How to Accessorize Your Martha May Grinch Costume

Martha May Grinch Costume

You've got the dress. You've mastered the hair. But here's the thing about a truly amazing Martha May Grinch costume: it's all in the details.

Martha May Whovier isn't just sparkly and festive—she's dripping with accessories. The gloves, the jewelry, the attitude. Every detail matters when you're the most glamorous Who in Whoville.

I've watched my sister perfect her Martha May Whovier costume twice, and honestly? The accessories made it go from "oh cute" to "HOLY CRAP YOU'RE MARTHA MAY." Let's talk about how to nail every single detail.

Why Accessories Make or Break the Look

Here's the truth: you can have a perfect Martha May Whovier Christmas dress, but without the right accessories, you're just wearing a sparkly red dress with fur trim.

Martha May is extra. She's over-the-top. She accessorizes like her life depends on it. That's what makes the costume iconic.

The good news? Most accessories are easy to find or make. You don't need a huge budget, just attention to detail and a willingness to commit to maximum glamour.

The Essential Accessories

1. Gloves (Non-Negotiable)

Martha May wears gloves. Always. They're white or cream, sometimes fur-trimmed, and they scream "I'm fancy."

Where to find them:

• Thrift stores (check the formal section)

• Amazon (search "white opera gloves" or "fur trimmed gloves")

• Costume shops

• Your grandmother's closet (seriously, ask)

Pro tip: Elbow-length looks more dramatic than wrist-length. Go long if you can find them.

If you can't find fur-trimmed gloves, buy plain white ones and hot glue a strip of white faux fur around the top. Takes 10 minutes. Looks intentional.

2. Heels That Mean Business

Martha May doesn't wear flats. Ever.

You need heels. Preferably red, pink, or white. Sparkly is a bonus but not required.

Options:

• Red pumps (classic, easy to find)

• Pink heels with embellishments

• White heels with fur trim (if you're feeling ambitious)

• Metallic silver or gold (surprisingly works)

Reality check: You'll be wearing these for hours. Choose cute over comfortable if you want authenticity, but keep Band-Aids handy. Or wear comfortable heels. It's your life.

Want to go extra? Hot glue small ornaments or rhinestones to the shoes. Is it too much? Maybe. Would Martha May do it? Absolutely.

3. Jewelry: Go Big or Go Home

Martha May loves jewelry. Big, sparkly, impossible-to-miss jewelry.

What you need:

• Oversized earrings (hoops, chandeliers, or Christmas-themed)

• Chunky bracelet or bangles

• Statement necklace (optional but impactful)

• Rings (the bigger the better)

Where to find them:

• Thrift stores (costume jewelry section is gold)

• Claire's or similar accessory stores

• Your own jewelry box (now's the time to wear those pieces you bought and never wore)

Color scheme: Silver, gold, red, pink, or white. Bonus points for anything with rhinestones or glitter.

My sister wore candy cane striped earrings. Were they subtle? No. Did they work? Perfectly.

4. Hair Accessories (Beyond Just Making It Tall)

Your hair should be tall and ridiculous (we covered that). But accessories take it from "tall hair" to "definitely Martha May."

Ideas:

• Small Christmas ornaments pinned throughout

• Red or gold ribbon wrapped around sections

• Tinsel woven in (messy is fine, it's Whoville)

• A decorative hair comb or clip at the base

• Candy canes (real or fake)

• Small bells that jingle when you move

How to attach them: Bobby pins for everything. Heavy ornaments might need wire twisted into your hair structure. Test before the party so nothing falls out mid-conversation.

The goal is "festive chaos." If it looks too neat, add more stuff.

5. The Fur Stole or Wrap

Martha May often has a white fur stole or wrap. It's not essential, but it elevates the whole Martha May Whovier outfit significantly.

Where to find one:

• Vintage/thrift stores (check the formal section)

• Amazon or eBay (search "white faux fur stole")

• Make one from leftover fur trim

• Borrow from someone who had a 1950s-themed wedding

Alternative: A white faux fur shrug or bolero jacket works too. Places like North American Jackets sometimes carry statement outerwear pieces that could work as a base—look for anything white, fluffy, or theatrical that you can style with your costume.

6. The Purse Situation

Does Martha May carry a purse? Sometimes. Should you? Only if it fits the aesthetic.

Best options:

• Small sparkly clutch

• Vintage beaded bag

• Red or white patent leather purse

• Something with fur trim

Honestly? Skip the purse unless you find something perfect. You don't want to carry around a regular purse that breaks the illusion. Keep your phone in a friend's bag or your car.

7. Props That Sell It

Want to really commit? Carry a prop.

Ideas:

• A wrapped Christmas present

• A small decorated Christmas tree

• A sparkly ornament

• A glass of "eggnog" (actually just water with whipped cream on top)

• Fake snow in a jar

Props aren't necessary, but they give you something to do with your hands and make for better photos.

Makeup as an Accessory

Yes, makeup counts as an accessory. Martha May's makeup is part of her whole vibe.

The essentials:

• Dramatic false lashes (go big)

• Bright pink blush on the apples of your cheeks

• Red or pink lipstick (glossy or matte, your choice)

• Winged eyeliner

• Highlight on cheekbones, nose, and cupid's bow

• Optional: glitter on eyelids or inner corners

Pro tip: If you're bad at false lashes, practice a few times before the party. Or get them applied professionally. It's worth it.

Don't forget your nails. Red, pink, or white. Add rhinestones if you're feeling it.

Where to Source Accessories

Thrift stores: Seriously, half of my sister's Martha May Whovier costume accessories came from Goodwill. Formal section, accessory wall, even the holiday decor area.

Amazon: Fast, cheap, huge selection. Search specifically for "costume jewelry," "fur accessories," "opera gloves."

Craft stores: For DIY embellishments. Michaels and Joann Fabrics have everything you need to customize.

Etsy: For unique, handmade pieces that look more authentic.

North American Jackets: Check for statement outerwear or theatrical pieces that can sparkle your Martha May Grinch costume. They often have bold, eye-catching items perfect for costume enhancement, as well as you can purchase Male Grinch Costume also

Common Accessory Mistakes

1. Too subtle: Martha May is not subtle. If you think it's too much, it's probably just right.

2. Wrong colors: Stick to red, pink, white, gold, silver. Don't throw in blue or green just because it's Christmas colors.

3. Forgetting the gloves: Seriously, don't skip the gloves. They're iconic.

4. Uncomfortable shoes with no backup plan: Bring flats in your car. Your feet will thank you.

5. Over-accessorizing to the point of costume malfunction: There's a line between "perfect" and "I can't move my arms." Find the balance.

Putting It All Together