Ariel Costume
Bring the magic of the ocean to life with Ariel's iconic look.
Ariel from Disney's The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved animated princesses of all time. Fans choose this costume to channel her adventurous, curious spirit and vibrant aesthetic. The classic look is instantly recognizable, featuring her signature fiery red hair, a purple seashell top, and a shimmering green mermaid tail skirt.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $35–95
Try it on
See yourself as Ariel
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Ariel costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Ariel costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Purple seashell top
A purple bikini top or crop top molded to look like two classic seashells.
DIY: Paint two plastic craft shells purple and hot-glue them to a strapless purple bandeau top.
Green mermaid tail skirt
A form-fitting, high-waisted green maxi skirt with a shimmering scale pattern that flares out into ruffles at the bottom.
DIY: Wear a tight green maxi skirt and safety-pin layers of green and blue tulle around the bottom hem to create fins.
Long red wavy wig
A vibrant, fiery red wig featuring long, loose waves and voluminous, side-swept bangs.
Starfish hair clip
A small, realistic starfish hair accessory to pin back one side of the hair.
DIY: Glue a small plastic starfish onto a standard metal bobby pin or hair slide.
Silver fork
A classic silver dinner fork to use as Ariel's signature 'dinglehopper' prop.
DIY: Grab a clean metal fork from your kitchen drawer.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Ariel costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the green mermaid tail skirt, pulling it up to your natural waist so it fits snugly.
- 2
Secure the purple seashell top comfortably over your shoulders or around your back.
- 3
Carefully put on a wig cap, tucking in all your natural hair, then secure the long red wavy wig.
- 4
Style the wig's bangs to the side and clip the starfish accessory just above your ear.
- 5
Apply light, ocean-inspired makeup, focusing on a classic red lip and soft neutral eyeshadow.
- 6
Grab your silver fork prop to use as your 'dinglehopper' hairbrush throughout the night.
Makeup & hair
Style a vibrant, fiery red wig with voluminous, side-swept bangs and long, loose waves. Keep makeup fresh and classic with a bright red lip, clean eyeliner, and a touch of soft pink blush for a youthful, underwater glow.
Ariel for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Prince Eric in his white collared shirt, blue trousers, red sash, and black boots.
- group
- Gather friends to dress as Sebastian, Flounder, Ursula, and King Triton for an undersea group theme.
- kids
- Opt for a comfortable, one-piece Ariel dress with printed scales and a flared tulle bottom for easy walking.
- Plus size
- Look for high-waisted mermaid skirts with plenty of stretch and a supportive, wide-strap purple sweetheart top.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a simple green tail slip-on and a tiny red wig or shell collar.
Tips
- Choose a mermaid skirt with a high-stretch fabric and a wide flare at the bottom so you can walk and climb stairs comfortably.
- If wearing a classic bikini-style shell top feels too revealing, layer it over a nude or purple bodysuit for extra coverage and warmth.
- Secure your heavy red wig with plenty of bobby pins and a wig grip band to keep it from sliding back during the night.
- Keep your 'dinglehopper' fork handy in your hand or purse for fun, interactive photo poses.
Ariel costume FAQ
- What do you need for a DIY Ariel costume?
- You need a purple crop top or bikini top, a green maxi skirt (ideally with a flared hem), a long red wavy wig, and a silver fork as a prop.
- How do you walk in a mermaid tail skirt?
- Look for skirts made of stretchy spandex that flare out widely at or below the knees, allowing your feet enough room to take normal steps.
- What makeup goes best with an Ariel costume?
- A bright red lipstick that matches her hair, simple black eyeliner, and a subtle, dewy highlighter to mimic a fresh-out-of-the-water glow.
Did you know? Ariel's iconic red hair color was chosen by Disney animators partly to distinguish her from the blonde mermaid in the movie Splash.