Mary Ann Costume
Channel the ultimate 1960s girl-next-door from Gilligan's Island.
Mary Ann Summers from Gilligan's Island is one of television's most beloved classic characters, famous for her sweet, practical style. People choose this costume for its nostalgic 1960s charm, comfort, and instant recognizability. The signature look features a red gingham top, denim shorts, and hair styled in high pigtails.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $25–60
Try it on
See yourself as Mary Ann
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.
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What you need for a Mary Ann costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Mary Ann costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Red gingham shirt
A red-and-white checkered button-down shirt, tied at the waist or tucked in.
DIY: Use any red checkered button-up shirt and tie the front tails into a knot at the waist.
High-waisted denim shorts
Classic blue denim shorts, preferably high-waisted to match the 1960s silhouette.
DIY: Cut an old pair of blue jeans into high-waisted shorts.
White hair ribbons
Two simple white satin or grosgrain ribbons to tie around your pigtails.
DIY: Cut strips of white fabric or use white hair ties.
White sneakers or flats
Simple, clean white canvas sneakers or flat slip-on shoes.
DIY: Any simple white or neutral flat shoes you already own.
Wicker basket prop
A small woven wicker basket, perfect for carrying 'coconut cream pies' or party essentials.
DIY: Use a small straw beach bag or woven purse.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Mary Ann costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the high-waisted denim shorts.
- 2
Put on the red gingham shirt, buttoning it halfway and tying the bottom hem into a secure knot at your waist.
- 3
Style your hair into two high pigtails on the sides of your head, securing them with hair ties.
- 4
Tie a white ribbon into a bow around the base of each pigtail.
- 5
Put on the white canvas sneakers with low-cut white socks.
- 6
Grab your wicker basket prop to complete the stranded-on-an-island look.
Makeup & hair
Part your hair down the middle and style into two high, bouncy pigtails secured with white ribbons. Keep makeup fresh and natural with a light pink lip, subtle blush, and simple mascara for a youthful 1960s look.
Mary Ann for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with Gilligan wearing his signature red long-sleeve shirt, white bucket hat, and blue jeans.
- group
- Gather a group to dress as the Gilligan's Island cast, including Gilligan, the Skipper, Ginger, and the Professor.
- kids
- Scale down the look with a kids' red gingham top, denim shorts, and pigtails.
- Plus size
- Look for a stretch-denim high-waisted short and a relaxed-fit gingham shirt tied comfortably at the waist.
- pet
- Dress your pet in a miniature red-and-white gingham bandana.
Tips
- Keep a fake 'coconut cream pie' prop in your wicker basket for a fun, character-specific photo prop.
- If the weather is cool, swap the denim shorts for dark blue denim capri pants, which Mary Ann also wore on the show.
- Ensure your gingham shirt is tied high enough to sit right at the waistband of your shorts for an authentic '60s silhouette.
Mary Ann costume FAQ
- What is Mary Ann's most famous outfit?
- Her most iconic look is the red-and-white gingham button-down shirt tied at the waist, paired with high-waisted blue denim shorts and pigtails.
- How do I style my hair for a Mary Ann costume?
- Part your hair down the middle and tie it into two high pigtails on the sides of your head, then accent them with white ribbons tied in bows.
- What props can I use for a Mary Ann costume?
- A small wicker basket, a fake tropical drink, or a prop coconut cream pie are perfect additions to this look.
Did you know? Actress Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann, actually designed and sewed many of her own shorts for the show to ensure they fit perfectly and adhered to 1960s television censorship standards.