10 Easy Costumes Inspired by Your Favorite Literary Characters

Are you in a Halloween costume rut? Does it seem like you've searched far and wide for some sort of inspiration for a getup to wear October 31? Well, we've hit on a solution that's sure to spur an endless stream of costume ideas: your bookshelf (yes, we're serious). Some of the best dress-up ideas can be plucked straight from the pages of some of your favorite novels.

Do you own every book in the Harry Potter series? Show your love of the wizarding world by dressing up as Hermione Granger (or Harry Potter, of course). Want to go back to some of your classic childhood reads? We suggest dressing up as one of the most stylish villains, Cruella de Vil from The Hundred and One Dalmatians.

Regardless of which character you choose as your main source of inspiration, a literary-inspired Halloween costume is a smart, easy, and conversation-starting choice. To help get your wheels turning, we rounded up 10 iconic literary characters to dress up as on October 31. Ready to see our favorites?

Cruella de Vil from The Hundred and One Dalmatians

Cruella de Vil is sultry, mysterious, and more than a little sassy… She's my kind of woman. Plus, I will take any excuse to wear a fun wig.

1. Sleek black dress

2. Faux-fur jacket

3. Long red gloves

Pippi from Pippi Longstocking

This costume can easily be pulled together from items likely already sitting in your closet. Old school is cool again, making it time for Pippi to make a comeback. 

1. Red-and-white shirt

2. Overalls

Missandei from Game of Thrones

Missandei is not only one of the most popular characters in Game of Thrones, but she also has the best looks in the show. Channel her simple, elegant style this Halloween with a long dress and choker necklace.

1. Long dress

2. Choker necklace

Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby

Honestly, give me any reason to dress up as a flapper and I'm there. I'm still certain I was born in the wrong decade but this is as close as I'm going to get to the '20s.

1. Fringe flapper dress

2. Feather headpiece

Nancy Drew from Nancy Drew Mysteries

This costume is slightly more subtle in nature and may be a mystery to determine what you're dressed as. Nancy Drew wouldn't have it any other way.

1. Yellow sweater

2. Checked skirt

3. Cardigan

4. Loafers

Starr Carter from The Hate U Give

In the movie The Hate U Give (based on the novel by Angie Thomas), Amandla Stenberg plays Starr Carter, the teenage prep school kid turned activist. 

1. Button-down shirt

2. Vest

Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice

Period pieces are always a classic choice for Halloween. Maybe you'll find your Darcy.

1. White poplin shirt

2. Flowy linen dress

3. Lace-up boots

Hermione Granger from Harry Potter

Hermione is honestly the OG girl boss. She really did it all. Besides, what costume could be more appropriate than a witch for Halloween?

1. V-neck sweater

2. Gray skirt

3. White blouse

4. Maroon-and-gold tie

5. Black cape

Madeline from Madeline

This brings back childhood memories in the best way possible.

1. Blue dress

2. Yellow hat

3. Red necktie

4. White knee-high socks

5. Black flats

The White Witch from The Chronicles of Narnia

The White Witch was GLAM. Slow clap for her icy-chic style.

1. Silver dress

2. Oversize faux-fur coat

Next up, check out these eight movie-inspired Halloween costumes.

This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated by Aleksija Vujicic.