Astrid is one of the most rewarding dragon-rider characters to build, because almost everything that makes her read is soft goods: a red top, a paneled skirt with spikes, a single shoulder guard, fur at the boots and that long side braid. You can make her from faux leather, felt and craft foam, or put her together from clothes already in your wardrobe and add two or three made pieces. When I plan an Astrid, I decide early how much armour the wearer will actually tolerate, because a foam-heavy build and a school-day version are different projects. The ideas below run from screen-faithful outfits to casual, kid-sized and cold-weather takes, so pick the one that matches your sewing time and where you'll be wearing it.
Building the Spiked Panel Skirt Without a Pattern
Almost every version below uses her paneled skirt, so it's worth getting one method right. I build it on a belt rather than a waistband, because a belt lets you slide panels around until the spacing looks even, and you can wear it over leggings, jeans or a dress.
- Measure from the waist to just above the knee and cut panels to that length plus a little extra for the fold over the belt. Long rectangles that taper slightly toward the bottom hang better than straight strips.
- Use faux leather or felt that doesn't fray. Faux leather with a knit back has a bit of stretch, which keeps panels from cracking where they bend when you sit.
- Fold the top of each panel over the belt and stitch it, or use a strong fabric glue and clip it while it cures. Overlap each panel by about a third of its width so no gaps open when you walk.
- Add the spikes last. Cut them from craft foam, paint them silver, and glue them near the bottom edge of each panel where they won't press into your legs when you sit down.
Try the skirt on and sit in a chair before you add any decoration. If the panels splay apart at the sides, add one more panel there. It's the fix I make on nearly every skirt like this.
1. Classic Astrid HTTYD Costume
Her first-film outfit is the one most people picture: a fitted rust-red top over dark blue leggings, a brown faux-leather skirt made of overlapping panels, and a scatter of silver spikes and small skull shapes. One shoulder guard and matching wrist cuffs are enough armour. I cut the skirt panels slightly longer than I think I need, because once they overlap on a belt they ride up. A long blonde wig in a loose side braid, a narrow brown headband, soft brows and a touch of grey shadow finish the face. Carry a round handmade shield or a rolled training map, and wear brown knee-high boots with removable faux-fur cuffs.
2. Astrid HTTYD 2 Costume
The second-film Astrid is older and better armoured, so the palette gets richer: a sleeveless burgundy tunic over a dark long-sleeve shirt and fitted brown leggings. Add a scale-textured faux-leather skirt, a wide utility belt, layered shoulder pieces and forearm guards. Metallic grey craft foam keeps the armour light, though I'd seal it before painting, because raw craft foam drinks paint and goes blotchy. Her hair moves to a golden-blonde wig with small side braids feeding into a thick low ponytail. A rider helmet, map case or plush dragon makes a safe prop, and rugged brown boots with textured covers and soft knee guards keep you moving.
3. Astrid Hidden World Costume
For the Hidden World look, a muted red-brown tunic and slim dark trousers sit under layered dragon-scale armour at the chest, shoulders, hips and knees. Flexible EVA foam is the right material here: it heat-shapes around a shoulder and holds the curve once it cools. I paint it in pearlescent blue and bronze over a charcoal base so the scales catch light without looking plastic. A fitted belt with small travel pouches carries your phone and keys. Wear a pale blonde wig in a long textured braid with thin braids framing the face, keep lips neutral, and carry a dragon egg replica or decorated shield instead of anything sharp. Dark brown lace-up boots with foam scale panels finish it.
4. Astrid Dragon Scale Armor Costume
Shimmering scale armour is the version people stop to photograph, and it's also the one that takes the most evenings. Start with a fitted brown long-sleeve top and faux-leather leggings so the colourful scales stay the focus, then layer iridescent foam across the chest, shoulders, forearms, hips and lower legs. Each scale gets blue-green, silver and violet highlights. I cut scales from a template and bevel the bottom edge with a craft knife; that small angle is what makes them look stacked rather than glued flat. Add a segmented skirt, a wide belt with molded skulls, a thick braided wig with a leather-look headband, cool metallic shadow, a light helmet or round shield, and brown boots wrapped in matching scale panels.
5. Astrid Live Action Costume
A live-action take asks for woven fabrics, muted colour and armour that looks used. Wear a dark blue woven tunic with fitted brown pants and a weathered leather-look vest, then add a paneled overskirt, sturdy belt, shoulder armour and bracers in charcoal and bronze. Skip bright metallic paint. Dry brushing does the work: wipe almost all the silver off the brush, then drag it across the raised edges only. Blonde or light brown hair in a loose half-up braid, brushed brows, flushed cheeks and soft taupe around the eyes keep the face grounded. A plain wooden-look shield, lace-up boots, wrapped ankle straps and a little faux-fur trim are all it needs.
