What You’ll Need
Oversized Brown Belt
Mint Green Cable Knit Sweater
UK Flag Printed Pants
Brown Work Shoes
Red Wig
Brown Mouse Ears Headband
Spirit Gum and Remover
Prosthetic Mouse Nose
Tan Cat Costume Accessory Kit
Rita Malone’s scavenger look from Flushed Away centers on high-contrast streetwear paired with practical dockworker staples. Her outfit balances a cozy pastel sweater against bold, graphic trousers, tied together with heavy utility accessories built for navigating the London sewer waterways aboard the Jammy Dodger.
Because her clothing consists of everyday garments styled with an exaggerated animated silhouette, putting this costume together relies on proportion and color contrast. The pieces are straightforward to source, while getting the oversized fit and rodent features right will make the character instantly identifiable.
The Sweater and Union Jack Trousers
Rita wears a mint green cable knit sweater with a noticeably relaxed cut. The knit pattern gives the top texture, which contrasts nicely with the smooth, printed fabric on her legs. Pushing the sleeves up toward your elbows mimics how she keeps her forearms clear while handling boat controls. A slightly loose or slouchy fit matches her animated proportions much better than a tight, tailored cut.
Her trousers are the most eye-catching element of the entire build: full-length pants printed boldly with the UK Union Jack flag. Straight-leg or slightly tapered cuts work best here, as they tuck cleanly into footwear without bunching up around your ankles. If the pants are high-waisted, tucking the front hem of the sweater slightly into the waistband helps support the heavy belt.
Cinched Waist and Utility Footwear
To break up the chunky knit and the busy trouser pattern, Rita wears an oversized brown belt with a wide, prominent buckle. Position the belt right over the sweater at your natural waist or slightly lower on the hips. The wider the strap, the closer it mimics the cartoonish scale of her gear.
For footwear, Rita wears sturdy brown work shoes that look built for greasy engine rooms and wet deck planks. Chunky utility oxfords or low-profile work boots with thick rubber soles fit the practical skipper aesthetic. They also provide enough support to handle long hours walking around convention floors without needing specialized modifications.
Hair and Rodent Features
Rita’s hair is bright red with choppy layers, styled into a messy, spiky half-up ponytail with side bangs framing her face. A medium-length red wig gives you the volume needed to tease the top section and gather the back into a short tail or spiky bun. Working a little hair paste or texturizing pomade into the front pieces helps define separated locks without leaving them stiff.
Her rat ears sit high on the crown of her head. A brown mouse ears headband blends smoothly into the wig fibers when tucked behind the front layers of red hair. If the headband is noticeable against the wig, misting the band with brown fabric spray or wrapping it in matching synthetic hair will camouflage it.
Prosthetics and Tail Assembly
For the facial features, a small prosthetic mouse nose creates a distinct rodent profile without obstructing your mouth or breathing. Secure the prosthetic using spirit gum applied to clean, oil-free skin. Tap the adhesive with your finger until it becomes tacky before pressing the appliance firmly onto the bridge of your nose. When convention hours wrap up, dissolve the bond gently using spirit gum remover rather than pulling on delicate facial skin.
Rita’s tail needs to be long, slender, and flexible enough to trail behind you as you walk. A tan cat costume accessory kit provides a ready-made base tail that attaches to the back of your belt or waistband with a simple loop or safety pin. You can slide a length of craft wire inside the fabric sleeve if you want to give the tail a slight animated curve instead of letting it hang straight down.
