Strong Females in Literature Costumes: Carmen

For my daughter’s first Halloween, Sue set the bar very high with Amelia Earhart.

Once the torch was handed to me, I continued the theme of Inspiring Women in History costumes. In 2011 there was Marie Curie, and the next year we finished the trio with Elizabeth Cady Stanton. (Appropriately enough, it was an election year. And, yes, that was by design.)

In 2013, I wanted to somehow continue the tradition Sue started, but was ready to change my theme a bit.

How about… strong females in literature costumes?!

Carmen

You might know her from the novella or perhaps the opera of the same name?

Coincidentally, I had this toddler flamenco dress, which I bought for my niece on my trip to Seville with Sue. My sister had saved it and given it back to me, much to my surprise and delight.

Szaba, of course, loved it. I’m mean, come on. As far as she’s concerned, it’s COVERED in tutus, and despite my every effort to steer her away from frilly stuff, the girl loves her tutus.

After that, it was just a matter of adding a shawl (which I had), a big flower hair clip (found in the Hawaiian section of the costume store), and a fan sturdy enough to handle a LOT of toddler opening and shutting (also found at the costume store).

The grand finale: a little flamenco dance, of course.