What does Laverne's sweater have on it?

Laverne's sweaters always feature a prominent, cursive capital letter 'L' monogrammed on the left chest so people 'know who she is'.

Where did Laverne and Shirley work?

They worked as bottle-cappers at the fictional Shotz Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which makes a prop beer bottle a perfect accessory.

How do you style Shirley's hair?

Shirley's hair is styled in a soft, curled mid-length bob, often accessorized with a thin fabric headband or a small bow.

AI-generated example

Laverne and Shirley Costume

Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated! Grab your best friend for this classic duo.

Laverne and Shirley is one of television's most beloved comedic duos, making them a go-to choice for best friends or couples. Their signature look captures 1950s working-class style, famously anchored by Laverne's bold monogrammed sweaters and Shirley's more conservative, feminine blouses. This guide helps you and your partner-in-crime assemble these nostalgic outfits with ease.

Difficulty: Easy
Time: ~30 min
Budget: $30–80

See yourself as Laverne and Shirley →What you need Buy the Laverne and Shirley costume

Try it on

See yourself as Laverne and Shirley

One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.

Choose or drop a photo of yourselfJPG · PNG · HEIC

One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.

Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.

Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.

Laverne and Shirley costume — Example look · AI-generated

You as Laverne and Shirley

Result

What you need for a Laverne and Shirley costume

Short on time? Buy it ready-made

Spirit Halloween sells the complete Laverne and Shirley costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.

Shop Laverne and Shirley at Spirit ↗

Laverne's Monogrammed Sweater
A short-sleeve or long-sleeve knit sweater, typically in blue, pink, or yellow, featuring a large cursive letter 'L' on the left chest.
DIY: Use black felt or fabric paint to cut out and attach a cursive capital 'L' to a plain sweater.
Amazon
Shirley's Feminine Blouse
A soft pastel button-up blouse, often with a Peter Pan collar, ruffle details, or a small patterned scarf tied around the neck.
DIY: Wear a plain white button-down shirt and tie a small silk scarf or ribbon around the collar.
Amazon
1950s Style Pants or Skirt
High-waisted capri pants or a midi-length pencil skirt in dark colors like black, navy, or brown.
DIY: Roll up the cuffs of dark, slim-fit trousers to mimic the retro capri look.
Amazon
Saddle Shoes or Ballet Flats
Classic black-and-white saddle shoes worn with white bobby socks, or simple flat slip-on shoes.
DIY: Wear plain white canvas sneakers with thick white ankle socks folded down.
Amazon
Shotz Brewery Toy Beer Bottle
A prop beer bottle to represent their jobs as bottle-cappers at Milwaukee's Shotz Brewery.
DIY: Print out a custom 'Shotz Beer' label and tape it onto a clean, empty brown glass or plastic bottle.
Amazon

Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Laverne and Shirley costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗

How to put it together

1
Decide who is playing Laverne (the tomboyish, sarcastic one) and who is playing Shirley (the sweet, neurotic one).
2
For Laverne, put on the high-waisted capri pants and the knit sweater with the prominent cursive 'L' on the left side.
3
For Shirley, put on the high-waisted skirt or pants, tuck in the Peter Pan collar blouse, and tie a small scarf around your neck.
4
Put on white bobby socks and slip into your saddle shoes or flat loafers.
5
Style your hair in classic late-1950s/early-1960s fashion, using hairspray to hold the volume.
6
Grab your prop Shotz Brewery bottles and strike their famous arm-in-arm skipping pose.

Makeup & hair

Laverne wears her dark hair in a flipped-out bob with short bangs, while Shirley wears her lighter hair in soft, voluminous curls with a headband. Keep makeup simple with a touch of pink lipstick, defined eyebrows, and minimal eye makeup to match the late-50s television style.

Laverne and Shirley for couples, groups, kids & more

couples: One person dresses as Laverne and the other dresses as Lenny or Squiggy in a leather motorcycle jacket and greased-back hair.
group: Add Lenny and Squiggy to the mix with leather jackets, white t-shirts, slicked-back hair, and jeans.
kids: Dress two siblings in matching miniature 1950s outfits with tiny monogrammed sweaters.
Plus size: High-waisted swing skirts or wide-leg trousers are highly flattering, comfortable, and period-accurate alternatives to tight capris.

Tips

For the best photos, practice their iconic skipping stance from the show's opening credits while chanting 'Schlemiel! Schlimazel!'.
If you are making the 'L' yourself, use iron-on adhesive backing on felt for a clean, stitch-free look that won't ruin the sweater.
Keep comfortable by choosing flat saddle shoes or canvas sneakers, as this costume involves a lot of physical comedy potential.

Laverne and Shirley costume FAQ

What does Laverne's sweater have on it?: Laverne's sweaters always feature a prominent, cursive capital letter 'L' monogrammed on the left chest so people 'know who she is'.
Where did Laverne and Shirley work?: They worked as bottle-cappers at the fictional Shotz Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which makes a prop beer bottle a perfect accessory.
How do you style Shirley's hair?: Shirley's hair is styled in a soft, curled mid-length bob, often accessorized with a thin fabric headband or a small bow.

Did you know? Penny Marshall's character, Laverne, started wearing the famous 'L' monogram because Marshall wanted a way for viewers to easily distinguish her from Cindy Williams (Shirley) in group shots.