Doll costumes cover more ground than almost any other Halloween theme. A porcelain doll can be sweet, a rag doll loud and cheerful, and a cracked one properly eerie without any gore. Below are forty of them, from wind-up toys and retro fashion dolls to fantasy characters and group sets, and nearly all start from a thrift-store dress or clothes you already own. What turns ordinary clothes into a doll is the finish: rounded cheeks, painted lower lashes, hair set into shape, and shoes that match the dress. I'll point out where each one tends to go wrong, so you can adjust the colors and the makeup to your own comfort.
Painting a Doll Face That Lasts the Night
Almost every look below shares one face: round cheeks, painted lower lashes and a small mouth. Learn it once and you can reuse it for porcelain, rag, fashion and wind-up dolls with only the colors changing. This is the order I work in, and none of it needs special skill.
- Patch-test anything new on the inside of your wrist the day before, especially cream costume makeup and gray or white full-face colors.
- Start on clean, moisturized skin, let the moisturizer sink in for a few minutes, then apply a thin matte base. Thick foundation cracks by evening, and not in the good porcelain way.
- Stipple the cheeks into circles with a small brush or a fingertip rather than sweeping blush back toward the ears. A cream blush pressed over with powder lasts longer than powder blush alone.
- Draw the lower lashes as short, slightly outward strokes under the lash line with a fine brown or black liner. Five or six per eye reads from across a room.
- Shrink the mouth by covering the outer edges of your lips with concealer, then paint a small cupid’s bow in the center.
- Press translucent setting powder over everything with a puff. Pressing sets the lines; sweeping drags them.
Cream products transfer onto collars and partners, so blot your face with a tissue before you dress if the costume has a white lace neckline. At the end of the night, melt everything off with a cleansing balm or oil before washing. Scrubbing gray or white costume makeup with a washcloth just irritates skin and leaves color in the creases around the nose.
1. Classic Porcelain Doll Costume
Porcelain is the doll most people picture first, so it reads from across a room with very little explanation. I start with a pastel knee-length dress with lace trim and a rounded collar or puff sleeves, then add white tights, polished Mary Janes and a satin ribbon at the waist. Hair goes into glossy ringlets or a curled wig with a matching bow. The face does most of the work: a matte base, round pink blush on the apples, delicately arched brows, painted lower lashes and a small cupid’s bow in rose lipstick. A tiny parasol or a lace handkerchief is enough of a prop, and holding yourself a little stiff sells it better than any accessory.
2. Cracked Porcelain Doll Costume
The cracks make this version spooky, and they are also where people overdo it. Draw them with gray or brown eyeliner in thin branching lines near one temple, one cheek and the jaw, then stop; a face covered in cracks just looks smudged from a distance. Underneath sits a pretty vintage outfit, a pale blue or dusty pink lace dress with white tights, heeled Mary Janes, a ribbon choker and a cameo-style brooch. Pin structured ringlets with an oversized satin bow on one side. I press a little translucent powder over the lines so they don't blur once your face warms up.
3. Red Yarn Rag Doll Costume
Red yarn hair is the signal here, and it carries the whole costume. Sew thick red yarn to a knit cap in rows, then split it into two loose braids; stitching holds far better than hot glue, which tends to pop off a stretchy cap the first time you pull it on. The clothes are a patchwork pinafore over a white puff-sleeve blouse, striped tights and lace-up boots, with fabric patches stitched on in contrasting thread. Paint freckles, round pink cheeks, a red heart-shaped mouth and short stitch marks at the corners of the lips. Nothing about it is scary, which makes it an easy yes for school events.
4. Patchwork Rag Doll Costume
Here the mismatched fabric is the costume. I'd start with denim overalls or a plain cotton dress and add gingham, floral, polka-dot and plaid patches with big decorative stitches. Temporary fabric adhesive works too, but it lifts at the corners after a few hours of sitting, so stitch at least those. Layer a striped long-sleeve shirt underneath, add bright knee socks and flat ankle boots, and tie braided pigtails with a different ribbon on each side. Oversized buttons and stitch lines painted around the mouth give the handmade-toy feel, and a stuffed fabric flower makes a soft prop.
