Ferris Bueller Costume
Life moves pretty fast. Dress like the Sausage King of Chicago.
Ferris Bueller is the ultimate 80s slacker icon from the classic film Ferris Bueller's Day Off. People choose this costume for its nostalgic charm, high recognition, and effortless cool. The look centers on his signature patterned sweater vest, a cream-colored jacket, and classic dark sunglasses.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as Ferris Bueller
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What you need for a Ferris Bueller costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Ferris Bueller costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Patterned Sweater Vest
An abstract, geometric, or leopard-print knit sweater vest in shades of brown, black, and white.
DIY: Use a plain brown vest and draw geometric patterns on it with black fabric markers.
Cream Faux-Leather Jacket
A light tan or cream-colored bomber jacket with dark elastic cuffs and collar.
DIY: A light beige windbreaker or casual bomber jacket works as a close substitute.
White Dress Shirt
A simple, long-sleeved white button-down shirt worn slightly unbuttoned at the collar.
Gray Slacks
Classic gray or charcoal dress pants with a relaxed, 1980s fit.
DIY: Any gray chinos or casual gray trousers from your closet.
Wayfarer Sunglasses
Classic black retro wayfarer-style sunglasses.
White Canvas Sneakers
Simple low-top white canvas sneakers or casual loafers.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Ferris Bueller costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white button-down dress shirt, leaving the top one or two buttons open.
- 2
Layer the patterned sweater vest directly over the white dress shirt.
- 3
Put on the gray slacks, securing them with a simple dark leather belt.
- 4
Put on the cream-colored bomber jacket, leaving it completely unzipped to show off the vest.
- 5
Slip on the white canvas sneakers or casual loafers.
- 6
Finish the look by putting on the black wayfarer sunglasses and styling your hair.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in a messy, feathered 1980s blowout with plenty of volume. No makeup is required, but a confident, mischievous smirk is essential.
Ferris Bueller for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with Sloane Peterson in her white fringed leather jacket and blue shorts, or Cameron Frye in his Detroit Red Wings jersey.
- group
- Add Cameron Frye and Sloane Peterson to complete the iconic trio from the movie.
- kids
- A miniature version featuring a tiny patterned vest, gray pants, and oversized sunglasses.
- Plus size
- Look for relaxed-fit gray chinos and an oversized cream bomber jacket for a comfortable, screen-accurate fit.
- pet
- A small dog wearing a red Detroit Red Wings jersey to play the role of Cameron.
Tips
- Keep the jacket unzipped at all times so the distinctive sweater vest pattern remains visible.
- Practice your best fourth-wall-breaking looks and classic movie quotes for photos.
- This outfit is highly practical for cold weather; just zip up the jacket when walking between venues.
- Thrift stores are excellent places to find authentic 1980s-style patterned vests and cream jackets.
Ferris Bueller costume FAQ
- What kind of vest does Ferris Bueller wear?
- Ferris wears an abstract, knit sweater vest featuring a black, white, and brown geometric leopard-like pattern.
- How do I style my hair for a Ferris Bueller costume?
- Aim for a feathered, messy 80s look. Use a blow dryer and some light pomade or hairspray to get volume and texture.
- Is a Ferris Bueller costume easy to DIY?
- Yes, it is very easy. Most components like a white shirt, gray pants, and sunglasses are common wardrobe items, leaving only the vest and jacket to source.
Did you know? The iconic leopard-patterned vest worn by Matthew Broderick in the film was actually a knit sweater that the costume department cut the sleeves off of just before filming.