Dressing a baby girl for Halloween is mostly about the photos, and the photos only happen if she's comfortable. Every look below is built so she can still crawl, sit, feed and get a fresh diaper without the costume coming apart. I've included cosy animals, garden creatures, foods, storybook girls and a few tiny jobs. The pieces are ones I trust on babies: soft bodysuits, short tutus, gentle headbands and booties. I leave out scratchy trim, tight elastic, loose glitter and anything small that can be pulled off. No face makeup either; at this age the clothing and one sweet headpiece carry the character.
Tutus, Headbands and Bows on a Baby
Most of the girly touches in these costumes come from three pieces: a tulle skirt, a headband and a bow. They're also the three pieces most likely to make a baby cross, so here's how I choose and fit them.
Tulle
Stiff craft-store tulle feels like netting on bare thighs. I use soft tulle, put tights or leggings underneath, and keep the skirt short. If a bought tutu has a narrow elastic waist, I swap it for wide fold-over elastic so it doesn't dig in after a feed.
Headbands
A headband should rest on her head, not grip it. Measure around her head and choose stretchy nylon or soft fabric bands that leave room for two fingers underneath. Anything that leaves a red line after ten minutes is too tight. If she has a lot of hair, I tuck a small snap clip under the band to keep it from sliding off.
Bows and small trims
Bows look tiny on a photo and enormous in a baby's fist. I sew them on rather than using hot glue, which gets brittle and pops off. Rhinestone centres and loose ribbon tails come off before she wears it.
1. Baby Girl Pumpkin Costume With Tutu
A pumpkin is the safest first costume I know, and the tutu version adds a girly touch without any extra fuss. An orange cotton bodysuit goes over comfortable leggings, with a soft orange tulle skirt on top. The green felt collar is the leafy top; cut it in wide, rounded points so it lies flat instead of curling into her chin. For the head, choose an elastic-free green cap or a wide fabric headband with a small felt stem. Orange socks or green booties finish the colours. A light plush pumpkin beside her photographs better than a hard one in her lap, and the whole outfit comes off fast for a feed.
2. Baby Girl Ladybug Costume With Soft Wings
Red and black do the work on a ladybug, so you don't need anything complicated. Stitch black fabric circles around their whole edge onto a red long-sleeve romper; glued spots peel after an hour of crawling. Add black leggings if it's cool, then soft red or black crib shoes. The antenna headband should be padded, never wire. Sew the small fabric wings flat to the back so she can sit in a stroller. A red bow near the antennae is the girly detail. A plush green leaf works for a supervised photo. I like this one for active crawlers, since nothing about it gets in the way.
3. Baby Girl Bumblebee Costume With Yellow Tutu
The bee is where I'd measure the tutu carefully. Tulle that reaches her ankles catches under her knees when she crawls, so I keep the yellow tutu well above the ankle, over black leggings. The base is a black cotton bodysuit with wide yellow fabric stripes. Sheer wings stitched to the back look pretty, but keep them small enough that she can sit back on them. A padded antenna headband with a yellow bow and black-and-yellow booties finish it. A plush flower is her supervised prop. Every piece should be light and sewn on, so her arms and legs stay free.
4. Baby Girl Strawberry Costume With Green Cap
The strawberry suits indoor parties best, because a cotton romper is light and the red is so cheerful in photos. Small black felt seeds go on with a few stitches each. Red tights or leggings add warmth if you need them. The green leaf collar frames the neck, and a matching green cap makes the strawberry top. Keep the stem short; a tall one tips forward and she'll grab it. Red booties with tiny green fabric leaves finish the feet. A plush berry basket is fine for pictures, but keep anything with handles out of reach during play.
5. Baby Girl Sunflower Costume With Petal Headband
Petals are what make a sunflower, and on a baby they have to be stitched, not glued, because she'll sit on the skirt and pull at the headband. A brown cotton bodysuit pairs with green footed leggings or a soft green romper. The skirt is layered yellow fabric petals. A stretchy brown headband ringed with short yellow petals makes the flower centre around her face without covering it. Green socks or leaf booties finish the garden look. Skip loose glitter, fake pollen and small beads. A plush watering can or a soft fabric flower makes a good supervised photo prop.