6. Astrid Race To The Edge Costume
The series version is built for movement: a fitted red tunic, dark leggings and a brown paneled skirt, plus a cropped shoulder cape trimmed in faux fur. Faux fur sheds badly when you cut it with scissors, so I slice it from the back with a blade, just through the knit backing, and the pile stays on the strip instead of all over the room. A silver foam shoulder guard and wrist bracers go on next, with a wide belt for pouches, a rolled map or a handmade training notebook. Wear a golden-blonde wig in a side braid with loose bangs, add a slightly smoky outer eye, carry a compact round shield with a simple Nordic pattern, and wrap the ankles above brown mid-calf boots.
7. Astrid Riders Of Berk Costume
This is the middle ground between her original Viking clothes and the training gear. A brick-red sleeveless top over a navy long-sleeve shirt, dark leggings, a faux-leather panel skirt and a sturdy utility belt make the base. Grey craft foam covers a small shoulder guard, forearm cuffs and knee protectors, and the armour should look slightly worn rather than shiny; a quick wipe of brown acrylic into the creases does that in minutes. Style a blonde wig in a relaxed side braid with wispy strands at the face, smudge some brown liner, and carry an island map, dragon handbook or small saddlebag. Rugged brown boots with fur cuffs are comfortable for a long evening outdoors.
8. Astrid Defenders Of Berk Costume
For a patrol look, I go darker: a burgundy tunic over a charcoal base layer, brown fitted pants and a short paneled overskirt. A weathered shoulder guard, wide wrist cuffs and a belt carrying foam pouches add the travel gear. The short faux-fur cape matters more than it looks, because it widens her shoulders and gives the silhouette its outline from a distance. Use a long blonde wig in one large braid with two smaller temple braids, matte skin, defined brows and soft charcoal shadow. Paint the lightweight shield with an abstract dragon emblem or carry a rolled patrol map, then finish with dark brown riding boots, wrapped boot straps and flexible foam knee guards.
9. Astrid Wedding Costume
Astrid's wedding look swaps armour for a floor-length cream or pale grey dress with embroidered trim, fitted sleeves and a softly structured waist. A textured blue-grey cape held with silver clasps and a narrow metallic belt keep the island feel. Go light on the faux-fur edging; on a pale gown a thick band of fur looks heavy fast, so I keep it to the cape hem. Her hair becomes a crown of braids flowing into a loose back braid, with rosy cheeks, a soft pink lip and a hint of silver shadow. Carry greenery and white wildflowers or a carved keepsake box, and hide comfortable brown or silver ankle boots under the hem.
10. Astrid Dragon Rider Costume
A flight-ready Astrid has to bend at the hip and knee, so start with stretch: a deep red tunic, brown stretch pants and a fitted faux-leather vest. Add a short scale-patterned skirt, shoulder pads, forearm guards and lightweight knee armour, plus a crossbody harness and compact belt pouches. Tucking smaller braids under a foam rider helmet is fiddly; I braid the wig on a head form first and pin the braids flat before the helmet ever goes on. Wind-flushed cheeks, defined brows and neutral lips suit the outdoor feel. Riding goggles or a plush dragon companion are the props, with dark brown lace-up boots, textured boot covers and padded gloves you can pull off indoors.
11. Astrid Training Arena Costume
The training-arena version is pared back for action. A rust-red tank over a fitted slate-blue long-sleeve shirt, navy leggings and a flexible faux-leather skirt on a wide belt are the base, with silver foam studs pressed into the panels. You only need one shoulder guard, simple wrist wraps and padded knee pieces. A training shield made from painted foam or cardboard is light enough to carry all evening, though cardboard softens quickly if it gets damp, so I'd seal it with a coat of glue before painting. Add a loose braided wig, a narrow headband, light brown liner and flushed cheeks, then soft brown boots with faux-fur cuffs.
12. Astrid Battle Ready Costume
Battle-ready Astrid leans on armour and stance. Layer a dark red tunic over brown leggings, add a segmented scale skirt and fitted leather-look vest, then cover the shoulders, forearms, knees and shins with lightweight charcoal foam. Dry brush the edges in silver so the pieces read as metal without turning glossy. The shield with soft foam edges is the centrepiece, and soft edges matter when you're turning around in a crowded room. I attach every armour piece with elastic rather than glue, so you can sit, walk and pose without anything cracking at the joint. A thick side braid, wrapped headband, smoky taupe eyes, sturdy dark boots, boot wraps and fingerless gloves round it out.
13. Astrid Winter Costume
If you'll be outside in real cold, build Astrid over thermals: a thermal burgundy tunic, fleece-lined brown leggings and a faux-leather panel skirt. A thick grey cloak with faux-fur trim, insulated wrist cuffs and soft foam shoulder armour go over the top, and the belt worn over the cloak keeps her shape defined. Hot glue gets brittle in cold air and lets go, so for a winter build I'd stitch or rivet anything that takes strain. Braid the wig loosely so a knit liner fits underneath. Rosy cheeks and soft grey shadow suit the windswept look; finish with waterproof brown boots, wool-look leg wraps and removable fur boot cuffs.
