Crimson Peak is a sewist's film. The costumes tell the story through colour: Edith arrives from Buffalo in warm gold, ivory and later green, while Lucille stays in tight, dark shapes of deep crimson and blue that seem to belong to the rotting house itself. The thirty looks below translate that into costumes you can actually wear to a Halloween party, a movie night or a Gothic photo shoot. Some are close character recreations, some are thrifted shortcuts, and there are couples, duos and a few ghost groups. For each one I've noted the fabric, the silhouette detail that makes it read, and how to keep a floor-length Victorian skirt from tripping you up.
The Victorian Shape Without a Corset
These costumes look right or wrong because of the silhouette, much more than the fabric. Late-Victorian dress means a high neck, a defined waist, full upper sleeves and a skirt with fullness at the back. You can fake all of it with soft, comfortable pieces.
- Bustle: a small crescent-shaped pad tied at the waist under the back of the skirt. A rolled towel will do for one night.
- Petticoat: one layer of stiff tulle or net under the skirt keeps it from clinging to your legs.
- Sleeves: gather a strip of tulle into each sleeve head so the puff holds its shape.
- High collar: a strip of interfacing or two pieces of plastic boning stitched inside keep it upright without choking you.
- Waist: a wide elastic waist cincher or a firm belt gives the narrow line. I'd skip a real corset unless you've worn one before; most people find it hard to eat or sit in for hours.
Buy fabric by weight, not just colour. Satin and taffeta suit Edith, velvet and heavy cotton suit Lucille and Thomas, and chiffon or gauze suits the ghosts.
1. Edith Yellow Dress Crimson Peak Costume
Edith's golden dress is the look most people know from the film, and the sleeves do most of the work. A floor-length gown with a fitted waist, high neckline and big puffed upper sleeves is the base; golden satin, a light taffeta or cotton sateen all give the right glow. I stuff the sleeve heads with a gathered strip of stiff tulle so they hold their shape all evening instead of collapsing by the second hour. A brown braided belt, a cameo and small butterfly details near the collar finish the dress. A blonde wig in a loose Gibson-style updo, fresh pink makeup and a leather-bound manuscript tell people she's a writer.
2. Edith White Lace Crimson Peak Costume
The white lace look is Edith before she ever sees Allerdale Hall, so keep it soft and hopeful. A high-neck ivory blouse with leg-of-mutton sleeves and a matching floor-length skirt is the easiest way to build it, with a petticoat underneath for volume. A thrifted ivory vintage dress is a fine one-piece shortcut. Add a narrow gold belt, pearl earrings and a small notebook tied with ribbon. White lace shows every mark, so I'd pack a stain pen. Low-heeled cream boots and ivory gloves finish it.
3. Edith Black Mourning Crimson Peak Costume
Edith's mourning dress is all black, which means the texture has to carry it. Choose a floor-length black dress with a high collar and gathered sleeves, then layer sheer black lace over the bodice so it doesn't read as a flat black shape in photos. The belt with ivory hand-shaped clasps is the detail film fans look for; I'd make the clasps from air-dry clay or resin rather than anything fragile, and sew them on rather than glue. Pin a blonde updo under a short black veil. Soft, sorrowful makeup, black gloves and buttoned boots finish it, and a folded letter is a quiet, fitting prop.
4. Edith Green Velvet Crimson Peak Costume
Green is the colour Edith wears as Allerdale starts to swallow her, and velvet is the right fabric for it. Make the bodice from forest-green velvet with a high neck and full sleeves, and the long skirt over a small bustle pad. Cut all the velvet pieces with the pile running the same direction, or the panels will look like two different shades under light. Gold piping and small covered buttons add detail. Let the blonde updo slip a little, as if her neat Buffalo look is coming apart. This is a warm costume, which makes it a good choice for an outdoor party on a cold night.
5. Edith Ivory Nightgown Crimson Peak Costume
The ivory nightgown is the most comfortable Edith on the list, and it's still clearly Gothic. Pick a long cotton or chiffon gown with a high lace collar, a gathered yoke and ruffled cuffs. Sheer nightgowns become see-through under flash photography, so I always put an opaque cream slip underneath. A pale yellow ribbon at the waist ties it back to her golden dress. A loose braid, a little taupe shadow under the eyes for that sleepless look and an LED chamberstick finish it. Wear flat lace-up boots under the hem; slippers are slick on party floors.
6. Edith Snowy Finale Crimson Peak Costume
For Edith's final scenes, think layers she could fight in. A high-neck cream blouse, a long golden-beige skirt and a fitted olive jacket make the base, with a light bustle pad for period shape. Dust the hems with removable pale grey fabric chalk to suggest the snow, and add a touch of red-brown along the very edge if you want to hint at the red clay seeping through it. A half-fallen updo, smudged grey eyes, a ring of old-style keys and a cream shawl complete her. Warm tights and lace-up boots make this one fine for a cold night outside.
