Wearing the same costume to every party gets predictable fast. If you want something that stands out, step into the world of fantasy. Fantasy costumes let you be anyone you like – a wise wizard, a woodland elf, a fairy, a knight, a storybook queen or even a dragon – and they suit Halloween, book-themed events, cosplay days and fancy dress parties alike. Below are our favourite fantasy costume ideas, with tips on putting each look together.
What counts as a fantasy costume?
A fantasy costume is any outfit inspired by myths, legends, fairy tales or imaginary worlds rather than real life. That covers a huge range: magical characters such as wizards, witches and fairies; legendary heroes such as knights, kings and warrior queens; storybook royalty; and mythical creatures like dragons and unicorns. Because the characters are invented, there is no single "correct" version, so you can mix colours, fabrics and accessories to create a look that is entirely your own. Many of the best fantasy costumes are built from just a few key pieces, such as a cloak, a crown, a pair of wings or pointed ears, layered over simple clothes you already own.
That freedom also makes fantasy one of the easiest costume themes for a group. Everyone picks a different character from the same imaginary realm and the party instantly feels cohesive.
Wizard and sorcerer costumes
The wizard is the classic fantasy look. A full-length hooded velvet cloak does most of the work, and it comes in plenty of colours – grey and white for a wise old wizard, purple or blue for a sorcerer, black or red for a darker character. Add a long beard, a staff or wand and a pointed hat and you are ready to cast spells. Cloaks are also one of the best-value pieces you can own, because the same cape can be reused for medieval, vampire and Halloween costumes later.
Elf, fairy and woodland costumes
For an elf, think earthy greens and browns: a tunic, a hooded cape, fitted pants, boots and a pair of pointed ears. A prop bow is a great finishing touch. If you prefer something more magical, a fairy costume with wings, a floaty dress and a little glitter is light, pretty and comfortable to wear all night. Our fairy costumes range covers both adults and kids, and our guide to fairy costumes for Halloween has plenty more styling ideas, including darker fairy looks.
Knights, kings and medieval heroes
Legendary heroes are a natural fit for a fantasy party. A knight's tunic with a cape and crown makes an easy king or noble warrior, while a Viking-inspired outfit with a fur-trimmed cape and helmet gives a more rugged warrior look for men or women. For a royal court, add a jewelled crown, a sceptre and a long velvet cape. You will find tunics, cloaks, crowns and more in our medieval costumes collection.
Storybook fantasy: the Queen of Hearts and fairy tale characters
Fairy tales are full of fantasy characters, and the Queen of Hearts from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is one of the most striking. Her red, black and white colours, heart motifs and crown are instantly recognisable, which makes the costume a great choice for parties, Book Week and Halloween. Pair it with friends dressed as other Wonderland characters for a group look. Browse our Queen of Hearts costumes, or explore the wider range of fairy tale and storybook costumes for more characters.
Dragons, unicorns and mythical creatures
If you would rather be a creature than a character, mythical beasts are a fun and comfortable option. Dragon costumes and onesies are a hit with kids and adults, and a pair of wired dragon wings is an easy way to add a fantasy touch to any outfit. Unicorns are another favourite, especially for younger children and colourful group costumes. Take a look at our dragon costumes for ideas.
Fantasy costume ideas for couples and groups
- Wizard and apprentice – one long-bearded wizard and a junior sorcerer in a matching cloak
- King and queen – matching crowns, capes and a sceptre
- Knight and dragon – a fun pairing for a couple or a parent and child
- Fairy court – a group of fairies in different colours, each with their own wings
- Wonderland party – the Queen of Hearts with Alice and other storybook characters
- Fantasy quest party – a wizard, an elf archer, a warrior and a witch, each with their own prop
To make a group look coordinated, agree on a colour palette or a single setting before anyone shops. A woodland realm suits greens, browns and gold; a royal court suits reds, purples and crowns; and a dark fantasy theme suits black, silver and deep red. Props are worth the effort too – a staff, a bow, a sword or a wand gives every character something to do in photos and helps people guess who you are straight away.
Fantasy costume FAQ
What are the best fantasy costume ideas for adults?
Wizards, elves, warrior queens, knights, witches and the Queen of Hearts are all popular with adults because they are easy to recognise and easy to accessorise with a cloak, crown or wings.
Are fantasy costumes suitable for Halloween?
Yes. Many fantasy characters, such as witches, dark sorcerers and evil queens, work perfectly for Halloween, and you can give any fantasy look a spooky edge with darker colours and make-up.
What is the easiest fantasy costume to put together?
A hooded velvet cloak is the simplest starting point. Wear it with a beard and staff for a wizard, with pointed ears and a bow for an elf, or with a crown for medieval royalty.
Can kids wear fantasy costumes to Book Week?
Fantasy characters from books, such as fairy tale royalty, wizards and dragons, are popular Book Week choices. Just check your school's theme and choose a character from a book your child has read.
Ready to escape into another world? Explore our full range of fantasy and storybook costumes at Costumes in Australia.