Wendy Torrance Costume Guide (The Shining)
Published · Updated
Wendy Torrance, played by Shelley Duvall in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining (1980), dresses in plain, practical late-1970s clothes: pinafore and shirt dresses, flannel shirts, turtlenecks, white tights and boots. Her long, straight dark hair with a centre parting is a big part of the look.
The most famous image of Wendy is her backing up the stairs with a baseball bat, terrified. Carrying a toy bat makes the costume instantly recognisable, and it pairs perfectly with someone dressed as Jack Torrance, or with two friends as the Grady twins.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Easy
- Rough budget: $50–$100
- Best for: A group with Jack Torrance and the Grady twins
- What people recognise first: Centre-parted long hair + toy bat
What you need
- 1970s-style pinafore or line dress — A plain, knee-length dress in an earthy colour. Think practical, not glamorous.
- Flannel shirt — Wear it under the pinafore or on its own with a skirt.
- White opaque tights — A very 1970s detail that suits Wendy's wardrobe.
- Brown boots — Low-heeled and practical.
- Plastic baseball bat — Use a lightweight toy bat; real bats are banned at most events.
How to put it together
Outfit
- Put on the white tights first, then the flannel shirt and dress.
- Add the boots.
Hair and makeup
- Part your hair, or a long straight dark wig, exactly in the centre and let it fall straight.
- Keep makeup minimal. For the later scenes, add tear-streaked mascara and a pale, frightened look.
Prop
- Carry the toy bat in both hands, held up across your body as in the stairs scene.
About the character
The Shining is Stanley Kubrick's 1980 adaptation of Stephen King's 1977 novel. Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) takes a winter caretaker job at the isolated Overlook Hotel, bringing his wife Wendy and their son Danny, and gradually loses his mind. The film's images, including the Grady twins, Room 237 and "Here's Johnny!", are among the best-known in horror.
Shelley Duvall's performance as Wendy was gruelling to film; Kubrick was known for shooting scenes, including the bat scene, many times over. Her portrayal has been widely reappraised as one of the film's strengths. Duvall died in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
What does Wendy Torrance wear in The Shining?
Practical late-1970s clothes: pinafore and shirt dresses, flannel shirts, turtlenecks, white tights and boots. Her outfits change across the film, but the overall style stays plain and homely.
What's the best group costume with Wendy?
Jack Torrance (a red jacket over a plaid or casual shirt, or a hotel-caretaker look, carrying a toy axe), Danny in a knitted jumper, and two people as the Grady twins in matching pale blue dresses.
Can I carry a baseball bat to a party or convention?
Use a lightweight plastic toy bat, and check the event rules. Real bats are treated as weapons at most conventions.
How should I do Wendy's hair?
Long, straight and dark with a sharp centre parting. If your hair isn't long enough, a long straight brown wig works well.
Further reading
More Movie Characters costumes
- Scarface Costume — Movie Characters
- Blues Brothers Costume — Movie Characters
- Tyler Durden Costume — Movie Characters
- DIY Sloane Peterson Costume — Movie Characters
- DIY Ferris Bueller Costume — Movie Characters