7. Lucille Red Dress Crimson Peak Costume
Lucille's crimson gown is the showpiece of the whole film, and it needs a narrow, rigid silhouette to look right. Make it from red satin with a high collar, a tight bodice, long fitted sleeves and a bustle-style train. Satin shows every wrinkle and pucker, so I underline the bodice with a firm cotton and press each seam as I go. Black lace at the cuffs and neck plus lacing down the back give it that architectural look. A severe centre-parted dark updo, porcelain skin and a deep red lip finish the face. Keep the train short enough to gather in one hand on stairs.
8. Lucille Blue Velvet Crimson Peak Costume
Midnight-blue velvet gives you Lucille at her coldest. Start with a fitted bodice, high neckline, long sleeves and a full skirt with a modest train. The twisting black vines across the bodice can be made from cotton cording; I couch it down by hand with small stitches, since glue shows through velvet pile. Jet earrings, a velvet choker and dark gloves suit her. Hair should be smooth, centre-parted and completely controlled. If you want a prop, a tea tray is a nice dark joke for anyone who knows the film.
9. Lucille Black Picnic Crimson Peak Costume
This black outdoor dress is a quieter Lucille, and it's easier to wear in daylight. Use a high-neck black velvet or heavy cotton gown with narrow sleeves, a pointed waist and a structured bustle skirt, and pin a single dark red fabric rose near the chest as the one flash of colour. A short fitted capelet adds warmth and makes the shape even more severe. A small black hat, charcoal eyes and muted red lips complete her. A black parasol is the obvious prop, and it doubles as shade at a daytime event.
10. Lucille Ivory Nightgown Crimson Peak Costume
Lucille's nightgown should feel heavier and older than Edith's airy one, so pick denser lace and a more fitted shape. A floor-length cream gown with heavy lace panels, fitted cuffs and a high ruffled neck, worn over an opaque slip, sets the base, with a faded grey ribbon at the waist. A long dark braid, a little hollow taupe contour under the cheekbones and smoky grey eyes give her that ghostly look without gore. Black button boots under the pale hem are a deliberate contrast. A battery candle is safer than a real one near all that lace.
11. Thomas Sharpe Black Coat Crimson Peak Costume
Thomas Sharpe is the easiest of the main three to build from a thrift shop. Black trousers, a white band-collar shirt and a fitted charcoal waistcoat make the base, with a knee-length black frock coat on top. A modern suit jacket is the giveaway that ruins it, so it's worth hunting for a long coat even if it's a bit worn; worn suits him anyway. Add a narrow cravat, a silver pocket watch and leather gloves. A side part with one loose wave over the forehead, a little shadow under the eyes and rolled engineering plans complete him.
12. Thomas Sharpe Blue Suit Crimson Peak Costume
The blue suit ties Thomas to Lucille and the house, since navy runs through both their wardrobes. Pair charcoal trousers with a navy velvet waistcoat, a white standing-collar shirt and a dark blue frock coat, plus a loose black cravat and a watch chain. Everything should look a little faded, as if it was inherited. I'd buy pieces second-hand and rub the edges of the coat cuffs gently with fine sandpaper for wear. Soft grey contour around the eyes, romantic side-parted waves and folded estate papers finish it.
13. Thomas Buffalo Gentleman Crimson Peak Costume
In Buffalo, Thomas is still trying to impress, so this version is neater. Wear fitted black trousers, a cream standing-collar shirt, a patterned grey waistcoat and a long tailored frock coat, then add a silk cravat with a decorative pin and a pocket watch. Hair should be brushed into soft side-parted waves, never modern slicked-back styling. Keep the makeup minimal. Rolled machine drawings make a good character prop, and a leather document case holds your phone and keys.
14. Alan McMichael Brown Suit Crimson Peak Costume
Alan McMichael wears warm browns, which makes him the friendly opposite of the Sharpes. Start with tobacco-brown trousers, a matching vest and a crisp white high-collar shirt, then add a tailored brown jacket or knee-length overcoat and a rust or muted gold cravat. Round wire-frame glasses and a vintage-style doctor's bag are what tell people who he is. Keep the hair neatly side-parted and the makeup natural. Because it's all real tailoring, the pieces work again for any historical event later.
15. Carter Cushing Victorian Suit Crimson Peak Costume
Carter Cushing is prosperous American menswear from the period, practical rather than fussy. Dark grey trousers, a white standing-collar shirt and a patterned burgundy or gold waistcoat go under a black or charcoal morning coat with broad lapels. A bow tie, a pocket watch, a signet-style ring and a folded newspaper are the period details I'd add. Use grey hair or a short silver wig with trimmed facial hair, and a little age shading near the eyes and jaw. Rolled building plans suggest his business, and polished black boots carry you through a long night.
