It starts with a rainy day.
Two kids, stuck inside, staring out the window with absolutely nothing to do. And then: bump. You know what happens next. A tall cat in a striped hat strolls right in, balances a fish on an umbrella, and turns a boring afternoon into the best kind of mess. That was 1957. He hasn't slowed down since.
Think about it. Most of us met the Cat before we could read the words ourselves. Somebody read it to us. Then we read it to somebody else. He's a walking tornado with good manners, a houseguest who wrecks the place and then cleans it all up before Mom gets home. Every generation falls for him all over again.
And right now, he's back on the big screen. A new animated The Cat in the Hat movie hits theaters, which means a whole new crowd of kids is about to meet him for the first time. (And a whole lot of parents are about to say, "Oh, I remember this guy.")
Which brings us to the fun part. The Cat might be the easiest costume in all of children's books. One hat, one bow tie, and you're instantly recognizable from across a parking lot. Add two Things, and you've got a group. Add a Fish, a Lorax, and a Horton, and you've got the whole family.
One hat, two Things, and a whole lot of fun. Let's get into it.
But first, the hat.
How to Dress Like the Cat in the Hat
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Here's a secret about the Cat.
The hat does about 80 percent of the work. That tall red-and-white striped stovepipe is one of the most recognizable silhouettes in the world. Wear it to a party, and people will be ready to engage in some shenanigans with you before they even see your face. And the other 20 percent? That's where the details come in. Every great Cat costume has four signature pieces:
- The striped hat. Tall, red, and white. The taller, the better.
- The red bow tie. Big and floppy, never neat and tidy.
- The white gloves. Perfect for gesturing wildly while you explain why everything is fine.
- The black-and-white look. A furry black body with a white front, usually in the form of a jumpsuit or a plush top.
Get all four, and you're the Cat. The good news is that most Cat in the Hat costumes bundle them together, so you're not hunting down a bow tie the night before. Our own Made By Us versions are built straight from the classic book look, right down to that slightly-too-big bow.
Now, a few styling tips from people who think about this stuff way too much:
Tip the hat. Just a little. The Cat is never perfectly composed. A hat that leans slightly to one side says "I'm about to cause trouble," and that's exactly the vibe you want.
Lean into the posture. The Cat doesn't stand still. He struts. He leans. He balances things on things. Strike a pose with one hand on your hip and the other in the air, like you're about to juggle a cake, a rake, and a fishbowl. Your photos will thank you.
Keep it friendly. The Cat is mischievous, not menacing. Big smiles, raised eyebrows, and a little swagger go a long way.
Of course, what works for a grown-up doesn't always work for a two-year-old.
A Cat for Every Age
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Here's what makes the Cat such a great costume.
He works at every age. A grandpa can pull him off. So can a six-month-old. The trick is picking the version that fits the person wearing it, because a costume that's perfect for a party can be a disaster at a school parade.
For adults: Commit. Seriously. The best grown-up Cats go all in, with the full jumpsuit, the gloves, and the hat. If you're the kind of person who likes a little flair, there are women's dress versions with a sassy twist. And yes, there are plus size options, so everybody gets to be the Cat.
For kids: Comfort wins. Kids are going to run, climb, and trick-or-treat until their legs give out, so look for a costume they can move in. Jumpsuits and dresses both work great. One tip: if the hat keeps falling off at recess, a headband version gives you all the stripes with none of the chasing.
For toddlers and babies: Soft fabrics. Nothing that has to stay on their heads for more than a photo. And plenty of room for a diaper change. Infant onesies and toddler costumes keep the look without the fuss. Honestly, a baby Cat in the Hat might be the cutest costume in the entire Seuss library. It's not even close. (Still shopping for the little one? Our baby costume guide has plenty more.)
For pets: Yes, really. There's a Cat in the Hat costume for your dog. Your actual cat may have opinions about this. Proceed carefully. Want to match your pup? Check out our dog and owner costume ideas.
