How to be Olivia The Pig DIY Book Character Costume
This DIY Olivia the Pig Costume is perfect for teachers looking for an easy book character costume to use on Halloween or March is Reading Month. Simply grab your favorite Olivia book and add dress, ears, and tights! Read on for instructions and links.
Use these three easy steps to create your own Olivia costume! This super cute Olivia the Pig costume is one you can use over and over again.
Not only is Olivia the pig a super cute Halloween costume, it can also be your go-to March is Reading Month character costume too.
Want your own Olivia costume? Here’s all you need to do:
*The original dress was purchased from Modcloth, but is out of stock. However, you can find many similar items at Amazon.
You can find all the Olivia items in one click at the Teacher Halloween Costume list at the Super Teacher Amazon recommendations page.
The images in this post are linked (affiliate links) directly to the Amazon products shown.
Olivia Costume Step 1: The Dress
You can always buy a red dress and a Peter Pan collar, but there are some options that have all you need in one.
Although the Modcloth version has been out of stock for years, there are lots of other no-sew options.
This Aphratti Peter Pan Collar dress requires zero work. Just add your ears, tights and accesories!
Amazon also has a number of other choices if you want something long sleeved, a longer skirt, or just something little different.
If you’re not a dress fan, you could always snag one of these striped shirts, make the ears in step #2, and be Olivia’s brother Ian.
This simple Ian the pig costume would also give you a reason to wear stretchy black pants or even (gasp!) jeans as part of the ensemble.
Olivia Costume Step 2: The Ears
You can always use the free construction paper in the work room if you’re in a time crunch, but if you plan ahead and use fun foam your Olivia ears can last for at least a few Halloween parties.
All you need is:
- A black headband (mine was 1 inch and covered with black fabric)
- Two pieces of medium thick fun foam (not the thinnest one)
- A glue gun
Cut out two football shapes (one end pointed, one end flat) in the fun foam and do some folding until the ears look like you want. Then glue.
Don’t want to deal with fun foam and hot glue?
There are lots of options on Amazon. Some come with snouts, tails, and even fur!
Olivia Costume Step 3: The Tights
It’s not as easy as one would think to find appropriately fitting black & white striped tights! There is no such thing as ONE size fits all.
If you’re taller than 5’2″ and don’t want to waddle around all day, try these black & white striped tights from Amazon.
Now accessorize with:
- Mary Janes
- Your favorite Olivia book
- Olivia stuffed animal
You’re all set! Years and years of Halloweens and March is Reading Months are covered!
If you want links to everything in one spot, head over the Teacher Halloween Costume list at the Super Teacher Amazon recommendations page.
Need more book character costume inspiration?
If you want to make book character Halloween costumes a team affair, check out my darling teammates in their book character garb.
Have a fab day and happy costume-ing Super Teacher,
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You look adorable! I'm sure your students loved your outfit 🙂
Mrs.
Christy’s Leaping Loopers
You could also wear this as Annie!
Super cute!!
You look adorable!!! So thankful for great teachers like you!!!!
Thank you for the post and links! I’ve just ordered my own Olivia dress & tights.
You all look adorable. 🙂
So happy you like it Andrea! That dress went on SUPER Sale at Modcloth a few weeks ago. It’s a steal of a deal right now! 🙂 If you post pics make sure you send them to me or tag me @iwanttobeasuperteacher. I LOVE all the cute Olivia outfits come Halloween and March is reading month!
If you don’t mind me asking, what size are you wearing? Or can you tell me if it’s true to size, runs small, etc. Loving this for book character day and want to order the right size. Thanks!
Hi Amanda. No problem! The dress I got is a size medium. I’m 5’2″ and 125ish on a good day. 🙂 I would say true to size. One thing about Modcloth dresses in general is they tend to be short. This works OK for me, because I’m short too, but it can be an issue. I did notice, last time I looked that they were out of the larges. I’m so sad these seem to be going out of stock!