14 Best World Book Day Costumes for Adults

By Bethany Gleave

/

1 Feb 2024, 07:00:00

World Book Day costume ideas for adults

Who said World Book Day was just for kids? It’s also a great chance for teachers like you to get involved in the fancy dress fun!

Of course, you need to choose your costume carefully. You want someone your class will have heard of, that’s for sure, but it’s nice if you can also find a character that will help the kids learn a little something, too.

These World Book Day costumes for adults should provide all the inspiration you need!

Adult World Book Day Costume Ideas

Blonde woman wearing a light blue dress with white pinafore and black bow in her hair

1. Alice in Wonderland

Everyone knows Alice in Wonderland, so dressing as the title character is a great way to go this World Book Day.

It’s such a fun book to read and study – celebrate the Lewis Carroll classic with some Alice in Wonderland themed party games including a game of Croquet and pin the tail on the White Rabbit.

man dressed in orange blazer and purple pants with a purple top hat

2. The Mad Hatter

“Why is a raven like a writing desk?”

While the Mad Hatter’s riddle famously has no correct answer, this outfit certainly solves the puzzle of what to wear for World Book Day. Put your acting skills to the test and give your students a class they’re sure to remember with our Mad Hatter adult costume.

woman in queen of hearts costume

3. The Queen of Hearts

Her punishments are a little too severe for the modern classroom, but there’s no denying the Queen of Hearts certainly commands the attention of everyone in the room.

She’s quite a flamboyant character as well, so if that’s a word that describes you, you might just have found your ideal World Book Day costume, take it to the next level with our Queen of Hearts make-up tutorial!

Mary Poppins adult costume with long blue coat, hat and flowery bag

4. Mary Poppins

If Mary Poppins were a teacher, we think the first thing she’d do is use that magic flying umbrella to beat the morning traffic. We’re afraid you don’t have that luxury, but with this costume, you do have everything you need to take part in World Book Day!

If anyone can find a way to make work fun, Mary Poppins can!

woman in red skirt and red hood

5. Little Red Riding Hood

Fairy tales are an endless source of ideas for World Book Day. This time, it’s Red Riding Hood who provides the outfit, and thankfully there’s not a wolf in sight!

Woman in beige coat with top knot posing as miss trunchbull

6. Miss Trunchbull

Okay, we admit it. The only actual teacher on our list is best known for being completely terrible. Honestly, it’s a wonder Miss Trunchbull was ever employed by the school at all. Someone needs to have a stern word with the Board of Governors.

Of course, The Trunchbull does give you a chance to have a bit of fun and play the pantomime villain with your classes. Just make sure no one tries to slip a newt into your drink!

Man wearing fox mask dressed as Fantastic Mr Fox

7. Fantastic Mr Fox

Sticking with the Roald Dahl theme, Fantastic Mr Fox is a smart, easy-to-wear outfit that lets you maintain your usual air of authority even while wearing a bright orange fox mask!

man in Willy Wonka costume

8. Willy Wonka

A real fancy dress favourite – Willy Wonka! This officially licensed costume is inspired by the classic Gene Wilder interpretation of Roald Dahl’s iconic character, so it’s a real classic.

Man in green peter pan costume

9. Peter Pan

He’s the boy who never grew up, so Peter Pan can’t exactly complain about being sent back to school! This comfy outfit is instantly recognisable and will be popular with readers and Disney fans alike. It won’t help you fly, though. We really can’t stress that enough.

Man in a cat in the hat onesie

10. The Cat in the Hat

“It is fun to have fun . But you have to know how.”

You're guaranteed to have fun this World Book Day with our adults Cat in The Hat costume. This Cat in the Hat onesie is comfy and will bring some of the imagination of Dr Seuss into your classroom.

woman dressed as Dorothy with blue and white checked pinafore dress

11. Dorothy

There's no place like a classroom on World Book Day. Just tap your heels together 3 times and you'll be transported into a world of magical books with our Dorothy costume for adults.

Voldemort fancy dress costume with cape and mask

12. Voldemort

We know you’re not really supposed to say his name, but given that the books finished over a decade ago and ended in Voldemort’s crushing defeat, you’re probably safe.

This is an instantly recognisable, officially licensed Voldemort costume your students will love, and as the scariest wizard of all time, you should have no problem keeping the class in check!

Man dressed as Harry Potter with robe, scar and wand

13. Harry Potter

On the other hand, if you prefer to stick with the good guys, Harry Potter is another World Book Day winner! These officially licensed Hogwarts robes will transport you back to your school days in an instant, and we’ve got all the accessories you need, from Harry’s signature glasses to your very own magic wand.

woman dressed in green robe with witch hat

14. Professor McGonagall

Become the unsung hero of the Harry Potter series and World Book Day with this officially licensed Professor McGonagall costume!

Make sure to act firm but fair, although cheering on the Quidditch is encouraged!

We hope you will go away feeling inspired, don't forget to check out the rest of our range of World Book Day fancy dress! Discover World Book Day costume ideas for kids as well as classroom resources and decorations including World Book Day Banners and balloons.

