Mary is a common female name that is taken from Latin, Greek and Hebrew variations of the name and means “star of the sea” or “wished for child”. Mary, in the English form, has been used since the 12th century and has over 100 derivative forms including Maria, Miriam and Mia. There are many historical and current day famous folks with the given name Mary as well as plenty of characters from film, television, music and literature. Whatever your real name, dressing up in a Mary costume is a fun way to take on another personality for the day.
Mary is woman in the bible who was the sister of Moses, wife of Joseph and mother of Jesus as well as the name of several other females described in the Old Testament of the Bible. Christians refer to this Mary as the Virgin Mary for her immaculate conception of the Jesus, whom they believe to be the son of God. To dress in a Mary costume from the bible, a simple floor length tunic tied at the waist with a cord layered with a bright blue hooded robe or shawl is the blessed look. A Mary costume is well-suited to be accessorized with a pair of simple leather sandals, a long brown wig and a baby doll swaddled in a blanket.
One Mary costume to consider is based in history. Mary has been a name associated with many females in royalty such as Queen Mary the First of England. This fierce female ruler in the 16th century was known for her religious persecution lending her the nickname “Bloody Mary”, her inspiration for the nursery rhyme “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary”, and a queen-inspired Mary costume. A Mary costume for this character, as well as many of the other early Queen rulers can be fashioned with a Medieval or Renaissance period gown made of opulent fabrics and a jeweled diadem.
From the kid-lit books by P.L. Travers and an even more popular musical film adaptation, is the beloved character of Mary Poppins. Portrayed by actress Julie Andrews Mary costume, this English nanny character is “practically perfect in every way” and arrives at the house of her new charges by floating down from the clouds with an umbrella! This proper yet still fun-to-play-with Mary wears typical Mary costume of a turn of the 20th century nanny. Her Mary costume should feature a long black walking skirt and white, high-necked bloused topped with a black top coat; a Gibson Girl look with a more mature bent. On her head, she wears a sensible hat with her Mary costume and on the feet a pair of black, lace-up ankle boots. Accessorize your Mary Poppins-inspired Mary costume with a large, black umbrella and bottomless carpetbag with an endless supply of surprises!
Another fictional Mary costume that will get your senses tingling is based on Mary Jane Watson from the “Spiderman” comics and movies. This feisty green-eyed, red headed beauty is has been the main love interest of Peter Parker (aka Spiderman) for the last twenty years and has a distinctive Mary costume. Although she has no super-powers of her own, she is able to hold her own and even help Spiderman in dangerous situations. This comic-inspired Mary costume is best suited with a long red wig and typical, everyday clothing that a young lady might wear. For more inspiration for a Spiderman Mary costume, watch to see how Kristen Dunst portrayed the character.
Other ideas for a Mary costume include a 60s-inspired Mary Tyler Moore Mary costume, a Mary costume based on the waif actress named Mary Kate Olsen, and a Mary costume fashioned to resemble popular singer Mary J. Blige. Whichever Mary costume you choose, you are sure to have a fabulous time transforming into another person for the day – Mary!
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