Whether it’s for a party, play, or fun, a Christmas costume can brighten the season. You can buy one or make it yourself. Women’s costumes range from carolers and elves to Mrs. Claus or angels. Find ideas that are classic, funny, or even a bit sexy.
Easy DIY Victorian Christmas Caroler Costume
Whether you’re caroling or performing, a Victorian-style costume is always fun to wear.
Put Together the Caroler Outfit
Create a caroling costume from your closet or a thrift store. You’ll need a long gown, often worn with a petticoat. Velvet, wool, or cotton work well. Add a long cloak, hat, and muff if you like!
Make Your DIY Fur Muff
Create a caroling costume from your closet or a thrift store. You’ll need a long gown, often worn with a petticoat. Velvet, wool, or cotton work well. Add a long cloak, hat, and muff if you like!
Supplies
- White faux fur (14″ x 20″ per muff)
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Glue gun
- Silk cord or 2-inch grosgrain ribbon
Steps
- Cut the faux fur into a 14″ x 20″ rectangle.
- Fold the long sides in by 1 inch, wrong sides facing each other, and glue them down.
- After the glue dries, overlap the short ends by 2 inches and glue to form a cylinder.
- Measure from the caroler’s neck to the muff height (waist-length), adding a couple of inches for overlap.
- Cut the cord or ribbon to this length, thread it through the muff, and knot or glue the ends together.
- Slip the cord over your head and place your hands inside the muff.
Find a Ready-Made Caroler Costume
If you’re looking to buy, check out online stores. Forum Novelties, available through Walmart, offers a Victorian Christmas caroler costume. It includes a red velvet skirt, a matching cape, and a red hat, plus a white faux fur muff. Just add a shirt and boots, and you’re set to sing Jingle Bells! One size fits most (8-14), and it qualifies for free two-day shipping.
Traditional Mrs. Claus Costume
The classic Mrs. Claus costume shows a sweet old lady with a big smile and cookies for Santa. In contrast, the modern Mrs. Claus costume is bolder and spicier. Embrace your true self for the holiday party!
Create a DIY Mrs. Claus Costume
Here are some fun Mrs. Claus costume ideas:
- For a cozy look, wear a long slip or long johns under a red and white flannel nightgown. Add a shawl or a red bathrobe and a sleeping cap.
- To make it pop, attach faux fur to the collar and cuffs with safety pins.
- If you want something funny, a nightwear version of Mrs. Claus is perfect!
- For a traditional look, go for a long red dress or a skirt with a white blouse, paired with a big white apron and a mob cap.
- Don’t forget to add fun props like cookies or a Santa mug to complete your outfit!
Make Your DIY Mob Cap
Making a mob cap is easy. Just pick some plain white cotton or red velvet. You can add contrasting ribbons in white, green, or red for a fun touch.
Supplies
- Get a 20-inch piece of heavy white cotton, faux taffeta, or red velvet.
- Use contrasting 3/4-inch ribbon in velvet, satin, or grosgrain.
- Have a measuring tape handy.
- Keep scissors nearby.
- Grab some dressmaker pins.
Steps
- Cut an 18-inch circle from your chosen fabric. Use sharp scissors for a clean edge.
- Measure 2 ½ inches in from the edge and mark a circle with dressmaker pins.
- Pin small spots about 1 ½ inches apart along this circle to mark where you’ll cut.
- Cut along these marks with a craft knife or by pinching the fabric with scissors. The cuts should go straight out from the edge.
- Thread ribbon through the cuts all around the cap’s rim.
- Gently pull the ribbon to start shaping the hat.
- Place the cap on Mrs. Santa’s head and adjust the gathers. Tie the ribbon securely when it fits.
- Tie the ribbon ends in a bow and trim any excess.
Mrs. Claus Costume Options
If you want to buy a Mrs. Santa costume, check out Costume Discounters. They offer a wide range of Mrs. Claus outfits, including plus-size options. You can find bright red-and-white costumes trimmed in faux fur and lace, including knee-length classic styles and full-length Granny Claus looks. They also have a curvy version with a black belt available up to size 2X. Enjoy free U.S. shipping on orders over $50, or choose standard shipping, which takes two to ten days.
Mother Mary
If you’re in a Nativity play, you might need to dress as Mary, the mother of Jesus. She usually wears a light blue robe or gown. Don’t forget the white or light blue headscarf and shawl!
