Pete Martino From Ghosts Costume Guide

What You’ll Need

Pete Martino is frozen in the exact mid-1980s Pinecone Trooper troop leader uniform he wore when he died, complete with an arrow piercing straight through his neck. Putting this costume together is mostly an exercise in collecting retro outdoor staples and setting up a secure neck prop that stays in place while you walk around.

The look balances cheery troop leader earnestness with dark comedy. Because Pete’s spirit form is trapped in 1985, every layer reflects the hiking gear of that decade: a crisp khaki utility shirt, short-cut green shorts, knee-high socks folded over sturdy boots, and oversized aviator glasses.

The Arrow Neck Prop

The arrow through the neck is Pete’s defining visual feature, and getting it to sit comfortably requires a bit of practical rigging. A standard gag arrow headband provides the quickest solution. Rather than wearing the plastic arch over the top of your head, wrap the band around the back of your neck so the arrow points cleanly through from one side to the other.

To stop the band from slipping down your neck during wear, anchor it behind your collar. The high fold of the khaki shirt collar and the neckerchief easily conceal the plastic band from view. If the headband feels too loose against your skin, lining the inner curve with a strip of adhesive moleskin adds friction and keeps the arrow steady. Television Pete has very little blood around the entry and exit points, so a subtle smudge of dark red theatrical makeup right where the arrow meets the skin is plenty.

The Uniform Shirt and Troop Patches

Pete’s upper half relies on a short-sleeve khaki utility shirt. Look for a durable cotton or poly-cotton blend featuring button-down chest pockets with center pleats and shoulder epaulets. A structured fabric holds its shape much better than lightweight poplin, especially once you begin attaching merit badges.

Patches turn a generic beige work shirt into an authentic scout leader uniform. Pete displays badges across his chest and sleeves to show off his scouting accomplishments. Combining star patches, a globe patch, and a compass patch creates the right visual density. Iron-on backings work for quick assembly, though securing the edges with a few hand stitches or fabric glue prevents corners from lifting during long days at an event.

Neckerchief, Shorts, and Footwear

The neckerchief sits snugly under the collar, adding a warm pop of gold or mustard yellow right against the beige shirt. Roll a square bandana into a neat band, loop it under the collar, and slide a brass or leather woggle up toward the throat. Tucking the ends behind the folded fabric keeps the front looking tidy and leaves room for the neck arrow above it.

Pete wears forest green utility shorts cut in a true 1980s silhouette, ending several inches above the knee. Modern cargo shorts tend to hang past the kneecap and look baggier than what Pete wears, so aim for a tailored, vintage-length pair in olive or dark green with front slash pockets.

His footwear setup is functional and unmistakably retro. Thick brown hiking boots pair with tall knee-high socks. Pete’s socks are classic outdoor Thorlos featuring an off-white or oatmeal ribbed body and a bright red stripe running along the top cuff. Pull the socks all the way up, then fold the red band down over itself just below the knee.

Eyeglasses and Grooming

Oversized clear-lens aviator glasses instantly date Pete to 1985. The frames feature a teardrop lens shape with a prominent double bridge across the nose. Translucent amber, light tortoise, or clear plastic frames match the show’s aesthetic.

Finish the character with Pete’s signature grooming: a clean side part in the hair and a full, neatly trimmed chevron mustache. If you do not have facial hair, a synthetic brown mustache trimmed to sit flush against the upper lip completes the friendly scout leader look.