Clarice Costume
Bring classic holiday cheer as Rudolph's beloved polka-dot bow doe.
Clarice is the sweet, encouraging doe who stole Rudolph's heart in the 1964 Rankin/Bass holiday classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. She is a popular Christmas costume choice for anyone who loves nostalgic holiday movies and charming, retro aesthetics. Her outfit centers around a light brown fawn look accented by her signature red and white polka-dot hair bow.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~25 min
- Budget
- $25–65
Try it on
See yourself as Clarice
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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What you need for a Clarice costume
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Find complete Clarice costumes on Amazon — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Tan fawn dress or onesie
Light brown or tan fleece dress or plush onesie with a lighter cream panel on the chest.
DIY: Pair a light brown sweater with beige leggings or a brown skirt.
Red polka-dot hair bow
Large red ribbon bow with white polka dots clipped beside one ear.
DIY: Tie a wide red polka-dot ribbon around a clip or hairband.
Reindeer ear headband
Soft faux-fur headband with light brown deer ears.
DIY: Cut felt ears and glue them onto a plain brown headband.
White fawn spots
Small white fabric spots along the lower back or side hip.
DIY: Cut circles out of white felt or apply white fabric paint.
Dark nose face paint
Dark brown or black cream face paint to outline a classic deer nose.
DIY: Use dark brown or black liquid eyeliner on the tip of your nose.
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How to put it together
- 1
Put on the tan fleece dress, brown sweater combination, or plush deer onesie.
- 2
Attach white felt spots along the lower sides or back of your outfit using double-sided tape or fabric glue.
- 3
Place the deer ear headband on your head and clip the large red polka-dot bow near the base of one ear.
- 4
Apply dark brown makeup to the tip of your nose and draw exaggerated upper eyelashes for Clarice's classic fluttery gaze.
- 5
Complete the look with brown boots or warm tights for indoor holiday gatherings.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup soft with winged black eyeliner and accentuated top lashes to mimic Clarice's stop-motion animation look. Paint the tip of your nose dark brown or black, and add a few white dots to your upper cheekbones. Wear your hair down naturally or in low braids so the headband bow stands out.
Clarice for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with a Rudolph costume complete with a glowing red nose.
- group
- Team up with Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius, and the Abominable Snow Monster (Bumble).
- kids
- Use a soft brown hooded deer tunic paired with a polka-dot bow hair clip.
- Plus size
- A loose-fitting tan fleece deer dress or cozy brown hooded jumpsuit offers comfort and flexible sizing.
- pet
- Put a red polka-dot bow collar attachment on a fawn-colored dog outfit.
Tips
- Clarice wears a dark nose, not a red nose—reserving the red nose for Rudolph makes the couple pairing instant and readable.
- Indoor Christmas venues can warm up quickly, so choose breathable layers if choosing a fleece dress.
- Bring along a small hand mirror to make sure your oversized head bow stays upright in family photos.
Clarice costume FAQ
- How do you distinguish a Clarice costume from a generic deer costume?
- Clarice's defining feature is her oversized red and white polka-dot bow worn right beside her ear, along with a dark nose instead of a red one.
- Is Clarice's costume warm enough for outdoor holiday parades?
- Yes, if built on a cozy brown fleece onesie or layered over thermal leggings and a turtleneck sweater.
- What makeup works best for Clarice?
- Focus on a dark brown nose tip, prominent top eyelashes, and soft white fawn freckles across the cheeks.
Did you know? Producer Arthur Rankin Jr. added Clarice to the 1964 TV special specifically to give Rudolph a supportive friend and love interest, distinguishing her from other does with her famous polka-dot bow.