Wizard of Oz Costumes

The group costume everyone recognises

Four travelling companions, all completely different from each other, all instantly identifiable. This is one of the strongest group themes available for families, classes and workplaces, and it has the advantage that nobody has to explain it.

Dorothy

Blue gingham, plaited hair and red shoes. The shoes are what complete it — the dress alone reads as a gingham dress, and the ruby slippers make it Dorothy. A small basket finishes it entirely.

The companions

The Scarecrow is the most comfortable of the three, being essentially clothes with straw detailing. The Tin Man relies on silver face makeup as much as the costume — the outfit without the face does not read. The Lion is the warmest, being a full furred suit with a mane.

Book Week

Baum's book long predates the film, which makes this a dependable choice where a book connection is required. The film imagery is what everyone pictures, and that is generally accepted.

The witches

Both witches are strong standalone costumes. The green face makeup on the Wicked Witch does more work than any other element and is the detail worth getting right.

Comfort

Dorothy and the Scarecrow are the cool options. The Lion and the Tin Man both hold heat, which is worth planning around for a warm day.