Red hair does half the work of a costume. Put on the right wig and half the room already knows who you are, which makes redheads some of the easiest characters to recognize and to build, at a party or a convention.
Whether your hair is naturally red or you are borrowing a wig for the night, these are 14 red-haired characters worth copying. They range from Disney princesses and Marvel spies to a 1950s sitcom star. Each pick lists the key pieces, and the button under it opens the full guide with a shopping list. Want a narrower search? Try costumes for redhead women or costumes for redhead men.
14 iconic costume ideas for redheads
1. Ariel from The Little Mermaid
Ariel's red hair is her signature, and the look breaks down neatly: a purple shell-style top, a green scaled skirt and a bright red wig. Green heels stand in for the tail. If you would rather go as Ariel on land, the guide also covers her blue dress.
What you will need:
- Purple bikini top, green scaly mermaid-cut skirt, green heels, red wig
2. Princess Merida from Brave
Merida's wild curls are the costume. Pair a big auburn wig with her long emerald-green gown and carry a bow and arrow, because she is a serious archer. The green makes the red hair pop.
What you will need:
- Medieval princess dress, curly auburn wig, bow and arrow set
3. Jessica Rabbit
The glamour look needs only a few strong pieces: a sparkling red gown, long purple gloves and a swept-over red wig. Gold circle earrings and purple eyeshadow finish it off.
What you will need:
- Sparkling red gown, long purple velvet gloves, long wavy red wig, red high heels
4. Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff)
Scarlet hair and a black leather catsuit make Natasha Romanoff one of the easiest superhero looks to recognize. Choose a short wig or a long one depending on which era of the character you like, then add a holster and light-up batons.
What you will need:
- Red wig (short or long), leather catsuit, combat boots, leg holster, dual batons
5. Jean Grey from X-Men
Jean's flame-red hair is matched by a wardrobe of deep reds: a maroon trench coat over a corset, with burgundy pants and boots. The single color family reads instantly, even from across a room.
What you will need:
- Long red wig, maroon trench coat, underbust corset, burgundy pants and boots
6. Poison Ivy
Bright red hair against head-to-toe green is a costume that is hard to miss. This version follows the Batman & Robin movie, with leafy hair pieces, a green cape and bodysuit, sheer stockings and long gloves.
What you will need:
- Long bright red wig, green leaves hair piece, green strapless bodysuit, green cape
7. Winifred Sanderson from Hocus Pocus
The lead Sanderson sister is a Halloween favorite. A curled red bouffant wig sits over a green medieval gown, and the big front teeth and finger rings finish the witch.
What you will need:
- Red bouffant wig, green medieval dress, big front teeth, witch shoes
8. Mary Jane Watson
MJ works two ways. Go casual with a white heart-graphic crop top, ripped jeans and sneakers, or dress up with a black sleeveless turtleneck, tan cargo pants and boots. A long red wig ties either one together.
What you will need:
- Long red wig, crop top or turtleneck, ripped jeans or tan cargo pants, sneakers or boots
9. Pippi Longstocking
The braids that stick straight out are the whole point. Pair a Pippi wig with an orange pinafore dress, bright striped socks and lace-up boots, and bring a stuffed monkey for the full pirate-captain's-daughter look.
What you will need:
- Pippi-style wig, pinafore dress, striped socks, lace-up boots, stuffed monkey
10. Little Orphan Annie
A curly red mop tops a frayed pink plaid dress, a worn green apron, a red knit cardigan and brown leather shoes. It is one of the most affordable looks on the list and works for both kids and adults.
What you will need:
- Curly red wig, pink plaid shirt dress, green apron, red cardigan, green socks
11. Lucy Ricardo from I Love Lucy
Lucy's most famous outfit is the chocolate factory uniform: a pink retro dress and a pink cook's hat. Add a short red wig and reddish-orange lipstick, and ask a friend to go as Ethel.
What you will need:
- Short retro red wig, pink retro dress, pink cook hat, reddish-orange lipstick
12. Archie Andrews from Riverdale
A redhead pick for the guys, and an easy one: a blue and yellow varsity jacket over a white V-neck tee, with blue jeans, gray sneakers and a red wig. It also works as a pair with Betty Cooper or Veronica Lodge.
What you will need:
- Blue and yellow varsity jacket, white V-neck t-shirt, blue jeans, gray sneakers, wig
13. Ronald McDonald
Everyone knows this one. A red-and-white striped top and socks go under a yellow jumpsuit, with yellow gloves, big red shoes and a red wig. It is a funny option for a group or a party.
What you will need:
- Red and white striped sweater, yellow overall, yellow gloves, red shoes, red wig
14. Shanks from One Piece
The red-haired pirate captain is an easy anime cosplay. Wear an unbuttoned white shirt, loose brown pants, a red sash belt, black boots and a black cape, then top it with the red wig and carry a pirate sword.
What you will need:
- White button-down shirt, brown pants, red sash belt, black cape, red wig, pirate sword
Whatever your shade of red, there is a character here for you
Copper, auburn, ginger or fire-engine red, the characters above work with any of them. Pick the one you like, then browse the full list below for more red-haired costume ideas, or narrow it down by fit.
