Adam & Barbara Maitland Costume Guide
In the 80s cult classic Beetlejuice, Adam and Barbara Maitland are a couple who were killed in a car accident but remain spirits in their home. Since they don’t want to leave the home, they decide to do everything possible to scare the new tenants, the Deetz family, out so that they can remain.
The Deetz family has a daughter named Lydia, who is the only one who can see the Maitlands.
The best part of these two costumes is that they are very simple and comfortable to wear, but also sure to spook and delight!
About the Maitland’s Look
Adam and Barbara Maitland are a young couple enjoying making their Connecticut home their own. After their car accident, they enlist the help of a “bio-exorcist” named Beetlejuice to help them drive the Deetz family out of the house so that they can live there in peace.
But Beetlejuice, with his crude demeanor, isn’t quite as successful as the Maitlands hoped, and this is where the film gets interesting.
Adam and Barbara Maitland don’t wear anything fancy, but what really makes these costumes stand out from the crowd are masks that portray the part of the movie in which their faces are deformed in crazy-looking ways.
How to Dress Like Adam and Barbara Maitland From Beetlejuice
Simplicity is the name of the game with these two costumes, so putting either of these costumes together won’t be difficult.
For Adam Maitland’s costume, here is what you’ll need:
- Flannel plaid long-sleeved shirt, usually in black and white
- Cotton T-shirt, usually in red
- Stretch web belt
- Men’s khaki pants
- Men’s boat shoes
Barbara Maitland’s costume consists of the following:
- Short-sleeved print dress
- Ballet flats
- Long curly-haired wig
Masks & Accessories
Keep in mind that both of these costumes come with a creepy-looking mask that has an opened mouth with a creature sticking out of it.
The Barbara Maitland costume also comes with a copy of the book entitled Handbook for the Recently Deceased, which features prominently in the movie. A plastic eyeball eye is also part of Adam Maitland’s costume.
Remember that these are casual outfits simply because the couple was driving around in their car right before their accident, which means that you can spend time at your next costume party without being uncomfortable in what you are wearing.
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Authentic Costume Set
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Conclusion
Beetlejuice was an incredibly popular movie that even resulted in a short-lived television series, so dressing up like the Maitlands for a costume party or ComicCon event is not that unusual.
If you like, you can put the outfit together using department and thrift store merchandise, but the masks should be purchased at a costume or party store to make sure that they’re realistic.
They can be frightening costumes but are a lot of fun to wear, and they are usually very reasonably priced as well. If you love the movie Beetlejuice and you frequently attend events that require a costume, finding one that allows you to dress up like either Adam or Barbara Maitland is always a good choice.
