Not sure how to make your own The Princess Bride costume? Inconceivable! Fear not, we have you covered with our favorite Princess Bride costume ideas and step-by-step DIY guides.
Discover how to dress like Inigo Montoya, Princess Buttercup, Wesley, Vizzini, and more. Now, prepare to die make the best Princess Bride cosplay the kingdom of Florin has ever seen.
The Princess Bride is a classic fairy tale adventure-comedy movie (directed by Rob Reiner) first released in 1987. Reiner’s unique take on tried-and-tested fairytale tropes meant that The Princess Bride was filled with memorable characters, killer dialogue that is still quoted to this day, and a significant cult following.
The story begins much like many 1980s classic movies (such as The Never Ending Story) with a grandfather (played by Fred Savage) reading to his grandson (Peter Falk) from a bedtime storybook.
The epic that unfolds is a classic tale of love and adventure. The plot revolves around the mysterious Man in Black as he battles to rescue the kidnapped Princess Buttercup from an arranged marriage with the hapless Prince Humperdinck. Sword fights, battles of wit, and countless encounters with colorful characters – each with their own unique motivations and quests – await anyone who stumbles upon this classic of 1980s storytelling.
With so many memorable characters to choose from, it would be impossible to pick just one favorite. Fortunately, you don’t have to! That’s exactly why we have collected all the very best Princess Bride costume ideas in one place.
Perhaps you want to make a Dread Pirate Roberts costume? Or a Princess Buttercup outfit? Whatever you have planned, we show you how to make the best outfits possible.
The Princess Bride Costume Guides
1. Inigo Montoya Costume
Buy Inigo Montoya cosplay items:
- Medieval costume shirt
- Gothic waistcoat
- Brown leather belt
- Brown ankle banded pants
- Brown pirate cosplay boots
- Long wavy black wig
- Fake mustache
- Inigo Montoya costume sword
Inigo Montoya (played by Mandy Patinkin) was born in the fictional country of Florin to master swordsmith, Domingo Montoya. Inigo grew up learning the arts of fencing and sword fighting from his father.
That is until a mysterious man with six fingers arrived and demanded Domingo craft him a special sword. After completing the sword, the man ruthlessly murdered Inigo’s father.
This would lead Inigo on a lifelong and all-consuming quest for vengeance, as well as inspire perhaps the most memorable dialogue from the whole movie: “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
Making your own Inigo Montoya costume is simple to do. Like many of the outfits featured on this list, this look calls for a number of Renaissance-era-inspired accessories. Fortunately, laced shirts, ankle-banded trousers, and cosplay boots are easy to get a hold of, even on a budget.
Don’t forget to round off your Montoya costume with his signature rapier sword. Where would the greatest swordsman in all the land be without it?
Best Inigo Montoya quotes:
- “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
- “I do not mean to pry, but you don’t by any chance happen to have six fingers on your right hand?”
- “You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you.”
- “You’re using Bonetti’s defense against me, ah?”
- “I have been in the revenge business so long, now that it’s over, I don’t know what to do with the rest of my life.”
2. Princess Buttercup Costume
Buy Princess Buttercup cosplay items:
- Official Princess Buttercup red dress
- Gold headband
- White slippers
- Green leather gloves
- Medieval dagger
- Dirty blonde wig
Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) is a commoner who grew up on a farm in the kingdom of Florin. Despite being penniless, she was renowned throughout the land for her breathtaking beauty and was widely regarded as the most beautiful woman in the whole kingdom.
As a young woman, she developed a deep romantic connection with a charismatic, but equally poor, farmhand named Wesley. Buttercup would frequently test Wesley’s devotion by asking him to perform various tasks for her, to which he would always respond with a simple “as you wish.”
Buttercup’s world is turned upside down when the heir to the throne, Prince Humperdinck, decides she is to become his new bride. Believing that her true love Wesley has perished at sea she quietly resigns herself to her new fate.
That is until the mysterious Man in Black is revealed to be Westley who is alive and well. After outsmarting Prince Humperdinck, Wesley and Buttercup are married, proving that true love triumphs over all (at least in the fairytales).
