Old Lady and Old Man Costume
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Dressing like you’re 100 years old is the most popular costume for the 100th day of school, and it’s become a favorite for spirit week and senior-themed parties too. It’s cheap, it’s funny, and kids love getting to shuffle around with a cane for a day. Most of it comes from a grandparent’s closet or a thrift store.
What Makes It Work
Gray hair is the biggest piece. Temporary gray or white hair spray works great and washes out; a gray wig or a bun pinned with a hairnet works too. A little eyeliner drawn as gentle wrinkles at the eyes and forehead adds age.
For the Old Lady, a cardigan over a floral dress or a blouse and long skirt, a shawl, pearls, glasses on a beaded chain and a small handbag. For the Old Man, a sweater vest or cardigan over a button-down, suspenders, pants pulled up high, a flat cap or bow tie and glasses.
Props finish it. A cane or a walker made from a pool noodle and tape, slippers or orthopedic-looking shoes, a hearing aid made from a pipe cleaner, and a newspaper or knitting.
What People Get Wrong
Overdoing the makeup on kids. A few soft lines and gray hair read just fine; heavy wrinkles get smudged all day. The other miss is forgetting the props. Without the cane and glasses, it can look like a regular cardigan day.
Buy It or Build It?
Old lady and old man kits with a wig, glasses and cane run $15 to $30. If you have a cardigan, gray hair spray and a dollar-store cane cost under $10, and thrift stores are full of the rest.
Where to Buy
| Retailer | What they carry | |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Costume kits, wigs and accessories | Shop on Amazon |
FAQ
How do I dress my child like they're 100 years old?
Gray hair spray, glasses, a cardigan or sweater vest, a cane and slippers. Add a shawl and pearls for a girl or suspenders and a cap for a boy.
How do I make gray hair for a costume?
Use temporary gray or white hair spray, or dust baby powder into dry hair. Both wash out.
How do I draw wrinkles for a 100th day costume?
Use a brown eyeliner pencil to draw a few soft lines at the corners of the eyes, across the forehead and from the nose to the mouth. Smudge lightly with a finger.
Is the old lady costume good for a group?
Yes. A whole class of 100-year-olds makes a great photo, and so does a couple dressed as Grandma and Grandpa.
Next up: Caveman 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.