DIY Virgin Mary Costume
Making your own Mary costume is simple and budget-friendly. You can use a light blue nightgown or a piece of blue fabric with a hole for your head and two arm holes. Just gather it at the waist with braided twine, a deep blue sash, or a knotted piece of white cord.
Create the DIY Headpiece
Cut a square of soft white fabric. Then, create a headpiece that hangs to your shoulders, waist, or ankles.
Supplies
- Get a square piece of white cotton, double-knit, soft linen, or any light, plain fabric.
- You might need scissors.
- Glue is optional.
- A needle and thread are also optional.
- Use braided bolo cord or twisted elastic cord trim.
Steps
- Cut a square of fabric to your desired length for the headpiece: short, medium, or long.
- To stop fraying, sew 1/4 inch from the edge. This step is optional; a little fraying can look authentic.
- Place one corner of the fabric on your head, letting the rest hang down your back.
- Fold back the triangular corner that falls over your forehead or face.
- Secure the headpiece with hair pins or a braided cord circlet.
- To make the circlet, measure the trim around your head.
- Stretch the trim slightly and mark a 3/4-inch overlap.
- Cut the cord at the overlap and stitch or glue the ends to form a circle.
Buy a Christmas Mary Costume
You can get a Mary costume at Party City. It includes an off-white gown with a gold-trimmed blue wrap, a blue belt, and a matching headpiece. The costume is available in sizes small to XL. If you spend over $59, shipping is free; otherwise, it’s $7.99 for standard shipping. You can also choose to pick it up in-store.
Sugar Plum Fairy
A sugar plum fairy costume is often worn in holiday performances of The Nutcracker. It’s a fun and sparkly outfit for Christmas parties too. You don’t need to be a professional ballerina to rock this cute dance costume!
Create Your Own Sugar Plum Fairy Outfit
If a fancy fairy costume is too expensive, go for a simpler option. Get a multi-layered net tutu and a stretchy exercise top with a sweetheart neckline. You can add wings and a crown if you want. Don’t forget tights and ballet slippers (not pointe shoes). You can find these items at dance supply stores, discount shops, and thrift stores.
Make DIY Fairy Armbands
Create stunning armbands that match your costume. You’ll wow your audience!
Supplies
- 3/4-inch elastic
- Gathered net trim or tulle, 2 inches wide
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Glue gun
Steps
- Pick a net trim color that matches or complements your tutu and top. White, pink, or purple work well.
- Measure your arm’s circumference halfway between your shoulder and elbow.
- Cut a piece of gathered net or tulle trim that’s your arm measurement plus one inch.
- Cut a length of elastic to match your arm’s circumference, and glue the gathered trim to it.
- Wrap one armband around your arm, overlapping the elastic ends until it fits snugly but isn’t too tight.
- Glue the ends of the elastic together and secure them with glue, then glue the trim over the elastic ends.
- Repeat for the other armband and let both dry.
- Slide the gathered armbands up your arms near the top of your bodice to finish your costume.
Buy a Complete Sugar Plum Fairy Costume
Get an authentic Sugar Plum Fairy pancake tutu and sparkling bodice, just like the magical ballerinas wear in holiday shows. Fun World sells this Christmas Costumese on Amazon in sizes XS to XL or custom for under $200 (prices vary by size). Standard shipping is free, but it’s not available for Prime. Expect shipping to take seven to ten days.
Christmas Angel Costume
Angel costumes can be sweet or sultry, perfect for a holiday party. You can choose a classic ankle-length tunic or a flirty fallen angel style. Just remember to add wings! And if you’re feeling bold, throw on a halo, too.
Easy Holiday Angel Ensemble
Just put on a shimmery white nightgown and robe for an easy angel costume. If you want to be a cherub, you can reuse your old Greek goddess toga from last Halloween. You can find wings at party supply stores all year, so you’ll definitely look angelic, whether you’re channeling Gabriel’s hosts or a playful cherub!
Make a Simple DIY Halo
Make your own halo. Custom halos are out of this world!
Supplies
- Use a skinny hairband that matches your hair color.
- Get some florist’s wire or a white pipe cleaner.
- You might need jeweler’s pliers and wire cutters.
- Have some scissors handy.
- Grab a feather boa craft trim, about 1 inch wide.
- Don’t forget a glue gun!