To make a Princess Buttercup costume, we recommend starting with her officially licensed red dress. The red dress is an iconic piece of Princess Bride costume design and the official merchandise comes very highly rated on Amazon.
Add a gold headband worthy of a future queen, white slippers, and green leather riding gloves. This is an ideal Princess Bride costume for natural blondes but anyone can make a beautiful Buttercup cosplay with a long, wavy dirty blonde wig.
Best Princess Buttercup quotes:
- “Farm boy, fetch me that pitcher.”
- “You can die too for all I care!”
- “I will never love again.”
- “There’s a shortage of perfect breasts in this world. It would be a pity to damage yours.”
- “I’m not a witch; I’m your wife!”
- “Westley, what about the R.O.U.S.es?”
3. Westley (Dread Pirate Roberts) Costume
Buy Dread Pirate Roberts cosplay items:
- Black pirate shirt
- Banded pants
- Leather gauntlet gloves
- Headscarf and sash
- Bandit mask
- Pirate boot tops
- Renaissance leather belt
- Sword holster
- Westley costume sword
Westley (played by the fantastic Cary Elwes) – also known as ‘The Man in Black’ – is a simple farmhand who develops a deep and sincere love for Buttercup who, though a simple commoner, is widely regarded as the most beautiful woman in the kingdom of Florin.
Realizing that he cannot offer Buttercup the life she deserves, Wesley sets out on a journey to seek his fortune, becoming a skilled swordsman, marksman, and strategist in the process. Much to Buttercup’s horror, it is rumored that Wesley is killed by the notorious pirate Dread Roberts’.
Believing that her beloved has perished, Buttercup resigns herself to an arranged marriage with the future heir of Florin.
However, it is later revealed Wesley is alive and has adopted the Dread Pirate Roberts moniker in order to acquire the wealth and power he needs to save Buttercup from Prince Humperdinck and give her a better life.
Wesley as Dead Pirate Roberts is one of the most memorable costume designs from The Princess Bride. Dressed head-to-toe in black pirate gear, Wesley is able to conceal his true identity while striking fear into his adversaries.
The Man in Black Princess Brid costume is certainly one of our favorites. We have found everything you need, from his pirate-inspired outfit, gauntlet gloves, and boots, to his iconic mask and rapier sword. We look forward to seeing the best DIY Westley costume you have to offer.
Best Westley quotes:
- “As you wish.”
- “Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.”
- “There’s a shortage of perfect breasts in this world. It would be a pity to damage yours.”
- “Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while.”
4. Vizzini Costume
Buy Vizzini cosplay items:
Vizzini is introduced as a Sicilian genius with a sharp wit and an even sharper sense of self-importance. Vizzini is involved in a plot to kidnap Princess Buttercup in order to spark a war with a neighboring kingdom of Florin, whom Prince Humperdinck plans to frame for the deed.
One of the most iconic scenes of The Princess Bride involves a ‘battle of wits’ between Vizzini and the Man in Black. Vizzini challenges Westley to drink from one of two goblets, one of which contains a life-ending poison.
The Sicillian’s inflated sense of ego ultimately leads to his demise, as Westley is able to deduce which cup contains the poison and make the man drink it.
Vizzini is a colorful and memorable character who provides some lighthearted comic relief and is perhaps most remembered for his singular catchphrase, “Inconceivable!” which becomes a running gag throughout the movie as he uses it to describe increasingly outlandish events.
If you don’t want to DIY your own Vizzini costume from scratch, we highly recommend employing the talents of the incredibly skilled Livilovia on Etsy. She is an expert in handcrafting custom cosplays, of which Vizzini’s outfit is just one of The Princess Bride costumes she offers. Just be aware, she often gets booked up months in advance so be sure to check availability before placing a commission.
Finish your Vizzini Princess Bride costume with a pair of pirate boots, a balding cap, and a couple of ornate chalices ( just hopefully not filled with poison).
Best Vizzini quotes:
- “Inconceivable!”
- “You’re trying to kidnap what I’ve rightfully stolen.”
- “Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates? Morons!”
- “You fell victim to one of the classic blunders—the most famous of which is ‘never get involved in a land war in Asia’—but only slightly less well-known is this: ‘Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!'”
