Menendez Brothers Costume
Recreate the infamous 1980s preppy look with classic court style.
The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, became household names during their highly publicized 1993 trial. For Halloween and true crime-themed events, people recreate their affluent 1980s Beverly Hills aesthetic. The look consists of classic, preppy sportswear including pastel polo shirts, tennis sweaters, and khakis.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $30–80
Try it on
See yourself as Menendez Brothers
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What you need for a Menendez Brothers costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Menendez Brothers costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Preppy V-Neck Tennis Sweater
A white or cream cable-knit V-neck sweater with navy blue and red stripes around the collar.
DIY: Use a plain white V-neck sweater and draw blue and red stripes around the collar with fabric markers.
Pastel Polo Shirt
A classic cotton polo shirt in light blue, pink, or white to layer under the sweater.
Khaki Slacks or Chinos
Pleated light khaki or beige cotton trousers, typical of late 80s fashion.
White Tennis Shoes
Classic low-top white leather tennis shoes or court sneakers.
Fake court documents or folder
A manila folder or blue legal portfolio to carry as a prop representing the trial.
DIY: Print out a mock legal document cover sheet and attach it to a standard folder.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Menendez Brothers costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the pastel polo shirt, keeping the collar neatly pressed.
- 2
Layer the cable-knit tennis sweater over the polo shirt, letting the polo collar pop out slightly.
- 3
Tuck both the polo and the sweater (or leave the sweater neatly hemmed at the waist) into the pleated khaki trousers.
- 4
Secure the trousers with a simple brown leather belt.
- 5
Put on white crew socks and clean white tennis shoes.
- 6
Part your hair neatly to the side to capture the clean-cut 1980s hairstyle.
- 7
Carry a manila legal folder to complete the courtroom-inspired look.
Makeup & hair
Style hair with a clean, side-parted 1980s blowout using pomade or hairspray. Keep makeup minimal and clean-shaven for a youthful, affluent look.
Menendez Brothers for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person dresses as Lyle in a tennis sweater, and the other dresses as Erik in a layered polo shirt.
- group
- Add a third person dressed as a 1990s defense attorney in a gray power suit with a briefcase.
- Plus size
- Opt for relaxed-fit pleated chinos and a stretch-knit cable sweater for a comfortable, period-accurate fit.
Tips
- Keep the colors soft and pastel to maintain the authentic late-80s Beverly Hills country club aesthetic.
- Ensure your clothes are neatly ironed; the key to this look is an immaculate, wealthy presentation.
- Carry a prop tennis racket or a legal folder to make the costume instantly recognizable.
Menendez Brothers costume FAQ
- What is the classic Menendez brothers look?
- The classic look is 1980s preppy fashion, featuring cable-knit tennis sweaters, pastel polo shirts, pleated khaki pants, and white court shoes.
- How do you style the hair for this costume?
- Style your hair in a neat, voluminous 80s side part using gel or pomade to hold the shape.
- Is this costume easy to DIY?
- Yes, it is very easy to put together using standard thrift store finds or basic wardrobe staples like khakis and polo shirts.
Did you know? The brothers' affluent wardrobe during their trial became a major point of discussion in the media, defining the 'rich kid' aesthetic of the early 1990s court TV era.