5. Vintage Baby Doll Costume
A vintage baby doll is one of the more comfortable looks on this list, because the empire-waist dress hangs loose. Pair it with bloomers or opaque tights, flat strap shoes, lace-trimmed socks and a wide satin sash, then put an oversized bonnet or bow headband over short curls or two neat pigtails. Dewy skin, wide painted lashes, peachy cheeks and softly rounded pink lips set the face. A large plush toy or a rattle explains the theme. Let the clothes carry it and skip any babyish behavior, which gets old quickly at a party. Lavender, mint, peach and powder blue sit well together.
6. Wind-Up Doll Costume
The key is the whole joke, so it has to be sturdy. I cut it from foam board rather than cardboard, paint it gold and mount it on a belt or a backpack-style harness so it sits above the waist; a key pinned straight to dress fabric droops within the hour. Under it goes a structured dress with a fitted bodice and full skirt, striped tights and buckled shoes in gold, burgundy, navy and cream. Symmetrical curls or a smooth bun with a small bow, pale matte skin, circular blush and long lower lashes keep the face toy-like. Short mechanical steps, with the odd pause as if you've run down, get a laugh every time.
7. Music Box Ballerina Doll Costume
Dancewear does most of the building for this one. A fitted leotard, knee-length tulle skirt, pale tights and flat ballet slippers are the core; add a sparkly waist ribbon, a small rhinestone hairpiece, and a fitted cardigan if the room is cold. Pull the hair into a polished bun with a satin bow and keep the makeup luminous with pink blush, curled lashes and a small rose lip. A painted cardboard platform, worn like a flat overskirt or carried for photos, hints at the music box. Practice one raised-arm pose and a slow turn, and stay in one soft color such as blush pink or pale blue.
8. Paper Doll Costume
A paper doll lives or dies on the flat garment staying flat. Cut the dress shape from poster board or flexible craft foam, add white folding tabs at the shoulders, waist and sides, and attach it so it sits in front of a fitted neutral dress without stopping you bending your arms. Craft foam is my pick, since poster board creases the first time you sit and foam springs back. Make the shoes, handbag and bow from the same foam sheets, keep your hair smooth under a flat headband, and outline every accessory in black so it looks drawn.
9. Wooden Puppet Doll Costume
Painted joints and warm neutral clothes give a wooden puppet its storybook feel. Tan trousers or a knee-length skirt, a cream blouse, suspenders and brown lace-up shoes make the base, with round fabric patches at the elbows and knees for hinges. Tidy curls go under a small cap, or wear a short chestnut wig. Keep the makeup warm beige with faint circles on the cheeks and visible joints, plus freckles and a painted smile so the face stays friendly. Tie lightweight thread from wrist cuffs to a small foam control bar above the shoulders. I always use thread that snaps easily, because anything strong enough to hold will eventually catch on a door handle.
10. Ventriloquist Doll Costume
Ventriloquist dolls are naturally a little eerie, and the jaw lines are what does it. Draw fine lines from each corner of the mouth down toward the chin, framed by matte foundation, defined brows, circular cheek color and precise lower lashes. The clothes are tailored and tidy: crisp white shirt, bow tie, fitted blazer, shorts or trousers, knee socks and polished loafers in burgundy, black, cream or navy. Slick the hair into a neat side part. Carry a small travel case decorated with stars or stripes. Very controlled expressions are creepier than anything gory you could add.
11. Glam Fashion Doll Costume
Head-to-toe pink is the fashion doll formula, but one flat pink looks cheap in photos. Mix three or four shades instead so the layers look deliberate. A fitted pink mini or midi dress with a cropped jacket, sheer tights and platform heels or block-heel pumps is the base, and I steer most people to the block heel if the party means hours of standing. Add oversized sunglasses, sparkling earrings, a structured handbag and a wide belt, with the hair in a glossy high ponytail. Pink eyeshadow, fluttery lashes, shiny rose lipstick and a toy-sized hairbrush finish it.
12. Cowgirl Fashion Doll Costume
Western clothes are easy to thrift, so this is one of the cheaper looks here. Find a pink or white western shirt, flared jeans, a fringed vest and pointed cowboy boots, then add a sparkly belt, neck scarf, star earrings and a cowboy hat in a matching color. Rhinestone trim and metallic fringe are what turn plain western wear into something doll-like. Style bouncy curls or a high ribboned ponytail, keep the makeup rosy with a little shimmer, and carry a small hobby horse or toy microphone. Check that you can sit and dance in the jeans, because people do dance in this one.