6. Baby Girl Butterfly Costume With Pastel Wings
Wire wings are the usual mistake with a baby butterfly. They hold their shape nicely on the hanger, then dig into her back the first time she leans against you. I use lightweight fabric wings with rounded edges, sewn on so they rest flat when she sits. A lavender, pink or mint cotton romper is the base, with a short matching tutu over footed tights. A padded antenna headband and pastel crib shoes finish it. Rather than any makeup, look for a romper with embroidered swirls on the front. A plush flower nearby works for supervised photos. Leave sequins and glitter out.
7. Baby Girl Pink Dinosaur Costume With Soft Spikes
A pink dinosaur is one of the few one-piece costumes I'd pick for a cold night, because the fleece jumpsuit is warm enough that you don't need extra layers underneath. Look for a front zip, roomy legs and an attached tail short enough that it won't tangle. Soft fabric spikes from hood to back give the shape with no hard edges, and a pale pink belly panel, mitt cuffs and claw-print booties fill in the details. Check the hood sits clear of her eyes and never tightens under the chin. A plush dinosaur egg makes a sweet prop.
8. Baby Girl Unicorn Costume With Rainbow Tutu
Most unicorn headbands come with a stiff, heavy horn, and that's the first thing I'd replace. A short plush horn, padded ears and a yarn mane on a soft fabric headband give the magic without the weight. Underneath, a white long-sleeve bodysuit pairs with a pastel rainbow tutu over white footed leggings. White booties with stitched-on pastel stars finish the feet. A tiny rainbow bow adds colour. A plush cloud or soft star wand can appear only in supervised shots. I avoid metallic fibres and small gems on anything she might mouth.
9. Baby Girl Mermaid Costume With Shimmering Tail Skirt
A real mermaid tail wraps the legs, and a baby needs to kick, so I fake the tail. Stretchy leggings with a faint scale pattern go under a lavender or aqua cotton bodysuit with a shell print. Then add a short, open-front tail skirt with a soft fin sitting behind the ankles, leaving both legs free. A seafoam headband with fabric shells and a small purple bow is the hair piece. Soft aqua booties tuck under the fin. Skip body glitter and stick-on decorations. A plush starfish or fabric seashell nearby makes the photo.
10. Baby Girl Fairy Costume With Flower Crown
Fairy wings should stay inside the line of her shoulders. Anything wider bumps into your arm every time you pick her up, and she'll be carried most of the evening. Dress her in a pastel cotton romper with a short petal skirt and soft footed tights. The flower crown should use sewn fabric blooms rather than floral wire, which bends into points. Ballet-style booties in pink, lavender or cream finish it. Colourful embroidery on the bodice does the decorating instead of face gems. A plush flower wand is a photo prop that goes away afterward, and a cardigan over the top covers her outdoors.
11. Baby Girl Ballerina Costume With Pink Tutu
The ballerina is really about the waistband. Tutus with a narrow elastic band dig into a baby's tummy once she's been fed, so I look for a wide, smooth one or replace it with soft fold-over elastic. A pink cotton leotard-style bodysuit with bottom snaps is the base, and pale pink tights keep her warm. Ballet-style crib shoes finish the legs. For fine baby hair, a wide satin bow headband beats any pin or clip. A bodysuit with a tiny embroidered rose is a nice touch. A plush music box or soft ribbon ring makes the prop. It's my favourite for milestone photos.
12. Baby Girl Woodland Fawn Costume With Spotted Romper
Cream spots on tan are what turn a plain hooded romper into a fawn, so I place them along the back and sleeves where they show when she's held over a shoulder. Add a pale belly panel, and brown footed leggings if the romper stops at the knee. The hood carries small padded ears and short rounded antlers made only of soft fabric. Brown booties with cream hoof panels finish it. No painted nose or face spots on baby skin; a small fabric bow between the ears is the girly detail instead. A plush mushroom or soft leaf makes the prop. This is a warm pick for autumn walks.
13. Baby Girl Little Lamb Costume With Fleece Bonnet
Watch the fleece on a lamb. Cheap textured fleece sheds, and those fibres end up on her hands and then in her mouth, so I rub a swatch hard before buying. A cream cotton bodysuit or light fleece romper with a cloud-like outer layer is the base, with cream footed leggings so she needs no shoes. The bonnet with floppy ears frames her face and can close with a loose tie kept well away from her mouth. Pale gray or cream booties with stitched hooves finish the feet. A plush meadow flower makes a gentle portrait prop. Indoors, check she isn't getting too warm.
