The Bandit Costume
Eastbound and down in Burt Reynolds' legendary 1970s outlaw style.
Step into the boots of Bo 'Bandit' Darville, the legendary bootlegger played by Burt Reynolds in the 1977 classic Smokey and the Bandit. This costume is a favorite for retro movie fans who want a high-energy, charismatic look. The outfit centers around classic 1970s western wear, anchored by a bold red shirt, a black cowboy hat, and that unmistakable mustache.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as The Bandit
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 The Bandit costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete The Bandit costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Red western shirt
A bright red, long-sleeve western-style shirt with snap buttons and a pointed shoulder yoke.
DIY: Use a plain red button-down shirt and draw western yoke lines with a fabric marker.
Black cowboy hat
A black felt or straw cowboy hat with a curved brim and a thin silver or black band.
Bootcut blue jeans
Classic, dark-wash blue jeans in a bootcut or straight-leg fit.
DIY: Use any pair of dark blue jeans you already own.
Western belt and buckle
A thick brown leather belt paired with a large, ornate brass or gold western belt buckle.
Aviator sunglasses
Gold-rimmed aviator sunglasses with brown or amber tinted lenses.
Fake chevron mustache
A thick, dark brown or black 1970s-style chevron mustache.
DIY: Draw one on with dark brown eyeliner pencil if you don't have a fake mustache.
Cowboy boots
Brown or black leather western boots with a slight heel.
DIY: Any dark brown leather work boots will work when covered by bootcut jeans.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made The Bandit costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the dark blue bootcut jeans and tuck in the red western snap-button shirt.
- 2
Fasten the thick brown leather belt, ensuring the large western buckle is centered and highly visible.
- 3
Put on the brown cowboy boots, pulling the jeans down over the shafts of the boots.
- 4
Apply the fake chevron mustache to your upper lip using spirit gum or the self-adhesive backing.
- 5
Place the black cowboy hat firmly on your head, tilted slightly back to show your face.
- 6
Slip on the gold aviator sunglasses and unbutton the top two buttons of the shirt for that relaxed 1970s swagger.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in a feathered 1970s look peeking out from under the hat. The key feature is the thick, dark brown chevron mustache; use spirit gum for a secure hold if using a costume mustache.
The Bandit for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with Carrie 'Frog' in a wedding dress or 1970s casual wear, or Sheriff Buford T. Justice.
- group
- Add Sheriff Buford T. Justice in a khaki police uniform and Cledus 'Snowman' Snow in a trucker hat and vest.
- kids
- A mini red western shirt, felt cowboy hat, and a drawn-on eyeliner mustache make an adorable kids' version.
- Plus size
- Choose a relaxed-fit western shirt and comfortable stretch bootcut jeans for an easy, authentic fit.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a mini black cowboy hat and a red bandana.
Tips
- Keep the shirt unbuttoned slightly at the collar to capture that relaxed 1970s Burt Reynolds swagger.
- If you don't have cowboy boots, any dark brown leather boots or work boots will work under bootcut jeans.
- Carry a vintage CB radio microphone or a set of gold car keys to reference the iconic Pontiac Trans Am.
The Bandit costume FAQ
- What kind of shirt does the Bandit wear?
- The Bandit wears a bright red, long-sleeve western-style shirt with snap buttons and a pointed shoulder yoke.
- How do I get the Bandit's signature mustache?
- Use a dark brown self-adhesive chevron-style fake mustache, or grow and groom your own thick 1970s mustache.
- What accessories are essential for a Bandit costume?
- The essential accessories are a black cowboy hat, gold aviator sunglasses, a large western belt buckle, and cowboy boots.
Did you know? Burt Reynolds actually kept many of the shirts and the iconic black cowboy hat worn during the filming of Smokey and the Bandit.