Elf Costume Ideas for Halloween and Christmas

Elves are mythical creatures who are believed to assist Santa Claus in getting toys to all the children of the world every year. The colorful costumes that elves wear are useful not only for Christmas, but also for Halloween. They're perfect for children, who are just the right size to pass as elves. However, adults can also wear elf costumes, too. You can get inspiration for your elf costume by looking at the 2003 movie "Elf" starring Will Ferrell. You can also get a lot of ideas for your elf costume by looking at other movies, as well as Christmas pictures throughout history.

Traditional Elf Costume

Find a long sleeved coat, either in green or red. Also find some green or red tights, leggings or pants. The leggings or tights can have horizontal stripes. Add an elf cap, a pair of mittens or gloves and a pair of elf shoes in red or green. You could also use a red Santa Claus hat with your elf costume if you like. Get a cheap pair of latex elf ears. Put on a black belt with a belt buckle over the elf coat.

Buddy the Elf Costume for Boys and Men

To make Buddy's costume from the movie "Elf," you'll need a long green coat that comes down to your knees. Trim the front of the coat so that each side tapers gradually toward the back. Sew some matching trim onto the closure and the hem of the elf coat. Use gold fabric paint to create a decoration of ivy, flowers and holly along the closure and hem of the coat. Attach a white faux fur collar and cuffs to the coat. Make a conical hat from green felt and add a yellow band and a red feather. Get some yellow tights and black elf shoes with a pointed toe. Then put on a thick black belt with a large square gold-toned belt buckle.

Jovie the Elf Costume for Girls and Women

To make the red and green elf costume that Jovie wore at Gimbels, you will need a long sleeved green blouse and a red minidress with a low neckline. Sew some red and gold trim on the neckline and sleeves of the blouse. Put the red minidress over the top of the green blouse. Attach jingle bells to the hem of the skirt at intervals. Wear white panty hose and tall brown boots. Find a soft green elf cap. Attach gold trim to the base of the cap and a large jingle bell to the point at the top. Put on a wide green belt. If your hair doesn't look like Jovie's, put on a short blond wig.

To make Jovie's pink elf costume, find a pink long sleeved dress or blouse and skirt. Attach white faux fur to the ends of the sleeves and to the neckline and the hem of the skirt. Attach some silver trim to a sheer slip or petticoat and wear it under the pink dress. Add red tights, red elf shoes, a conical pink elf cap with a red band and a red belt to make the Jovie elf costume complete.

For more ideas on this topic, read Lord of the Rings Halloween Costume Ideas and Homemade Fairy Halloween Costumes and Accessories.