Shirley Temple Costume
Bring 1930s Hollywood charm to life with iconic ringlets and polka dots.
Shirley Temple is one of Hollywood's most famous child stars, known for her incredible tap dancing, sweet singing, and signature golden curls. Dressing up as her means channeling her most famous look from the 1934 film 'Stand Up and Cheer!'—the iconic red and white polka dot dress. This costume is a nostalgic favorite for vintage film fans, costume parties, and Halloween.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $35–85
Try it on
See yourself as Shirley Temple
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What you need for a Shirley Temple costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Shirley Temple costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Red and white polka dot dress
A short-sleeved, knee-length A-line dress featuring red fabric with medium-sized white polka dots, a white Peter Pan collar, and white trim on the sleeves.
DIY: Take a plain red dress, sew or fabric-glue a white felt Peter Pan collar to the neckline, and add white fabric paint polka dots using a circular sponge.
Red satin waist ribbon
A wide red satin ribbon tied around the waist into a neat, oversized bow at the back or side.
DIY: Cut a length of red satin ribbon from a craft store and tie it around the waist.
White ruffle socks
White ankle-high socks with a delicate ruffled lace trim at the cuffs.
DIY: Hand-sew a strip of white lace trim to the top cuff of a pair of plain white ankle socks.
Black Mary Jane shoes
Classic black patent leather Mary Jane flat shoes with a single strap across the instep.
DIY: Use plain black flats and add a black elastic band across the instep to mimic the strap.
Blonde ringlet wig
A short, golden-blonde wig styled into tight, bouncy sausage curls (ringlets) with short bangs.
DIY: If you have medium-to-long hair, set damp hair in tight foam rollers or use a small-barrel curling iron, then pin the curls to frame your face.
Red hair bow
A small red satin bow clipped to one side of the hair, just above the ear.
DIY: Tie a small piece of red ribbon into a bow and glue it to a plain metal hair clip.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Shirley Temple costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the red and white polka dot dress, ensuring the white Peter Pan collar lies flat against the collarbone.
- 2
Tie the red satin ribbon around your waist, securing it with a neat bow at the back or slightly off-center to the side.
- 3
If using a wig, tuck your natural hair into a wig cap, secure it with bobby pins, and place the blonde ringlet wig on your head, gently fluffing the curls with your fingers.
- 4
Clip the small red hair bow into the wig (or your natural hair) on the right side, just above the temple.
- 5
Pull on the white lace-trimmed ruffle ankle socks, folding the cuffs down neatly.
- 6
Slip into the black patent leather Mary Jane shoes to complete the classic 1930s silhouette.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup minimal and youthful with a light touch of pink blush on the apples of the cheeks and a swipe of tinted pink lip balm. For hair, the look is defined by tight, bouncy golden-blonde ringlet curls and short, neat bangs.
Shirley Temple for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as a 1930s sailor (referencing her 'On the Good Ship Lollipop' performance) or a classic tap dancer.
- group
- Create a classic Hollywood group with other vintage stars like Judy Garland (Dorothy), Marilyn Monroe, and Charlie Chaplin.
- kids
- This is a highly popular toddler and kids' costume; use a comfortable cotton polka dot dress, white tights, and a soft headband with a red bow.
- Plus size
- Look for an A-line or skater-style red polka dot dress with a stretchy bodice, and add a wide red belt to define the waist comfortably.
- pet
- Dress a small dog in a red and white polka dot bandana or a lightweight ruffled dog dress.
Tips
- Do not brush out the wig curls with a standard brush, as this will cause frizz; instead, use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to gently separate the ringlets.
- If trick-or-treating in cold weather, layer white tights under the ruffle socks and wear a classic white cardigan over the dress.
- Carry a vintage-style giant swirl lollipop or a small tap-dance cane as a fun, character-appropriate photo prop.
- Keep your posture upright and practice a bright, cheerful smile to match Shirley's famous screen presence.
Shirley Temple costume FAQ
- What is Shirley Temple's most famous costume?
- Her most iconic costume is the red and white polka dot dress with a white Peter Pan collar, worn in her early films and promotional photos.
- How do I get the Shirley Temple hair curls?
- You can use a pre-styled blonde ringlet wig, or style natural hair by wrapping small sections around foam rollers overnight or using a 1/2-inch curling iron on damp hair with plenty of setting spray.
- What shoes did Shirley Temple wear?
- She typically wore classic black patent leather Mary Jane shoes with white ankle socks, often finished with a delicate lace ruffle at the top.
Did you know? Shirley Temple's signature hairstyle famously consisted of exactly 56 pin curls, which her mother styled for her before every film shoot.