Pippi Longstocking is one of my all-time favorite Halloween costumes. I love getting to step into the role of the empowered, imaginative, and fiercely independent character. Pippi is a classic, and her look is easy to copy, both of which are important requirements for a good costume. The clothes she wore were mismatched and patchwork, accompanied, of course, by odd long socks. But her hair makes the look. Pippi’s braids stick up into the air, and they are her trademark. With some wire hidden inside, it’s an easy and silly trick to achieve.

Materials

Hairbrush
Wire
Wire cutters
Hair bands
Bobby pins
Ribbons

Step 1: Wash your hair the day before you wear the Pippi braids, but not the day of. Having slightly dirty hair helps the style hold. Brush it out well.

Step 2: Part your hair into 2 piggy tails.

Step 3: Measure out and cut a single piece of wire. Find the right length by placing the wire across the crown of your head and making sure it is as long as both pigtails. Then give yourself an extra inch or two on each end, just in case. Bend the wire to match the curve of your head.

Step 4: Undo 1 pigtail and separate into 3 sections. Braid your hair just like normal, except wrap the wire inside the braid. This means to just make sure that the wire is snug inside each weave of the braid.

Step 5: Secure the end with a hairband. Then braid the other half.

Step 6: Clip the extra wire from the end of the braids.

Step 7: Cover any obvious wire with your hair by using a bobby pin.

Step 8: Add ribbons to the ends. Cute!