13. Roller Skater Doll Costume
Roller skates look great in photos and are a bad idea at most crowded parties. Wear clean sneakers and save the skates for a safe, open space. The rest is simple: a bright leotard or fitted tank over bike shorts, a visor, striped wristbands and knee-high socks, plus a belt bag, plastic sunglasses and light headphones. Pull the hair into a high side ponytail with a neon scrunchie. Blue or pink eyeshadow, glossy lips and bright blush suit the turquoise, hot pink, yellow and purple color blocking, and a few star stickers add toy shine.
14. Workout Doll Costume
For a long night, the aerobics doll is about as comfortable as costumes get, since every piece is made to move. Start with leggings or bike shorts, a bright leotard and a cropped sweatshirt off one shoulder, then add leg warmers, sweatbands, colorful sneakers and a wide elastic belt. The layering earns its place: the sweatshirt and leg warmers come off as the room heats up. A high ponytail with a big scrunchie, vivid eyeshadow, glossy lipstick and long lashes push it toward a plastic doll finish. A tiny foam exercise mat or a star-covered water bottle is the prop.
15. Astronaut Doll Costume
Think about the bubble helmet first. A clear helmet prop looks great, but it fogs and gets hot fast, so only use one with real ventilation and expect to carry it most of the night. The rest is a white utility jumpsuit, or white trousers and jacket, with clean sneakers or metallic ankle boots, silver cuffs, a wide belt and felt mission patches. A small metallic backpack stands in for the space pack. Silver eyeliner, pink lips and neat doll lashes keep it cute, while lavender, pink and turquoise accents make it read as a toy rather than real equipment.
16. Mermaid Doll Costume
A true mermaid tail is miserable to walk in, which is why I always go for a skirt with a walking slit or real stretch. Pair a fitted iridescent top with a high-waisted teal maxi skirt that flares below the knee, then add pearl hair clips, shell earrings, a glittery belt and metallic flat sandals. Loose waves with temporary blue or lavender at the ends suit the theme. Turquoise eyeshadow, pearly highlighter and glossy lips handle the makeup, and a shell-shaped handbag is the prop. Go easy on scale-patterned fabric; too much and the doll disappears and you're simply a mermaid.
17. Fairy Doll Costume
Wings are where fairy costumes cause trouble, so I keep them narrow enough to clear a doorway without turning sideways. Light translucent wings on elastic straps sit over a fitted lavender or mint bodice and a knee-length tulle skirt, with opaque tights and glittery ballet flats. Add a flower crown and ribbon wrist cuffs, and curl the hair into soft ringlets or a braided half-up style. Lilac eyeshadow, round pink blush and tiny white dots at the outer corners of the eyes give the doll face. Make the wand from cardboard and ribbon so nothing has a sharp point.
18. Ice Princess Doll Costume
The cape is the piece that turns a pale blue party dress into an ice princess. Start with a midi dress with a fitted bodice and a tulle overlay or a little sequin detail, then add a sheer silver cape, white tights and glittering flats or ankle boots. Keep the cape well short of the floor, because a trailing hem gets stepped on within minutes. A smooth side braid or polished curls with crystal-like clips, icy blue eyeshadow, rosy cheeks and pale pink lipstick finish the face. Several blues mixed with white and silver give the outfit depth.
19. Cottagecore Doll Costume
Cottagecore is the doll costume that looks least like a costume, which suits anyone who'd rather not feel theatrical. A floral midi dress under a linen apron or pinafore, knit socks and brown lace-up boots are the base, plus a straw hat, a woven basket and a ribbon-trimmed cardigan. Braid the hair loosely or curl it and tuck in fabric flowers. Natural matte makeup with peach blush, freckles and long lashes keeps it soft, and the basket gets fabric flowers or faux apples. Breathable cotton matters more here than with most looks, since this one often goes to daytime and outdoor events.
20. Gothic Doll Costume
The risk with a gothic doll is that it slides into ordinary all-black clothes. The silhouette has to stay neat and doll-shaped, and a high-neck black dress with puff sleeves, a full skirt and velvet or lace panels gives you that. Add striped or opaque tights, platform Mary Janes and a cameo-style choker, then long black curls, twin braids or a blunt dark wig under a narrow bow. Matte skin, smoky gray eyeshadow, extended lower lashes, plum blush and berry lipstick handle the face. Silver buttons and a miniature black parasol give all that black some texture.
