Literary Halloween Costumes for English Teachers

English teachers can bring lessons to life this Halloween with literary costumes! Dressing as an author or book character this Halloween might be easier than you think. Many great literary looks can be created with clothes you already have in your closet, and a quick raid of your kids’ toy box might be all you need for the perfect finishing touch.

When choosing your literary costume, start with what your students already know and love. Think about the authors and characters your classes have read this year. Who sparked the most excitement or disgust? Those memorable figures make the best costumes! 

Author Halloween Costume Ideas

Emily Dickinson 

Pull your hair back into a tight, low bun, wear a dark dress, and add a ribbon around your neck for Emily Dickinson. A serious facial expression also helps.

Sandra Cisneros 

For a contemporary author, Sandra Cisneros is easy to capture. Wear a black t-shirt, jeans, and turquoise jewelry. A big temporary tattoo on your left bicep would complete the look. 

Shirley Jackson

Skip your contacts and wear your glasses to recreate Shirley Jackson. A dark shirt and suit jacket and frizzy hair pull the look together.

Jane Austen

Jane Austen may be harder to pull off with what’s in your wardrobe. You’ll need a simple dress and a bonnet for her look. 

Edgar Allan Poe

To pull off Edgar Allan Poe, wear a dark jacket, a white scarf, and an unimpressed expression. If you don’t have a fake mustache handy, draw one on with eyeliner. Consider a raven accessory if your students have read "The Raven."

Agatha Christie

If you have a pearl necklace, Agatha Christie would be an easy costume. Wear a dark dress, a string of pearls, and pull your hair into an updo.

Character Halloween Costume Ideas

Lennie Small (Of Mice and Men)

All you need to pull off Lennie is a button down shirt and a pair of overalls. If you can find a little stuffed rabbit to carry, students will know exactly who you are. 

Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games Series)

Katniss’s hunting outfit is easy to mimic. Wear browns or blacks, and braid your hair. A toy bow or quiver can complete the look. 

Scout Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird)

To become Scout Finch, all you need is a white shirt and overalls. If you’re braver than me, you could even go barefoot at school. Put a piece of chewing gum in your bib pocket and see if students can link it to the novel.

Hamlet (The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark)

All you need to pull off Hamlet is dark clothing and a skull prop, which is easy to find before Halloween. If you have a cloak, definitely add it to the look, but it isn't necessary.

Harry Potter (Harry Potter Series)

Harry, or any of the main characters in the series, can be done simply by adding a Gryffindor tie to a white dress shirt. The Gryffindor colors are easily recognizable. For Harry, wear a pair of round glasses and draw a lightning bolt on your forehead. For Hermione, wear your hair down, and tease it. If you’re a redhead, you have to be Ron!

Holden Caulfield (The Catcher in the Rye)

To dress as Holden, throw a winter jacket and scarf over a button down shirt. A trapper hat is a must. A pack of candy cigarettes is tempting, but it would be best to leave them at home.

Hester Prynne (The Scarlet Letter)

A long, modest dress would be appropriate for Hester. Cut a large A out of red felt, and pin it to your chest. Hester is another character your students will guess right every single time. 

Dig through your closet. Create a literary Halloween costume you can pull off with what you already own. Connect the literary look to your class content, and create a Halloween for your students to remember.

If you want to have even more fun, challenge your students to create their own author or character Halloween costumes too. Dressing up on Halloween is fun for everyone.