Owl Costume
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Owls have stood for wisdom since ancient Greece, when the owl was the symbol of Athena. It’s a sweet, cozy costume that works great for book week, and it’s one of the best costumes for people who wear glasses, since the big round eyes are part of the look.
What Makes It Work
Start with a brown, tan or gray sweater or hoodie. Glue or pin rows of felt feather shapes in overlapping layers down the front, light colors at the chest and darker on the shoulders.
The face is the signature. Use a headband with two small pointed ear tufts, and do big round eye makeup with brown and gold shadow around the eyes. If you wear glasses, the frames become the owl eyes.
Add wings, either a cape cut into a feather edge or felt wings attached to the sleeves. A stack of books or reading glasses makes it a wise owl.
What People Get Wrong
Feathers glued in straight lines instead of overlapping rows. It looks flat. Layer them like shingles. The other miss is skipping the ear tufts, which turns it into a generic bird.
Buy It or Build It?
Owl costumes run $25 to $45. An ear headband and wing set is $15 to $25, and you can make the felt feathers for a few dollars.
Where to Buy
| Retailer | What they carry | |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Costume kits, wigs and accessories | Shop on Amazon |
FAQ
How do I make an owl costume?
Pin overlapping rows of felt feathers to a brown sweater, wear an ear tuft headband, add wings and do big round eye makeup.
Is an owl a good book week costume?
It’s one of the best. Add books and reading glasses for a wise owl.
Can I wear my glasses with an owl costume?
Yes. They make the big owl eyes look even better.
What's a good owl family costume?
A mama owl and baby owls in matching colors, or owls with a tree.
Next up: Alien Costume
See Also
Free: The Last-Minute Costume Cheat Sheet
Ten costumes you can make tonight, mostly from your own closet. One page, printable, plus a short email before each costume season. No spam.