21. Victorian Doll Costume
You rarely need a specialty dress for a Victorian doll. A thrifted high-collared blouse with lace cuffs and a long burgundy, navy or cream skirt combine into the same fitted-waist shape. Add a short capelet, cameo brooch, gloves and buttoned ankle boots, and put the hair in ringlets or a low curled updo under a small bonnet. Keep the makeup smooth, with rounded blush, fine lower lashes and a small rose lip. Hem the skirt so it clears the ground, since long skirts are what trip people on stairs. A lace fan or a small clothbound notebook is the prop.
22. 1950s Fashion Doll Costume
The petticoat is what makes a 1950s doll. Without it, a fit-and-flare dress is just a vintage party outfit; with it, the circle skirt holds that domed, toy-like shape. I'd choose a polka-dot or solid dress with a fitted waist and a knee-length skirt, then add a narrow belt, short gloves and low-heeled pumps. Soft curled waves or a scarf-tied ponytail, cat-eye liner, rounded pink blush and classic red lipstick suit the era. Pearls, button earrings and a small structured handbag or toy telephone are the last details.
23. 1960s Mod Doll Costume
Mod dolls run on bold geometry, so keep the clothes simple and let the color blocks talk. A color-blocked mini dress over opaque tights with white knee-high boots or flat ankle boots is the base, plus big round earrings, a wide headband and a small box bag. Style a smooth flipped bob or wear a rounded short wig. The eye makeup is the fun part: strong upper lashes, drawn-on lower lashes, and black liner placed through the crease for that illustrated doll eye. Pale lipstick keeps the attention on the eyes.
24. 1980s Pop Star Doll Costume
This is one of the easiest doll looks to pull straight off a thrift rack. Pair a sequined mini dress or metallic top with a ruffled skirt, patterned tights and bright ankle boots, then pile on fingerless gloves, oversized earrings and stacked bracelets. A teased side ponytail or a big curly wig with a glittery bow gives the height. Purple eyeshadow, bright blush and glossy pink lipstick fit the mood. Keep the toy microphone light and obviously plastic, and throw on a cropped jacket for another layer of color.
25. Y2K Doll Costume
Y2K is built from small things: tinted sunglasses, bright hair clips, a shoulder bag and platform sneakers. Wear a cropped cardigan over a fitted tank with a pleated mini or loose cargo pants. A glossy puffer vest is handy on a cold night because it fits the era and keeps you warm. Two small front braids or space buns, frosted eyeshadow and shiny lips set the face, and a flip-phone prop cut from craft foam is the joke. Matching every accessory to the bubblegum pink and baby blue is what makes it look boxed rather than like a throwback outfit.
26. Bride Doll Costume
A bride doll belongs at a costume party, so keep it short and playful, nothing that could pass for real wedding wear. A tea-length lace or tulle dress, white tights and comfortable white pumps make the base. Attach a short veil to a large satin bow, add pearl-style earrings and a small fabric bouquet, and put glossy curls or a neat bun under the veil. Luminous makeup, round blush, soft pink lipstick and a heart-shaped handbag give it a toy quality. Skip a train; someone always stands on it. A bit of pale blue ribbon or silver trim adds color.
27. Princess Doll Costume
Princess dolls are family-friendly crowd-pleasers, but I keep the skirt calf-length rather than a floor-length gown so you can actually move. Choose a jewel-toned dress with a fitted bodice, puff sleeves and a tulle or satin skirt, then add a light tiara, elbow-length gloves, a necklace and glittery flats. Structured curls, a high bun or a long braid threaded with ribbon all suit it. Tiaras on combs slide out of fine hair, so I anchor them with two bobby pins crossed through the combs. Repeat the dress color in the shoes and hair accessories to pull it together.
28. Candy Doll Costume
Candy dolls use felt shapes, not real sweets, and that matters: real candy gets sticky and draws every kid in the room. Start with a pink, mint or lavender dress over a striped undershirt, add bright tights and white platform sneakers, and fix light felt candy shapes to the skirt with a wide striped belt at the waist. Felt glued onto polyester tends to peel off, so a few stitches per shape are worth it. Two curled ponytails with pom-pom clips, pastel eyeshadow and pink cheek circles do the rest. A big swirl lollipop made from foam board and ribbon is the prop.
