Ellen Griswold Costume
Channel the ultimate holiday hostess with this classic Christmas Vacation look.
Ellen Griswold from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is the patient, loving, and stylishly festive matriarch of the Griswold family. Her most iconic look is her elegant green and white holiday outfit worn during the chaotic family Christmas dinner. This costume is a favorite for holiday parties and couples' costumes, featuring a classic late-80s festive aesthetic.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $35–80
Try it on
See yourself as Ellen Griswold
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What you need for a Ellen Griswold costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Ellen Griswold costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
White long-sleeve blouse
A crisp white button-down blouse, preferably with a high collar, lace trim, or subtle ruffles to match the late-80s style.
DIY: Use any white button-up shirt and pin a strip of white lace trim along the collar and button placket.
Green circle skirt
A high-waisted, A-line or full circle skirt in a rich forest green or emerald green, falling just below the knee.
DIY: Thrift a green midi skirt or use a green fabric tablecloth to sew a simple circle skirt.
Red waist belt
A wide red belt, either elastic or leather, worn high on the waist to cinch the blouse and skirt together.
DIY: Tie a wide red satin ribbon or sash around your waist.
Gold holiday brooch
A vintage-style gold brooch or pin, ideally with a holiday motif like a wreath, tree, or bow, pinned to the collar of the blouse.
DIY: Use a gold-colored holiday ornament or earring and pin it to your collar with a safety pin.
Red low-heel pumps
Classic red closed-toe heels or flats to match the festive color scheme.
DIY: Wear simple black flats or nude heels if you don't have red shoes.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Ellen Griswold costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white long-sleeve blouse and button it completely to the top.
- 2
Tuck the blouse neatly into the high-waisted forest green midi skirt.
- 3
Fasten the wide red belt around your waist, covering the waistband of the skirt.
- 4
Pin the gold holiday brooch securely to the center of the blouse collar.
- 5
Put on the red low-heel pumps or flats.
- 6
Style your hair into a classic late-80s voluminous blowout or soft curls.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in a voluminous, feathered 1980s blowout with soft curls. Keep makeup classic and natural with neutral eyeshadow, a touch of pink blush, and a soft red or berry-toned lipstick.
Ellen Griswold for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with Clark Griswold in his blue winter coat, red Santa hat, and a tangle of colorful Christmas lights.
- group
- Add Cousin Eddie in his white bathrobe and black trapper hat, and Aunt Bethany with a wrapped jello mold.
- kids
- A mini version with a green skirt, white top, and a red bow in the hair.
- Plus size
- A high-waisted A-line skirt with an elastic waistband offers a comfortable and flattering fit for all body types.
- pet
- Dress a pet as the Griswold family dog, Snot, or wrap a toy cat in a fake rug.
Tips
- For outdoor events, add a classic beige trench coat or a red cardigan to stay warm.
- Carry a prop like a fake turkey, a glass eggnog mug, or a string of unlit Christmas lights for photos.
- Ensure the skirt is pressed and wrinkle-free to maintain Ellen's neat, put-together hostess look.
Ellen Griswold costume FAQ
- What does Ellen Griswold wear in Christmas Vacation?
- Her most famous outfit is the Christmas dinner look: a white long-sleeve blouse, a forest green midi-length circle skirt, a wide red waist belt, and a gold holiday brooch.
- How do I style my hair for an Ellen Griswold costume?
- Aim for a voluminous, feathered 1980s shoulder-length blowout. You can achieve this with hot rollers, a round brush, and plenty of hairspray.
- Is this costume suitable for a couples costume?
- Yes! It is incredibly popular when paired with Clark Griswold, making it one of the most recognizable holiday couples costumes.
Did you know? The Griswold family's chaotic Christmas adventures in the 1989 film were based on a short story written by John Hughes for National Lampoon magazine, titled 'Christmas '59'.