth around the band.
Brown Leather Vest
A sleeveless brown leather or faux-leather vest, worn open over a bare chest or a simple tank top.
DIY: Cut the sleeves off an old brown leather jacket or vinyl vest.
Snakeskin Vest Trim
A textured snakeskin or dark red patterned fabric panel on the front of the vest.
DIY: Fabric paint a snakeskin pattern onto the lapels of your vest.
Dark Denim Jeans
A pair of classic, rugged blue or dark gray denim jeans.
DIY: Use any worn-in, straight-leg blue jeans from your closet.
Toy Bowie Knife and Sheath
A large, safe plastic prop bowie knife housed in a brown leather belt sheath.
DIY: Cut a knife shape out of thick cardboard, paint the blade silver, and make a cardboard sheath.
Leather Belt
A wide, rugged brown leather belt with a simple brass or silver buckle.
Leather Wristband
A wide brown leather cuff or wristband worn on one arm.
DIY: Cut a strip of brown vinyl and secure it around your wrist with velcro.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Crocodile Dundee costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the dark denim jeans and secure them with the wide brown leather belt.
- 2
Put on the brown leather vest, leaving it completely unbuttoned.
- 3
Slide the toy bowie knife in its sheath onto your belt, positioning it on your hip.
- 4
Fasten the brown leather cuff bracelet onto your right wrist.
- 5
Place the crocodile-tooth outback hat firmly on your head, tilting it slightly back.
- 6
Step into a pair of rugged brown leather boots to complete the outback look.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in a messy, sun-bleached blonde 1980s shag. Add a light dusting of bronzer or brown face paint to your cheeks and nose to simulate a rugged, sun-kissed outback tan.
Crocodile Dundee for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Sue Charlton in her classic 80s New York reporter attire.
- group
- Group up with friends dressed as various outback animals like kangaroos, koalas, or a giant crocodile.
- kids
- A miniature version featuring a brown vest, khaki pants, and a soft foam hat and knife.
- Plus size
- Choose a relaxed-fit faux-leather vest and comfortable stretch denim jeans.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a tiny brown outback hat and a green crocodile plush toy rider.
Tips
- For maximum comfort, wear a tan or black tank top under the vest if you don't want to go bare-chested.
- Make sure your prop knife is clearly made of plastic or foam to comply with local event safety rules.
- Practice your best Australian accent and memorize the iconic line: 'That's not a knife... THAT'S a knife!'
Crocodile Dundee costume FAQ
- What kind of hat does Crocodile Dundee wear?
- He wears a traditional Australian outback slouch hat, typically made of brown felt or leather, adorned with a band of real crocodile teeth.
- How do I make a DIY Crocodile Dundee hat?
- Start with a brown wide-brimmed fedora or safari hat. Buy a pack of plastic toy crocodile teeth, paint them off-white, and hot-glue them around the hat's band.
- What does Crocodile Dundee wear under his vest?
- In the films, he often wears the vest directly over his bare chest. For a more comfortable costume, you can wear a simple black, grey, or tan tank top underneath.
Did you know? The character of Mick Dundee was inspired by real-life Australian bushman Rodney Ansell, who survived alone in the remote Northern Territory for 56 days.