Lieutenant Dangle Costume
Short shorts, big badge: command the room as Reno's finest.
Lieutenant Jim Dangle from Reno 911! is one of television's most recognizable and hilarious law enforcement figures. Popular for his outrageously confident attitude and equally outrageous uniform, this look centers around a tan sheriff's shirt and impossibly short khaki shorts. It is the perfect choice for anyone looking to bring big laughs to a party or cosplay event.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $35–75
Try it on
See yourself as Lieutenant Dangle
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What you need for a Lieutenant Dangle costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Lieutenant Dangle costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Khaki Police Shirt
A tan button-down uniform shirt with chest pockets, collar, and sheriff patches on the sleeves.
DIY: Use a standard tan work shirt and pin printed Reno Sheriff patches to the sleeves.
Khaki Short Shorts
Extremely short, tight-fitting khaki shorts that end high on the upper thigh.
DIY: Cut a pair of old khaki pants or longer shorts down to a very short length and hem them.
Black Utility Belt
A faux-leather police duty belt equipped with toy pouches, a holster, and handcuffs.
DIY: Use a thick black belt and slide on small black camera cases or flashlight pouches.
Aviator Sunglasses
Classic silver or gold-rimmed aviator sunglasses with dark lenses.
Gold Police Badge
A gold-toned star or shield badge pinned to the left chest pocket.
DIY: Cut a star shape out of cardboard, paint it gold, and attach a safety pin to the back.
Fake Mustache
A thick, dark brown chevron-style adhesive mustache.
DIY: Draw one on with a dark brown makeup pencil if you do not have a fake mustache.
Black Combat Boots and Socks
Mid-calf black tactical boots worn with white athletic crew socks pulled up.
DIY: Wear any black work boots or high-top sneakers with white tube socks.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Lieutenant Dangle costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the tight khaki short shorts and tuck the tan police shirt in tightly.
- 2
Pin the gold police badge to the left chest pocket of the shirt.
- 3
Fasten the black utility belt around your waist, adjusting the pouches to sit on your hips.
- 4
Apply the adhesive fake mustache directly above your upper lip on clean, dry skin.
- 5
Pull up the white crew socks and lace up your black combat boots.
- 6
Slide on the aviator sunglasses to complete the law enforcement look.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in a neat, short side-part. Keep your face clean-shaven except for the thick, dark brown chevron-style mustache.
Lieutenant Dangle for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Deputy Clementine Johnson or Deputy Travis Junior for a hilarious Reno 911! duo.
- group
- Assemble the entire Reno Sheriff's Department crew, including Deputy Raineesha Williams and Deputy Jones.
- Plus size
- Look for stretch-fabric khaki shorts and a relaxed-fit tan tactical shirt for maximum comfort.
Tips
- The shorts are notoriously short; consider wearing skin-toned or light-colored compression shorts underneath for comfort and coverage.
- Carry a toy baton, plastic handcuffs, or a toy walkie-talkie on your utility belt to make the cop look more authentic.
- Practice your best deadpan, overly confident law enforcement poses for photos.
Lieutenant Dangle costume FAQ
- How short should Lieutenant Dangle's shorts be?
- They should be extremely short, ending high on the upper thigh, well above mid-thigh level.
- What color is the Reno 911 uniform?
- The uniform is a classic sheriff's tan or khaki color for both the shirt and the shorts.
- Is the mustache real or fake?
- While you can grow your own, a thick, dark brown adhesive fake mustache works perfectly for this costume.
Did you know? Lieutenant Dangle's signature short shorts were originally written into the script because actor Thomas Lennon found them hilarious and felt they highlighted the character's misplaced confidence.