One of my all time favorite costumes is this Cindy Lou Who Costume that one of my girls wore when she was in elementary school! She looked adorable and we got a ton of compliments on it! It is also easy to put together at home!
Table of Contents
How to Make a Cindy Lou Who Costume
The Cindy Lou Who Hairstyle
The key to the Cindy Lou Who costume is the hair….her hair do is so unique! You can try to fix your daughter's hair yourself and I actually did contemplate it…but my daughter had very fine hair that was barely shoulder length and there was no way it would have worked. There is a great tutorial over at Mom Always Finds Out that shows you step by step how to do this hairstyle yourself…if you are game!
Since I couldn't fix my daughter's hair like this….I bought a wig. I was truly SHOCKED that such a wig even existed, but very glad it did! The wig was totally worth the money to me and saved me a lot of hours and hairpulling! The wig is very realistic looking too! So, so cute…
I also found a darling Cindy Lou Who Handmade Hat that would also work and would be great for really cold areas!
Once you figure out how you are going to do the Cindy Lou Who Hairstyle…you need to move on to the outfit!
The Cindy Lou Who Outfit
When I was deciding what my daughter needed for this costume I searched online for pictures of Cindy Lou Who from the movie. Most of the pictures show her wearing a red cape type jacket. There are some where she is wearing a grey button up type coat. It is hard to see what is under the red cape, but it appears to be a black and white plaid type dress.
I found the red cape my daughter is wearing at a thrift store for about 2 dollars. It was perfect for this costume. I didn't really worry too much about what she wore under it. I found a red nighgown and it worked fine. Here is a picture of the nightgown she wore…sorry about the picture quality! This was pre-blogging, LOL! She is at our Halloween party and is getting ready to hit the pinata!!
If you aren't able to locate the items you need you can always buy a costume off of Etsy! There is a really cute Cindy Lou Who Costume on Etsy that includes the wig!
I bought some red and white striped tights and she wore her silver boots to finish it off!
The Cindy Lou Who Face
I didn't do a lot of makeup for my daughter, but did a little bit. I think putting some blush on for the rosy cheek effect is important. It is hard to see in the picture, but she also has some silver sparkly eye shadow on and a little color on her nose too!
I think you can do a lot or a little in this area and it will also depend on the age of the child. It is sometimes not worth putting makeup on really young children!
What is Your Favorite Halloween Costume?
I think the Cindy Lou Who Costume is just adorable and pretty easy to pull off! Have you ever considered a costume from The Grinch?
Be sure to check out my other fun Halloween posts!
- Easy Delicious Cajun Ham and Beans Slow Cooker Recipe - April 22, 2024
- Free Printable Graduation Coloring Pages for Kids - April 22, 2024
- Super Easy Buffalo Chicken Wraps Recipe (Healthy!) - April 15, 2024
Jen K says
This costume is super cute! My son dressed up as the Grinch for a school parade. I just love this book/movie!
Jamie says
I bet he was adorable!
Heather aka HoJo says
I had a student do her hair like this for crazy hair day at school. It was ADORABLE! She used a 2 liter bottle and also use some type of wire. I guess her dad helped her do it, which was incredibly neat. Thanks for sharing this post! If I ever have a little girl, I think this would be a great costume! (and maybe my son would go as the grinch!! 😉
Jamie says
That would be a great combo!
Karin Rambo says
That is so adorable! I’m saving this post for when my daughter get’s older. 🙂 You have a lovely site design as well!
Jamie says
Thanks Karin!
Margo says
She is absolutely adorable! What a beautiful smile 🙂
I agree 100%- buying a wig is the way to go for just about any costume… spending an hour on a hairdo may seem like fun to mom….but chances are pretty good that the ‘hairdo-ee’ is going to be feeling pretty exasperated and frustrated with the process!
Cute idea! ….and, I think the only costume I would think of from the show is the dog…one antler tied to the head… 🙂
Jamie says
I totally agree about the wig! It is hard to keep little ones still long enough to pull this do off!
Jessica Young says
What a cheeky little angel! She is so adorable and what a great job on putting this together!!
Kristin says
This is so cute! The Grinch is my FAVORITE Christmas movie so I’d definitely dress my daughter up like this one day.
A. Blake says
This is just too adorable. I remember when my sons were young and dressing up with them for Halloween was fun…those days are now gone forever!
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy says
She is the most adorable Cindy Lou Who ever! And the thrift store is definitely your friend for DIYing costumes. My kids can’t quite make up their minds what they want to be for Halloween yet.
Jamie says
Thanks…I try to start my kids thinking early before the good stuff is gone!!
Brian Mulipah (@BrianMulipah) says
aaaaaaaah Sweet. So adorable. It sure looks pretty, but not so easy to pull off. I will definitely need some help here.
future.flying.saucers says
How sweet!! The first thought I had when I saw your image was, HOW did she do the hair??? Ah ha! Wig! Great idea. LOL We haven’t had costumes needing wigs yet, so we’ll see what my kids come up with for this season….
Beth Green ~ A Disney Mom's Thoughts says
haha! As a mom to three boys, I don’t think I’ll ever need a Cindy Lou Who costume, but a Grinch one would be so fun! These are great ideas for costumes in general- thrifting, recycling and using what you have!
Jamie says
You are off the hook for Cindy Lou Who Hair, LOL! The Grinch would be fun…especially in a cold weather area!