14. Baby Girl Bunny Costume With Floppy Ears
Floppy ears on a bonnet beat any headband for a bunny, because the bonnet stays put and the ears don't squeeze her head. A white, gray or blush footed romper with a soft belly panel is the base. The pom-pom tail must be flat and sewn through several times so she can lie on it and you can't pull it off. Paw-print booties are optional if the romper has feet. Skip whiskers and a painted nose. A big, light fabric carrot with no detachable leaves makes the supervised prop. Bunnies work for Halloween and any family dress-up picture.
15. Baby Girl Black Kitten Costume With Tulle Skirt
A black kitten is the gentlest Halloween look on this list, and you can build it mostly from clothes she already owns. A long-sleeve black bodysuit sits under a soft black tulle skirt and stretchy leggings. Make the tail short, or stitch it flat along the back, so it doesn't bunch under her when she sits. A padded ear headband or cat-ear bonnet with a small pink bow goes on top. Black crib shoes with embroidered paws finish it. Her face stays bare. A big plush ball of yarn nearby makes a cute supervised photo.
16. Baby Girl Owl Costume With Feathered Cape
Capes are the part of an owl I'm cautious with. Instead of a cord at the neck, I fasten the short feather cape with snap tabs at each shoulder, and I take it off for sleep, the car seat or whenever she gets warm. Overlapping fabric feathers stitched in rows on the cape give the plumage in browns, cream and rust over a brown footed romper. A soft owl bonnet with round eyes, a tiny padded beak and small ear tufts makes the face. Brown or cream booties with stitched talons finish it. Check the feathers can't be pulled off. A tree-branch pillow is a nice floor-photo prop.
17. Baby Girl Peacock Costume With Colorful Tutu
A peacock needs the feather eyes, not a tall tail. I print or appliqué simple eye shapes on a short tutu made of teal, green and navy panels, and attach a small fan of soft fabric feathers flat to the back. A teal cotton bodysuit with blue or purple leggings is the base. A stretchy teal headband with a padded crest and tiny purple bow carries the colour up top. Dark blue booties tie in with the body. Real feathers shed and glitter travels, so both stay off. A plush garden leaf is the supervised prop.
18. Baby Girl Pink Flamingo Costume With Feather Skirt
The feather skirt is where flamingos usually go wrong: real feathers or boa trim shed all over the baby and everyone holding her. I cut soft, non-shedding fabric strips instead and layer them on a short skirt over a pink long-sleeve romper. Pink footed tights give the leg colour and keep her warm. A light bonnet carries small black-and-white beak details above the forehead, not over her face. Pink crib shoes or built-in footies finish it, with a darker pink bow as the accent. A plush tropical leaf makes the photo. Leave off any big neck shapes.
19. Baby Girl Yellow Duckling Costume With Hood
One-piece duckling suits are the easiest thing on this list to pack and take to a family party. Pick a fuzzy or cotton footed jumpsuit with a cream belly and small side wings. The hood should have round eyes and a short padded orange bill that sits above her face, not over it. Orange booties with wide stitched webbed feet finish the look. A yellow bow on one side of the hood is the girl detail, and I'd stop there. No orange makeup on her nose or lips. A plush blue raindrop or soft lily pad makes a sweet prop.
20. Baby Girl Koala Costume With Gray Romper
Thick animal suits overheat babies indoors, so for a koala I go for a lighter gray hooded romper rather than plush fur. Look for a white belly panel and snap or zip access. The hood gets large round ears lined in pale pink and a small padded black nose above the forehead. Gray mitt-style cuffs and booties with embroidered paws finish it, and a tiny pink bow between the ears adds sweetness. Her face stays clean. A plush green leaf or fabric tree beside her makes the portrait, and the soft gray looks very cuddly in photos.
21. Baby Girl Elephant Costume With Pink Ears
Weight is the issue on an elephant hood. Big ears and a trunk pull the hood backward and to the side, so I keep both light, with thin batting or none at all. A gray footed romper with a pale belly panel is the base, and the wide pink-lined ears attach securely to the hood. The short padded trunk sits above the forehead where it shows without falling over her face. Gray booties with stitched toes and a small fabric tail finish it, and a pink bow near one ear adds colour. Skip rigid tusks. A plush peanut toy or fabric jungle leaf makes the photo.
22. Baby Girl Cow Costume With Pink Bow
Spots are what make a cow read from across the room, and irregular black shapes look far more convincing than circles. Stitch them onto a white cotton footed romper. A soft hood with small ears and tiny padded horns covers the animal details, and a pink bow between the ears brightens it. Add black or white booties with stitched hooves if the romper isn't footed. Keep the tail short and flat so it's out of the way for sitting and changes. No painted muzzle. A plush milk bottle or fabric flower makes the prop. It's an easy one to sew at home and comfortable for a long family evening.
