Alice in Wonderland is a fictional character from a much-loved literary work and film. Maybe you're planning to dress up like Alice for a fancy costume party, special event, or Halloween. There have been several different depictions of the character Alice, among which perhaps the best known is the animated film from Disney released in 1951. However, the original illustration drawn by John Tenniel has some details that differ from the Disney interpretation of the character. The film version of Alice, directed by Tim Burton and released in 2010 shows the character of Alice who is much more mature. Whichever version you choose, Alice's look is easy to copy, and you can add sweeteners or other accessories to make your costume look authentic with a personal touch.
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Method 1 of 4: Imitate Disney's Alice
Step 1. Choose the dress you want to wear
In the Disney version of the film, Alice wears a light blue dress with short sleeves that falls below the knee.
- Thrift stores often sell cheap dresses that can be decorated to look like Alice's dress.
- Look at dress patterns at the fabric store for patterns on vintage dresses with balloon sleeves. Some costume books may also have a pattern for making a pinafore, a sleeveless outer garment like an apron.
- Search online for stores that sell ready-made or pre-made costumes, that also sell blue dresses.
Step 2. Select a piece of pinafore
In Disney movies, Alice always wears a pinafore, a short apron that covers the front of a dress or bodice. Kitchen aprons are an inexpensive alternative to buying or making authentic pinafore.
The pinafore that Alice was wearing was white and tied with a ribbon at the back. Creating similar costumes will help make your costume easily recognizable
Step 3. Choose socks or stockings
Disney's version of Alice is wearing white leggings. Pay attention to the ambient temperature when you put on your costume. If the event will be held outdoors and the weather is cool, choose leggings in a warm material that will offset the sheer material of the dress.
Knee-high stockings are more comfortable in warmer weather
Step 4. Wear lace-up flats
In the Disney movie version, Alice wears black flats with horizontal laces, a shoe model that is often known as Mary Janes shoes.
Step 5. Choose a hair ornament
Headbands are often associated with the character Alice, so they are sometimes called Alice headbands. Disney movies use black headbands with ribbons.
If you don't have a headband, a black band can also be used
Method 2 of 4: Imitate Tim Burton's Movie Version Alice Karakter
Step 1. Choose a dress
Throughout the film, Burton's character Alice wears an ankle-length blue dress. In some scenes, Alice's blue dress is worn loosely so that her shoulders are exposed. However, at the time of the court scene she wore a red strapless dress that reached below the knee. On top of that, she also wore an almost transparent layer of white and black on the outside of her dress.
- Adults might have a pretty red cocktail dress.
- A looser-fitting version of Alice's blue dress will be difficult to buy or make, but makes a perfect fit for an informal gown costume.
- Antique shops or thrift stores are good places to find inexpensive long dresses that can be modified to look exactly like Alice's costume in the movies.
Step 2. Determine whether or not to use pinafore
In Burton's film, Alice does not wear the white pinafore that characterizes Alice's character. However, the layers worn on the outside of the red dress resembled an apron worn upside down; open at the front and closed at the back.
You can make your own reversible pinafore by tying black and white fabric behind a red dress, and draping the fabric over one shoulder
Step 3. Choose the stockings you want to wear
In the film, Alice wears stockings that are white but the material is see-through and doesn't show much under her dress. In warm weather, wearing stockings will have the same effect as wearing clothes made of nylon.
Step 4. Find the best footwear
Burton's film version of Alice wears white lace-up boots with black heels and a black forefoot. Shoes like this might be a little hard to find.
- Black and white saddle shoes can be a convincing alternative.
- Some sites that feature vintage or faux vintage clothing usually stock high heels in black and white that look similar.
- Buying a pair of white boots from a thrift store and painting them with black accents is a cheap alternative.
Step 5. Style your hair
Alice's hair is blonde with a parting in the middle. Her hair was wavy and loose around her shoulders and she was not wearing a headband or other hairstyle.
- If your hair is naturally straight, use a special tool to curl your hair so that you look like Alice.
- If your real hair has a color or texture that makes it impossible to imitate Alice's character in the movies, consider using a wig for the full effect.
Method 3 of 4: Look Like Alice in Books
Step 1. Choose a dress to wear
The original illustrations by Tenniel in the book were drawn in black and white with no specific colors, although light blue is still the most traditional color used in other editions.
- The first edition with color illustrations, entitled The Nursery Alice, introduces Alice in a yellow dress. While a yellow dress is an authentic alternative and can be used in addition to the blue dress option, the yellow color may not be immediately recognizable to others.
- In the first few editions of Through the Looking Glass, the second book in the series following the first, Alice wears a red dress. Just like a yellow dress, a red dress may not immediately give other people a clue that you're wearing an Alice costume.
Step 2. Add the apron
In the book, Alice wears a small apron which is also known as a pinafore. The illustration drawn by Tenniel shows an apron with white edges, while in other editions it is blue. Consider adding a ribbon to the apron if you want to look more like the character Alice in the book.
Step 3. Choose the leggings you want to wear
The illustrations in the book give you more freedom in portraying the character of Alice because the original illustrations are colorless, so you can choose any color you think will match your dress.
- In an early edition of the book, Alice is depicted wearing blue stockings with a yellow dress.
- In Through the Looking Glass, Alice wears stockings with a striped pattern, sometimes colored blue or white. For a more personal touch, wear leggings or long socks with striped motifs.
Step 4. Decide whether you want to wear a headband or not
In the original book illustrations, Alice is not wearing a headband. Tenniel added these details to his follow-up book Through the Looking Glass. Decide which books you can refer to, and add a headband accessory if you like the look.
If you decide not to wear a headband, tuck your hair behind your renga and let it flow behind your shoulders, if your hair is long enough
Method 4 of 4: Decorate Your Costume with Accessories
Step 1. Choose a costume sweetener or complement
Think about the part of Alice's story that you like the most and see if there are any objects that can help emphasize the character of Alice that you can wear. One good option is to bring a stuffed animal like a white rabbit or cat with striped fur.
- A plastic flamingo figure can be used to act out a croquet game scene.
- A few cards, a white rose, or a paintbrush can hook you up to the Disney song "We're Painting the Roses Red." (We Painted Roses in Red).
- An old-fashioned bottle with the label “drink me” would fit in a pinafore bag.
Step 2. Practice the role of Alice
Reread your book, or watch a version of your favorite movie and pay attention to the lines of dialogue that you especially like. Write down ideas for phrases that you might want to include in the conversation later.
- If you're at a party, pretend to be big or small when you eat or drink something.
- Alice is very well known for saying “curiouser and curiouser!” in response to the strange things he encounters.
- Disney's version of Alice features several songs that you can sing or hum if you get the chance to do so.
Step 3. Invite others to join you in costumes in the group
If your friends are also wearing character costumes from Alice in Wonderland, it will be easy for everyone to recognize the character of your choice.
- Mad Hatter is a very popular character choice from Burton's version of the film.
- The White Rabbit costume will be a warm costume for winter activities.
