Samantha Parkington Costume
Bring the classic 1904 American Girl doll to life.
Samantha Parkington is one of the original American Girl historical characters, representing the Edwardian era of 1904. Her look is defined by her signature pink-and-burgundy drop-waist dress, black tights, and a matching hair bow. Fans of the book series and dolls choose this costume for its nostalgic charm and elegant, turn-of-the-century aesthetic.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $40–90
Try it on
See yourself as Samantha Parkington
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What you need for a Samantha Parkington costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Samantha Parkington costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Pink drop-waist dress
A light pink, long-sleeved dress with a pleated skirt, white lace collar, and cuffs, reflecting 1904 Edwardian children's fashion.
DIY: Add a white lace collar and cuffs to a plain pink long-sleeved dress.
Burgundy sash belt
A wide burgundy or deep red ribbon tied around the hips in a drop-waist style.
DIY: Cut a length of wide burgundy satin fabric and tie it loosely around the hips.
Burgundy hair bow
A large burgundy satin hair bow clipped at the back of the head.
DIY: Tie a matching piece of burgundy ribbon into a large bow and attach it to a hair clip.
Black tights
Opaque black tights or stockings, standard for young girls' formal wear in the early 1900s.
Black Mary Jane shoes
Classic black patent leather Mary Jane shoes with a low heel or flat sole.
DIY: Use plain black flats with an added black strap across the instep.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Samantha Parkington costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the black opaque tights and black patent leather Mary Jane shoes.
- 2
Slip on the pink drop-waist dress, ensuring the white lace collar and cuffs are neatly laid flat.
- 3
Tie the wide burgundy sash belt loosely around the hips, securing it with a neat knot or bow at the side or back.
- 4
Style your hair into Samantha's signature half-up, half-down look, curling the ends slightly.
- 5
Clip the large burgundy hair bow into the back of your hair where the half-up section is secured.
Makeup & hair
Style long brown hair in a half-up, half-down fashion with soft, loose curls at the ends and straight-cut bangs. Keep makeup minimal and natural with a touch of rosy blush and a neutral lip balm to mimic a doll-like complexion.
Samantha Parkington for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with another classic American Girl character like Kirsten Larson or Molly McIntire.
- group
- Gather friends to dress as the original Pleasant Company historical dolls, including Addy, Kirsten, Felicity, and Molly.
- kids
- An easy and popular choice for kids using a pink party dress, black tights, and a matching hair ribbon.
- Plus size
- Look for a custom-made Edwardian-style drop-waist dress or a pink A-line dress paired with a wide burgundy sash to create the drop-waist silhouette.
Tips
- To look authentic to the doll, carry a small wicker purse or a miniature doll-sized version of Samantha's accessories.
- Ensure the dress fabric is structured rather than stretchy to maintain the historical Edwardian silhouette.
- For outdoor events, layer a dark wool cape or coat over the dress to match Samantha's winter outfit.
Samantha Parkington costume FAQ
- What era is Samantha Parkington's outfit from?
- Samantha's outfit is from 1904, which is part of the Edwardian era (often referred to as the late Victorian/Progressive Era in America).
- How do I style my hair like Samantha Parkington?
- Pull the top half of your hair back and secure it with a large burgundy bow, leaving the rest down with soft curls at the bottom and straight bangs in front.
- What are the key colors for a Samantha costume?
- The primary colors are light pink for the dress, deep burgundy for the sash and hair bow, and solid black for the tights and shoes.
Did you know? Samantha Parkington was one of the first three American Girl dolls launched by Pleasant Company in 1986, alongside Kirsten Larson and Molly McIntire.