23. Baby Girl Scarecrow Costume With Patchwork Overalls
Real straw scratches and sheds, so a baby scarecrow needs a different trick. I cut short strips of soft yellow fleece and tuck them into the hatband and cuffs; they look like straw from a few feet away and feel like a blanket. A plaid cotton shirt bodysuit goes under soft denim-look overalls with orange, yellow and brown patches sewn on the knees and bib. A floppy fabric hat with a sunflower is the harvest detail. Brown socks or booties finish it. No stitched-mouth makeup or freckles. A plush crow or fabric pumpkin keeps her company for photos, and bottom snaps make changes easy.
24. Baby Girl Little Red Riding Hood Costume
A long cloak trails and tangles on a baby, so this Red Riding Hood uses a short red hooded cape that ends at her shoulders and closes with snaps, never cords. Underneath, a white cotton blouse-style bodysuit pairs with a red gingham skirt or romper with an apron panel. White tights and soft black or brown Mary Jane booties finish it. A fabric bow can frame the hood. A plush basket replaces a rigid woven one, since woven willow can splinter. The short hem and smooth fabric let her crawl and be carried all evening.
25. Baby Girl Alice Costume With Blue Dress
Alice reads mostly from three things: the blue dress, the white apron and the black hair bow. A blue cotton dress-style bodysuit with puff sleeves and a sewn-on white apron panel covers the first two. A wide black fabric bow headband does the third, with no clips or wig. White footed tights and black Mary Jane crib shoes give the classic colours. I like small embroidered card or teacup shapes on the apron as a quiet detail. Skip long apron ties and detachable buttons. A plush white rabbit beside her makes the photo, and snaps under the skirt keep changes simple.
26. Baby Girl Dorothy Costume With Gingham Dress
Red shoes are the whole of Dorothy, and for a baby I look for crib shoes with a satin-like sheen rather than glitter, which flakes off onto everything. A white puff-sleeve bodysuit sits under a soft blue gingham pinafore, with white footed tights. If she has enough hair, use two soft blue bow clips made for babies; otherwise a wide bow headband. A small plush dog in a fabric basket gives the story reference in supervised photos. Keep the skirt above the knee so it doesn't wrap her legs. It's a good pick for a baby who'll spend the evening in someone's arms.
27. Baby Girl Wonder Woman Costume With Soft Cape
A baby Wonder Woman is all about the colour blocks: red top, blue bottom, gold accents. Start with a red bodysuit and a gold fabric emblem, then add a blue cotton skirt or diaper cover with printed white stars. Soft red leggings and red-and-gold booties cover the legs. A padded gold headband with a small red star replaces the hard plastic tiara. The short cape snaps to the shoulders, and I take it off every time she goes in a car seat, because a cape bunched behind her back stops the harness fitting properly. A plush star is her prop.
28. Baby Girl Batgirl Costume With Purple Tutu
I like Batgirl because the purple keeps it from being another all-black superhero outfit. A black cotton bodysuit with a yellow fabric bat emblem pairs with a short purple tutu over black footed leggings. A soft purple cape snaps on at the shoulders, and a padded headband or bonnet adds small bat ears. Purple crib shoes with yellow accents finish it. No mask: it would block her view and rub her skin. A plush city-skyline pillow makes a fun backdrop. The colours and emblem tell people who she is, and everything stays soft enough to cuddle.
29. Baby Girl Wednesday Addams Costume With Braided Bonnet
The braids are what sell a baby Wednesday Addams, and since you can't braid baby hair, I sew two yarn braids securely onto a soft black bonnet. A black cotton dress bodysuit with a crisp white collar and white cuffs gives the famous outline. Black-and-white striped tights or plain black footed leggings go underneath, with black Mary Jane shoes. Her face stays natural, with no pale makeup or eye products. A plush black cat makes a sweet prop. Keep the skirt short and the fabric breathable for indoor parties. The look stays neat and cheerful rather than gloomy.
30. Baby Girl Rosie The Riveter Costume
Rosie the Riveter is the one I'd suggest if you want something she can wear again after Halloween. A denim-look romper or soft chambray jumpsuit with leg snaps is the base, with the sleeves rolled loosely to suggest workwear; tight rolled cuffs leave marks. Red socks and navy crib shoes finish it. The red-and-white polka-dot headband is the defining piece, and it should sit gently, well above her eyes. For the classic pose, an adult can bend one sleeve up or let her hold a big plush star. Leave hard tools and metal pieces out.
