Red hair does half the work of a character costume before you've put on a single piece of clothing. People spot the color first, then read the outfit to work out who you are, so the clothes only need to confirm what the hair already suggests. That holds whether your copper is natural, dyed or sitting on a wig stand. The characters below run from animated heroines and comic-book figures to sitcom wives and storybook kids. A few come straight out of an ordinary closet, and a few ask for a gown, a petticoat or a wig with real height. When I style any of them, I match the hairstyle first and build down from there.
Wig, Spray or Your Own Red Hair
Not every red is the same red, and the characters here split into clear camps. Ariel, Starfire and Jessica Rabbit sit on the crimson and magenta side. Merida, Pippi, Annie and Leeloo are true orange. Black Widow, Wanda and Mary Jane lean auburn. If your natural shade is close to the character's, use it and spend your time on the shape instead.
When it isn't close, I'd pick a wig over a spray almost every time. Temporary color sprays look fine at home, but they rub off onto collars, pillows and anyone you hug, and they run in rain. If you do spray, do it before you dress, wrap a dark towel around your shoulders and set it with a light mist of hairspray.
- Pick a wig cap close to your own hair color so gaps at the hairline don't show.
- Choose a wig with a heat-resistant fiber if you plan to curl or straighten it.
- Brush a synthetic wig only from the ends upward, never from the root down.
- Pin at the temples and the nape; those are the spots where a wig slips first.
1. Ariel Mermaid Costume
Ariel works best in her land version: a lavender fitted top, a sea-green maxi skirt with a little flare at the hem, and metallic flats. I steer people away from a true fishtail skirt unless they plan to stand still all night, because you can't climb a step in one. Her hair should be long, loose and very full, so a waist-length crimson wig often beats natural hair here. Turquoise liner and a coral lip carry the sea colors up to the face. A dinglehopper fork in your hand tells everyone which mermaid you are faster than shell clips ever will.
2. Merida Princess Costume
Merida lives or dies by the curls. If yours are natural, a curl cream scrunched in while the hair is damp gives you the width; if you're using an orange wig, tease it at the roots and don't brush it once it's shaped. The dress is a floor-length dark teal or forest green with long sleeves and a thin gold trim, cut loose enough to walk in. I'd leave the bow at home for school or a crowded party and let a tartan sash and a round brooch do the talking. Brown lace-up ankle boots under the hem keep you steady on uneven ground.
3. Daphne Blake Costume
Daphne is the redhead I'd put in any Scooby-Doo group, because her purple and green read clearly next to everyone else's colors. A long-sleeve purple mini dress, opaque pink tights, low purple shoes and a bright green scarf are all it takes. The scarf is the piece people forget, and without it she can look like a plain purple dress. Flip the ends of a shoulder-length cut outward with a round brush, or use an auburn wig and a violet headband. If it's cold, a fitted purple coat keeps the silhouette tidy.
4. Kim Possible Costume
Kim Possible is my go-to when someone texts me the afternoon of the party. A black mock-neck top, loose olive cargo pants and a brown belt are already in most closets, and combat boots or sturdy sneakers will last the whole night. Her hair is a smooth side part with the ends flipped, so a shoulder-length ginger wig works if your own red is shorter. Black gloves and a gray pouch clipped to the belt finish the outline. A painted cardboard communicator is the one prop worth making, since it turns a casual outfit into the character.
5. Poison Ivy Costume
Poison Ivy doesn't need anything revealing to work. A green jumpsuit or velvet midi dress with artificial ivy wound around the waist and wrists reads just as clearly. I wire the ivy on with thin floral wire twisted into a few stitches of fabric, because loose garland slides down within an hour and trailing ends catch heels. Big waves in the hair and a few green leaf clips at the crown tie the head to the body. Emerald eyeshadow and a berry lip are enough makeup; green tights and ankle boots keep the color running top to bottom.
6. Jessica Rabbit Costume
Jessica Rabbit is all about the gown and the hair, and both are easy to get wrong. Pick a fitted red sequin dress with a side slit you can actually walk in, then check how it sits when you're seated, since sequins scratch and slits ride up. The hair needs serious volume swept over one eye, which most natural hair won't hold for long, so I usually reach for a wig here. Purple elbow gloves and purple pumps or block heels are the signature details. Fashion tape and a supportive slip underneath save you from adjusting the dress all evening.
