17 Book Halloween Costumes: Characters, Writers & More

Halloween is a perfect time to showcase your love for literature: ghost stories, science fiction, Gothic villains and more!

Whether you want to dress up as a beloved character, an iconic author, or bring a book theme to life, these book Halloween costumes aim to inspire readers and non-readers alike.

Here are 20 ideas that span characters, writers, and book-inspired looks for your Halloween fun!

We’ll also be playing my favourite Halloween game: does a sexy version of this costume exist?

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1. Sherlock Holmes

The famous detective from Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is timeless. Wear a classic trench coat, deerstalker hat, and carry a magnifying glass. Don’t forget the iconic pipe for an authentic look!

DIY Sherlock Holmes costume

But can you make it sexy?

I’m actually quite impressed by this women’s version. It’s not over-the-top “Halloween sexy” but it’s a fun spin on the outfit:

2. Harry Potter

Harry Potter offers endless possibilities, from the boy wizard himself to other characters like Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, or even Dumbledore.

DIY Hermione Granger costume

Honestly, I’ve been amazed by the range of Harry Potter Halloween costumes out there: Beaubaton robes, Quidditch uniform, sorting hat… I may have to write a whole new post! (In the meantime, here are 52 DIY Harry Potter costume ideas that are Siriusly creative.)

Bonus couples costume idea: how cute would Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore be? Or Filch and Mrs Norris!

But can you make it sexy?

Personally, the sexy schoolgirl thing gives me the ick, but if that’s your fantasy, no judgement here:

Or… sexy Dobby costume, anyone?

3. Katniss Everdeen

Become the fierce heroine from The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. Wear a black outfit, braid your hair like Katniss, and carry a toy bow and arrow for the ultimate rebel look.

DIY Katniss Everdeen costume

But can you make it sexy?

Surprisingly, no! I couldn’t find a wildly inappropriately sexy version of of a Katniss Everdeen Halloween costume. However, this suit from Catching Fire deserves an honorable mention:

4. The Mad Hatter

From Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, the Mad Hatter is a whimsical choice. Find a large, quirky hat, colorful mismatched clothing, and add some eccentric makeup to capture the character’s chaotic energy.

DIY Mad Hatter costume

There are so many Alice in Wonderland book Halloween costumes you could choose as alternatives: Alice herself, the Cheshire cat, the Queen of Hearts, the White Rabbit… pretty much every character is iconic. (Here are a 20 examples of DIY Alice in Wonderland costume ideas if you’re feeling crafty.)

But can you make it sexy?

Yes, definitely. To the point where I’m not sure if this is meant to be sexy air stewardess, sexy Butlin’s redcoat, or something else entirely… she’s versatile:

5. The Great Gatsby’s Daisy Buchanan

For a glamorous 1920s look, channel Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Wear a flapper dress, pearls, and finger waves in your hair. A bit of glitz and sparkle will complete this elegant costume.

DIY Daisy Buchanan costume

I guess the risk with this one is that it’s a generic 1920s flapper look, so it doesn’t necessarily come across as a book Halloween costume.

But can you make it sexy?

Already sexy imo.

6. Holden Caulfield

Capture the rebellious spirit of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger by dressing up as Holden Caulfield. Throw on a red hunting cap, a jacket, and some worn-out jeans for an easy yet recognizable literary look.

DIY Holden Caulfield costume

But can you make it sexy?

Depends how much you wear aside from the hat.

7. Dracula

Bram Stoker’s Dracula is the quintessential vampire. Wear a black cape, formal suit, and slicked-back hair. Add some fake fangs and pale makeup for a spooky and classic costume.

DIY Dracula costume

But can you make it sexy?

This one, for sure. What’s a Halloween party without a sexy vampire?

8. Miss Trunchbull

My next book Halloween costume suggestion was going to be Roald Dahl’s beloved bookworm, Matilda. But then I came across this Miss Trunchbull costume and could not resist! She’s the perfect villain.

DIY Miss Trunchbull costume

You could even throw in a 1972 Olympics sweater and a hammer/ball and chain from a prison Halloween outfit as props!

Bonus couples costume idea: Miss Trunchbull and Bruce Bogtrotter with a face smeared with chocolate cake!

But can you make it sexy?

