How to Look like Raggedy Ann for Halloween

After speaking with a co-worker who dressed up as Raggedy Ann last year, she described to me that there are several necessities for creating the quintessential costume and likeliness. By following these instructions, each person trying to obtain "the look" will find absolute success and will become a red-headed legend.

The first item of importance is that you have a clean pair of white tube socks. Once you have located the proper hosiery, you must decorate the tube socks to the desired design with the use of red fabric paint. Take the fabric paint and design horizontal red stripes on them. Once that is completed, hoist the socks up your leg as high as they will go and then you are well on your way to being "dolled up" properly. If you were lucky enough to find white tube socks with red stripes already existing, then you are able to forgo the first step.

The second item that is of importance for the Raggedy Ann costume is that you need to purchase a white elastic bonnet. From there, you acquire some red yarn and have the red yarn sewn directly into the bonnet. This will give the appearance of the vibrant red frock of hair that Raggedy Ann is know for. The elastic is of great importance in that you do not want Raggedy Ann's head of hair shifting around on your head as you greet trick-or-treaters or anyone else for that matter.

You then need to purchase eyeliner for decorative purposes. The sole reason for using the eyeliner is to overemphasize Raggedy Ann's freckles on her face. You have to honor the pastime, you don't want too many or too few, otherwise you've potentially missed the mark.

A white apron is another essential for the look. You''ll want an ordinary plain apron with no unique markings. Also you will want to locate a blue and red flowered shirt. I realize that the shirt may not be easy to come by and is not currently any fashion designer's jaw-dropping "what's next" creation so you may have to get creative. You may have to scour bargain bins or find a used shirt as they may be outdated. Thrift stores may be a genuine option. Round the look out with a pair of black boots and you now can call yourself Raggedy Ann.

As a side note, you may want to carry a Raggedy Ann doll around with you for reference. If your costume looks good and you have the doll with you, even those not familiar with Raggedy Ann will know you've got the look down pat.