31. Baby Girl Astronaut Costume With Silver Booties
An astronaut suit for a baby needs a hood, not a helmet, and a two-way zip or leg snaps, because a white jumpsuit gets a lot of diaper changes in one evening. Pick a white cotton jumpsuit with embroidered mission patches and silver fabric panels at the cuffs. The hood can have a blue or silver border to suggest the helmet edge. Flexible silver booties finish the space suit. A purple or pink fabric patch personalises it far better than a loose name tag. No metallic cosmetics. A plush moon, planet or rocket makes a colourful prop.
32. Baby Girl Doctor Costume With Soft Stethoscope
Scrubs make an easy baby doctor because they're already soft, loose and practical. A pale blue cotton scrub-style romper with a printed pocket and an embroidered name badge is the base. Leave a short white coat-style cardigan open over it so it doesn't bunch at her tummy. White socks and navy or pink crib shoes finish it. A wide headband with a small medical-cross patch adds a hair detail. The stethoscope should be a big plush one, held in supervised photos, never a real one with long tubing. Snaps underneath keep diaper changes quick.
33. Baby Girl Chef Costume With Checkered Pants
Printed buttons are the detail I'd insist on for a chef: a double-breasted white romper with real buttons is a choking risk in the making. Pair the printed-button romper with soft black-and-white checkered pants or footed leggings and black crib shoes. The fabric chef hat should fit gently and sit low enough not to slide over her eyes; a soft, short hat stays on far better than a tall one. A pink neckerchief or embroidered cupcake patch is the girly accent. A plush spoon, mixing bowl or rolling pin makes the prop. Breathable fabric and leg snaps keep her comfortable sitting and crawling.
34. Baby Girl Popcorn Costume With Striped Romper
Fleece puffs make the best popcorn, because they're soft, light and don't fray. Sew them firmly onto a comfortable white cap, and shade a few with pale yellow fabric so they look buttery, no paint needed. A red-and-white striped cotton romper is the carton. Red footed leggings or white socks with red crib shoes finish the outfit. Keep the puffs back from her mouth. A plush movie ticket works for pictures. Don't overload the hat, though: a big popcorn hat gets warm fast, and a hot baby pulls it off.
35. Baby Girl Cupcake Costume With Sprinkle Tutu
The cupcake is the sweetest way to end, and it's very forgiving to make. A pastel pink bodysuit gets a pleated skirt shaped like a cupcake wrapper, with a soft white tulle ruffle at the waist for frosting. The sprinkles are large fabric pieces sewn on so they can't come loose; small ones are exactly the size you don't want near a baby. White footed tights and pink crib shoes finish the base. A stretchy headband with a small padded red cherry and green felt leaf goes on top. A plush cupcake stand is the prop, and the soft skirt lets her sit and crawl freely.
Getting the Photo Before She's Had Enough
Babies give you about ten good minutes in a costume, so I plan the pictures the way I'd plan a short fitting: everything ready before she's dressed.
- Take the photos at home, right after a nap and a feed. A rested, full baby tolerates a headband far longer than one who's been passed around a party.
- Set up by a window during the day. Soft side light makes the costume colours look true and avoids the red-eye and harsh shadows of a flash.
- Lay out the blanket, backdrop and prop first, then dress her last. Put the headpiece on at the very end, since it's the piece she'll pull at first.
- Shoot from her eye level. Get down on the floor rather than standing over her, and the costume details on her front show properly.
- Have a second adult just behind you with a noisy toy or a funny face. Her eyes go to them, which is exactly where the camera is.
- Take a few photos with the headpiece off too. Some of the sweetest shots are of the costume with her own hair and a sleepy face.
Once you have your pictures, strip the costume back to its soft base for the rest of the evening. A tutu and a bodysuit are fine for a party. The wings, cape and bonnet have done their job.
Which Little Look Gets Your Vote?
My own shortlist would be the pumpkin, the ladybug and the bunny, because each is built from soft cotton, needs one simple headpiece and photographs well from any angle. Whatever you choose, keep capes short, sew every decoration on properly, and leave out face paint, glitter, tight elastic, hard props and anything that slips over her eyes. Make sure the costume opens for a diaper change and takes a layer underneath when the evening turns cold. Then pick the one that suits her temperament: a busy crawler wants the simplest outfit, while a baby who loves being held can wear a cape or a fuller skirt.
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