7. Black Widow Costume
Black Widow suits darker auburn and copper shades best. I build her from a black jumpsuit or a fitted athletic set with stretch utility pants, since a costume you can move in reads as more convincing than a shiny one that wrinkles at the knees. Add a belt with a red or gold accent, fingerless gloves and low-heeled black boots. The red hourglass is what makes her, so cut it from felt and stitch it to the belt rather than gluing it. Loose curls or a braided ponytail both work; keep the makeup to sharp liner and a muted rose lip.
8. Wanda Maximoff Costume
Wanda reads through a single deep red worn from shoulder to boot. A burgundy dress or a red tunic over black leggings is enough, with a scarlet cape that stops at the calf so nobody treads on it. Her pointed headpiece is the piece I'd spend time on: cut it from craft foam, cover it in red fabric and glue it to a padded headband so it doesn't dig behind the ears. Loose waves with a center part and a smoky berry eye suit her. A little red shimmer dusted on the hands catches the flash in photos.
9. Jean Grey Costume
Jean Grey's green and yellow is loud enough that you don't need armor. A green jumpsuit or a green top with leggings, a wide yellow belt, yellow gloves and yellow boot covers over ordinary shoes get you most of the way there. Boot covers are worth making yourself from stretch fabric, since bought ones tend to slip down the calf. The gold bird on the chest can be felt, stitched at the edges so it doesn't curl. Lift the front of the hair away from the face; that volume is what separates her from a generic redhead in green.
10. Starfire Costume
Starfire needs the longest hair on this list, so a long crimson or magenta wig is nearly always the answer. Long synthetic wigs tangle at the ends and shift when you turn your head, so pin it over a wig cap and spray the lengths lightly with a detangler before you leave. The outfit is a metallic purple top with a matching skirt or leggings, silver belt details and purple knee boots or boot cuffs. Skip green contact lenses unless an eye professional has fitted them; green liner gives the same hint safely. Small green gems on the collar and belt finish her.
11. Bloom Fairy Costume
Bloom is a bright, easy fairy if the wings behave. I'd attach translucent wings to proper shoulder straps rather than the thin elastic they come with, because elastic stretches out and the wings droop by mid-evening. Keep them narrow so you can pass through a doorway without turning sideways. The clothes are simple: a sky-blue crop top over a camisole, a matching skirt or shorts with a light overskirt, and flat blue boots or platform sneakers. Long smooth layers with two face-framing pieces and a blue gem necklace finish the look.
12. Misty Pokémon Trainer Costume
Misty is about as easy as a red-haired character gets. A yellow sleeveless top, high-waisted denim shorts and red suspenders are the whole outfit, with white sneakers and yellow socks. The side ponytail is the detail that makes her, so if your hair is too short, clip a ponytail extension high on one side. Painted freckles and tinted balm are all the makeup she needs. A red-and-white ball in the hand does the rest, and a yellow tee under the tank makes the look school-friendly or warm enough outdoors.
13. Jessie Cowgirl Costume
Jessie takes a bit more cutting than most costumes here. Start with a white button-front shirt and add yellow felt panels at the shoulders and cuffs; stitch the felt instead of gluing it, because fabric glue lets go on a shirt that bends and gets washed. Cow-print fabric wrapped around the lower legs of blue jeans gives her chaps, as long as it's sewn or safety-pinned on the inside so it doesn't twist. Brown cowboy boots and a red wide-brim hat cover the rest. One long braid tied with yellow ribbon is her hair, and painted freckles finish the face.
14. Anne Shirley Costume
Anne Shirley suits anyone who would rather be covered up and cozy. A high-neck white blouse under a brown, gray or navy pinafore, knitted tights and brown lace-up boots make an outfit that's warm for an outdoor walk. Two neat braids tied with plain ribbon are her whole hairstyle. I'd draw freckles with a brown brow pencil and soften them with a fingertip so they don't look like dots. A straw hat and a carpet bag or stack of old books make the character clear even to people who never read the book.
15. Annie Orphan Costume
Annie depends on the curls, and short tight curls are hard to fake with natural hair unless yours already spiral. A short orange-red wig is the reliable route. The dress is a knee-length red with a white Peter Pan collar and white cuffs, worn with white tights and black Mary Janes. If you already own a red skater dress, a removable felt collar tacked on with a few stitches turns it into Annie and comes off afterward. A heart locket and a small stuffed dog are her two accessories, and both are easy for kids to carry.