Someone out there must have a Miss Trunchbull fantasy. Make it happen.

9. Frankenstein’s Monster… or his creator

Become Mary Shelley’s gothic creation by transforming into Frankenstein’s Monster. This is very easy to DIY: use makeup to create scars and greenish skin. Add some torn, old clothes and bolts on your neck for a truly creepy vibe.

DIY Frankenstein’s monster

Personally, I’d love to see a Mary Shelley costume. Her life was more Halloween than her fiction: had sex on a gravestone, lost her husband in a storm, and was family friend of murderer Aaron Burr (the guy who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel), to name but a few fun facts.

But can you make it sexy?

Why not? All you need is a large amount of green body paint.

10. Waldo

From Where’s Waldo? (or Where’s Wally if you’re a Brit) by Martin Handford, this costume is instantly recognizable. All you need is a red-and-white striped shirt, a matching beanie, round glasses, and blue jeans.

DIY Where’s Waldo/Wenda costume

But can you make it sexy?

Looks like Wenda’s dressed a little less conservatively than in the books:

11. Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web

Bring this clever spider from E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web to life with a black bodysuit and spider legs. Again, this could just be a generic spider costume, but you can add a literary nod by carrying a web made from string or yarn and wearing a sign that says “Some Pig.”

DIY Charlotte’s Web costume

But can you make it sexy?

What else are fishnets for?

12. The Little Prince

For a nostalgic yet whimsical costume, dress as The Little Prince from the beloved book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I struggled to find an adult costume The Little Prince, especially as many were generic prince costumes or Prince Charming costumes.

DIY Little Prince costume

Instead, you could wear a light-colored tunic, a scarf, and add some touches of stars and planets to your look.

But can you make it sexy?

I haven’t found anything, thank goodness.

13. The Scarlet Letter’s Hester Prynne

For a historical and literary costume, dress up as Hester Prynne from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. Wear a Puritan-style dress and a large red “A” sewn onto your clothing to represent her crime of adultery.

DIY Hester Prynne Scarlet Letter costume

But can you make it sexy?

Sexy pilgrim costumes are harder to find than I thought they would be! Instead, I found this, which is somewhere between sexy pilgrim, The Handmaid’s Tale (which would be another great book Halloween costume idea), French maid, and Oktoberfest:

14. Nancy Drew

For a classic sleuth look, dress up as Nancy Drew from the mystery series by Carolyn Keene. Wear a vintage dress, headband, and carry a magnifying glass. A trench coat adds an extra detective flair, but the wig is going to be what makes it.

DIY Nancy Drew costume

But can you make it sexy?

Maybe I’ve been Googling “sexy Halloween costume” too many times, but this actually looks kind of sexy to me:

15. Miss Havisham

Bring to life this haunting character from Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations. Wear an old, tattered wedding dress, veil, and smear some makeup to create a ghostly, abandoned bride look.

DIY Miss Havisham costume

But can you make it sexy?

Can you make creepy abandoned bride sexy? Why yes you can. Miss Havisham would be appalled:

16. The White Witch

C.S. Lewis’s villain from The Chronicles of Narnia makes for a chilling costume. Wear a long white dress, a crown of ice, and add glittery, frosty makeup for the icy queen’s enchanted appearance. Keep a box of Turkish Delight on hand and keep it offering to people.

DIY White Witch costume

But can you make it sexy?

Not the same thing, but you could wear as little as you like under this cloak…

17. Edgar Allan Poe

Channel the master of macabre himself. Dress in Victorian attire with a black coat and tie. Add a raven prop or even write “Nevermore” on a sign to embody the famous poet and writer.

DIY Edgar Allan Poe costume

But can you make it sexy?

I mean, look at that moustache – how can you make Poe sexier?

Bonus couples costume idea: Edgar Allan Poe and the Raven…

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More Book Halloween Costumes

Whether you’re a fan of classic novels, children’s stories, or iconic authors, there’s a literary Halloween costume for everyone. I hope these book-inspired costumes have helped you come up with some ideas.

For more bookish Halloween ideas, discover these 13 Spooky Halloween Books for Adults to Read This October, which are sure to give you spine a tingle, even on the chilliest of fall nights!

13 Spooky Halloween Books for Adults to Read This October

Happy Halloween and happy reading!

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