Absolem the Caterpillar Costume
Embody Wonderland's wise, hookah-smoking blue caterpillar with this creative costume guide.
Absolem the Caterpillar, the wise and enigmatic character from Alice in Wonderland, is a fantastic choice for fans of classic fantasy. This costume captures his iconic look with a vibrant blue color palette, multiple segments, and his signature hookah prop. The ensemble is perfect for anyone looking to stand out at cosplay conventions or Halloween gatherings with a unique, whimsical character.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~90 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as Absolem the Caterpillar
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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What you need for a Absolem the Caterpillar costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Absolem the Caterpillar costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Blue hooded bodysuit or tunic
A bright royal blue or turquoise long-sleeve bodysuit, oversized tunic, or hooded sweatshirt to serve as the caterpillar's main body.
DIY: Use a large royal blue hooded sweatshirt and stuff the lower half with polyester fiberfill to create a segmented body shape.
Extra blue fabric arms
Two pairs of stuffed blue fabric tubes attached to the sides of the tunic to mimic the caterpillar's multiple legs.
DIY: Stuff blue socks or fabric tubes with batting and sew or safety-pin them to the sides of your main blue tunic.
Blue face paint or makeup
Water-based face paint in shades of light blue, dark blue, and white to create a mystical, insect-like face.
Toy hookah or smoking pipe prop
A decorative, non-functional toy hookah or an ornate gold/brass pipe to carry as Absolem's signature accessory.
DIY: Construct a faux hookah using a plastic gold vase, a flexible plastic tube, and a painted wooden dowel mouthpiece.
Blue or purple tulle skirt (optional)
A layered tulle tutu in shades of blue and purple to add volume and texture to the lower body.
DIY: Tie strips of blue and purple tulle onto an elastic waistband.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Absolem the Caterpillar costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the base blue hooded bodysuit or tunic as the foundation of the caterpillar body.
- 2
Attach the extra stuffed blue arms to the sides of the tunic using safety pins or fabric glue, spacing them evenly to look like extra legs.
- 3
If using a tulle skirt, layer it over the bottom of the tunic to add volume and a whimsical, segmented texture.
- 4
Apply the blue face paint, focusing on creating a wise, slightly moody expression with dark blue contouring around the cheekbones and eyes.
- 5
Pull the hood of the bodysuit up over your head to frame your face.
- 6
Pick up your prop hookah or pipe, holding it thoughtfully to complete the character's signature pose.
Makeup & hair
Cover your face in a light blue base, then use darker blue eyeshadow to contour your nose and brow bone for a dramatic, wise look. Keep your hair tucked completely inside the blue hood, or wear a matching blue wig if you prefer.
Absolem the Caterpillar for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Alice in her classic blue dress, or the Cheshire Cat in pink and purple stripes.
- group
- Join a full Alice in Wonderland group including the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, and the White Rabbit.
- kids
- Use a cozy, padded blue sleep sack or one-piece bunting with soft felt legs attached to the sides.
- Plus size
- An oversized, flowing royal blue kaftan or cape works beautifully to create a comfortable, voluminous caterpillar silhouette.
- pet
- A blue dog sweater with stuffed felt legs sewn along the sides makes an adorable pet version.
Tips
- To make the extra arms move with you, tie clear fishing line from the wrists of the extra arms to your actual wrists.
- Wear comfortable blue leggings or tights underneath the tunic to keep warm and maintain the color scheme.
- Practice a slow, deliberate, and slightly aloof posture to really bring the character of Absolem to life in photos.
Absolem the Caterpillar costume FAQ
- How do I make the caterpillar body look segmented?
- You can tie elastic bands or ribbons around a stuffed blue tunic at regular intervals to create distinct, puffy segments.
- What is the best prop for an Absolem costume?
- His signature prop is his hookah. A lightweight, non-functional toy version or a DIY prop made from a plastic bottle and tubing works best for carrying around.
- Is this costume comfortable for walking around?
- Yes, if you keep the extra arms lightweight and ensure your legs are free to move beneath the tunic or skirt.
Did you know? In Lewis Carroll's original story, the Caterpillar is never officially named; the name 'Absolem' was introduced in Tim Burton's 2010 film adaptation, where he was voiced by Alan Rickman.