What You’ll Need
Tan Twill Blazer
Tan Printed Vest
Red Floral Print Ascot Necktie
Dark Grey Plaid Wool Maxi Skirt
Off White Civil War Era Shirt
Black Dance Boots
Green and Navy Plaid Wool Maxi Skirt
Black Ascot Necktie
Pinstripe Pants
Black Corduroy Vest
Black Blazer
Building Jo’s Layered Silhouette
Jo’s costume is essentially a study in contrast: soft, unstructured fabrics worn beneath sharply tailored outer layers. The base blouse should be off-white cotton or linen with a modest band collar. A slight ruffle at the neckline is acceptable, but keep it minimal—Jo’s version is plain and practical, not decorative. Rolling the sleeves to the forearm is a small detail that immediately suggests someone who spends her days hunched over a manuscript.
For the lower half, a dark grey plaid wool maxi skirt is the most recognizable option. A green-and-navy plaid also works if you’re aiming for the warmer tones of the 2019 film. The skirt should fall past the ankle and have enough fullness to allow a natural stride. If you prefer the trouser look instead, pinstripes in a dark fabric are the way to go. Either choice works; the key is that the piece moves with you rather than restricting you.
The vest is where Jo’s androgynous style comes through. A tan printed vest or a black corduroy waistcoat over the white shirt creates the right textural contrast. Fit matters more than pattern here—the vest should sit close through the torso and button cleanly without gaping. Over that, a tan twill blazer or fitted black blazer adds the structured shoulder line that balances the long skirt. The blazer should be tailored enough to look deliberate, not like an oversized hand-me-down.
Around the collar, a necktie finishes the menswear-inspired silhouette. A red floral ascot gives the pop of color Jo wears in several key scenes; a black ascot reads more subdued and serious. Either way, tie it loosely—Jo wouldn’t fuss with a perfect knot.
For footwear, lace-up black boots with a slight heel are the practical choice. Victorian ankle boots are ideal if you can find them, but any leather lace-up boot with a low heel will pass. You’ll be standing in these for hours, so prioritize a pair you can already walk comfortably in over strict historical accuracy.
The props are what make you immediately recognizable as Jo. Carry a leather-bound journal with a fountain pen tucked inside, or bundle a few sheets of paper tied with twine to suggest a work in progress. Smudging a little ink on your fingertips is a cheap, effective storytelling detail that costs nothing and photographs well.
Hair should look intentionally undone: a low bun with loose strands around the face, or a simple braid. Makeup stays minimal—clean skin, neutral tones, slightly flushed cheeks. Nothing about Jo’s presentation should look polished or performative.
Thrift stores are genuinely the best resource for this costume. Textured vests, wool blazers, and long plaid skirts are exactly the kind of items that end up donated. Look for natural fibers—cotton, wool, linen—since synthetic blends won’t drape the same way and will look noticeably modern under convention lighting.
When you’re wearing the full outfit, the silhouette should be layered and slightly loose, with the structured blazer and vest providing shape. That contrast between soft fabric and tailored outer layers is what makes the costume work.
