
Caterpillar Costume
Bring the wise, hookah-smoking Blue Caterpillar to life with ease.
The Caterpillar (also known as Absolem) from Alice in Wonderland is a classic, whimsical character known for his blue color, multiple arms, and philosophical attitude. This costume is a popular choice for Disney fans, group themes, and fantasy lovers who want a unique, cozy look. The outfit centers around a layered blue body, extra stuffed arms, and his signature hookah prop.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~90 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as Caterpillar
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 Caterpillar costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Caterpillar costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Blue hooded tunic or sleeping bag
A bright blue, oversized plush tunic, sleeping bag, or long vest to form the caterpillar's segmented body.
DIY: Sew a simple tube dress out of bright blue fleece and stuff it with batting for a segmented look.
Extra stuffed blue arms
Two pairs of stuffed blue fabric tubes attached to the sides of the tunic to represent the caterpillar's extra limbs.
DIY: Stuff blue socks or fabric tubes with polyester fiberfill and safety-pin them to the sides of your tunic.
Blue leggings and long-sleeve shirt
A matching base layer of royal blue or turquoise stretch fabric to wear underneath the main body.
DIY: Use any matching blue sweatpants and sweatshirt you already own.
Antenna headband
A blue headband with two matching blue pom-pom antennas on wire stems.
DIY: Wrap blue pipe cleaners around a plain headband and attach blue pom-poms to the ends.
Toy hookah or bubble pipe
A gold or brass-colored prop pipe with a flexible hose to mimic the character's signature accessory.
DIY: Paint a plastic bottle gold, attach a flexible plastic tube or hose, and add a decorative bead to the end.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Caterpillar costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the royal blue long-sleeve shirt and matching leggings as your base layer.
- 2
Slip into the main blue plush tunic or segmented body piece, ensuring it fits comfortably over your shoulders.
- 3
Attach the extra stuffed blue arms to the sides of the tunic using safety pins or fabric glue, spacing them evenly below your real arms.
- 4
Place the blue antenna headband securely on your head, adjusting the wire stems so they stand upright.
- 5
Carry the prop hookah pipe in one of your hands, or drape the hose over your shoulder for photos.
- 6
Put on matching blue shoes or slippers to complete the monochromatic look.
Makeup & hair
Apply blue face paint or eyeshadow around the eyes for a whimsical, fantasy look. Keep hair tucked back under the hood or styled simply so the antenna headband remains the main focus.
Caterpillar for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Alice, the Cheshire Cat, or the Mad Hatter for a perfect Wonderland duo.
- group
- Join a full Alice in Wonderland group including the Queen of Hearts, White Rabbit, and March Hare.
- kids
- Use a cozy blue sleep sack or bunting with attached felt legs and a soft hood with antennas.
- Plus size
- Use an oversized blue fleece poncho or a flexible, stuffed sleeping bag design for a comfortable, adjustable fit.
- pet
- A simple blue dog sweater with stuffed felt legs sewn along the sides and a lightweight antenna hat.
Tips
- Ensure the extra stuffed arms are securely fastened so they don't swing loose or fall off while walking.
- If attending an outdoor event, the plush fleece tunic will keep you warm, but you can layer thermals underneath.
- For fun photos, blow real soap bubbles through your prop pipe to mimic the Caterpillar's smoke rings.
- Keep your hands free by attaching a small loop to your tunic to hang the prop hookah when not in use.
Caterpillar costume FAQ
- How do I make the caterpillar's extra arms?
- You can stuff blue socks or fabric tubes with fiberfill, then sew or safety-pin them to the sides of your main blue tunic.
- What color should the Alice in Wonderland Caterpillar costume be?
- The character is traditionally a bright royal blue or turquoise, matching his appearance in the classic animated film.
- Is this costume easy to walk in?
- Yes, as long as the tunic or sleeping bag body ends around your knees, allowing your legs to move freely in your blue leggings.
Did you know? In Lewis Carroll's original 1865 novel, the Caterpillar is exactly three inches tall, which he asserts is 'a very good height indeed!'