Keelie Reason says
I love this cute costume. I dressed like Martha Maywho a few years ago. It is so much fun to have who hair! She looks awesome.
Jamie says
I bet you looked great! Would love to see a picture of your costume!
rads says
Super cute! and so perfect in time for the season too!
thecrunchymommy says
NAILED IT!!! She’s so cute and she looks just like Cindy Lou!!! Great job!
Jamie says
Thanks so much!
Sarah@TheOrthodoxMama says
Very cute! We also prefer to do silly, fun costumes for our children as opposed to scary ones. This is a great one!
Jamie says
Thanks Sarah! My girls have never wanted to be scary…lucky for me!
angelabrowerhobbs says
Adorable! The Cindy Loo hairstyle is iconic isn’t it? For some reason, I picture her holding a Christmas tree ornament. Or maybe it was the cup that the Grinch gave her after she caught him stuffing the tree up the chimney. This is a cute idea for Halloween! My kids are already talking about Christmas!
Jamie says
My daughter still loves the movie and we watch it year round, lol!
rosadoodle says
What a cute costume and your daughter looks so happy! I use to love Halloween when my kids were younger, we would have so much fun bringing their ideas to life!
Jamie says
It is such a fun holiday with kids!
dawn says
Oh that is too cute! I never thought of using the Grinch as inspiration for a costume, but now you have me thinking!
TravelingWellForLess (@TravelWell4Less) says
Super cute idea. If one of my nieces ever needs a costume, this would be adorable. I have boys and with the exception of one year when my oldest dressed as a mad scientist, they just wore their baseball uniforms.
Jamie says
Well, that definitely makes it easy!! Boys typically are easier for Halloween!!
Camesha | Mama Motivator says
That is the cutest little costume! I love the hair. I can’t believe that Halloween is around the corner.
Jamie says
Yes…it sneaks up on me every year, lol!
Not for Sissies says
Thank you for sharing this creative costume idea. You daughter looks adorable. I love her hair!
Jamie says
Thanks Ciara!
onemoretimeevents says
Your costumes are just amazing…so cute.
Jamie says
Thanks so much! So fun to make!!
Nelly says
Thank you for the adorable idea and the way to make it. My god daughter will love it.
Estrella says
Adorable! The wig makes the whole look come together.
Jamie says
Thanks…I agree…the hair is where it’s at!
swood97 says
Your daughter is just adorable! Love the Cindy Lou Who costume! It is always nice to see pleasant children’s costumes without all the scary stuff and homemade is always better!
Rena McDaniel says
What an adorable out fit and I’m sure it could double as a Christmas outfit with some minor alterations. I loved this.
Pierced Wonderings says
How adorable!! What a great costume you created for her!
Gina says
This is adorable! We’ve called my daughter Avery Lou Who after Cindy Lou Who since she was little. I love this idea. 🙂
Jamie says
What a cute nickname!
Vasantha Vivek says
Adorable costume…. Cute little angel ….
Anne Campbell says
This is a completely adorable costume–and the hairdo is awesome!
Aimee says
Wow, that is pretty awesome! We are super low-key about costumes. My boys just wear whatever sports jerseys they have available, and the girls wear whatever princess dress up gowns they have in their dress up bin. Way to go creating a unique, elaborate costume that I’m sure your daughter loved:)
Helen says
How cute! It’s great to pick things up in charity shops and thrift stores…I sometimes forget to do this, and it can be so more cost effective!
Be Gracefully Inspired says
So adorable! What a fun and creative costume!
tara8910 says
This is adorable! i love costumes. This would be cute for Christmas too…
LizZ H. says
OMG….This is insanely beyond AWESOME!! I love it 😀
Michelle says
That costume is adorable. I love homemade costumes, too! I have all boys so this one won’t work for me, but I would definitely make it if I had a girl.
Cole says
Super adorable! I tried to do my daughter’s hair like Cindy Lou for a Christmas party but I failed!
Jamie says
Not an easy do to pull off!
Macy says
That is adorable!! I usually make my own halloween costumes and I can’t figure out what to be this year…but this is such a cute idea! Maybe I can talk my husband into being the grinch 😉
Jamie says
That would so a great couple costume idea!!
Kelly Canfield says
How utterly adorable! Who knew there was a wig for Cindy Lou Who!
Stephanie (@CMTSBlog) says
SOOOOO cute!!!!! What a great memory for your little girl!
charmedmom says
I love the hair! What an intricate costume, sometimes it is not really how the costume looks like but the labor of love behind it! Great job!
Stephanie says
How cute! I definitely prefer putting together outfits from things we have or can find cheap rather than buying an expensive, already done costume. Such a cute idea!
Melody Maynard says
This is so cute! I always loved dressing up as Raggedy Ann, personally 🙂
Andie says
Love the movie, and love the costume! I’ve never considered a grinch-y costume but this does merge two of my favorite two holidays. Definite food for thought!
Rebekah @ Surviving Toddlerrhood says
How cute! We don’t do Halloween but my boys do love to dress up! Obviously I won’t be doing Cindy Lou Who on them but I can keep it in mind if we ever have a girl. 🙂
Lisa @ Fun Money Mom says
This is so adorable!!! My youngest would look so cute in this costume…glad I found your post! Visiting from The Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party
Jamie says
Thanks Lisa…would love to see a picture if you decide to dress her up as Cindy Lou Who!