29. Cupcake Doll Costume
Gathered tulle mimics a cupcake wrapper and still lets you sit down. Make the skirt short and full from tulle or pleated fabric and pair it with a fitted pastel top, striped tights, bright Mary Janes and a wide ribbon waistband. Felt sprinkles, soft pom-poms and fabric swirls on the top layer are the frosting. Skip any rigid hoop; it catches on chairs and pushes into other people. A high bun with a red pom-pom clip on top is the cherry, and pink blush with glossy lipstick keeps the face sweet.
30. Flower Garden Doll Costume
Silk flowers bring the color, but where you put them decides whether you can move. I attach them around the neckline, waist and hem and leave the sides clear, otherwise they crush the first time you lower your arms. A green, yellow or pastel dress with a full knee-length skirt, floral tights, green ballet flats and a watering-can handbag make the base. Curl the hair under a flower crown or a wide garden hat, and use peach blush, petal-colored eyeshadow and freckles. Two or three flower colors look designed; every shade at once looks like a craft-store bin.
31. Black And White Doll Costume
A monochrome doll should look like an old photograph, and the trick is covering every visible bit of skin. That means gray-toned costume makeup blended down the neck and over the hands, not just the face; a bare stripe at the jaw ruins it. Test the makeup on your inner wrist the day before. Wear a gray dress with black trim, white tights and black Mary Janes, with a gray ribbon belt and a pearl-style necklace. A curled gray wig or temporary silver hair color used according to the directions, charcoal shading and gray lipstick finish it. Stand against something colorful for photos.
32. Haunted Attic Doll Costume
The haunted attic doll gets its creep from neglect, not gore. Start with a dusty rose, beige or pale gray vintage-style dress, then add an aged lace collar, opaque tights, scuffed flat boots and a frayed ribbon at the waist. Tea-staining ages fabric nicely, but test a scrap first, because some fabrics drink it up much darker than others, and let it dry completely before wearing. Tease curled hair a little and pin it with a faded bow. Pale matte skin, muted cheek circles, smudged gray eyeshadow and a few crack lines at one temple do the face, while an empty frame or a worn teddy bear and slow movements carry the story.
33. Toy Box Doll Costume
The box frame makes this one, and it is also what causes problems at a party. Build an open-front rectangle from lightweight foam board on wide shoulder straps, and keep the sides shallow enough for doors and hallways. Decorate it with stars, hearts and generic words like “fashion doll,” staying away from brand logos. Inside, wear a bright fashion-doll outfit, such as a fitted dress with patterned tights and platform shoes, plus glossy curls and oversized earrings. Secure a small handbag or hairbrush inside the frame. Plan on taking the box off when you sit down to eat.
34. Jack-In-The-Box Doll Costume
The box sits around the waist on shoulder straps with the legs left completely free, so you are the toy popping out. I build it from foam board rather than cardboard, because cardboard softens and sags after one spilled drink or a bit of drizzle. Wear a striped long-sleeve top with fitted trousers, leggings or a knee-length skirt, plus suspenders, pom-pom buttons, bright boots, a pointed fabric hat and a ruffled collar. Keep the cardboard crank tight to the side so it doesn't jab anyone. Primary colors and a small painted smile keep it cheerful rather than clownish, and a little bounce in your step tells the story.
35. Toy Soldier Doll Costume
Toy soldiers depend on crisp tailoring, and an ordinary blazer plus gold ribbon from a craft store gets you most of the way. A red or navy military-style jacket with gold trim, white trousers or a knee-length skirt and tall black boots are the base, with shoulder pieces, rows of gold buttons, white gloves and a structured toy-style hat. Put the hair in a smooth low bun under the hat. Matte makeup, circular blush and a neat red lip suit it. Carry a small drum on a shoulder strap and leave weapons out entirely. Straight posture and measured steps sell it.
36. Marionette Doll Costume
Marionette strings look wonderful and tangle constantly, so I keep them short and loose. Run breakaway strings from soft wrist cuffs to a light control bar, held overhead or mounted safely behind the shoulders. The outfit is a fitted bodice with puff sleeves, cropped trousers or a full skirt, knee socks and buckled shoes, with ribbon circles at the elbows and knees for joints. Ringlets or a neat bob with a bow, rosy cheeks, a small painted mouth and faint joint lines near the jaw make the face. Burgundy, cream, navy and gold give clear contrast.