- “I can’t compete with you physically, and you’re no match for my brains.”
5. Fezzik (Andre the Giant) Costume
Buy Fezzik cosplay items:
- Light brown pirate shirt
- Gray banded trousers
- Brass buckle pirate belt
- Renaissance leather boots
- Curly brown wig
- Mutton chop sideburns
Fezzik (who is played by the late, great Andre the Giant) is a gentle giant character – subverting the typical giant/monster fairytale trope – renowned for his immense size and strength.
Standing approximately 7 feet tall, his imposing stature belies a gentle, soft-spoken, and kind-hearted nature. Fezzik initially works with Vizzini and Inigo Montoya to kidnap Princess Buttercup, though he is portrayed as a largely reluctant and unwitting accomplice.
After witnessing the battle of wits between Vizzini and Westley, Fezzik decides to change his allegiance and assist the latter on his quest to save the princess.
Many of the characters bring their unique strengths to the quest – which would otherwise be impossible without them. Fezzik proves his worth as he carries Westley up the ‘Cliffs of insanity’, which Westley would have been completely unable to scale without the gentle giant’s strength.
Fezzik is a super easy Princess Bride costume to make at home, which makes it perfect for a last-minute party. You will need a loose-fitting laced-collar shirt, baggy banded trousers, a gold buckle belt, and Renaissance boots. Finish the look with a curly-haired afro and some mean mutton chops sideburns.
Fezzick’s costume is perfect for taller men or women who want to play to their god-given strengths – a kind heart under an awe-inspiring frame.
Best Fezzik quotes:
- “Anybody want a peanut?”
- “I just don’t think it’s right, killing an innocent girl.”
- “You just wiggled your finger. That’s wonderful.”
6. Miracle Max Costume
Buy Miracle Max cosplay items:
- Medieval lace-up shirt
- Banded cuff trousers
- Green shawl
- Green sleep cap
- Gray hair wig
- Novelty eyebrows
Miracle Max is The Princess Bride’s answer to the magical elements and undertones that are present in many of our favorite childhood fairytales.
Westley and Inigo Montoya seek the singular talents of Miracle Max to revive the seemingly lifeless body of Fezzik, who was knocked unconscious by The Man in Black.
It soon becomes apparent to the audience that Miracle Max is little more than a charlatan. Nevertheless, he proceeds to concoct a concoction that appears to bring Fezzik (who is not actually dead) back to life, much to the amazement of his new travel companions.
A Miracle Max outfit is one of the trickier Princess Bride costumes to make. We recommend layering various dark green clothes before putting them through the wringer to replicate Max’s disheveled look.
If you’re not sure how we suggest checking out our favorite distressing cosplay guide from the Sewing is half the battle blog. Finish your Miracle Max costume with a long gray hair wig and some outrageously untrimmed eyebrows.
Best Miracle Max quotes:
- “Have fun storming the castle!”
- “True love is the greatest thing in the world, except for a nice MLT – mutton, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, where the mutton is nice and lean and the tomato is ripe.”
- “What’s so important? What you got here that’s worth living for?”
7. The Impressive Clergyman Costume
Buy Impressive Clergyman cosplay items:
The Impressive clergyman is a minor but very memorable character from The Princess Bride. He presides over the wedding of Prince Humperdinck and Princess Buttercup and provides more light-hearted comedy to the tale.
While we don’t know how politically correct it is to make fun of a speech impediment in this day and age, this character should be taken as a product of his time. The 1980s were a wild time, man!
Okay, so we’re not sure how much demand there is out there for an Impressive Clergyman costume, but if we can inspire just one person to take on this hilarious cosplay we will consider this a job well done.
What if we told you this was hands down the easiest Princess Bride costume idea we could conceive of? All you need is a priest outfit (maybe you already have one in the back of your wardrobe?), a gray wig, and some pepper-gray mutton chops. Add a regal staff for that extra dash of piety and you’re good to go.
Still not convinced? Well, you can’t blame us for trying.
Best Impressive Clergyman quotes:
- “Mawwige is whut bwings us togevveh today.”
- “Wike a dweam wifin a dweam.”
- “Wuv too wuv will fowwow you forwever so tweasure your wuv.”
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