Dorothy Gale Costume
Follow the Yellow Brick Road in this iconic gingham and ruby look.
Dorothy Gale is the beloved, brave protagonist of the 1939 classic film The Wizard of Oz. People choose this costume for its instant recognizability, nostalgic charm, and wholesome vintage aesthetic. The look centers on her iconic blue-and-white gingham pinafore dress, crisp white blouse, braided hair, and sparkling ruby slippers.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $35–85
Try it on
See yourself as Dorothy Gale
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What you need for a Dorothy Gale costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Dorothy Gale costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Blue and white gingham pinafore dress
A knee-length, light blue and white checkered jumper dress with wide shoulder straps and a flared skirt.
DIY: Use a blue and white checkered fabric to sew a simple apron-style pinafore over an existing blue skirt.
White puff-sleeve blouse
A crisp white, short-sleeved cotton blouse featuring a classic rounded Peter Pan collar.
DIY: Wear any plain white short-sleeve shirt and add a detachable white Peter Pan collar.
Ruby red sequined slippers
Sparkling red sequin-covered ballet flats or low pumps adorned with a small red bow.
DIY: Coat a pair of plain red flats with fabric glue, cover them in red glitter, and seal with a clear topcoat.
Light blue ankle socks
Simple, fold-over ankle socks in a soft pastel blue shade to match the dress.
DIY: Dye a pair of plain white cotton ankle socks using a light blue fabric dye.
Blue hair ribbons
Two matching strips of light blue satin ribbon to tie around the ends of the braids.
DIY: Cut two strips of blue ribbon or fabric from an old T-shirt and tie them into bows.
Wicker basket with plush dog
A small, open-top woven wicker basket containing a small, dark brown plush Cairn Terrier.
DIY: Use any small picnic basket and place a printed picture of a Cairn Terrier inside if you lack a plush toy.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Dorothy Gale costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white puff-sleeve blouse, ensuring the Peter Pan collar is neatly pressed and visible.
- 2
Layer the blue and white gingham pinafore dress over the blouse, fastening the shoulder straps securely.
- 3
Pull on the light blue ankle socks, folding them down slightly above the ankle line.
- 4
Slip into the ruby red sequined slippers.
- 5
Part your hair down the middle and style it into two pigtails, braiding them and securing the ends with the blue ribbons tied in bows.
- 6
Carry the wicker basket with the plush Toto dog inside to complete the classic look.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup minimal and fresh with a touch of rosy blush and a natural pink lip. Style brown hair (or a wig) into two pigtails that are braided or twisted, with the ends curled upward and tied with light blue ribbons.
Dorothy Gale for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, or Glinda the Good Witch.
- group
- Gather a full group as Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Glinda, and the Wicked Witch of the West.
- kids
- An adorable, highly popular choice for toddlers and young kids; swap heels for comfortable red glitter sneakers.
- Plus size
- A high-waisted gingham A-line dress provides a comfortable, flattering fit with plenty of room to move.
- pet
- Dress a small dog up as Toto with a simple blue gingham collar, or dress a larger dog as the Cowardly Lion.
Tips
- Choose comfortable red glitter flats instead of heels if you plan on walking or trick-or-treating for long periods.
- Add a tulle petticoat under the gingham skirt to give it a classic, bouncy 1930s silhouette.
- If you don't have a plush dog, a small picnic basket with a checkered napkin peeking out still works perfectly.
Dorothy Gale costume FAQ
- What color were Dorothy's shoes in the original book?
- In L. Frank Baum's original 1900 novel, Dorothy's shoes were silver. They were changed to ruby red for the 1939 film to showcase the new Technicolor technology.
- How do you make DIY ruby slippers?
- Apply fabric glue or Mod Podge to a pair of red ballet flats, coat them generously in red glitter, let them dry, and seal with a clear topcoat before adding a small red bow.
- What kind of socks does Dorothy wear?
- Dorothy wears simple, light blue ankle-high socks that match the blue of her gingham dress.
Did you know? The iconic ruby slippers from the 1939 film are among the most valuable pieces of movie memorabilia in history, with surviving pairs valued at over one million dollars.