Who said World Book Day was just for kids? It’s also a great chance for teachers like you to get involved in the fancy dress fun!

Of course, you need to choose your costume carefully. You want someone your class will have heard of, that’s for sure, but it’s nice if you can also find a character that will help the kids learn a little something, too.

These World Book Day costumes for adults should provide all the inspiration you need!

Adult World Book Day Costume Ideas

1. Alice in Wonderland

Blonde woman wearing a light blue dress with white pinafore and black bow in her hair

Everyone knows Alice in Wonderland, so dressing as the title character is a great way to go this World Book Day.

It’s such a fun book to read and study – celebrate the Lewis Carroll classic with some Alice in Wonderland themed party games including a game of Croquet and pin the tail on the White Rabbit.

2. The Mad Hatter

man dressed in orange blazer and purple pants with a purple top hat

“Why is a raven like a writing desk?”

While the Mad Hatter’s riddle famously has no correct answer, this outfit certainly solves the puzzle of what to wear for World Book Day. Put your acting skills to the test and give your students a class they’re sure to remember with our Mad Hatter adult costume.

3. The Queen of Hearts

woman in queen of hearts costume

Her punishments are a little too severe for the modern classroom, but there’s no denying the Queen of Hearts certainly commands the attention of everyone in the room.

She’s quite a flamboyant character as well, so if that’s a word that describes you, you might just have found your ideal World Book Day costume, take it to the next level with our Queen of Hearts make-up tutorial!

4. Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins adult costume with long blue coat, hat and flowery bag

If Mary Poppins were a teacher, we think the first thing she’d do is use that magic flying umbrella to beat the morning traffic. We’re afraid you don’t have that luxury, but with this costume, you do have everything you need to take part in World Book Day!

If anyone can find a way to make work fun, Mary Poppins can!

5. Little Red Riding Hood

woman in red skirt and red hood

Fairy tales are an endless source of ideas for World Book Day. This time, it’s Red Riding Hood who provides the outfit, and thankfully there’s not a wolf in sight!

6. Miss Trunchbull

Woman in beige coat with top knot posing as miss trunchbull

Okay, we admit it. The only actual teacher on our list is best known for being completely terrible. Honestly, it’s a wonder Miss Trunchbull was ever employed by the school at all. Someone needs to have a stern word with the Board of Governors.

Of course, The Trunchbull does give you a chance to have a bit of fun and play the pantomime villain with your classes. Just make sure no one tries to slip a newt into your drink!

7. Fantastic Mr Fox

Man wearing fox mask dressed as Fantastic Mr Fox

Sticking with the Roald Dahl theme, Fantastic Mr Fox is a smart, easy-to-wear outfit that lets you maintain your usual air of authority even while wearing a bright orange fox mask!

8. Willy Wonka

man in Willy Wonka costume

A real fancy dress favourite – Willy Wonka! This officially licensed costume is inspired by the classic Gene Wilder interpretation of Roald Dahl’s iconic character, so it’s a real classic.

9. Peter Pan

Man in green peter pan costume

He’s the boy who never grew up, so Peter Pan can’t exactly complain about being sent back to school! This comfy outfit is instantly recognisable and will be popular with readers and Disney fans alike. It won’t help you fly, though. We really can’t stress that enough.

10. The Cat in the Hat

Man in a cat in the hat onesie

“It is fun to have fun . But you have to know how.”

You're guaranteed to have fun this World Book Day with our adults Cat in The Hat costume. This Cat in the Hat onesie is comfy and will bring some of the imagination of Dr Seuss into your classroom.

11. Dorothy

woman dressed as Dorothy with blue and white checked pinafore dress

There's no place like a classroom on World Book Day. Just tap your heels together 3 times and you'll be transported into a world of magical books with our Dorothy costume for adults.

12. Voldemort

Voldemort fancy dress costume with cape and mask

We know you’re not really supposed to say his name, but given that the books finished over a decade ago and ended in Voldemort’s crushing defeat, you’re probably safe.

This is an instantly recognisable, officially licensed Voldemort costume your students will love, and as the scariest wizard of all time, you should have no problem keeping the class in check!

13. Harry Potter

Man dressed as Harry Potter with robe, scar and wand

On the other hand, if you prefer to stick with the good guys, Harry Potter is another World Book Day winner! These officially licensed Hogwarts robes will transport you back to your school days in an instant, and we’ve got all the accessories you need, from Harry’s signature glasses to your very own magic wand.

14. Professor McGonagall

woman dressed in green robe with witch hat

Become the unsung hero of the Harry Potter series and World Book Day with this officially licensed Professor McGonagall costume!

Make sure to act firm but fair, although cheering on the Quidditch is encouraged!

We hope you will go away feeling inspired, don't forget to check out the rest of our range of World Book Day fancy dress! Discover World Book Day costume ideas for kids as well as classroom resources and decorations including World Book Day Banners and balloons.

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