Steps
- Wrap the wire or pipe cleaner around the center of the headband four or five times. Leave the ends sticking up about an inch apart.
- Make a circlet by twisting together three strands of florist’s wire or one white pipe cleaner. If using wire, keep the circlet no more than 6 inches wide. Use jeweler’s pliers for a tight twist.
- Position the circlet over the headband horizontally. The ends of the wire or pipe cleaner should stick up inside the circle.
- Wrap the wire or pipe cleaner around the circlet to hold it about an inch above the headband. Cut the wire if it’s too long, but leave enough to secure the circlet.
- Wrap feather boa craft trim around the circlet until the wire is hidden.
- Use glue to stick the feather trim strands to the wire as you wrap. You might need several layers for fullness.
- Let the glue dry before wearing the halo.
Buy a Snow Angel Costume
If you’re looking for an angel costume, visit Costume Supercenter. They have a long snow angel costume for about $25, available in sizes 10-14. There’s also an adult angel costume for just under $20, fitting up to size 12. Both costumes come with a tinsel halo, perfect for Christmas. Enjoy free shipping on orders over $99, or choose economy shipping for $7.99 (2 to 10 business days). Expedited shipping is available for an extra fee.
Sexy Elf Outfit
The classic Christmas elf wears a green tunic and tights, along with pointed shoes and an elf hat. You can transform this look into a sexy elf costume for Christmas!
Put Together a Hottie Elf Costume
To make a cute elf costume, start with a green mini skirt or shorts. Add suspenders over a snug white shirt with a fun red bow tie. You can also wear a fitted red top with a DIY elf collar. Complete the look with high black boots and a homemade elf hat from your own Santa’s Workshop.
Make Your DIY Hat
Try the Pizza-Slice-and-Glue method for an easy no-sew hat. Just shape the fabric like a pizza slice and use glue to hold it together. It’s simple and fun!
Supplies
- Scrap paper
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Tape
- String
- Medium or heavyweight green and red felt
- Tiny red or green pompoms
- One jingle bell
Steps
- Cut an equilateral triangle from scrap paper. Each side should be 18 inches long.
- Tie a pencil to a string and stretch it to the triangle’s top. Tape it down.
- Place the pencil point on the triangle’s base.
- Hold the string in place and move the pencil along the base to draw an arc.
- Cut along the arc to finish the pattern. It should look like a pizza slice.
- Fold green felt in half and place the pattern on it. The straight side should be on the fold.
- Trace the pattern on the felt with a pencil and cut it out. Discard the pattern.
- Overlap the long cut edges slightly and glue them together.
- Measure the open base of the hat. Cut a strip of red felt, 3 to 4 inches wide, plus an inch.
- Cut zigzags around the felt, about half an inch deep.
- Glue the red felt to the base of the hat. The ends should overlap in the back.
- Trim the ends of the cuff and glue them down, overlapping by 1/2 inch. Let the glue dry.
- Decorate your elf cap by gluing tiny pompoms to each zigzag point.
- Add a jingle bell to the tip of the cap. You can stitch it on if the glue isn’t strong enough.
Make the Elf Collar
To add a collar to your top, gather some felt, hot glue or craft glue, and safety pins.
- Place pieces of felt around the collar area to see how much you need. You might need several pieces.
- Cut out the collar shape from the felt, using a zig-zag pattern along the bottom. If your shirt has a crew neck, make the felt rounded to match.
- If you need to join felt pieces, use hot glue or craft glue.
- Attach the collar to your shirt with safety pins. Pin from underneath so the pins aren’t visible.
Buy a Cute Elf Costume
Check out Yandy for fun elf Christmas Costumes! They offer a stunning green velvet dress, a leggings and apron set, a festive elf outfit with striped leggings, and a Santa’s helper corset dress with candy cane thigh highs. Prices start around $40 and go up to just over $100, depending on the style. Most costumes come with matching hats and belts. Sizes range from XS to XL. Get free shipping on orders over $70, or pay a flat rate starting at $6.95 for shipping in 2 to 5 days. UPS and expedited options are available, too.
Get Into the Season’s Spirit
Dressing up is the best way to feel the holiday spirit. Christmas Costumes are way more fun than formal wear or cheesy Christmas sweaters. You can throw a costume party for friends or surprise your kids with a festive costume celebration. It could even turn into an annual tradition!
