The Princess Bride Costume
As you wish: Bring the classic fantasy romance to life.
The Princess Bride is a beloved 1987 fantasy adventure film filled with iconic characters, making it a perennial favorite for Halloween and cosplay. This guide focuses on the two most popular looks: Westley in his black Dread Pirate Roberts attire, and Buttercup in her classic red medieval gown. Whether you go solo or pair up as a couple, these outfits are instantly recognizable and easy to assemble.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $35–85
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What you need for a The Princess Bride costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete The Princess Bride costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Westley's black pirate shirt
A loose-fitting, long-sleeve black lace-up pirate shirt with ruffled or gathered cuffs.
DIY: Use a plain black long-sleeve button-down shirt with the collar unbuttoned.
Westley's black mask and headscarf
A simple black fabric eye mask paired with a black bandana or headscarf tied around the head.
DIY: Cut a strip of black fabric for the eye mask and tie a black t-shirt or scarf around your head.
Westley's black pants and boots
Slim-fit black trousers or leggings tucked into knee-high black riding boots.
DIY: Wear black jeans or sweatpants tucked into tall black socks and black boots.
Buttercup's red gown
A floor-length, long-sleeved red medieval-style dress with a high waist and a gold belt.
DIY: Use a long red maxi dress and tie a gold braided rope or ribbon around the waist.
Toy rapier sword
A thin, silver-colored toy rapier sword with a black hilt for Westley.
DIY: Cut a sword shape out of cardboard and wrap the blade in silver foil.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made The Princess Bride costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
For Westley: Put on the black lace-up pirate shirt and slim-fit black trousers.
- 2
Tuck the trousers into knee-high black boots and secure a wide black belt around your waist.
- 3
Tie the black bandana snugly over your hair, then tie the black eye mask over your eyes, adjusting the eye holes for visibility.
- 4
For Buttercup: Put on the long red medieval gown and adjust the sleeves so they drape naturally.
- 5
Tie the gold braided belt or rope around your high waist, letting the excess hang down the front.
- 6
Equip Westley with the toy rapier sword in his belt sheath to complete the look.
Makeup & hair
For Westley, style hair flat under the bandana or leave a few blonde strands peeking out. For Buttercup, wear your hair in long, loose, center-parted golden waves. Keep makeup natural and minimal for both characters.
The Princess Bride for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair Westley as the Dread Pirate Roberts with Buttercup in her red gown for an iconic romantic duo.
- group
- Add Inigo Montoya with a mustache and sword, Fezzik in a tunic, and Vizzini in medieval robes.
- kids
- Dress kids as a mini Westley or Buttercup, or even a cute 'Rodent of Unusual Size' (ROUS) using a brown rat costume.
- Plus size
- A loose-fitting peasant shirt for Westley or an empire-waist velvet gown for Buttercup offers a comfortable, flowing fit.
- pet
- Dress a dog in a fuzzy brown costume to play the role of an ROUS.
More ways people search for this costume
The most-searched variations of “The Princess Bride costume”, and how this look adapts to each.
Princess bride couple costume
- Pair Westley as the Dread Pirate Roberts with Buttercup in her red gown for an iconic romantic duo.
Tips
- For Westley's mask, make sure the fabric is breathable and doesn't block your peripheral vision.
- If wearing Buttercup's long gown outdoors, hem it slightly or wear low heels to avoid tripping on the fabric.
- Carry a plush rat toy as a funny prop reference to the Fire Swamp's Rodents of Unusual Size.
- Practice saying 'As you wish' or 'My name is Inigo Montoya...' to stay in character all night.
The Princess Bride costume FAQ
- What does Westley wear in The Princess Bride?
- Westley wears an all-black outfit as the Dread Pirate Roberts, consisting of a black lace-up shirt, black pants, knee-high boots, a black headscarf, a black eye mask, and a sword.
- How do you style Buttercup's hair?
- Buttercup is known for her long, flowing, golden-blonde hair styled in a simple center part with soft, natural waves.
- Is a Princess Bride costume good for couples?
- Yes, Westley and Buttercup are one of the most recognizable and beloved couples in cinema history, making this a perfect choice.
Did you know? The iconic red dress worn by Buttercup was designed to look medieval but was actually made using modern synthetic fabrics to help it flow better during the action sequences.