Princess and the Pauper Costume
Step into a royal fairytale with these iconic pink and blue gowns.
Inspired by the beloved 2004 animated movie Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper, this costume guide helps you recreate the iconic looks of Princess Anneliese and Erika. Whether you choose Anneliese's royal pink gown or Erika's humble blue dress, these designs are instantly recognizable to nostalgic fans. It is a popular choice for best friends, couples, and solo cosplayers looking for a magical, royal aesthetic.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $50–150
Try it on
See yourself as Princess and the Pauper
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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Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Princess and the Pauper costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Princess and the Pauper costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Anneliese's Pink Gown
A floor-length pink satin ball gown featuring a sweetheart neckline, white lace trim along the bodice, and gold ribbon detailing.
DIY: Combine a pink maxi skirt with a matching pink corset top, then fabric-glue white lace and gold ribbon trim to the bodice.
Erika's Blue Dress
A floor-length light blue dress with a white underskirt, matching blue corset-style bodice, and white lace trim.
DIY: Layer a light blue corset over a white long-sleeved peasant blouse and a matching light blue maxi skirt.
Princess Tiara
A delicate gold crown studded with pink rhinestones for Princess Anneliese.
DIY: Paint a plastic toy tiara gold and glue pink craft gems onto the peaks.
Blue Hair Ribbon
A simple royal blue satin ribbon to tie back Erika's hair.
DIY: Cut a strip of blue satin fabric or ribbon to tie into a bow.
Gold Choker Necklace
A thin gold ribbon choker with a small heart or teardrop pendant.
DIY: Tie a thin gold ribbon around your neck and slide a gold craft charm onto the center.
Plush Cat Prop
A small plush toy representing either Serafina (white cat) or Wolfie (brown cat with dog teeth).
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Princess and the Pauper costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Choose your character: opt for Princess Anneliese in pink or Erika in blue (or pair up with a friend to do both).
- 2
Put on the selected gown, ensuring the corset or bodice is laced up securely for a structured royal silhouette.
- 3
Style your hair: create soft, voluminous blonde curls for Anneliese, or style dark brown hair into a half-up ponytail secured with a blue ribbon for Erika.
- 4
Secure the gold tiara into your hair if dressing as Anneliese, using bobby pins to keep it steady.
- 5
Tie the gold choker necklace around your neck, centering the pendant.
- 6
Slip on comfortable white or matching pink/blue ballet flats.
- 7
Carry a plush white cat (Serafina) or brown cat (Wolfie) as the perfect companion prop.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup soft, bright, and doll-like with pink blush, glossy lips, and defined eyelashes. For Anneliese, wear a long, voluminous blonde wig styled in soft curls; for Erika, style long brunette hair with a half-up, half-down look secured by a blue ribbon.
Princess and the Pauper for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair Princess Anneliese with King Dominick in a royal blue coat, or Erika with Julian in a green medieval tunic.
- group
- Gather a group featuring Anneliese, Erika, King Dominick, Julian, and Preminger in his signature purple coat.
- kids
- Use a ready-made pink or blue princess dress-up gown with a plastic tiara and a small plush cat.
- Plus size
- Look for corset-backed gowns that offer adjustable sizing, or use a separate corset and elastic-waist maxi skirt for a custom fit.
- pet
- Dress a small dog or cat in a simple gold crown collar to represent the royal pets.
Tips
- Wear a hoop skirt or petticoat underneath the gowns to give them the dramatic, voluminous ball gown shape seen in the movie.
- Since these are floor-length dresses, hem them slightly above the ground or wear comfortable wedges to avoid tripping.
- If cosplaying as a duo, coordinate your makeup styles to match the identical-twin storyline of the movie.
- Take photos outdoors in a lush garden or in front of classic stone architecture to capture the royal kingdom setting.
Princess and the Pauper costume FAQ
- What is the difference between Anneliese and Erika's outfits?
- Anneliese wears a royal pink ball gown with gold trim and a tiara, while Erika wears a simpler blue dress with a white underskirt and a blue hair ribbon.
- How do I style my hair for the Princess and the Pauper?
- Anneliese has long, flowing blonde curls with a tiara. Erika has long, dark brown hair styled half-up with a blue ribbon.
- Can this be a couples or best friends costume?
- Yes, it is one of the most popular best-friend costumes, with one person dressing in pink as Anneliese and the other in blue as Erika.
Did you know? Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper was the first musical in the Barbie CGI film series, featuring songs written by Broadway artists.