How Do You Make Storybook Character Costumes?
Since storybook character illustrations can vary from different publications, it’s important to remember the main recognizable features of each character. Disney made quite a few of the classic storybook characters into movies, such as Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, and Alladin. If you opt for a Disney character, your best bet is to get the basic costume pre-made and then upgrade with costume jewelry and other adornments.
Recognizable Characteristics
The Wolf from Little Red Riding Hood
The wolf is most recognizable for deceiving Little Red Riding Hood as her dear old grandmother. Wearing a wolf’s costume will need to have the following props:
- Long nightgown
- Spectacles or grandmother-style glasses (the more antique, the better)
- Fluffy hair cap
Since the wolf disguised as the grandmother is the most recognizable part of the story, your best bet is to add the granny disguise to the costume in order to make a convincing wolf from the Little Red Riding Hood story.
Snow White
If you aren’t trying for a classic Disney Princess, then your Snow White costume will need all of the most well-known storybook props:
- A red ribbon around the neck (the first murder attempt)
- Black hair with a jeweled comb (the second murder attempt)
- A bright red apple (final murder attempt)
- Bright rouge on the cheeks and deep red lipstick
- A basic peasant dress with shoes
Rapunzel
Rapunzel is the most flexible storybook character since her outfit requires only a very long tress of hair. To add some humor to the costume, instead of a lovely dress you can use large paper are cardboard to create a tower that look like you are Rapunzel in the tower.
Otherwise you simply need a nice dress and a long tress of hair that goes down to the feet to pull of Rapunzel.
Whether it is for Halloween or a school play, a classic storybook character costume is simple to make. By varying the colors, fabrics, and accessories, you can make a variety of costumes from a few basic pieces. Most of what you need can be found at the thrift store, in your own closet, or made from a simple pattern. I have chosen five popular characters, but this is just a start. You are limited only by your imagination. Start with a full skirt in pink or red. It should come just below the knees or about 6 inches from the floor. Add petticoats under the skirt. The edge of the petticoat should show about 1 inch. Add a white puffed sleeve blouse with either a Peter Pan collar or a scooped neck. The sleeves can come down as far as the top of the elbows but they should be full and gathered at the edge. You can find these at the thrift store or make them with a simple pattern. Add a black lace-up vest. If you can’t find one, cut the buttons off a regular vest, make buttonholes where the bu
