Scout's Ham Costume
Bring a literary classic to life with this iconic DIY ham costume.
This costume recreates the homemade ham pageant suit worn by Scout Finch in the classic novel and film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird. Chosen by literary fans and theater enthusiasts, this look is instantly recognizable by its rustic, cylindrical shape. The costume consists of a wire-framed ham body, painted brown fabric, and Scout's signature Mary Jane shoes peeking out from underneath.
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Time
- ~180 min
- Budget
- $30–80
Try it on
See yourself as Scout's Ham
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 Scout's Ham costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Scout's Ham costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Chicken wire
A roll of flexible metal chicken wire to construct the cylindrical, ham-shaped structural frame.
DIY: Use thick cardboard strips taped into a hoop frame if you want to avoid working with wire.
Brown burlap or canvas fabric
Coarse brown fabric to wrap around the wire frame, mimicking the cured skin of a ham.
DIY: Use brown paper grocery bags or papier-mâché painted brown.
White fabric paint
Used to paint the word 'HAM' in bold, hand-lettered capital letters across the front.
DIY: Cut out letters from white felt or paper and glue them on.
Black Mary Jane shoes
Classic flat black leather Mary Jane shoes to match Scout's footwear from the story.
DIY: Any simple black flats or school shoes.
White ankle socks
Simple white fold-over ankle socks to complete the schoolgirl look beneath the ham frame.
Utility wire cutters and work gloves
Essential safety gear for cutting and shaping the chicken wire frame without scratches.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Scout's Ham costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on heavy work gloves and roll out the chicken wire into a cylinder shape that fits comfortably over your torso.
- 2
Secure the wire ends together, leaving open armholes on the sides and a wide opening at the bottom for your legs.
- 3
Drape and wrap the brown burlap or canvas fabric tightly over the wire frame, securing it with hot glue or wire ties.
- 4
Using white paint, hand-write the word 'HAM' in large, slightly uneven capital letters across the front center of the costume.
- 5
Carefully line the top rim and armholes with felt or duct tape to prevent any sharp wire edges from poking you.
- 6
Put on a simple dark undershirt, shorts, white ankle socks, and black Mary Jane shoes.
- 7
Slip the ham structure over your head, resting the inner frame on your shoulders so your legs and feet are visible below.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair in a short, messy brunette bob with straight bangs to match Scout's signature hairstyle. No makeup is needed, keeping a clean, natural, mid-century child's appearance.
Scout's Ham for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with Atticus Finch in a 1930s three-piece linen suit and glasses.
- group
- Add Jem Finch in 1930s overalls and Boo Radley in a pale, simple button-down shirt.
- kids
- This is a perfect school book report costume for kids; use lightweight cardboard instead of chicken wire for safety.
- Plus size
- Adjust the diameter of the chicken wire cylinder to ensure a comfortable, loose fit with plenty of room to walk.
Tips
- Ensure the armholes are cut wide enough so you can easily reach your face and navigate crowds.
- File down or tape over every single exposed wire end inside the costume to protect your skin and clothing.
- Wear lightweight, breathable clothing underneath, as the burlap and wire structure can trap heat.
- Practice sitting down before wearing this to an event, as you may need to lift the frame up to sit comfortably.
Scout's Ham costume FAQ
- Why did Scout wear a ham costume?
- She wore it for her school's Halloween pageant representing Maycomb County's agricultural products.
- How does the ham costume save Scout's life?
- The stiff chicken wire frame and heavy fabric cushion the blow when Bob Ewell attacks her with a knife, preventing the blade from piercing her.
- Is the chicken wire version hard to make?
- It requires some patience and safety precautions when handling the wire, but it is highly rewarding and authentic to the book's description.
Did you know? In the novel, Scout misses her cue during the pageant because she falls asleep inside her cozy, insulated ham costume.