Dressing up as a beloved book character is a fantastic way to celebrate Halloween, Book Week, or any other costume event. Here are the top 11 book character costume ideas for girls, complete with detailed descriptions and suggestions for creating or purchasing these costumes.
1. Hermione Granger from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Why Choose Hermione?
Hermione Granger is a brilliant, brave, and loyal character from the Harry Potter series. She is a role model for many young readers, making her a popular choice for a costume.
Costume Components:
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Robe: A black Hogwarts robe with the Gryffindor crest.
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Uniform: A white shirt, grey sweater, and a pleated skirt.
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Accessories: A wand, a Gryffindor tie, and a time-turner necklace for added detail.
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Hair: Hermione's signature bushy hair can be achieved with a wig or by styling your own hair with curls.
DIY Tips:
You can create the robe using black fabric and sewing on a Gryffindor patch. The rest of the outfit can be assembled from school uniform pieces.
2. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Why Choose Katniss?
Katniss Everdeen is a strong, independent, and resourceful character who inspires courage and resilience.
Costume Components:
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Clothing: Black cargo pants, a black t-shirt, and a utility jacket.
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Accessories: A toy bow and arrow set, and a Mockingjay pin.
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Hair: Braid your hair into a side braid, just like Katniss.
DIY Tips:
Most of the clothing items can be found in your closet or purchased inexpensively. The Mockingjay pin can be made from cardboard and painted gold.
3. Matilda Wormwood from Matilda by Roald Dahl
Why Choose Matilda?
Matilda is a beloved character known for her intelligence, kindness, and love of books.
Costume Components:
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Dress: A simple blue dress.
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Accessories: A red ribbon for her hair, a stack of books, and a small stuffed animal to represent her friend, the newt.
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Hair: Matilda’s hair is straight and shoulder-length, often adorned with a red ribbon.
DIY Tips:
The dress can be any plain blue dress, and the books can be real or made from cardboard.
4. Alice from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Why Choose Alice?
Alice is an iconic character known for her curiosity and adventurous spirit.
Costume Components:
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Dress: A blue dress with a white apron.
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Accessories: A black headband, white tights, and black Mary Jane shoes.
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Props: A small bottle labeled "Drink Me" and a plush white rabbit.
DIY Tips:
The dress and apron can be sewn or purchased online. The "Drink Me" bottle can be made from a small glass bottle and a printed label.
5. Pippi Longstocking from Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
Why Choose Pippi?
Pippi Longstocking is a fun and quirky character known for her strength and independence.
Costume Components:
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Clothing: A patchwork dress or oversized shirt, mismatched stockings, and large boots.
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Accessories: A red wig styled into braids that stick out, and freckles drawn on with eyeliner.
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Props: A small stuffed monkey to represent Mr. Nilsson.
DIY Tips:
The dress can be made from old clothes sewn together, and the braids can be achieved by using wire inside the wig.
6. Belle from Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve
Why Choose Belle?
Belle is known for her love of books and her kind heart, making her a beloved character.
Costume Components:
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Dress: A blue dress with a white apron for her village look, or a yellow ball gown for her princess look.
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Accessories: A basket with books for the village look, and a rose for the ball gown look.
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Hair: Belle’s hair is styled in a half-up, half-down look with curls.
DIY Tips:
The village dress can be made from a blue and white fabric, and the ball gown can be purchased or sewn from yellow fabric.
7. Coraline from Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Why Choose Coraline?
Coraline is a brave and adventurous character who faces her fears in a spooky, alternate world.
Costume Components:
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Clothing: A yellow raincoat, blue jeans, and yellow rain boots.
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Accessories: A blue wig or blue hair dye, and a small black cat plush.
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Props: Buttons for eyes can be created with face paint or makeup.
DIY Tips:
The raincoat and boots can be found at thrift stores, and the wig can be styled with temporary hair dye.
8. Madeline from Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
Why Choose Madeline?
Madeline is a fearless and adventurous character from a classic children’s book series.
Costume Components:
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Clothing: A blue coat or dress with a white collar, and a yellow hat.
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Accessories: White gloves and black Mary Jane shoes.
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Props: A small stuffed dog to represent Genevieve.
DIY Tips:
The coat or dress can be found at a thrift store or made from blue fabric, and the hat can be painted yellow.
9. Nancy Drew from Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene
Why Choose Nancy?
Nancy Drew is a smart and resourceful detective, making her a great choice for a costume.
Costume Components:
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Clothing: A plaid skirt, a cardigan, and a white blouse.
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Accessories: A magnifying glass, a notebook, and a flashlight.
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Hair: Nancy’s hair is styled in soft waves.
DIY Tips:
The clothing can be found in your closet or at a thrift store, and the magnifying glass can be purchased at a toy store.
10. Laura Ingalls Wilder from Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Why Choose Laura?
Laura Ingalls Wilder is a beloved character from a series that depicts life on the American frontier.
Costume Components:
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Clothing: A pioneer dress with a bonnet.
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Accessories: A small basket or pail, and boots.
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Hair: Laura’s hair is styled in braids.
DIY Tips:
The dress and bonnet can be sewn from calico fabric, and the accessories can be found at thrift stores.
11. Violet Beauregarde from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Why Choose Violet?
Violet Beauregarde is a memorable character known for her love of chewing gum and her transformation into a blueberry.
Costume Components:
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Clothing: A blue tracksuit or dress.
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Accessories: A piece of chewing gum and a blue face paint or makeup to create the blueberry look.
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Props: A small bag of fake blueberries.
DIY Tips:
The tracksuit can be found at a thrift store, and the face paint can be purchased at a costume shop.
These costume ideas offer a variety of options for girls to dress up as their favorite book characters. Whether you choose to DIY or purchase the costumes, each character provides a unique and fun way to celebrate the love of reading.