37. Two-Person Doll And Toymaker Costume
Doll and toymaker suits two people who want different costumes that still belong together, whether that's a couple, siblings or close friends. The doll wears a lace-trimmed dress, white tights, Mary Janes, curled hair and painted lashes, maybe with a small wind-up key at the waist. The toymaker gets a vest, rolled-sleeve shirt, trousers, suspenders and brown boots, plus a measuring tape around the neck and a foam prop shaped like a wooden tool. Burgundy, cream and gold on both outfits tie them together. In photos, stand posed side by side like a toy beside its maker.
38. Two-Person Matching Porcelain Doll Costume
Matching porcelain dolls work because the palette matches, not the garments. One person can wear a lace dress and the other a tailored shorts set, as long as both are dusty blue and cream with the same trim. White tights or knee socks, Mary Janes or loafers, and curls or neat side parts under ribbon accessories keep them related. Draw fine crack lines on opposite sides of each face so the pair mirrors in photos. Matching small frames or stuffed animals and mirrored poses do the rest.
39. Three-Person Rag Doll Group Costume
Three rag dolls look like a set when the patchwork palette repeats, and different base garments stop them looking like uniforms. Give one person overalls, one a pinafore dress and one a skirt with suspenders, then repeat gingham patches, striped shirts, bright socks and lace-up boots across all three. Yarn wigs in red, yellow and brown, braided or in pigtails, give each a personality. Agree on the makeup in advance, because matching freckles, circular blush, painted lashes and stitched smiles are what read as one toy collection. Props can be a fabric heart, an oversized soft button and a patchwork flower.
40. Doll Collection Group Costume
A doll collection lets a group mix styles, and the variety is the point. Give each person a full look of their own, say porcelain, rag doll, ballerina, fashion doll and wind-up. Then repeat one accent color across ribbons, shoes or jewelry so the group still belongs together. Everyone uses rounded cheek color, precise lashes and stiff toy-like poses, and carries a personal prop such as a parasol, a fabric heart or a cardboard wind-up key. For photos, line up in neat rows like dolls on a shelf so every outfit shows head to toe.
Ringlets and Doll Hair Without a Wig
Plenty of people don't want a hot wig on for five hours, and most of these dolls don't need one. Ringlets are the hair that does the most work, and you can set them without a curling iron.
Overnight curls
Rag curls suit a doll costume almost too well. Wrap slightly damp sections of hair around strips of cotton fabric, knot the strips, and sleep on them. In the morning you get springy, uneven ringlets that look handmade, which is exactly right for a rag doll or a cottagecore look. Foam rollers give a smoother, more porcelain finish. Either way, finger-separate the curls rather than brushing them, because a brush turns ringlets into frizz.
Bows that stay put
An oversized bow on a single clip slides down by mid-evening. I stitch the bow to a sturdy clip or a comb and back it up with two crossed bobby pins underneath. For a yarn wig, sew the yarn to the cap in rows close together so the cap doesn't show through when you turn your head, and trim the ends only after it's on, since yarn hangs differently once it's worn.
Tights and Mary Janes Over a Long Evening
White tights and stiff Mary Janes appear in about half of these costumes, and they're what people complain about by ten o'clock. Pack a spare pair of tights, because white ones show every snag, and opaque tights hold up far better than sheer. New patent shoes rub at the heel strap, so wear them around the house for an evening first, or put a gel heel pad in before you go. If you'll be walking outdoors, a low block heel or a flat strap shoe in the same color reads just as doll-like from a distance.
The Doll Is in the Finish
Every doll here comes down to the same thing: recognizable clothes finished with deliberate hair, makeup, props and shoes. Porcelain, rag, fashion, wind-up or a whole group collection, most of them start from a closet or a thrift rack, and ribbon, felt patches, yarn hair, big bows and painted lashes turn those basics into a doll quickly. Wear shoes you can stand in, keep the makeup breathable, and make every prop light and well attached. Then change the colors and shape until it feels like you. A finished head-to-toe doll will always beat an outfit built around one accessory.
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