The fun thing about Wavy & Curly Hair is the ability to transform your hair. Costumes for Halloween, Costume Parties, and more can further show off just how much your hair can add to a look! These 10 costumes don’t just work perfectly with your natural wavy and curly hair, they make the costumes better! From pretty to scary (ish) there are options for everyone. And being 2020, plan to coordinate a matching mask if needed based on the protocols in your area.
- All have Standard Size & Plus Size Options
- Long & Short hair options
- DIY Tips/Options for Each
- Tips for Kid-Friendly vs. Adult / Sultry (make it versatile!)
- No Wigs, these are meant for your natural waves (and/or curls!)
Some of these costumes you’ve probably seen (but probably not with naturally wavy hair), and others may be new! Since this is quite a “G-Rated” site, I’ll leave a disclaimer that some of these costumes may be a tad risque (really, just a TAD), but nothing beyond “standard” adult women halloween costumes. For these I’ll include young-kiddo friendly options/suggestions too. There are also a few men’s options within the text (no photos, but you can click to see!)
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Don’t want to buy? That’s cool too. Use as inspo for your fun DIY!
Pretty Costumes for Wavy & Curly Hair
#1: Mermaid with the Mermaid Waves
Don’t click away, we’re getting the obvious one out of the way 😉 Long wavy hair AND short wavy hair look beautiful in a mermaid costume. The term “mermaid waves” came from somewhere, right? Both the skirt and leggings have plus sized options (the leggings have both standard and plus sized
For the skirt and leggings option, simply add a jewel toned shirt (short sleeve, long sleeve, sweater). Then you’ve got an easy and comfortable beautiful mermaid costume! Tip: wear bike shorts under the skirt to prevent chafing. Or add the fun seashell top for something extra. If you really want to go all out, this seashell bra takes it from casual to a sultry look.
#2 Greek Goddess
This “Greek Goddess” (Toga, “Roman Empire, Goddess, and other titles were also used) costume is a beautiful and classy Halloween costume.
The goddess costume would look good with all hair lengths, and a half-up style (such as shown in the plus size costume cover image) would be great. This costume would also work for curly hair types (I keep thinking of Briseis from the movie Troy.) Tip: while gold is the more commonly used metal for this look, a silver headpiece can really pop against darker hair.
Easy DIY: wear a white tank and bike shorts, then wear a white sheet (if you have one around) and tie with a “rope” belt. Craft stores sell rope that you could also use for other DIYs too.
#3 Flapper/Roaring 20's
Short and medium lengths of wavy hair would look STUNNING in a flapper outfit! IF you’ve got a pixie or bob, accentuate that look with a great headband. Tip: to make it POP, use a flapper headband color that contrasts your hair. So blondes may want black or jewel tones, brunettes/black hair look lovely in silver/gold/white, and other colors have kind of all the options! These costumes do come with a headband. but if you want to DIY or have a better coordinating color, check out the headbands.
This can easily work with long hair too! See the headband photo? Just wrap your hair up in the headband and pin for a “faux” bob look (if your hair isn’t too thick/wavy).
Scary (ish) Halloween Costumes for Wavy & Curly Hair Men and Women
These looks work great with either a “good” hair day or “bad” hair day. Really. In fact any of these would look fine even if you *gasp* brushed your wavy or curly hair out. Yea, I know your hair can probably poof out past your shoulders. Same.
#4: Pirate (Men & Women!)
a Pirate is an awesome versatile costume for wavy & curly hair. OF course it’d make sense that a pirate would have a slightly disheveled look that works so well with wavy hair!
Make it kid-friendly with opaque black tights, then switch to fishnets for a more adult look!
DIY Tip: Wear all black layers and top the look off with a pirate hat or headscarf (both look great with waves!)
#5: Mad Hatter (Men & Women!)
This “Mad Hatter” costume would look great for wavy hair women & men (all humans really, just pick out which you prefer!). In fact, the men’s version would work for anyone because you add your own bottoms (cozy black leggings anyone?). Even easier is to wear whatever crazy outfit from your own closet and wear this Disney inspired Mad Hatter hat from Alice in Wonderland. Or try the headband for a more subtle look (as a mom of little one, “headband costumes” are my favorite!)
Instead of a wig, brush out your hair slightly. For most wavies/curlies this does it, but just in case: test this before you next shower to make sure you can get the frizz & poof you’d normally avoid.
#6: Witch (of Any Kind)/Harry Potter Character
Okay to say “witch” feels silly, but truly our waves and curls really match what traditional media considered “witchy” hair. Get it nice and messy (or just don’t worry if you have a bit of frizz that day), and go for it! You can truly make this one your own whether you want it to be a bit more scary, sultry, mystical, gothic….they all look better with your natural waves! An easy way to make any more “adult” is to add fishnets or these sheer moon & star tights.
Note: this isn’t showing a Harry Potter outfit, I know that series well! Just thought I’d add that in as a bonus idea. Bellatrix, Hermione, or Professor Trelawney would all work great! And if you have a wavy guy with long hair, Hagrid makes a great men’s costume!
Empowering Costumes for Wavy & Curly Hair
#7 Rosie the Riveter
A truly empowering icon for women, Rosie the Riveter works great with any length of waves! Short hair looks adorable in a bandana, meiuum lengths could do a ponytail or bun, and long hair would be best in a bun
Rather DIY? Grab a bandana, a cute denim jacket or chambray shirt for the top, and your fave denim shorts or jeans. Bam! You’re done, and you get to literally flex all night. Tip: if you’re in the market for a denim jacket or denim shorts, this is a perfect excuse to buy them, it’s a two-for-one! 😉 This may be me personally talking myself into buying the Levi’s ribcage jeans I’ve been eyeing for months. Maybe. Does anyone else ever justify things like that?
#8 Merida from "Brave" OR "Renaissance Woman"
Got medium to long length red hair? (okay if you don’t have red hair you can try this temporary stuff!*) then you should consider this costume! It’s pretty, but the character is one of the most empowered “princesses” in Disney’s lineup. If you want to make the look more sultry, OR just want a dual purpose costume, go for a green velvet maxi dress and carry around a (costume) bow and arrow!
If you DON’T have red hair, this outfit works great as a Renaissance woman. Is it historically accurate? Highly unlikely. As with most Halloween Costumes.
*As with most aerosol hairsprays, this contains denatured alcohol. There are no sulfates or silicones. As a one time thing, this shouldn’t dry out your hair. If you are worried, use this protein & moisturizing deep treatment after.
Funny Costumes for Wavy & Curly Hair
#9 Pineapple (Too Punny!)
Okay, if you are well-versed in wavy curly hair, you get it. And you either think I’m a dork, dumb, or both. But in case you didn’t know, a “pienapple” is a way to preserve your waves overnight (or in the gym, elsewhere etc. You can learn about that more with our #wavy101 series so subscribe! While this one is a tad riqsue, it’d be easy to add black or green leggings!
#10 Unicorn
Another mystical creature, a unicorn works for all wavies and curly hair because…..finding the perfect routine? THAT is a unicorn. Okay, the puns are done. A unicorn costume is fun to match with a special kiddo in your life.
This is another DIY: once you have a unicorn headband, basically any outfit works. Go for lots of white with multicolor elements.
Final Thoughts
You can do whatever you want, and your waves can be beautiful with ANY costume. Truly. This list was one where I think natural waves would enhance the costume rather than worrying about the hair “working.” Hopefully that makes sense. Let us know what you plan to do for Halloween, and/or what costume ideas I missed!
