Mary Ann Summers Costume
Recreate the iconic, sweet girl-next-door look from Gilligan's Island.
Mary Ann Summers from Gilligan's Island is one of television's most beloved classic characters, famous for her sweet personality and practical style. Her signature look is the ultimate 1960s girl-next-door aesthetic, featuring a tied-front gingham shirt and high-waisted denim shorts. It is a highly recognizable, comfortable, and easy-to-assemble retro costume perfect for classic TV fans.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $25–60
Try it on
See yourself as Mary Ann Summers
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What you need for a Mary Ann Summers costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Mary Ann Summers costume — one box instead of 4 pieces.
Red and White Gingham Shirt
A short-sleeve, button-down gingham or checkered shirt in red and white, tied at the waist.
DIY: Take an old red gingham button-down shirt and tie the front tails into a knot at your waist.
High-Waisted Denim Shorts
Dark wash denim hot pants or high-waisted shorts to match the 1960s silhouette.
DIY: Cut an old pair of high-waisted blue jeans into short-shorts and cuff the hems.
Hair Ribbons
Two pieces of thin red satin ribbon to tie around your pigtails.
DIY: Cut strips of red fabric or use red hair ties.
White Sneakers or Canvas Shoes
Simple, low-top white canvas sneakers or slip-on deck shoes.
DIY: Use any clean white sneakers or flat sandals you already own.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Mary Ann Summers costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the high-waisted denim shorts.
- 2
Put on the red and white gingham shirt, leaving the bottom few buttons undone.
- 3
Tie the bottom corners of the shirt into a secure knot just above your waistline.
- 4
Part your hair down the middle and tie it into two high pigtails, securing them with hair ties.
- 5
Tie a red satin ribbon into a bow around the base of each pigtail.
- 6
Slip on the white canvas sneakers with low-cut white socks.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair into two high, bouncy pigtails secured with red ribbons. Keep makeup fresh and natural with a touch of pink blush, light mascara, and a soft pink lip color to match her wholesome look.
Mary Ann Summers for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Gilligan in his red long-sleeve shirt and white bucket hat, or Ginger Grant in a glamorous evening gown.
- group
- Gather a group to represent the castaways: Gilligan, the Skipper, the Millionaire and his Wife, the Movie Star, and the Professor.
- kids
- A miniature version with a gingham tie-front top, denim shorts, and pigtails is adorable and comfortable for kids.
- Plus size
- Choose stretch denim high-waisted shorts and a relaxed-fit gingham shirt that can be comfortably tied at the waist.
Tips
- Keep a basket of tropical fruit or a fake coconut with a straw as a fun, thematic prop.
- Ensure the denim shorts are high-waisted to properly meet the tied hem of the gingham shirt for a screen-accurate look.
- If the weather is cool, swap the shorts for high-waisted dark blue jeans.
Mary Ann Summers costume FAQ
- What kind of shirt does Mary Ann wear?
- Mary Ann famously wears a red and white checkered (gingham) short-sleeve button-down shirt tied at the waist.
- How do you style Mary Ann's hair?
- Part your hair down the middle and tie it into two high pigtails on the sides of your head, then accent them with red ribbons.
- What shoes did Mary Ann wear on Gilligan's Island?
- She typically wore simple, flat white canvas sneakers or casual sandals suitable for life on a tropical island.
Did you know? Actress Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann, actually rescued her famous short-shorts from the studio trash bin after the show was canceled, keeping them as a cherished souvenir.