Cindy Lou Who Costume
Bring Whoville to life with signature pink, red, and towering braids.
Cindy Lou Who is the sweet, innocent resident of Whoville who melts the Grinch's heart in Dr. Seuss's classic holiday tale. Whether you are channeling her classic animated look or the live-action film version, this costume is a festive favorite for holiday parties and Halloween. The look is defined by a sweet pink dress, a red hooded cape, and her iconic, gravity-defying braided hairstyle.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $30–85
Try it on
See yourself as Cindy Lou Who
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What you need for a Cindy Lou Who costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Cindy Lou Who costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Pink Peter Pan Collar Dress
A light pink long-sleeved dress, preferably with a white Peter Pan collar and a slightly flared A-line skirt.
DIY: Use a plain pink long-sleeved dress and pin a detachable white felt collar to the neckline.
Red Hooded Cape or Cloak
A bright red, velvet-like cape with white faux-fur trim along the hood and edges.
DIY: Trim a basic red fleece cape with white faux-fur ribbon using fabric glue.
White Tights
Opaque white tights or knee-high socks to keep warm and match the classic storybook style.
Black Mary Jane Shoes
Classic black patent leather Mary Jane shoes with a single strap.
DIY: Use any plain black flats or school shoes.
Red Hair Bow
A large red satin bow attached to a headband or hair clip to sit at the base of the top braid.
DIY: Tie a wide red satin ribbon into a large bow and secure it with a bobby pin.
Whoville Cup Cake Ornament
A small, whimsical Christmas ornament or a giant candy cane to carry as a prop.
DIY: Carry a large, lightweight plastic candy cane wrapped in a red ribbon.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Cindy Lou Who costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the opaque white tights and the pink Peter Pan collar dress.
- 2
Slip into the black patent leather Mary Jane shoes.
- 3
Drape the red hooded cape over your shoulders and tie or button it at the neck, letting the white fur trim frame your face.
- 4
Style your hair into the signature Whoville shape (see Makeup & Hair) or put on a pre-styled Cindy Lou Who wig.
- 5
Place the large red bow at the top of your head, right in front of the main upright braid.
- 6
Carry a whimsical Christmas ornament or a giant candy cane as your prop.
Makeup & hair
For the hair, place an empty plastic cup or wire cone on top of your head, pull your hair up over it, and secure it with an elastic to create a towering cone. Braid two side sections, curve them upward, and secure them with wire or hairspray. Keep makeup simple with rosy pink cheeks, long eyelashes, and a touch of pink lipstick.
Cindy Lou Who for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed in a full furry green Grinch costume.
- group
- Gather a group with the Grinch, Martha May Whovier, and several Whoville citizens in colorful, mismatched winter wear.
- kids
- This is a highly popular kids' costume; use a cozy pink fleece nightgown and a mini red cape for comfort.
- Plus size
- Look for an empire-waist pink dress or a flared tunic paired with comfortable red velvet outerwear.
- pet
- Dress your dog as Max the dog by strapping a single small antler to their head with a red ribbon.
More ways people search for this costume
The most-searched variations of “Cindy Lou Who costume”, and how this look adapts to each.
Diy cindy lou who costume
- Skip the store: Use a plain pink long-sleeved dress and pin a detachable white felt collar to the neckline. Trim a basic red fleece cape with white faux-fur ribbon using fabric glue. Use any plain black flats or school shoes.
Tips
- If styling your own hair, use plenty of strong-hold hairspray and bobby pins to keep the central cone stable.
- For outdoor events, wear thick thermal layers under the pink dress to stay warm.
- Keep the makeup sweet and cartoonish with exaggerated pink blush on the tip of the nose and cheeks.
Cindy Lou Who costume FAQ
- How do you get Cindy Lou Who's hair to stay up?
- Place a small plastic cup, a foam cone, or a clean empty soda bottle on top of your head, gather your hair over it, secure it with a hair tie at the top, and spray generously with hairspray.
- What color is Cindy Lou Who's dress?
- In the classic animated version and the live-action movie, she typically wears a light pink dress, often paired with a bright red hooded cape.
- Do I need a prosthetic nose for a Cindy Lou Who costume?
- No, a prosthetic nose is not necessary. You can easily create a cute, upturned Whoville nose shape using clever contouring and a bit of pink blush on the tip of your nose.
Did you know? In the 2000 live-action film, Taylor Momsen played Cindy Lou Who years before she starred in Gossip Girl and became the lead singer of the rock band The Pretty Reckless.