Vanessa Costume
Steal Ariel's voice and Prince Eric's heart in this villainous look.
Vanessa is the human disguise of the sea witch Ursula from Disney's animated classic, The Little Mermaid. Fans of classic Disney villains choose this look for its blend of vintage elegance and subtle menace. The outfit centers on a two-toned purple and blue gown paired with the iconic gold shell necklace that holds Ariel's voice.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as Vanessa
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.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Vanessa costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Vanessa costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Two-tone lavender and blue dress
A long-sleeved maxi dress featuring a light lavender bodice and a flowing dark blue or deep purple skirt.
DIY: Combine a light purple long-sleeved shirt with a high-waisted dark blue maxi skirt.
Dark purple corset belt
A lace-up waist cincher or corset belt to define the waist over the dress.
DIY: Wrap a wide dark purple fabric sash around your waist and tie it securely in the back.
Gold nautilus shell necklace
A metallic gold spiral shell pendant hanging from a simple black cord.
DIY: Paint a real spiral seashell with metallic gold craft paint and loop it onto a black ribbon.
Long dark brown wavy wig
A voluminous wig with soft, flowing waves and a center part, reaching past the shoulders.
DIY: Style your natural hair with a curling iron to create thick, voluminous waves parted down the middle.
Dark blue or black flats
Simple, comfortable ballet flats or low slip-on shoes.
DIY: Use any plain black flat shoes you already own.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Vanessa costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the two-tone lavender and blue dress, ensuring the long sleeves are pulled down to the wrists.
- 2
Wrap the dark purple corset belt around your waist, lacing it snugly in the front to create a defined silhouette.
- 3
Put on the long dark brown wavy wig, brushing it gently to maximize volume while keeping the center part clean.
- 4
Fasten the gold nautilus shell necklace around your neck so the pendant rests visibly on the center of the lavender bodice.
- 5
Slip into the dark blue or black ballet flats.
- 6
Apply makeup, focusing on arched eyebrows and a bold red lip to capture her animated look.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in thick, voluminous dark brown waves with a clean center part. Keep makeup classic with a matte complexion, defined dark eyebrows, subtle purple eyeshadow, and a striking red lipstick.
Vanessa for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with Prince Eric in his white sailor shirt and blue trousers, or Ariel in her blue town dress.
- group
- Join forces with Ursula in her sea witch form, Ariel, and King Triton for a complete group theme.
- kids
- A simplified purple and blue dress paired with a plastic gold shell necklace.
- Plus size
- An A-line maxi dress paired with an elastic-back lace-up corset belt provides a comfortable, adjustable fit.
Tips
- Look for a gold shell necklace that can open or has a small LED light inside to mimic the glowing voice effect.
- Carry a small hand mirror as a prop to recreate the iconic scene where Vanessa's reflection reveals Ursula.
- Opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics if you plan to wear the long-sleeved dress to crowded conventions or warm indoor parties.
Vanessa costume FAQ
- What necklace does Vanessa wear in The Little Mermaid?
- Vanessa wears a gold nautilus shell necklace on a black cord, which Ursula uses to store Ariel's stolen voice.
- What color is Vanessa's dress?
- Her dress features a light lavender/purple long-sleeved upper bodice and a contrasting dark purple or deep navy blue skirt, accented by a dark purple corset belt.
- How do I style Vanessa's hair?
- Vanessa has thick, voluminous, dark brown or black wavy hair that falls past her shoulders with a soft center part.
Did you know? Vanessa's name is derived from the word 'vanity,' which perfectly fits Ursula's conceited human alter-ego.