Weekend At Bernie's Costume Guide

What You’ll Need

Recreating the wardrobe from Weekend at Bernie’s comes down to late-eighties coastal resort wear with a heavy dose of slapstick comedy. Whether you are dressing up as Bernie Lomax himself or teaming up with friends to recreate the full trio with Larry and Richard, the clothes rely on distinct casual pieces that contrast sharply against each other.

Bernie’s look is built on relaxed luxury, while Larry and Richard wear mismatched office-workers-on-vacation layers. The beauty of this costume setup is that every piece functions like real, wearable summer clothing, making it comfortable to wear for an entire day while still landing the joke immediately.

Bernie Lomax: The Resort Host

Bernie spends the entire film lounging around his luxury beach house, dressed in upscale leisure clothes. The core top is a Harriton Button Down Shirt in Light Denim, worn untucked with the collar relaxed and the top buttons open. Pair the shirt with Grey Khaki Plaid Shorts that hit right around the knee, keeping the fit loose and breezy.

Footwear for Bernie should feel casual yet refined. Sanuk Shore Leave Oxford Shoes in Browns match the wealthy host aesthetic without requiring formal dress shoes. Because Bernie is supposed to be carried, dragged, or propped on furniture, comfortable low-profile shoes make the physical acting far easier if you are the one playing the part.

The single piece that makes the costume unmistakable is the eyewear. Gold Round Sunglasses with Black Lenses completely hide the eyes, which is essential for pulling off Bernie’s permanent blank stare. Opt for lenses dark enough that spectators cannot see where you are looking, especially under harsh convention lighting or direct sunlight. A touch of pale makeup or a slightly relaxed jaw helps sell the lifeless expression.

Richard Parker: The Sensible Preppy

Richard is the uptight straight man of the duo, and his outfit follows practical, layered late-80s weekend fashion. The foundation is a Gray and White Striped Long Sleeve Shirt worn under an Aqua Blue Hooded Windbreaker Jacket. Leaving the jacket unzipped allows the stripes to break up the bright teal-blue shell.

For the bottom half, Stone Chino Pants keep the silhouette clean and understated against the colorful jacket. Finish Richard’s look with Black Vans Old Skool Sneakers, which give the outfit an authentic, slightly sporty casualness suitable for sprinting around a beach property.

Larry Wilson: Loud Prints and Bold Colors

Larry is the impulsive schemer who treats the Hamptons like an endless party, and his wardrobe is intentionally loud. He layers a vibrant Black and Teal Tropical Hawaiian Shirt wide open over a Gildan Daisy Yellow T-Shirt (3-Pack). The bright yellow peeking out from underneath provides high contrast against the dark tropical foliage pattern.

Rather than matching his shorts to the shirt, Larry clashes them with Black and Red Plaid Shorts. That deliberate pattern collision is quintessential late-eighties beach styling. Round out his outfit with Converse Chuck Taylor Hi-Top Sneakers in Charcoal, worn loosely laced with ankle socks.

Staging the Gag

When tackling this costume as a pair or trio, the physical positioning matters just as much as the clothing. Larry and Richard should constantly support Bernie by draping his arms over their shoulders or gripping him by the belt. If you are playing Bernie, practice going completely loose in your posture while keeping your feet lightly on the ground so your partners are not carrying your full body weight. For solo cosplayers, a plastic cocktail glass in hand while slumping motionless in a chair gets the point across without speaking a word.