Prison Mike Costume
Do you really expect me to not push you against the wall?
Prison Mike is one of Michael Scott's most hilarious and memorable alter egos from NBC's hit sitcom, The Office. Fans love this costume because it is instantly recognizable, incredibly easy to put together, and guaranteed to bring laughs. The look combines standard office wear with a distinctive purple bandana and a tough-guy attitude.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $15–50
Try it on
See yourself as Prison Mike
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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.
What you need for a Prison Mike costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Prison Mike costume — one box instead of 4 pieces.
Purple Bandana
A classic paisley-patterned purple bandana tied tightly around the head.
DIY: Use any scrap purple fabric cut into a square and folded diagonally.
Grey Suit Jacket
A standard, slightly ill-fitting grey or charcoal single-breasted suit jacket.
DIY: Borrow a grey blazer or find one at a local thrift store.
White Dress Shirt
A classic white long-sleeve button-down dress shirt, worn open at the collar with no tie.
DIY: Any white button-up shirt from your closet.
Grey Suit Pants
Matching grey dress pants to complete the office-appropriate suit look.
DIY: Any dark grey or charcoal slacks.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Prison Mike costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white dress shirt, leaving the top one or two buttons undone, and tuck it into the grey dress pants.
- 2
Put on the grey suit jacket over the white shirt.
- 3
Fold the purple paisley bandana diagonally into a triangle, roll it slightly, and tie it tightly around your forehead, knotting it at the back of your head.
- 4
Adopt a squinty-eyed, tough-guy scowl to match Michael Scott's exaggerated 'prison' expression.
Makeup & hair
No special makeup is required, but you can use an eyebrow pencil to slightly darken your eyebrows for a more intense, comical scowl. Hair should be tucked neatly under the bandana.
Prison Mike for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as Pam Beesly, Dwight Schrute, or a Dunder Mifflin employee holding a 'Free Belarus' sign.
- group
- Gather a group to dress as different Michael Scott alter egos, such as Date Mike, Michael Scarn, and Survivor Man.
- kids
- A miniature version featuring a tiny grey suit and a purple bandana is adorable and funny.
- Plus size
- This standard suit-and-bandana look is highly adjustable and comfortable for all body types.
- pet
- A purple bandana tied around a dog's collar makes for an easy, matching pet look.
Tips
- Keep your facial expression in character for photos—squint your eyes and jut out your jaw.
- Carry a printout of a Dunder Mifflin paper box or a mug that says 'World's Best Boss' to solidify the reference.
- Prepare a few classic quotes from the episode, especially about 'the Dementors' and eating gruel.
- Make sure the bandana is tied snugly so it doesn't slip off your forehead during the night.
Prison Mike costume FAQ
- What color bandana does Prison Mike wear?
- Prison Mike wears a bright purple bandana with a classic white paisley pattern.
- How do you make a Prison Mike costume?
- Simply wear a standard grey business suit with an open-collar white shirt, and tie a purple paisley bandana around your head.
- What episode of The Office is Prison Mike from?
- Prison Mike appears in Season 3, Episode 9, titled 'The Convict'.
Did you know? The iconic 'Dementors' line was completely ad-libbed by Steve Carell during filming, which is why several cast members in the background are visibly struggling not to laugh.