Darla Sherman Costume
Channel Finding Nemo's notorious fish-shaker with this easy, nostalgic DIY look.
Darla Sherman is the fish-killing niece of the dentist in Disney-Pixar's Finding Nemo. Fans love this costume for its hilarious, nostalgic villain energy and instantly recognizable details. The look centers around a purple sweatshirt, a plaid skirt, messy red pigtails, headgear, and a bagged toy fish.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $25–60
Try it on
See yourself as Darla Sherman
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 Darla Sherman costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Darla Sherman costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Purple Sweatshirt
A crewneck purple sweatshirt featuring the yellow 'Rock N Roll Girl' graphic across the chest.
DIY: Buy a plain purple sweatshirt and paint the yellow graphic using fabric paint or a printable iron-on transfer.
White Polo Shirt
A classic white short-sleeved polo shirt worn underneath the sweatshirt so the collar peeks out.
DIY: Use any collared white shirt or a faux collar insert.
Plaid Skirt
A yellow and black pleated plaid schoolgirl-style skirt.
DIY: Use any yellow patterned skirt or a simple denim skirt as a substitute.
White Knee-High Socks
Plain white cotton knee-high socks pulled up straight.
DIY: Use standard white crew socks pulled up as high as possible.
Mary Jane Shoes
Black patent leather Mary Jane flat shoes with a single strap.
DIY: Any black sneakers or school shoes will work.
Fake Braces and Headgear
A costume prop simulating orthodontic braces with a metal wire wrapping around the outside of the mouth.
DIY: Bend a clean silver pipe cleaner or craft wire to wrap around your ears and across your front teeth.
Bagged Toy Fish
A clear plastic bag filled with water and a fake orange clownfish toy tied off at the top.
DIY: Fill a clear Ziploc bag with water and a printed paper cutout of Nemo, then tie the top with a green twist tie.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Darla Sherman costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white polo shirt, ensuring the collar is neatly pressed.
- 2
Layer the purple 'Rock N Roll Girl' sweatshirt over the polo, pulling the white collar out over the neck of the sweatshirt.
- 3
Put on the yellow and black pleated plaid skirt.
- 4
Pull on the white knee-high socks and slip into the black Mary Jane shoes.
- 5
Style your hair into two high, slightly messy pigtails secured with colorful hair ties.
- 6
Carefully fit the costume braces and wire headgear around your teeth and ears.
- 7
Carry the water-filled plastic bag with the toy fish, shaking it gently when posing for photos.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair into two high, chaotic pigtails on the sides of your head using bright pink or purple hair ties. Keep makeup minimal with a few faux freckles drawn across the bridge of your nose using a brown eyebrow pencil.
Darla Sherman for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as Alistair Coe (the dentist) or someone in a giant orange clownfish costume as Nemo.
- group
- Combine with Nemo, Marlin, Dory, and Gill for a full Finding Nemo group theme.
- kids
- Perfect for kids using a smaller purple sweater and a matching plaid skirt with safe, flexible plastic wire for the headgear.
- Plus size
- Look for a relaxed-fit purple crewneck sweatshirt and an elastic-waist pleated plaid skirt for maximum comfort.
Tips
- Double-bag the toy fish prop to prevent leaks and water damage throughout the night.
- If the wire headgear is uncomfortable, only wear it for photos and remove it while eating or talking.
- Add a pair of white spandex shorts under the pleated skirt for extra comfort and coverage.
- Practice your best wide-eyed, hyperactive 'Darla face' for the camera.
Darla Sherman costume FAQ
- How do you make Darla's headgear?
- You can easily DIY it by bending a thick silver pipe cleaner or craft wire. Shape it to hook over your ears like glasses, with the center wire resting across your upper lip or front teeth.
- What does Darla's shirt say?
- Her purple sweatshirt features a yellow graphic that reads 'Rock N Roll Girl' surrounding a cartoon skull.
- Is the Darla costume comfortable for walking around?
- Yes, it is highly practical and comfortable, consisting of a warm sweatshirt, a skirt, and flat shoes, making it perfect for cold Halloween nights.
Did you know? Darla is named after Pixar producer Darla K. Anderson, who was known around the studio for playing playful pranks on director Andrew Stanton.