Reno 911 Costume
New boot goofin' in the iconic, hilariously short Reno deputy uniform.
Reno 911! costumes, particularly Lieutenant Jim Dangle, are a legendary choice for comedy fans who want a bold, hilarious look. This costume is instantly recognizable by its ridiculously short uniform shorts, tan police shirt, and aviator sunglasses. It is a crowd-pleasing, high-energy outfit perfect for parties and group themes.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $35–85
Try it on
See yourself as Reno 911
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 Reno 911 costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Reno 911 costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Tan short-sleeve police shirt
A tan or khaki button-up uniform shirt with chest pockets and collar, ideally featuring Reno Sheriff department patches.
DIY: Use a standard khaki work shirt and pin homemade paper or fabric sheriff patches to the sleeves.
Ultra-short khaki shorts
Extremely short, tight-fitting khaki or tan uniform shorts that hem high on the thigh.
DIY: Cut a pair of old khaki pants down to a 2-inch inseam and hem them.
Black utility belt
A black faux-leather or nylon tactical belt equipped with a toy holster, handcuffs, and pouches.
DIY: Thread a standard black belt through toy handcuffs and a plastic holster.
Gold sheriff badge
A gold star-shaped shield badge pinned to the shirt chest.
DIY: Cut a star badge shape out of cardboard and cover it in gold foil.
Aviator sunglasses
Classic silver or gold-framed aviator sunglasses with dark lenses.
Black police boots or cowboy boots
Black tactical boots, or white/tan cowboy boots for Dangle's 'genuine ostrich leather' look.
DIY: Wear any sturdy black work boots or dress shoes.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Reno 911 costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the tight khaki short-sleeve button-up shirt and button it up.
- 2
Put on the ultra-short khaki shorts, ensuring they sit high on the waist.
- 3
Tuck the shirt tightly into the shorts to emphasize the high-waisted look.
- 4
Fasten the black utility belt around your waist, positioning the toy holster and handcuffs on your hips.
- 5
Pin the gold sheriff badge to the left chest pocket of the shirt.
- 6
Put on the aviator sunglasses and slip on the boots.
- 7
If going as Lieutenant Dangle, add a fake brown handlebar mustache.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair neatly styled in a retro 1980s cop look. For Lieutenant Dangle, a prominent, well-groomed brown handlebar mustache is essential.
Reno 911 for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair Lieutenant Dangle with Deputy Trudy Wiegel or Deputy Clementine Johnson in matching tan uniforms.
- group
- Gather a full squad of Reno Sheriffs, including Deputies Jones, Garcia, Williams, and Kimball.
- kids
- A miniature police officer uniform with slightly longer shorts for a funny family theme.
- Plus size
- Use a comfortable, stretch-fit khaki button-down shirt and stretch-khaki shorts for ease of movement.
- pet
- A small tan police shirt dog costume with a tiny silver badge.
Tips
- Wear compression shorts underneath the khaki shorts for comfort and coverage.
- Practice your best 'new boot goofin' walk and poses for photos.
- Keep the utility belt lightweight so it doesn't pull down the short shorts.
Reno 911 costume FAQ
- What do I need for a DIY Lt. Dangle costume?
- You need a tan button-down shirt, extremely short khaki shorts, a black utility belt with toy accessories, aviator sunglasses, and a handlebar mustache.
- How short should the Reno 911 shorts be?
- For screen accuracy, the shorts should have a very short inseam (around 2 to 3 inches) and fit tightly.
- Can women wear this costume?
- Yes, this unisex look works great for anyone wanting to portray Lieutenant Dangle or other deputies like Clementine Johnson.
Did you know? The iconic short shorts worn by Thomas Lennon as Lieutenant Dangle were originally a mistake; the wardrobe department bought them too small, but Lennon insisted they keep them for the comedic effect.