16. Mrs. McMichael Victorian Gown Crimson Peak Costume
Mrs. McMichael belongs to bright Buffalo society, so this gown should be lighter and more fashionable than anything at Allerdale. Plum, lavender or dusty rose all suit her, in a gown with a fitted bodice, high lace neck and big puffed sleeves over a full skirt and small bustle pad. Pearl earrings, a cameo and cream gloves complete the outfit. Pin a curled updo under a floral hat, and secure the hat with two long hatpins through the hair rather than elastic. Soft powder, rose blush and a lace fan fit the period.
17. Eunice McMichael Pink Dress Crimson Peak Costume
Eunice is the youngest society lady, and the colour should show it. A pastel pink, peach or lilac dress with a high neck, fitted waist, puffed sleeves and a sweeping skirt is the base, with cream lace at the collar and cuffs and a satin bow or two. Two bows is plenty; more starts to look like a little girl's party dress. A curled updo under a small floral hat, peach blush and short cream gloves finish her. A folded fan or calling card case makes a neat little prop, and low-heeled boots keep you comfortable.
18. Edith’s Mother Ghost Crimson Peak Costume
Edith's mother can be played as a stylised ghost in black mourning, no gore needed. Wear a floor-length black Victorian dress with a high collar and fitted sleeves, with layered gauze over the skirt so it moves when you walk. A long veil or bonnet frames the face; check you can see clearly through it, especially on stairs. Pale grey makeup, softly hollowed cheeks and charcoal lips give a supernatural look. A light dust of cornstarch or washable grey powder on the fabric ages it. Hold a black locket and stay very still for photos.
19. Pamela Upton Red Ghost Crimson Peak Costume
Pamela Upton's ghost is about layered reds that look weathered rather than bloody. Start with a long muted-burgundy Victorian dress, then drape light crimson gauze over the shoulders, sleeves and skirt; tear the gauze edges rather than cutting them, which gives a soft, aged fray. A loose old-fashioned updo with flyaways, burgundy eye shadow and a dark rose lip finish the face. Blend red-toned makeup carefully at the jawline, because it shows a hard edge in bright light. A small travel case is a quiet nod to her story.
20. Margaret McDermott Gray Ghost Crimson Peak Costume
A grey ghost is a calmer, single-colour alternative to the red spirits. Choose a floor-length slate dress with a high neck and fitted bodice, and add chiffon overlays that look tattered but have finished edges. A narrow rolled hem or a thin line of fray-stop liquid along the edges stops synthetic chiffon from unravelling all night. Silver-grey gauze around the shoulders and bustle moves as you walk. Use a faded wig in a loose bun with white powder dusted along the hairline and brows. An old envelope or a cameo portrait is the right prop.
21. Enola Sciotti Victorian Bride Crimson Peak Costume
The ghostly bride is faded elegance, so the fabric should look old without looking ruined. Pick an ivory or pale beige gown with long sleeves, a high lace collar, a fitted waist and a full skirt, plus a soft grey sash and a veil over a dark curled updo. I'd go easy on the distressing; a light touch of removable grey chalk at the hem gives plenty of atmosphere, and you can still use the gown again. Carry a small bunch of dried-look artificial flowers in cream and dusty pink tied with grey ribbon. Lace gloves and cream boots finish her.
22. Edith And Thomas Couple Crimson Peak Costume
Edith and Thomas work as a couple because the contrast is immediate: gold next to a long black silhouette. Edith wears the yellow gown with puffed sleeves, butterfly details, a braided belt and a soft blonde updo, and carries her manuscript. Thomas wears black trousers, a charcoal waistcoat, a standing-collar shirt and a knee-length frock coat, with a pocket watch and rolled plans. I'd give both of them one small gold accessory, his watch chain and her brooch, so the pairing looks planned. This is a good pair for a formal party or a moody photo session.
23. Edith And Lucille Duo Crimson Peak Costume
Edith and Lucille are opposites in every way the costumes can show, and the duo should lean into that. Keep Edith airy: a luminous ivory or golden gown with big sleeves, soft florals, pinned blonde hair and an LED candle. Make Lucille narrow and structured in midnight-blue velvet with black vine trim, a severe dark updo and a ring of old keys. Practise one pose where you stand side by side and Lucille is slightly behind Edith; it tells the story at a glance. It suits two friends or sisters who want to coordinate without matching.
