It is safe to say that 2020 has been a doozy, and that we all need some holiday cheer. Whether you are going to a Halloween party or searching for an easy costume for your kids, we’ve compiled a list of some timeless literary character costumes from classic books, and screen adaptations, that will look great with a face mask, too!
- Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth March from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Not only is this book a classic, but it had a recent resurgence at the start of 2020 for the new film starring Saoirse Ronan and Emma Watson as Jo and Meg. The story of 4 sisters growing into adulthood is beautiful, as well as the dresses, hats, bags and jewelry you could wear for the costume! - Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkein
Legendary characters from this series will always be a Halloween costume we see strolling the streets. Grab your traveling cloak, some earth-toned clothes and some fuzzy slippers to transform into a hobbit! And if you want to live dangerously, you can slip a ring on a necklace and wear it, but don’t heed its call! - Black Panther from the Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
The character originated from the comics, but it blew up in the world of movies. This was the first mega budget movie to have an African-American director and a predominantly black cast. And after the shocking and devastating news of Chadwick Boseman’s passing, there has never been a better time to dress up as Black Panther to honor the comics, the movie, and most importantly, Boseman and his work. - Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Am I the only one who is not over this book and movie? Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Miranda Priestly is absolutely iconic, and who wouldn’t want to dress up as the editor and chief of a FASHION magazine? Surely she has great style, outlandish as she may be. Wear a simple black outfit with an eccentric coat and massive handbag, and don’t forget to have an Emily, oops I meant Andy, standing nearby to throw both at. - Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitsgerald
The Roaring Twenties is by far my favorite when it comes to fashion, and this costume idea can double as a couples costume or an individual costume. Get a bandeau for your cute little blonde wig, and a glitz and glam 20s dress for Daisy. For Gatsby, get a striking suit and cane, slick your hair back, and you are all set, old sport! - Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Despite a majority of the world hating the way the Game of Thrones TV series ended, we can still enjoy the characters and story that George Martin blessed us with. This is another great group costume option, add in whichever characters you like, or just go as the queen of dragons and be the fiercest person at the party.
Corrine Pritchett is a junior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers. Interested in what’s possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.
A former award-winning journalist with national exposure, Marissa now oversees the day-to-day operation of the Books Forward author branding and book marketing firm, along with our indie publishing support sister company Books Fluent.
Born and bred in Louisiana, currently living in New Orleans, she has lived and developed a strong base for our company and authors in Chicago and Nashville. Her journalism work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic and other major publications. She is now interviewed by media on best practices for book marketing.
Danno says:
I love it! Keep writing! Great ideas, I think I’ll doThe Great Gatsby idea, perfect for the 2020s!