16. Pippi Longstocking Costume
Pippi is pure fun for kids and adults who don't mind looking a bit chaotic. Layer a patchwork tunic over a striped long-sleeve shirt, then add mismatched knee socks and sturdy boots. The sideways braids are the signature, and I make them stand out by braiding in a length of craft wire wrapped in ribbon, with the wire ends bent back and taped so they can't scratch. Sew the patches on rather than using safety pins; pins open up on a child who's running around. A stuffed monkey and freckles finish her.
17. Wilma Flintstone Costume
Wilma needs only a few pieces, and each one matters. A one-shoulder white shift with a jagged hem, a chunky white bead necklace and white flats or low heels make the outfit. Finish the jagged hem with a quick zigzag stitch or pinking shears, or it frays into a mess by the end of the night. The tall rounded updo is where the work goes: wrap your hair over a bun form and set it with spray, or buy a structured wig. Winged liner and coral lipstick give her the retro face.
18. Pebbles Flintstone Costume
Pebbles pairs naturally with a Wilma or Fred costume, which is why I see her in so many parent-and-child groups. A bright green sleeveless top with black felt triangles, blue shorts or leggings and brown sandals are the outfit. Hair goes up in a high ponytail right on top of the head, held with a foam bone. I'd make the bone from craft foam rather than buy a hard plastic one for a child, since foam weighs almost nothing and won't hurt if they fall. Stretchy fabric matters most here, because little ones sit on the floor constantly.
19. Princess Fiona Costume
Fiona's medieval gown suits long auburn hair especially well. Look for a floor-length emerald dress with long sleeves, gold trim and a fitted bodice, and wear brown flats or ankle boots underneath. Her one thick braid down the back can have gold ribbon worked through it. For the ogre version, use face paint made for skin, blend it into the neck and ears, and test it on the inside of your wrist the day before. Green paint sitting on a collar is the giveaway of a rushed job, so set it with translucent powder.
20. Ginny Weasley Costume
Ginny is a school uniform, which makes her one of the most practical costumes here. A white button-down under a gray V-neck sweater, a black pleated skirt or trousers, dark knee socks and black shoes cover the base. Add a black robe and a striped red-and-gold tie. A felt crest patch is better than a branded one if you'd like it to look handmade. Her hair is natural waves or half-up, and a red-and-gold scarf adds warmth on a cold night.
21. Ron Weasley Costume
Ron is the one I suggest most to men, teens and boys with naturally bright ginger hair. The uniform matches Ginny's: white shirt, gray sweater, black trousers, red-and-gold tie and a long black robe. Leave the hair a little messy; if it's not quite copper enough, a temporary color spray helps, but it will rub onto the collar. For a casual take, a maroon sweater with a big yellow initial sewn on, corduroy pants and worn sneakers is instantly him. A plush rat in the pocket is the joke people catch on to.
22. Chuckie Finster Costume
Chuckie is all about the glasses and the hair. Big round purple frames are the signature, but buy a pair with clear lenses so the wearer can see where they're walking. Tease short orange hair into uneven tufts, or use a spiky wig that fits snugly so it doesn't slip during trick-or-treating. The clothes are a bright blue T-shirt with a yellow planet painted on, green shorts, yellow socks and red sneakers. Use fabric paint for the planet rather than marker, which cracks and fades after one wash. Loose, soft clothes keep a kid happy for hours.
23. Raggedy Ann Costume
Raggedy Ann has plenty of room for hand-sewing. A blue floral dress under a ruffled white pinafore, red-and-white striped tights, black Mary Janes and white bloomers make the outfit. Her hair is a red yarn wig, and I sew yarn loops onto a stretchy beanie for a homemade version that stays put. Round rosy cheeks, a little red triangle nose and drawn-on lashes give her the doll face. Keep the face cheerful; too much paint turns a doll costume creepy fast. A fabric heart pinned to the chest finishes it.
24. Strawberry Shortcake Costume
Strawberry Shortcake works for all ages because the pink, red and green color scheme does the talking. A pink or red pinafore over a red-and-white striped shirt, green-and-white striped tights and red shoes are the base. Her hat matters most: a pink bonnet or bucket hat with felt strawberries and green leaves stitched on, not glued, since glue lets go on a curved surface. Loose curls underneath and some faux freckles finish her. A small strawberry purse or basket of fake berries is an easy prop for a child.
