Jon Arbuckle’s wardrobe reflects the everyday, slightly awkward style of a late-1970s comic strip bachelor. His classic appearance relies entirely on a distinctive two-tone blue color scheme: a lighter blue long-sleeve dress shirt tucked neatly into darker blue trousers, grounded by plain brown leather shoes.
Because these are standard clothing pieces, the real challenge is making the character obvious rather than looking like an ordinary office worker. Nailing the contrast between the two shades of blue and carrying Garfield or Odie alongside the outfit turns a simple set of separates into an unmistakable tribute.
The Blue-on-Blue Shirt and Trousers
Jon almost always wears a long-sleeve, collared button-down shirt paired with trousers in a noticeably darker shade. You want a clear visual step between the top and bottom halves of the outfit. A sky blue, cornflower blue, or powder blue shirt provides the right baseline up top, while royal blue or medium navy pants give the lower half enough weight.
Keep the silhouette clean and traditional. Jon wears a standard straight-fit or relaxed-fit dress pant rather than modern skinny trousers or denim jeans. Tuck the shirt in cleanly all the way around, and secure it with a simple brown belt that matches your shoes. Roll the cuffs down to the wrists and button them neatly to match the modest, somewhat nerdy style Jim Davis gave him on the comics page.
Everyday Footwear
For shoes, Jon sticks to simple brown dress shoes. A pair of penny loafers or plain slip-on dress shoes in medium or dark brown fits the character naturally. Skip athletic sneakers or rugged boots, as they break the suburban comic strip aesthetic. Plain dark socks keep the transition between the trousers and loafers looking tidy.
Hair and Styling
Jon’s hair is one of his most distinct cartoon features: thick, wavy brown hair with plenty of volume on top and a neat taper around the ears. If you have medium-length brown hair, you can blow-dry it upward with a round brush and use a light styling pomade or paste to shape soft, rounded waves. If you need a wig, choose a short, wavy brown synthetic piece with a retro cut rather than something spiky or anime-inspired. Jon is clean-shaven, so keep your face smooth to match the illustrated character design.
Bringing Along Garfield and Odie
Because Jon wears regular clothes, carrying his pets is what makes the outfit instantly identifiable to everyone you pass. A classic plush Garfield tucked under one arm or resting against your side provides immediate context. The fat, lazy orange cat is the focal point of Jon’s entire life, so having him present anchors the whole costume.
If you want to lean even further into the comic strips, carrying an Odie plush adds another layer of fun. You can alternate carrying Odie or tuck both pets into a canvas tote bag if you need your hands free while walking around an event floor. Another subtle touch is carrying a simple white ceramic coffee mug, which Jon constantly holds while staring blankly at his counter in the morning strips.
