A nativity costume is a long robe or animal suit that lets you play a role in the Christmas story, from Mary and Joseph to a shepherd, king, angel, donkey or sheep. Within the Christmas clothing range, this is the section that dresses up the characters from the Christmas story instead of Santa Claus. Robes with a headscarf and belt are available alongside plush animal suits, and there are versions for women, men and children.
Robe, tunic or plush animal suit: what does this range consist of?
- For a Christmas play at school or in church, shepherd sets are available with a tunic, cord belt and headscarf, in beige, light blue or striped bands.
- For the main roles at a Christmas celebration, you will find Mary in blue with a white veil and Joseph with a shoulder piece, cord and headscarf.
- For a parade or a live nativity scene outdoors, the kingly robes with a tabard, sash and crown are the most striking choice, in red, green and blue.
- For young children at a Christmas celebration, there are plush donkey, sheep and reindeer suits with a hood and ears, plus a star with an attached hood.
- For an angel role, white dresses with separate wings and a halo on a headband are available, for women and children.
How complete is a nativity costume, and which size should you choose?
Most of the sets here are ready to wear: you receive the robe with the matching belt and head covering, and the king sets also include a crown. Other items consist of a single piece, such as a jumpsuit with a fixed hood or a tunic without separate accessories, so check each item to see what is included in the box. Children's costumes range from approximately body length 86 cm to 158 cm, and for adults, you will find both individual sizes and the M-L combination with XL. Always choose children's sizes based on body length rather than age, as the two can differ considerably. The robes are cut generously and can be worn over regular clothes, which is useful if the Christmas play is performed outdoors or in a cold church. Anyone looking to buy a nativity costume for a group can distribute the roles among adults and children.
From robe to complete role: crown, headscarf and wings
A role is made recognizable by the headpiece: a headscarf with a band makes a shepherd, a crown makes a king and a veil makes Mary. If a robe does not have its own belt, a cord or sash shapes the fabric and keeps the sleeves free during the performance. The Three Kings costume group features the most richly decorated robes with a vine print, while the Mary costume models have a more understated blue-and-white design. For adult male roles, the Jesus costume features a long toga and draped sash. This way, you can create a group with a few items where every role is clearly visible from a distance.
A nativity costume for a Christmas play or a live nativity scene
The costumes are worn for Christmas plays at school, Christmas celebrations in church and live nativity scenes in the village or at a Christmas market. Adults usually take on the roles of Mary, Joseph, a king or a shepherd, while children often play the angels, stars and animals. Anyone looking for an outdoor live nativity outfit should keep in mind that warm clothes can fit under the robe.
Ordering a nativity costume
Start with the role you are playing and then check whether the robe already includes the head covering and belt, as this will save you from having to search for separate items. At e-Carnavalskleding.nl, you can expect a customer rating of 8.7 from previous buyers.
Frequently asked questions
Who is in the nativity scene?
In a nativity scene, Mary and Joseph are at the manger, surrounded by shepherds, the three kings and an angel. The animals include a donkey and sheep, which are available here as plush suits with a hood and ears. In a live nativity scene, adults usually play Mary, Joseph, a shepherd or a king, while children take on the roles of angels, stars and animals. This way, you can dress up a group for all the roles at once.
What clothes do you wear in the nativity scene?
For a nativity scene, you wear long robes or tunics with a belt or cord around the waist and a headscarf or veil. Mary is recognizable by her blue-and-white outfit, Joseph by his shoulder piece and headscarf, the shepherds by their beige or striped tunics and the kings by their tabard with sash and crown. Angels wear a white dress with separate wings and a halo on a headband. The animal roles are filled by a plush jumpsuit with a hood, for example as a donkey, sheep or reindeer.