25. Miss Frizzle Costume
Miss Frizzle is a natural pick for teachers and science lovers. The printed dress is the whole costume, so look for a navy or purple fit-and-flare covered in planets, dinosaurs or bugs. If you can't find one, cut felt planets and stars and tack them on with a few stitches each so they don't peel at the edges. Curly red hair in a loose bun with spirals around the face, mismatched earrings and a plush lizard on the shoulder do the rest. Colorful tights and bright ankle boots keep the outfit as playful as she is.
26. Lucy Ricardo Costume
Lucy Ricardo is polished and comfortable, which is rare for a vintage costume. A tea-length polka-dot dress with short sleeves and a full skirt, a white apron and sensible pumps make the outfit. The hair is the harder part: pin curls set the night before and brushed out into a tidy updo or rolled fringe. A soft petticoat gives the skirt shape, but pick one with flexible layers so you can sit without a hoop. Classic red lipstick and arched brows give the face, and a box of pretend chocolates is the gag everyone knows.
27. Leeloo Costume
Leeloo's bright orange bob is the first thing people notice, so a straight orange wig cut to a blunt bob with separated front pieces is worth the effort. For a public-friendly version, wear a fitted white T-shirt or cropped jacket with metallic gold leggings or white pants. Orange suspenders, an orange belt and chunky white ankle boots finish the outline. Reflective tape and thin foam details add a futuristic edge, but keep them light so the outfit stays easy to move in. A painted ID card is the small prop fans spot.
28. Mera Queen Costume
Mera is a regal take on the mermaid idea. A long-sleeve emerald jumpsuit or a green dress with a scale-textured overlay, gold cuffs, a wide gold belt and a small pointed crown make up the outfit. Crowns tip forward through an evening, so I sew a comb into the base or anchor it with bobby pins crossed into an X. A sheer green cape gives the impression of moving water. Long waves pinned behind one ear and sea-green eyeshadow complete the face. Keep embellishments flexible so you can sit through a dinner.
29. Mary Jane Watson Costume
Mary Jane Watson is the costume for someone who wants to be a recognizable redhead without looking like they're in costume. A fitted black top, a denim jacket, straight-leg jeans and red ankle boots are enough, or a red sweater with a black mini skirt and tights. Her long auburn hair should be smooth and glossy with a side part. A camera or a theater script hints at her career. A spiderweb scarf ties her to the comics quietly, and the whole outfit works for an office party.
30. Winifred Sanderson Costume
Winifred is the most theatrical costume here, and the hair is what sells it. Her two high rolled sections need either orange extensions pinned over padding or a structured wig; natural hair alone rarely holds that height for a night. The gown is a long emerald or olive dress with wide sleeves and a brocade-style bodice, under a purple velvet cape, with dark green tights and low boots. Paint a small heart-shaped red lip and arch the brows hard. A painted cardboard spellbook works as the prop and is light enough to carry all evening.
Hairstyles That Hold Up Past Midnight
Most of these characters are defined by a hairstyle, and the hairstyle is usually the first thing to fail. Curls fall flat in a warm room, updos sag and long wigs tangle. A little planning in the morning saves you from fixing it in a bathroom mirror at ten o'clock.
Curls and Height
For Merida, Annie and Lucy, set curls the night before rather than an hour before; curls set cold hold far longer than ones still warm from the iron. For Wilma and Winifred, build the shape over a bun form or rolled padding. Hair stacked up on its own drops as the night goes on.
A Small Kit for the Night
I keep a few things in a pocket or bag: bobby pins in your hair color, a travel hairspray, a wide-tooth comb for a wig and blotting papers so you don't have to redo face makeup. That kit fixes nearly every hair problem a party throws at you.
Let the Hair Pick the Character
I'd start with the length and shape of the hair you have, then the event, then your closet. Kim Possible, Misty and Mary Jane Watson come together from basics, while Merida, Mera and Winifred reward the extra time. Natural redheads can style their own color into a character's signature look, and a wig or temporary spray opens up every option to everyone else. Whatever you choose, put the effort into the hair and one clear accessory, and keep the shoes comfortable. A character with the right hair and the right prop reads faster than one with an expensive dress and nothing else.
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