David Van Driessen’s outfit captures the quintessential gentle 1990s folk-hippie teacher aesthetic. The visual shorthand is unmistakable: an earthy red graphic tee bearing a bold peace sign, relaxed straight-leg denim, thick white socks pulled straight into strapped sandals, and untamed reddish hair framed by black wireframe glasses.
Because most components draw from everyday casualwear, pulling this look together hinges on color accuracy and getting the grooming details right. The pieces are straightforward to gather, leaving most of your effort focused on the facial hair, the hairstyle, and carrying along his trusty acoustic guitar.
The Peace Shirt and Denim
The centerpiece of Van Driessen’s wardrobe is his maroon-red crewneck shirt featuring a large white peace emblem across the chest. The graphic needs to be clean, centered, and broad enough to sit prominently over the chest without getting swallowed by a guitar strap. A standard cotton tee like the Peace Sign T-Shirt delivers the exact graphic and casual, slightly boxy drape seen in the animation.
Pair the shirt with mid-wash or classic indigo blue jeans. Van Driessen isn’t wearing modern slim-taper denim; his pants have a relaxed, straight cut that falls cleanly over his footwear. Lee’s Regular Fit Straight Leg Jeans match that unpretentious nineties cut without bunching excessively around the ankles.
The Socks and Sandals Combination
Few style choices define Van Driessen quite like wearing sandals over athletic socks. This is a deliberate character detail that immediately identifies the costume, so don’t skip the socks or swap them for bare feet.
You will need a pair of bright white crew or ankle socks paired with brown leather strapped sandals. The Hanes Full Cushion White Ankle Socks offer comfortable padding and the clean white ribbed appearance needed here. For the sandals, Birkenstock Milano Sandals feature the wide instep straps and essential back slingback strap that match his animation design. If your sandals have adjustable buckles, loosen them slightly so the straps sit comfortably over the bulk of the socks without pinching.
Hair, Eyeglasses, and Facial Grooming
Van Driessen sports voluminous, feathery strawberry-blonde to light reddish-brown hair that parts roughly down the middle and flares out past his ears. If your natural hair isn’t a match, the Strawberry Blonde Short Length Wig provides a solid foundation. You can use a wide-tooth comb and a light mist of water or styling paste to soften the fibers, gently parting the bangs down the center to achieve his slightly disheveled classroom appearance.
His glasses are thin, dark aviators with a slight teardrop frame and clear lenses. The Clear Lens Aviator Eyeglasses in Black match this frame geometry closely. They sit low on the nose bridge, resting just above his beard.
Speaking of the beard, Van Driessen has a full, neatly trimmed brown goatee and mustache that wraps around his mouth. If you are applying theatrical facial hair or using makeup, keep the edges soft rather than razor-sharp, matching his earthy, low-maintenance personality.
The Acoustic Guitar Prop
Carrying an acoustic guitar brings the entire character concept together. Throughout the series, Van Driessen frequently strums folk melodies to soothe chaotic situations, making the instrument his primary visual identifier.
An instrument like the Yamaha FG700S Acoustic Guitar offers the natural wood finish and traditional dreadnought body shape seen in the cartoon. If you are bringing an actual acoustic guitar to a crowded convention hall, attach a comfortable woven strap so you can sling it over your back when browsing artist alleys or navigating tight hallways. For events with strict prop check guidelines, verify the venue’s rules regarding real musical instruments beforehand, or slacken the string tension so tuning pegs aren’t easily knocked out of place during transport.
