Risky Business Costume
Just take those old records off the shelf in this classic look.
The Risky Business costume recreates Joel Goodsen's legendary living room dance scene from the 1983 film. It is one of the most popular, recognizable, and easy-to-assemble pop culture costumes of all time. The look features an oversized pinkish-white button-down shirt, classic sunglasses, and white crew socks.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~10 min
- Budget
- $15–40
Try it on
See yourself as Risky Business
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What you need for a Risky Business costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Risky Business costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Oversized button-down shirt
A light pink or off-white long-sleeved Oxford dress shirt, worn unbuttoned at the collar and loose.
DIY: Borrow an oversized men's light pink or white dress shirt from a closet.
White boxer shorts
Simple white cotton boxer shorts or tight white undershorts to wear beneath the long shirt.
DIY: Use any pair of short, plain white athletic shorts or boxers you already own.
Wayfarer sunglasses
Classic 1980s-style black frame Wayfarer sunglasses with dark lenses.
DIY: Use any pair of dark, chunky black plastic sunglasses.
White crew socks
Mid-calf length white athletic ribbed crew socks.
DIY: Pull up a pair of plain white tube socks or athletic socks.
Toy candlestick phone or microphone
An optional prop to use as a microphone for lip-syncing, just like in the movie.
DIY: Use a real or toy candlestick, or a rolled-up magazine as a makeshift microphone.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Risky Business costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white boxer shorts or tight undershorts first.
- 2
Slip on the oversized light pink or off-white Oxford button-down shirt, leaving the top two buttons undone.
- 3
Roll the shirt sleeves up slightly to your forearms for a relaxed, casual look.
- 4
Pull on the white ribbed crew socks, sliding them up to mid-calf height.
- 5
Put on the black Wayfarer sunglasses.
- 6
Grab your prop microphone or candlestick to complete the iconic living room dance pose.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup minimal and natural. Style your hair in a slightly messy, feathered 1980s blowout look with some volume.
Risky Business for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person wears the classic shirt-and-socks look, while the other dresses as Lana in her elegant pink dress.
- group
- Have a whole group wear matching oversized shirts, sunglasses, and socks for a fun, coordinated dance squad.
- kids
- Use an adult-sized shirt on a child so it fits like a long gown, paired with shorts and socks.
- Plus size
- Choose a 3XL or 4XL men's Oxford shirt to ensure a comfortable, breezy, oversized fit that covers the torso properly.
- pet
- Put a miniature white collar and tiny black sunglasses on your dog for a quick photo op.
Tips
- Since you are not wearing shoes, wear thick or double-layered white socks if you plan to walk around outdoors or at a party.
- Wear tight-fitting nude or white spandex shorts under the boxers to prevent any wardrobe malfunctions while dancing.
- Keep the shirt unbuttoned just enough to look relaxed, but secure it with double-sided tape if it slides too low.
Risky Business costume FAQ
- What color is the shirt in Risky Business?
- While it often looks white on screen, the original shirt worn by Tom Cruise is actually a very light pink Oxford button-down shirt.
- What do you wear under the Risky Business shirt?
- You should wear white boxer shorts or short white athletic shorts, along with tight undershorts for comfort and coverage.
- Can you wear shoes with a Risky Business costume?
- The screen-accurate look is barefoot with white socks, but if you are going out, you can wear simple white canvas sneakers or slip-ons.
Did you know? The famous dance scene where Tom Cruise slides across the floor in his socks was completely improvised on set.