The Breakfast Club Costume
Don't you forget about these iconic 1980s detention looks.
The Breakfast Club is the ultimate 1985 teen drama, making it a staple choice for group and couples costumes. The look consists of five distinct high school archetypes: the Criminal (John Bender), the Princess (Claire Standish), the Athlete (Andrew Clark), the Brain (Brian Johnson), and the Basket Case (Allison Reynolds). This guide focuses on the most requested individual look, John Bender, while providing details to assemble the entire group.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $30–80
Try it on
See yourself as The Breakfast Club
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What you need for a The Breakfast Club costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete The Breakfast Club costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Red plaid flannel shirt
An oversized, worn-in red and black plaid button-down shirt worn open.
DIY: Borrow an oversized red flannel shirt and lightly scuff the cuffs.
Gray denim jacket
A sleeveless or sleeveless-look gray denim vest or jacket worn over the flannel.
DIY: Cut the sleeves off an old gray denim jacket or thrifted jacket.
White crewneck t-shirt
A basic white cotton t-shirt worn as the base layer.
DIY: Use any plain white t-shirt from your closet.
Green utility trousers
Loose-fitting olive green or khaki cargo-style work pants.
DIY: Use any loose olive green chinos or work pants.
Black fingerless glove
A single black leather or knit fingerless glove worn on the right hand.
DIY: Cut the fingers off an old pair of black knit gloves.
Combat boots
Scuffed, dark brown or black leather lace-up combat boots.
DIY: Use any worn-in dark work boots or hiking boots.
Wayfarer sunglasses
Classic 1980s black-framed Wayfarer sunglasses.
DIY: Use any basic black plastic sunglasses.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made The Breakfast Club costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the plain white crewneck t-shirt as your base layer.
- 2
Layer the red plaid flannel shirt over the t-shirt, leaving it completely unbuttoned with the cuffs rolled up slightly.
- 3
Layer the gray denim vest or sleeveless jacket over the flannel shirt.
- 4
Put on the loose olive green utility pants, securing them with a simple brown leather belt.
- 5
Lace up your dark combat boots, tucking the cuffs of the pants loosely into the tops of the boots.
- 6
Slip the single black fingerless glove onto your right hand.
- 7
Tuck the classic black Wayfarer sunglasses into the front pocket of your denim vest or wear them on your face.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in a messy, shaggy, shoulder-length 1980s look using texturizing spray or pomade for a greasy, rebellious texture. No makeup is required, but a light application of brown eyeshadow can simulate a five o'clock shadow.
The Breakfast Club for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair John Bender with Claire Standish in her brown midi skirt, pink blouse, and tall brown boots.
- group
- Assemble all five members: the Criminal (Bender), the Princess (Claire), the Athlete (Andrew in a blue varsity jacket), the Brain (Brian in a gray crewneck sweater), and the Basket Case (Allison in a black oversized coat and scarf).
- kids
- Dress kids in miniature versions of the classic 80s layers, like a tiny flannel and denim vest.
- Plus size
- All characters wear loose, layered 1980s silhouettes that are highly adjustable and comfortable for all body types.
- pet
- Put a red plaid bandana on your dog to match Bender's signature flannel.
Tips
- Thrifting is your best friend for this look; older, worn-in fabrics look much more authentic to the 1985 film.
- Keep your posture slouchy and rebellious to really sell the John Bender character in photos.
- For group photos, recreate the iconic movie poster pose with everyone sitting or crouching on the floor.
The Breakfast Club costume FAQ
- What does John Bender wear in The Breakfast Club?
- John Bender wears a white t-shirt, an open red plaid flannel shirt, a sleeveless gray denim jacket, olive green utility pants, combat boots, and a single black fingerless glove.
- How do you dress like Claire from The Breakfast Club?
- To dress like Claire Standish, wear a light pink V-neck sweater, a brown flared midi skirt, a wide brown leather waist belt, and tall brown suede boots.
- Is The Breakfast Club a good group costume?
- Yes, it is one of the most recognizable 80s group costumes, perfectly accommodating exactly five people with distinct, easy-to-assemble outfits.
Did you know? John Bender's iconic outfit was largely put together from thrift stores by costume designer Marilyn Vance to reflect his character's neglected home life.