24. Thomas And Lucille Duo Crimson Peak Costume
Thomas and Lucille share a family wardrobe, so this duo is about repetition rather than contrast. Thomas wears black trousers, a navy waistcoat, a high-collar shirt, a black cravat and a long frock coat, with gloves and engineering papers. Lucille wears a midnight-blue or black velvet bustle gown with corded vine appliqués, a centre-parted updo and button boots. If you can, cut his waistcoat and her bodice from the same navy velvet; it ties the two together better than any accessory. Silver jewellery on both finishes the link.
25. Edith And Alan Duo Crimson Peak Costume
Edith and Alan make the brighter, kinder pairing. Edith wears the yellow high-neck gown with puffed sleeves, a braided belt, a butterfly brooch and a blonde updo, with peach makeup and a handwritten manuscript. Alan wears brown trousers, a matching vest and jacket, a white shirt, a rust cravat and round glasses, and carries a doctor's bag. Cream, gold and brown run through both outfits, which keeps the pair balanced. It's a nice option for couples who want a period look without heavy Gothic darkness.
26. Edith Thomas And Lucille Group Crimson Peak Costume
The central trio is gold, black and deep red standing in a row. Edith wears the yellow gown with her blonde updo and butterfly accessories, Thomas the frock coat with grey waistcoat and dark waves, and Lucille the crimson satin bustle gown with black trim and a severe updo. Give each one a prop: a manuscript, rolled plans, and a dark fan or keys. The high collars and late-Victorian lines are what pull three very different colours into one group. Stand in the order Edith, Thomas, Lucille for photos and the story reads left to right.
27. Allerdale Hall Ghost Group Crimson Peak Costume
An Allerdale ghost group works for four people and needs no gore at all. Put one in black mourning layers, one in burgundy gauze, one in slate chiffon and one in aged ivory bridal fabric. Everyone uses the same base: floor length, high neck, long sleeves and see-through overlays that move as you walk. Matching the silhouette is what makes it a group, while the four colours let each ghost stand out. Pale makeup tinted to each colour, LED candles and flat lace-up boots for everyone.
28. Buffalo Society Group Crimson Peak Costume
A Buffalo society group is the cheerful choice for friends who'd rather skip ghost makeup. Use four outfits: a golden puff-sleeve gown, a pastel pink bustle dress, a lavender matron's gown and a dark grey gentleman's suit. Curled updos with small hats, pearls, gloves, fans and a pocket watch complete the period. Keep every dress brighter than the Allerdale clothes so the group reads as the world Edith came from. Low-heeled button boots or lace-ups work for everyone.
29. Easy DIY Crimson Peak Costume
If you have one evening and no sewing machine, this is the Crimson Peak to make. A long cream skirt, a high-neck blouse and a fitted cardigan in mustard, forest green or black give you the shape. For a bustle, tie a small cushion or a rolled towel around your waist under the back of the skirt; it's an old trick and it works. Swap expensive trim for lace ribbon, fabric flowers and pearl buttons. A loose updo, pale makeup, an old notebook or a costume key, and ankle boots from your closet finish it.
30. Allerdale Hall Personified Crimson Peak Costume
Dressing as the house itself is the most original idea here. Start with a floor-length charcoal gown or a long black coat over a skirt, then run dark red chiffon panels down the centre front to stand for the red clay the house is sinking into. Black vine appliqués, grey lace and small fabric leaves across the sleeves and bodice add decay. The headpiece is the fun part: a high updo with miniature arches or windows cut from craft foam and pinned in. Stone-coloured makeup, smoky eyes and an oversized old key complete it.
Floor-Length Skirts on Stairs and Pavements
Long Victorian skirts are where these costumes go wrong at a real party. A hem that touches the floor gets stepped on, soaks up rain and drags through whatever has been spilled on the floor.
Getting the hem right
Put on the boots you'll actually wear, then hem the skirt so it clears the floor by about an inch. Do it with the petticoat and bustle on, since both lift the back of the skirt. A train looks dramatic, but keep it short enough to gather in one hand.
Outdoors and on stairs
Practise lifting the skirt at the front with one hand as you go up stairs. If the event is outside, a strip of hem tape on the inside of the hem will take a lot of mud without damaging the dress fabric. Velvet and satin both spot with water, so carry an umbrella.
Ghost makeup that stays put
Patch-test pale or tinted face paint on your inner wrist first. Set it with translucent powder so it doesn't transfer onto a high lace collar, and take it off at the end of the night with an oil cleanser.
Gold, Crimson or Blue Velvet for Your Night
What makes these costumes work is that every piece points to the same character: colour, silhouette, hair, makeup, prop and shoes. Edith's gold and ivory read as hopeful, Lucille's velvets as cold and controlled, and Thomas, Alan, Buffalo society and the ghosts each give other wearers something distinct. You can sew a detailed recreation, rework thrifted formalwear, or keep a group simple and let shared colours do the coordinating. Put your effort into the silhouette first, then get the hem the right length and pick boots you can walk in all night.
Related posts:
