Amelia Bedelia Costume
Bring the beloved, literal-minded book character to life with ease.
Amelia Bedelia is a beloved children's book character famous for her hilarious, literal interpretations of household chores. This costume is a popular choice for teachers, librarians, and book lovers, especially during school dress-up days and Halloween. The classic look consists of a modest black dress, a crisp white apron, and her signature flower-adorned black hat.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $25–60
Try it on
See yourself as Amelia Bedelia
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What you need for a Amelia Bedelia costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Amelia Bedelia costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Black long-sleeve dress
A simple black long-sleeve skater or A-line dress, preferably with a white Peter Pan collar.
DIY: Use a plain black long-sleeve dress and layer a white collared shirt underneath so the collar pops out.
White apron
A clean white half-apron or full bib apron made of cotton or polyester.
DIY: Tie a white pillowcase or a square of white fabric around your waist using a white ribbon.
Black hat with flowers
A small black sun hat, bowler hat, or headband decorated with white and pink silk daisies.
DIY: Hot glue faux silk daisies onto a basic black headband or an old black sun hat.
White tights
Opaque white tights or knee-high white socks.
Black Mary Jane shoes
Flat or low-heeled black Mary Jane shoes or simple black ballet flats.
DIY: Use any plain black flats or school shoes you already own.
Feather duster prop
A classic wooden-handled feather duster to represent her cleaning duties.
DIY: Carry a toy rolling pin or a fake pie instead to represent her baking.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Amelia Bedelia costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the long-sleeve black dress and the white tights.
- 2
Layer the white apron over the dress, tying it securely at the back of your waist.
- 3
If using a separate collared shirt, ensure the white collar is neatly folded over the neckline of the black dress.
- 4
Attach silk flowers to your black hat or headband using safety pins or hot glue, then place it on your head.
- 5
Put on the black Mary Jane shoes or flats.
- 6
Pick up your feather duster or fake pie prop to complete the look.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup minimal and natural with a touch of rosy blush. Style your hair in a low bun or a simple ponytail so it fits neatly under the hat.
Amelia Bedelia for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Mr. or Mrs. Rogers, her patient employers from the book series.
- group
- Create a literary group theme with other classic book characters like Miss Frizzle, Mary Poppins, and Waldo.
- kids
- Use a black long-sleeve shirt, a black skirt, a child-sized white apron, and a flower headband.
- Plus size
- A black A-line knit dress offers a comfortable, stretchy fit that pairs perfectly with an adjustable tie-back apron.
- pet
- Dress a dog in a simple black pet tee and a miniature white lace collar.
Tips
- Safety pin the apron straps to your dress shoulders to keep them from slipping off during the day.
- Carry a printout of literal instructions (like 'draw the curtains' with a sketch of curtains) as a fun, in-character icebreaker.
- Opt for comfortable black flats if you are a teacher or librarian standing on your feet all day.
Amelia Bedelia costume FAQ
- What does Amelia Bedelia wear on her head?
- She wears a black hat decorated with white and pink flowers, which can easily be recreated by gluing faux flowers onto a basic black sun hat or headband.
- What props should I carry for an Amelia Bedelia costume?
- A feather duster, a rolling pin, or a fake lemon meringue pie are perfect props that reference her famous book storylines.
- Is this costume suitable for school dress-up days?
- Yes, it is highly popular for school events, Book Character Day, and Read Across America because it is recognizable, modest, and easy to assemble.
Did you know? First published in 1963, Peggy Parish's Amelia Bedelia was inspired by the author's third-grade students, whose literal interpretations of words amused her.