Are you ready to motivate your friends and family? If not, you might end up living in a van down by the river.
This Matt Foley DIY costume guide celebrates one of Chris Farley’s most beloved Saturday Night Live characters. It is loud, chaotic, and incredibly fun to wear.
The best part is that the outfit relies on standard clothing items you might find at a thrift store. However, getting the fit right is key to selling the comedy.
Whether you are crashing a Halloween party or a coffee table, this guide has everything you need.
Complete Costume Breakdown
Clothing & Core Pieces
The most important piece of this ensemble is the jacket. You need a loud, blue plaid sport coat that clashes with everything else.
It should look slightly too small for you to mimic Farley’s bursting energy. If you can’t find the exact pattern, any loud blue plaid works.
Underneath the jacket, wear a standard white dress shirt. Button it all the way to the top to look stiff and uncomfortable.
Don’t worry about ironing it perfectly. A little disarray adds to the manic energy of the character.
Next, grab a bright kelly green necktie. The contrast against the blue jacket is visually jarring, which is exactly what we want.
Make sure the tie is tied tightly and sits awkwardly against the collar. It shouldn’t look professional.
For the bottoms, you need a pair of light-colored khakis. The specific color ‘Cloud’ or a very light beige is accurate to the sketch.
These pants need to be roomy enough to be pulled up unnaturally high. That is the signature silhouette of Matt Foley.
Accessories & Details
No Matt Foley costume is complete without the eyewear. You need thick-rimmed black Wayfarer-style glasses.
These frame the face and emphasize the intense, wide-eyed expressions you will be making all night.
While not an affiliate item, you definitely need a simple belt. This is crucial for holding your pants up around your stomach.
You will be grabbing this belt constantly to hoist your pants up during your motivational speeches.
Wear sensible dress shoes or loafers. They should look like something a budget motivational speaker would wear.
Cosplay Tips
If you don’t have Chris Farley’s build, you can use a pillow or foam padding to create the belly.
Secure the padding with an undershirt so it doesn’t shift while you are flailing your arms.
For the hair, go for a messy, swept-back blonde look. Use plenty of gel or hairspray to make it look sweaty and unkempt.
Speaking of sweat, spray a little water on your forehead and shirt collar before making an entrance.
Matt Foley is always overheating from his own intensity. The wet look sells the physical comedy instantly.
Practice hitching up your pants. Do it aggressively and often. It is his most recognizable physical tic.
Character Vibe & Styling Notes
Matt Foley is a ball of nervous, aggressive energy. You should never be standing still.
Walk with a heavy stomp and wave your arms to emphasize your points.
Your voice should fluctuate between a normal speaking volume and a sudden, cracking yell.
Memorize a few key phrases. ‘In a van down by the river’ is mandatory.
Talk about drinking coffee or eating government cheese to really get into character.
Be careful with your surroundings. While crashing through a coffee table is canon, your host might not appreciate it.
Instead, just threaten to crash into things or slam your hands on sturdy surfaces.
The styling is ‘disheveled professional.’ Your shirt should come untucked as the night goes on.
Final Thoughts
This DIY Matt Foley costume is a guaranteed hit at any costume party or 90s themed event.
It is comfortable enough to wear all night, provided you don’t actually pass out from yelling.
Focus on the physical comedy and the high-waisted pants, and everyone will recognize you immediately.
Now get out there and steer your friends onto the right path!
