Cabbage Patch Doll Costume
Bring the classic 1980s toy to life with signature yarn hair.
The Cabbage Patch Doll is a beloved retro costume choice that taps into 1980s nostalgia. Perfect for babies, kids, and nostalgic adults, this look is instantly recognizable by its signature looped yarn hair and vintage-style clothing. You can wear the outfit on its own or pair it with a DIY cardboard box frame to look like a doll fresh off the toy store shelf.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~90 min
- Budget
- $20–60
Try it on
See yourself as Cabbage Patch Doll
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Cabbage Patch Doll costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Cabbage Patch Doll costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Cabbage Patch Yarn Wig
A handmade or store-bought wig made of thick brown, yellow, or red yarn styled into high pigtails with looped bangs.
DIY: Hot glue loops of thick yarn to a stretchy knit beanie, styling the top into two pigtails tied with ribbons.
Retro Doll Outfit
A vintage-style outfit such as denim overalls with a striped shirt, or a pastel floral puff-sleeve dress with a white pinafore.
DIY: Use any colorful, slightly oversized retro children's clothing from a thrift store.
White Mary Jane Shoes and Ruffled Socks
Classic white patent leather Mary Janes paired with white ankle socks featuring lace or ruffled trim.
DIY: Wear plain white sneakers and glue lace trim to the cuffs of white socks.
Cardboard Doll Box (Optional)
A large cardboard box painted yellow and green with the classic Cabbage Patch Kids logo printed and pasted on the front.
DIY: Cut out the front panel of a tall wardrobe box, paint it yellow, add green trim, and write 'Cabbage Patch Kids' across the top.
Signature Cheek Blush
Bright pink or peach cream blush applied in perfect, exaggerated circles on the apples of the cheeks.
DIY: Use pink lipstick blended gently into perfect circles on your cheeks.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Cabbage Patch Doll costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the retro outfit, ensuring any collar or straps are neatly adjusted.
- 2
Pull on the yarn wig, positioning the looped bangs straight across your forehead and securing it with bobby pins if needed.
- 3
Tie bright satin ribbons around the bases of the yarn pigtails.
- 4
Apply round, exaggerated pink circles of blush to your cheeks to mimic the painted doll face.
- 5
Put on the ruffled ankle socks and white Mary Jane shoes.
- 6
If using the box, step inside the cut-out cardboard frame and hold it by internal handles or wear it using backpack-style straps attached inside.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup minimal except for the cheeks: apply bright pink cream blush in perfect, solid circles on the apples of your cheeks. The hair is the most critical element, consisting of a full wig made entirely of thick yarn styled into pigtails with looped bangs.
Cabbage Patch Doll for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up as two different Cabbage Patch Kids, or have one person dress as a retro toy store employee holding an adoption certificate.
- group
- Gather a group to dress as a collection of different dolls, each with a different yarn hair color and outfit style.
- kids
- This is an incredibly popular baby and toddler costume; use a soft knit yarn hat and a simple one-piece romper.
- Plus size
- Opt for a comfortable, stretchy denim overall dress paired with a colorful striped tee.
- pet
- Put a miniature yarn wig with pigtails on your pet and dress them in a simple baby onesie.
Tips
- If making the cardboard box, cut shoulder straps from an old backpack and duct-tape them inside the box so you can wear it hands-free.
- Ensure the yarn wig fits snugly; if it feels heavy, secure it to your natural hair underneath using several sturdy bobby pins.
- Carry a printed 'Adoption Certificate' prop to hand to friends for a fun, interactive photo opportunity.
Cabbage Patch Doll costume FAQ
- How do you make a Cabbage Patch doll wig out of yarn?
- Wrap thick yarn repeatedly around a book to create loops, slip them off, and sew or hot-glue them onto a stretchy knit beanie. Create two large bundles for the pigtails and tie them off with ribbons.
- What kind of clothes do Cabbage Patch dolls wear?
- They typically wear 1980s-style children's clothing, such as denim overalls, striped shirts, floral dresses with bloomers, or pastel tracksuits.
- How do I make the doll box prop?
- Cut the front face out of a large cardboard box, leaving a frame. Paint the exterior bright yellow with green accents, and print out the vintage 'Cabbage Patch Kids' logo to glue onto the top header.
Did you know? Cabbage Patch Kids were so incredibly popular during the 1983 holiday season that they triggered intense toy store scrambles, now famously referred to as the 'Cabbage Patch Riots.'