MerCat Costume
Splash into science and sparkle as Gabby's Dollhouse's favorite mermaid cat.
MerCat is the beloved, spa-loving, half-kitten, half-mermaid scientist from the hit preschool show Gabby's Dollhouse. Fans adore her for her sparkly personality, bubbly experiments, and shimmering sea-themed look. This costume captures her magical style with a scale-patterned dress, cat ears, and her signature starfish accessory.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $20–50
Try it on
See yourself as MerCat
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 MerCat costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete MerCat costume — one box instead of 4 pieces.
Teal and Purple Scale Dress
A sleeveless or short-sleeve dress featuring a shiny mermaid scale pattern in shades of teal, aqua, and purple.
DIY: Decorate a plain teal dress or t-shirt with fabric markers or metallic fabric paint to look like scales.
Tulle Tutu Skirt
A layered tulle tutu in shades of aqua, pink, and purple to mimic MerCat's colorful, bubbly tail fins.
DIY: Tie strips of purple, pink, and teal tulle onto an elastic waistband.
Cat Ear Headband with Starfish
A headband featuring teal cat ears and a bright pink or yellow starfish tucked next to one of the ears.
DIY: Cut cat ears out of teal felt, glue them to a plain headband, and attach a foam craft starfish next to one ear.
Teal Fingerless Gloves
Short, sparkly teal or aqua fingerless gloves to match her kitten paws.
DIY: Cut the fingers off a pair of inexpensive teal knit gloves.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made MerCat costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the teal and purple mermaid scale dress as the base layer.
- 2
Layer the colorful tulle tutu over the dress to add volume and a whimsical fin-like shape.
- 3
Slip on the teal fingerless gloves to represent MerCat's paws.
- 4
Place the cat ear headband on your head, ensuring the starfish accent is positioned clearly on one side.
- 5
Add optional sparkly face gems or light face paint to complete the spa-day aesthetic.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair neat in a ponytail or down with soft waves. Use a little face paint or skin-safe makeup to draw a small pink cat nose and whiskers, then add a touch of biodegradable glitter to the cheekbones for a spa-science glow.
MerCat for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Gabby wearing her signature striped shirt and magical cat ears.
- group
- Form a Gabby's Dollhouse group with friends dressed as Pandy Paws, Cakey Cat, and CatRat.
- kids
- This look is highly popular for toddlers and young kids, often sold as a comfortable, one-piece dress with an included headband.
- Plus size
- Use a teal scale-print maxi skirt paired with a comfortable purple top and the signature headband.
- pet
- A simple teal cat-scale bandana paired with a lightweight pink starfish collar attachment.
Tips
- Opt for soft, stretchy fabrics if making or buying this for toddlers to ensure they can move and play comfortably.
- If trick-or-treating in cold weather, layer a teal long-sleeve shirt and matching leggings underneath the dress.
- Use safety pins to secure the tutu to the dress so it doesn't slip down during active play.
- Take photos near water, a bubble machine, or a colorful playroom setup to match the show's vibrant aesthetic.
MerCat costume FAQ
- What color is MerCat from Gabby's Dollhouse?
- MerCat is primarily teal and aqua with a purple and pink scale pattern on her mermaid tail, and she wears a bright pink starfish by her left ear.
- How do you make a DIY MerCat headband?
- Cut two cat ear shapes out of teal felt or glitter foam, glue them to a plain headband, and glue a pink felt or plastic starfish right next to one of the ears.
- Is this costume comfortable for toddlers?
- Yes, choosing a soft cotton scale-print dress or a hoodie version makes it incredibly comfortable and easy for toddlers to wear all day.
Did you know? MerCat is the resident scientist of the Dollhouse, using 'spa science' to solve problems with potions, bubbles, and lip balm.