What You’ll Need
Khaki Work Shirt
Black Belt
Khaki Shorts
Clear Lens Aviator Glasses
Black Woggle
Yellow Neckerchief
Dusty Blue Neckerchief
Self Adhesive Mustache
Olive Green Socks
Yellow Socks
Brown Shoes
Blue Plastic Arrows
Hot Glue Gun Kit
Dressing up as Patrick ‘Pat’ Butcher from Ghosts UK is a fantastic and unique cosplay choice.
Pat is the cheerful and ever-optimistic scoutmaster who haunts the halls of Button House.
His incredibly upbeat personality makes him a beloved character among fans of the hit comedy series.
Despite his tragic end, he maintains a positive outlook that is infectious to everyone around him.
Creating this costume is surprisingly straightforward and incredibly fun for cosplayers of any skill level.
You can easily put together his iconic 1980s scout uniform using accessible clothing pieces.
The best part is definitely recreating his memorable and slightly gruesome defining feature.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of building your perfect Pat costume.
We will cover everything from the khaki uniform base to the hilarious arrow through the neck.
Get ready to channel your inner scout leader and bring some joy to the afterlife.
Complete Costume Breakdown
Clothing & Core Pieces
The foundation of Pat’s outfit is his very classic and slightly dated khaki scout uniform.
Start your build with a simple khaki short-sleeve work shirt featuring dual front chest pockets.
Pair the work shirt with matching khaki shorts that hit just above the knee for accuracy.
These shorts should have a traditional cut, avoiding modern cargo styles with excessive side pockets.
Tuck your shirt in neatly to maintain that strict and proper scoutmaster appearance at all times.
Secure the khaki shorts around your waist with a standard black leather or woven web belt.
For footwear, you will need a sturdy pair of classic brown leather shoes or walking boots.
His socks are quite specific, featuring a distinctive two-tone layered look that is easy to miss.
Wear a pair of standard olive green knee-high socks as your primary base layer.
Then, take a pair of bright yellow socks and layer them underneath the green ones.
Fold the tops of the yellow socks over the green socks to show the contrasting color.
Accessories & Details
The accessories are what truly bring this character to life in an instantly recognizable way.
Pat always wears large, clear lens aviator glasses that absolutely scream 1980s fashion.
You will also need a prominent, thick brown mustache to match his facial hair perfectly.
A high-quality self-adhesive fake mustache is perfect if you prefer not to grow your own.
His traditional scout neckerchief is a vital and colorful part of the overall uniform design.
To get his specific colors, you will need to combine two different neckerchiefs together.
Take one bright yellow neckerchief and one dusty blue neckerchief and roll them up tightly.
Secure both of these colored neckerchiefs together around your shirt collar using a black woggle.
Now we arrive at the most important and iconic detail of the entire cosplay.
You must include the arrow sticking straight through his neck to truly be Pat Butcher.
You will need a set of blue plastic toy arrows with suction cups or safety tips.
Use your trusty hot glue gun to carefully modify the plastic arrow for safe wearing.
You can attach the separate arrow halves to a clear plastic neck band or sturdy wire.
Cosplay Tips
Making the neck arrow look realistic and cartoonish is key to nailing this cosplay.
Take one of the blue plastic arrows and carefully cut it completely in half.
Attach the pointed front half to angle outwards from the front side of your neck.
Attach the fletching end so it looks like it enters straight from the back.
A clear plastic choker necklace makes an excellent hidden base for mounting the arrow halves.
Use a very strong hot glue to ensure the pieces stay firmly attached all day.
Keep the uniform itself looking slightly rumpled since Pat has been wearing it for decades.
A few wrinkles will make the outfit look lived-in rather than brand new off the rack.
Character Vibe & Styling Notes
Pat is relentlessly positive, deeply enthusiastic, and fully committed to his lifelong scout rules.
When wearing this costume, you should always try to maintain a cheerful and eager posture.
Practice a few of his distinctive 1980s catchphrases to really embody the character’s spirit.
He frequently stands with his hands resting confidently on his hips or clasped neatly behind his back.
Remember that he still genuinely thinks he is in charge of a local scout troop.
Speak with an upbeat, encouraging tone and offer unsolicited but friendly advice to other cosplayers.
Your overly positive demeanor should contrast hilariously with the fatal arrow sticking through your neck.
He is a stickler for the rules, so act slightly shocked if you see anyone misbehaving.
Final Thoughts
A Pat Butcher cosplay is practically guaranteed to be a massive hit at any convention.
Fellow fans of the brilliant BBC comedy show will instantly recognize and appreciate the detailed costume.
It is a wonderfully comfortable outfit to wear all day while walking around a busy event space.
The unique mix of a wholesome scout uniform and a morbid injury is perfectly balanced.
Have an absolute blast putting this ensemble together and enjoy haunting your local cosplay gatherings.
You will undoubtedly bring smiles to many faces while portraying this beloved spectral scoutmaster.
Just remember to always watch out for stray arrows while you are out exploring the world.
