What does Cousin Eddie wear under his robe?

In the movie, he wears a white knit dickie (a mock turtleneck collar) and apparently very little else, though you should wear light shorts underneath for public events.

What kind of hat does Cousin Eddie wear?

He wears a black trooper or trapper hat with faux-fur lining and long ear flaps.

How do I make the sewer hose prop?

You can buy a cheap section of flexible black or green plastic drain hose from a hardware store, or use a 3-foot cut of an old green garden hose.

AI-generated example

Uncle Eddie Costume

Shitter's full! Recreate the most hilarious holiday movie look of all time.

Uncle Eddie (commonly known as Cousin Eddie) from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a legendary comedy icon. Choosing this costume guarantees laughs at any holiday party, Halloween event, or Christmas gathering. The look is defined by his shockingly short white bathrobe, a black trapper hat, and a green sewer hose.

Difficulty: Easy
Time: ~15 min
Budget: $30–75

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What you need for a Uncle Eddie costume

Short on time? Buy it ready-made

Spirit Halloween sells the complete Uncle Eddie costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.

Shop Uncle Eddie at Spirit ↗

Short white bathrobe
A thin, short-cut white fleece or terry cloth bathrobe that ends above the knee.
DIY: Trim an old white bathrobe to mid-thigh length.
Amazon
Black trapper hat
A faux-leather or nylon black aviator-style trapper hat with faux-fur lining and long ear flaps.
Amazon
White knit dickie
A white turtleneck dickie collar to wear under the robe.
DIY: Cut the collar off an old white turtleneck sweater.
Amazon
Black dress socks and shoes
Mid-calf black dress socks paired with dark loafers or slip-on dress shoes.
DIY: Use any dark socks and loafers from your closet.
Amazon
Green plastic hose
A segment of flexible green or black plastic bilge or drain hose to represent the sewer hose.
DIY: Use a three-foot segment of a standard green garden hose.
Amazon
Fake cigar
A prop cigar to hold in your mouth or hand.
DIY: Roll up brown construction paper into a tight cylinder.
Amazon

Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Uncle Eddie costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗

How to put it together

1
Put on the white knit dickie over your bare chest or a low-cut white undershirt.
2
Put on the short white bathrobe and tie it securely with the matching belt, letting the dickie show clearly at the neck.
3
Pull on the mid-calf black dress socks and slip into your dark loafers.
4
Place the black trapper hat on your head, leaving the ear flaps hanging down loose and unbuckled.
5
Hold the flexible plastic hose in one hand and place the prop cigar in your mouth to complete the look.

Makeup & hair

No special makeup is required, but a bit of five o'clock shadow or light stubble fits the character perfectly. Keep any visible hair messy underneath the hat.

Uncle Eddie for couples, groups, kids & more

couples: Pair with Catherine in a 1980s holiday outfit, or Clark Griswold in a hockey jersey.
group: Combine with Clark Griswold (wearing tangled Christmas lights) and Todd and Margo in shiny silver tracksuits.
kids: A mini version featuring a small white robe, black winter hat, and a toy hose.
Plus size: The wrap-around robe is highly adjustable; opt for a 2XL or 3XL spa robe for a comfortable, roomy fit.
pet: A white dog sweater paired with a tiny black aviator hat.

Tips

The robe is notoriously short, so wear light-colored shorts or boxers underneath for comfort and coverage.
Carry a plastic beer can or a classic blue mug as an extra prop for photos.
Keep the ear flaps of the trapper hat unbuckled so they flap around authentically as you move.

Uncle Eddie costume FAQ

What does Cousin Eddie wear under his robe?: In the movie, he wears a white knit dickie (a mock turtleneck collar) and apparently very little else, though you should wear light shorts underneath for public events.
What kind of hat does Cousin Eddie wear?: He wears a black trooper or trapper hat with faux-fur lining and long ear flaps.
How do I make the sewer hose prop?: You can buy a cheap section of flexible black or green plastic drain hose from a hardware store, or use a 3-foot cut of an old green garden hose.

Did you know? The iconic white robe scene was filmed in freezing temperatures in Colorado, making actor Randy Quaid's bare-legged performance even more impressive.