Of course, the Cat never travels alone. He's got backup.
Thing 1 and Thing 2 Costumes
Let's be honest. Thing 1 and Thing 2 might be the best built-in duo in all of children's books.
They're identical. They're adorable. And they are absolute agents of chaos. The Cat lets them out of a box, and within minutes they're flying kites through the house. If that doesn't describe your kids, we'd love to know your secret.
That's why Thing 1 and Thing 2 costumes are so popular. You get the red jumpsuits, the wild blue hair, and the white circle on the chest that tells everyone who's who. But the real question isn't what to wear. It's who should wear them.
Siblings and twins: The obvious choice. If you have two kids who are constantly getting into trouble together, the casting is already done. (Seeing double at your house? Our twin costume ideas have more matching looks.)
Best friends: Two friends who finish each other's sentences? Thing 1 and Thing 2. Two friends who always end up in the principal's office? Also Thing 1 and Thing 2.
Couples: A couple that's, frankly, a lot of trouble together. There are adult jumpsuits, onesies, dresses, and rompers, so you can pick the version that fits your style. For more pairs, browse our ultimate couples costume guide.
More than two kids? Good news. There's a Thing 3 costume, too. And if you've got a whole crew, numbered patch sets let you keep the Things coming, all the way up to Thing 19. Perfect for big families, classrooms, or anyone who just really loves numbering things.
Here's where it gets fun. Put a parent in the Cat costume and the kids in the Things, and you've got the easiest family costume decision you'll ever make. One Cat, two Things, zero arguments. (Okay, maybe one argument about who gets to be Thing 1.)
And if your crew is bigger than three? Keep reading.
Dr. Seuss Family and Group Costumes
Here's the thing about Dr. Seuss.
He didn't just write one great character. He wrote dozens. And that makes his books a goldmine for family and group costumes, because there's a role for every personality in the house. The fun part is casting it.
The Fish: Every family has one. The worried voice of reason who keeps saying, "This is a bad idea," while everyone else ignores them. Bonus points if it's the baby. A Fish Bowl baby carrier cover turns your littlest one into the Fish, riding front and center in their own little bowl. It's a perfect pick for mommy and me or daddy and me costumes, with the grown-up as the Cat.
The Lorax: For the one who speaks for the trees. (And also the thermostat.) Fittingly, there are Lorax costumes made with sustainable materials, in sizes from infants to adults.
Horton: The gentle giant. Horton is loyal, kind, and a little bit oversized, which makes him a great pick for Dad, Grandpa, or the tallest person in the group.
The Star-Bellied Sneetch: For the one who likes to stand out. A Sneetch with a star on its belly is a fun, unexpected pick that true Seuss fans will love.
Sam-I-Am: For the one who will not stop asking. You know who we mean.
Now, here's how to put it all together:
- Group of three: The Cat and two Things. The classic.
- Group of four: Add the Fish. Someone has to keep these three in line.
- Group of five or more: Mix in the Lorax, Horton, a Sneetch, and Sam-I-Am. The more Seuss, the merrier.
Want more ideas for the whole crew? Our family costume guide has themes for every household size, and our fairytale and storybook costumes cover even more beloved book characters. And if you're dressing up for a school reading event or Read Across America, check out our guide to Dr. Seuss costumes for reading events. It's packed with ideas for teachers and classrooms.
Of course, a costume this good deserves more than one night out. Like, say, a trip to the movies.
Dressing Up for a Dr. Seuss Movie Night
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Here's a fun fact about Dr. Seuss.
His stories have been hitting screens for decades. Cartoons, holiday specials, big animated movies. And every time a new one comes out, the same thing happens: families pile into the theater, and a few of them show up in striped hats.
Be one of those families. Trust us, it's more fun.
