Rex Kwon Do Costume
Break the wrist and walk away in this iconic martial arts look.
Step into the dojo as Rex, the self-defense instructor from the cult classic comedy Napoleon Dynamite. Known for his intense patriotism and questionable martial arts skills, Rex's look is instantly recognizable. This costume features his signature American flag pants, a custom 'Rex' shirt, and a matching American flag headband.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $30–70
Try it on
See yourself as Rex Kwon Do
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 Rex Kwon Do costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Rex Kwon Do costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
American flag pants
Loose-fitting, baggy athletic pants or sweatpants featuring a bold red, white, and blue American flag pattern.
DIY: Use plain blue sweatpants and fabric paint to add white stars and red stripes down the sides.
Blue short-sleeve shirt
A blue jersey knit t-shirt or short-sleeve polo with 'Rex' written across the chest in yellow letters.
DIY: Take a plain blue t-shirt and write 'Rex' across the chest using yellow fabric paint or iron-on letters.
American flag headband
A classic tie-back bandana or elastic headband in a matching American flag print.
Yellow wristbands
A pair of bright yellow terrycloth athletic wristbands.
Black martial arts belt
A standard black karate or taekwondo belt tied around the waist.
DIY: Use a strip of black fabric or a plain black canvas belt tied loosely.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Rex Kwon Do costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the baggy American flag pants, pulling them up to sit comfortably at the waist.
- 2
Tuck the blue 'Rex' shirt into the pants.
- 3
Tie the black martial arts belt around your waist over the pants, leaving the ends hanging down in front.
- 4
Slide the yellow athletic wristbands onto both wrists.
- 5
Tie the American flag bandana around your forehead, securing it at the back of your head.
- 6
Adopt a wide, defensive stance and prepare to demonstrate the 'break the wrist and walk away' technique.
Makeup & hair
Keep your hair messy and slightly unkempt under the headband. If you have facial hair, a thin, slightly unpolished mustache fits Rex's look perfectly.
Rex Kwon Do for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Kip in his training outfit or Napoleon Dynamite in his 'Vote for Pedro' shirt.
- group
- Form a Napoleon Dynamite group with Napoleon, Kip, Pedro, Deb, and Uncle Rico.
- kids
- A miniature version with smaller flag pants and a tiny blue tee makes for a hilarious kids' costume.
- Plus size
- The baggy fit of the flag pants and the relaxed cut of the t-shirt make this an incredibly comfortable and accommodating look for all body types.
Tips
- Keep your sleeves rolled up slightly to show off your 'strength' and mimic Rex's tough-guy posture.
- Wear comfortable white athletic sneakers to complete the gym-ready look.
- Memorize a few of Rex's iconic lines, especially his rules of the system, to stay in character all night.
Rex Kwon Do costume FAQ
- What does the Rex Kwon Do shirt say?
- The shirt is a blue short-sleeve top that simply has the name 'Rex' written across the chest in bold yellow capital letters.
- What kind of pants does Rex wear?
- Rex wears baggy, comfortable athletic pants printed with the stars and stripes of the American flag.
- Is the Rex Kwon Do costume comfortable for warm weather?
- Yes, because it consists of a t-shirt, baggy pants, and cotton accessories, it is very breathable and comfortable for warm events.
Did you know? Rex's martial arts style, 'Rex Kwon Do,' was developed by Rex himself after spending two seasons in the octagon, as he proudly boasts in the film.