Community: Dean Pelton’s 10 best over-the-top outfits

Over-the-top outfits of Greendale’s inept and flamboyant Dean Craig Pelton (played by Oscar-winner Jim Rash) have become one of the many hilarious gags in the beloved series Community.

“How many times per year a man can drop in a study room in a dumb costume with irrelevant news?” His closet-full prized pieces in his office span from booty shorts for construction, a carnival costume, and Amadeus’ outfit to announce that the music department is flat “baroque” answers: not enough.

Besides his Dalmatian fetish, unrequited love for Jeff Winger (Joel McHale), and bickering with nemesis City College, Dean Pelton’s dress-up steals corporate time to play favorites with the eccentric study group.

In celebration of Pride Month, Dean Pelton, who once clarified his gender that “gay doesn’t even begin to cover it” and that he “makes gayness look like Mormonism,” I ranked his top 10 best outfits in the series’ six-season run.

Community: Dean Pelton’s 10 best over-the-top outfits

10. Fireman Dean (Curriculum Unavailable, S3, Ep19)

YOUTUBE | Community “Moments That Make Dean Pelton Our Favorite Dean”

Dress up for the occasion, they say. Dean Pelton dresses up as a sexy fireman after a fire breaks out in the building and plays favorites; he gives the study group a headstart to evacuate before anyone else. This costume is a bit sub-par compared to the other outfits, but considering there is a fire, he doesn’t have the luxury of time.

9. Lady Justice (Introduction to Finality, S3, E23)

YOUTUBE | Community “Pierce & Shirley Go To Court”

Dean Pelton presides over a trial between Shirley and Pierce over their sandwich restaurant. After the break, the Dean returns as “blind justice,” in a drapey white dress with a scale. Literally blindfolded, he bumps the table on his new tattoo.

8. Uncle Sam Costume (Intro To Political Science, S2: Ep17)

IMDb | Community “Intro To Political Science”

Former Vice President Joe Biden, who now sits as the “regular president” in real life (a callback to Biden’s dream in the show), is en route to visit Greendale. What better outfit to wear in the student government election president than his sister’s Uncle Sam outfit? “It’s tailored for ladies, but what else can I do on such short notice?”

Dean might not have a sister, and the costume is his all along is still contested, but one thing is certain: the mini uncle sam hat and striped shorts serves “american democracy” realness.

7. Duali-Dean (Virtual Systems Analysis, S3, Ep16)

YOUTUBE | Community “All of Dean Pelton’s Costumes”

Dean Pelton cleverly plays to the “duali-dean” of a man by donning a half-dress and his classic office suit. All this effort to announce the bad and good news to the study group. “Professor Kane has the flu, and the good news is biology class is canceled.”

When he remembers that today is his day to visit the bank, his quirky attire backfires. Seeing him be grounded in reality for once is hilarious since he is too constrained to Greendale’s zany antics. “I think I went too far with this one. What am I supposed to tell people in line? I have good news and bad news.” He storms out and says, “Come on, Craig. Get your life together.”

To his surprise, the people at the bank loved his outfit. It is wholesome for the Dean to be praised for one of the things he’s passionate about.

6. Katniss Ever-Dean (History 101, S4, E1)

YOUTUBE | Community “All of Dean Pelton’s Costumes”

Due to registration fraud in the History of Ice Cream class, Greendale students must compete for seats through a series of complex obstacle courses known as the Hunger Deans. With his chariot and long red gown, Dean Pelton makes a splashy entrance as Katniss Ever-Dean from the sci-fi franchise movie Hunger Games. He also pays homage to the District 12 tribute’s iconic fire dress carried through a chariot.

Desperate, Jeff unexpectedly selects Dean to be his tango partner for the last challenge, and Dean hastily reveals the second outfit, a shimmering green dress. Later, he admitted that he had taken away all history credit classes to thwart Jeff’s early graduation plans.

5. Can-can-canceled! (Course Listing Unavailable, S3, Ep18)

YOUTUBE | Community “All of Dean Pelton’s Costumes”

What better way to break the news that the violent death of a Starburns caused their Biology to be canceled? Of course, in Dean Pelton’s fashion, in voluminous skirts and light petticoats.

“Unfortunately, due to the whole Starburns meth lab explosion, Professor Kane has resigned, and your biology class has been can-can-canceled!” Get it? Cancan dancers like the French cabaret. The clever pun imagined on the outfit is the reason it makes the top 5.

However, Dean’s outfit did not soften the blow that their grade is now incomplete, and they have to make up credit in Summer. Jeff hysterically mourns his supposed summer rendezvous and progresses into inciting a riot that leads to Greendale 7 expulsion.

4. Ring Girl (Paranormal Parentage, S4: E2)

YOUTUBE | Community “Jeff Needs A Ring Girl”

When Jeff’s plan to have a two-person costume with Annie turns into a spooky turn, Dean Pelton coincidentally (highly doubt it) arrives in a dashing ring girl costume. To your corners fighters, someone saved me a towel.”

He has it all: a round number card, a silver crop top and shorts, a sweet blond wig, and a surprisingly ripped body. It’s that good; it overshadows Annie’s entrance as the long-haired ghost from the horror cult classic The Ring. A consolation for the leak year, I guess.

3. Dean-a-Reed (Herstory of Dance, S4, Ep8)

IMDb | Community “Herstory of Dance”

To announce the upcoming Sadie Hawkins dance, one of the many ridiculous dances on campus, Dean Pelton references the protagonist of the 1958’s sitcom The Donna Reed Dance Show. One of his most elaborate outfits as he even paints himself in black and white, like the show.

2. Deana Turner and Catwoman (Paradigms of Human Memory, S2, Ep21)

IMDb | Community “Paradigms of Human Memory”

<br>IMDb | Community “Paradigms of Human Memory”

During the gang’s fake therapy session, a memory montage of Dean wearing outfits as Tina Turner, the Rock n’ Roll Queen, “to Tina Turner the clocks ahead” for Daily Light Savings, and Catwoman comes clutch for second place. The black latex and a whip ensemble patterned to Catwoman for Feline Aids Awareness Day is iconic.

The Dean’s series of outfits also shows him as Julius Caesar for the free Caesar salad in the cafeteria and Scarlett O’Hara.

1. Lady Gaga (Epidemiology, S2: Ep5)

IMDb | Community “Epidemiology”

At Greendale’s Halloween party, Dean Pelton coming as Lady Gaga’s signature outfit in her hit-song Poker Face takes the cake. The straight blonde bangs with heavy black eyeliner, an overpowering latex jacket top, and only lace stockings below are a killer look.

He also unwittingly starts a zombie breakout when he tries to cut-cost with mysterious taco meat from the army surplus store. “Chef Gaga never reveals her caterer, and don’t try reading my pa-pa-pa-poker face.” The episode delivers a glorious chompfest montage with Abba’s greatest hits and Dean Pelton’s personal voice memos.