Dressing up for a movie makes the whole night feel like an event. The kids are excited before the previews even start. Strangers in the lobby smile at you. And you get a great photo before the lights go down. But a movie theater isn't a Halloween party, so a few tips:
Mind the hat. The Cat's tall stovepipe is the best part of the costume. It's also the worst thing to sit behind. Wear it in the lobby, snap your photos, then take it off once you find your seats. Your neighbors in the row behind you will be very grateful.
Go comfy. You'll be sitting for a couple of hours, so soft jumpsuits and onesies beat anything stiff or bulky. Save the inflatable Cat for the party.
Check the rules. Many theaters welcome costumes but have rules about masks and props. A quick look at your theater's policy before you go saves an awkward moment at the door.
Make it a lineup. A Cat and two Things in the lobby is a photo op. A Cat, two Things, a Fish, and a Lorax is a parade.
Staying in? A Seuss movie night at home works just as well. Grab the onesies, pile onto the couch with a big bowl of popcorn, and let everyone pick a character. Pajama-style costumes make it easy, and nobody has to take off their hat.
And if you want to skip the full costume altogether? There's an easy way to do that, too.
The Two-Piece Cat: Hat and Bow Tie
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Here's some good news for anyone who's short on time.
You don't need a full costume to be the Cat. You just need two pieces: the hat and the bow tie. Remember, like we mentioned before, the hat does 80 percent of the work. The bow tie handles the rest. It's the easiest costume in the Seuss library, and it's perfect for:
- Movie night. All the fun of dressing up, and nothing to wrestle with in a theater seat.
- Teachers. Reading day, spirit week, or a classroom party. It's easy to wear all day, and your students will love it. (There's even a Cat in the Hat costume based on If I Ran Your School. Just saying.) Our costumes for teachers guide has more classroom-friendly ideas.
- Office parties. Festive enough to join the fun. Easy enough to take off before your 3 o'clock meeting.
- Last-minute plans. Got invited to a party tonight? Problem solved.
Want to make two pieces look like a whole costume? Wear a plain black or white shirt and black pants. Add white gloves if you've got them. Then bring the attitude. The Cat is all about confidence, and a little swagger goes a long way.
Like the accessory-only approach? Our guide to easy costumes you can pair with your own clothes has plenty more two-piece looks.
FAQ
How do you dress like the Cat in the Hat? Start with the four signature pieces: a tall red-and-white striped hat, a big red bow tie, white gloves, and a black-and-white outfit with a white front. Most Cat in the Hat costumes include all four. For a quick version, the hat and bow tie with a black shirt will do the trick.
What are the best Dr. Seuss group or family costumes? The classic is the Cat in the Hat with Thing 1 and Thing 2. For bigger groups, add the Fish, the Lorax, Horton, a Star-Bellied Sneetch, or Sam-I-Am.
Are there Cat in the Hat costumes for babies and toddlers? Yes. There are Cat in the Hat costumes for infants and toddlers, including soft onesies and toddler jumpsuits. You can also dress your baby as the Fish with a fish bowl baby carrier cover, or as a tiny Thing with an infant Thing 1 and Thing 2 costume.
What Dr. Seuss characters can you dress up as? Popular Dr. Seuss costumes include the Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2, the Fish, the Lorax, Horton, Sam-I-Am, the Star-Bellied Sneetch, Fox in Socks, and the Grinch. For more holiday characters, see our guide to the best Christmas costumes.
Can you wear a costume to a movie theater? Often, yes. Many theaters welcome costumes, especially for family movies, but some have rules about masks and props, so check your theater's policy before you go. And if you're wearing a tall hat, like the Cat's, take it off once you're seated so the people behind you can see.
The Cat Came Back
So the rain is still falling. The kids are still bored. And there's still a knock at the door. Now you know who to be when you answer it.
Pick your Cat. Find your Things. Round up a Fish, a Lorax, and a Horton if you've got the room. Then go make the best kind of mess. After all, nobody turns a dull day into a good story quite like the Cat.
Happy reading, and happy dressing up!