14. Astrid Summer Costume
Warm weather calls for the lightest Astrid. A sleeveless rust-red cotton tunic over breathable navy bike shorts or thin leggings, a short faux-suede panel skirt and a narrow belt with small foam studs keep air moving. Foam armour traps heat against the body, so I limit it to one shoulder piece with a few punched holes behind the strap and thin wrist guards. Natural blonde hair or a light wig in a side braid, tinted moisturiser, waterproof brown liner and a muted berry lip hold up in heat. Carry a small foam shield or belt pouch rather than anything bulky, and wear brown ankle boots with moisture-wicking socks.
15. Easy DIY Astrid Costume
You don't need advanced sewing to make a convincing Astrid. Start with a red tank, a navy long-sleeve tee, dark leggings and brown winter boots. Cut tapered panels from brown felt and attach them to a cheap belt with fabric glue, then add silver-painted foam triangles and small clay details. Felt stretches when you glue it while it's pulled taut, so I lay panels flat and let the glue cure overnight before wearing. A layered craft-foam shoulder guard goes on with elastic straps. The braid does most of the character work here, along with soft grey shadow, a painted cardboard shield and faux-fur strips at the boots and wrists on hook-and-loop tabs.
16. No Sew Astrid Costume
No-sew Astrid depends on layering, fabric glue and fasteners you can undo. A brick-red top, charcoal leggings and a brown faux-suede vest make the base. The skirt is felt strips fixed to a wide belt with safety pins or adhesive fabric tabs. I prefer pins for anything that bends, since adhesive tabs peel at the fold line after a few hours of walking. Foam spikes and small silver details go on with strong craft glue, a premade shoulder pad straps over one side, and brown wrist cuffs slip on. Braid a long blonde wig under a plain headband, add taupe shadow, carry a foam shield or training scroll, and clip faux-fur cuffs onto brown boots.
17. Last Minute Astrid Costume
When the party is tomorrow, concentrate on four things: her colours, the braid, the boots and something skirt-like at the hips. Pair a red fitted shirt with dark blue leggings, and wrap a brown fringed skirt or oversized scarf securely around the hips. A wide belt, brown wristbands and a grey shoulder pad cut from an old yoga mat or craft foam supply the armour. Yoga mat foam is a lucky find, because it's already flexible and takes a marker or paint well enough for one night. Braid a blonde wig or your own hair over one shoulder, add rosy cheeks and soft grey liner, and carry a smooth-edged, light serving tray as the shield with brown winter boots and pinned fur cuffs.
18. Budget Astrid Costume
Thrift shops are full of Astrid parts if you shop by colour rather than by costume. Look for a dark red knit top, navy leggings, brown boots and a faux-suede skirt or vest. Cut the skirt into even panels, or add felt strips to a belt you already own. Old sports pads make good shoulder and knee armour once painted matte grey with silver highlights, though I'd scrub them first because paint won't grip a greasy surface. Felt strips work as wrist cuffs. A low-cost wig sheds and shines, so a fabric headband over the hairline and a little dry shampoo on the braid help it look less synthetic. Finish with a painted cardboard shield and fur scraps at the boots.
19. Closet Astrid Costume
Open your wardrobe before you buy anything. A burgundy sweater or long-sleeve tee under a brown vest, dark skinny pants and tall brown boots are already most of Astrid. Tie a brown scarf or fringed wrap around the hips to suggest the paneled skirt, and add a wide belt with leather-look bracelets. One grey shoulder pad made from cardboard covered in duct tape takes ten minutes. Put blonde hair into a thick side braid or clip in temporary blonde extensions under a brown headband. A notebook labelled as a dragon field guide is my favourite prop for this version, because it's cheap and people get the joke. Removable fur boot cuffs make the everyday clothes read as costume.
20. Glam Astrid Costume
A glam Astrid trades grit for shine. Start with a deep ruby velvet tunic, sleek brown leggings and a structured faux-leather corset belt, then add an iridescent scale skirt, metallic shoulder armour and forearm cuffs painted silver and blue. Velvet crushes under straps, so I put a strip of felt under the shoulder harness where it presses. Style a glossy platinum-blonde wig in a full side braid with thin braided accents and metallic cords. Luminous foundation, sculpted brows, smoky silver eyes and a berry lip suit it. Carry a jewel-toned dragon egg or a pearlescent shield, wear fitted knee-high boots with shimmering panels, and add a short fur cape for drama.
21. Casual Astrid Costume
If you want her attitude without carrying armour all evening, go casual. A muted red henley, dark blue jeans, a brown utility vest and a wide leather-look belt are the backbone. A short fringed hip scarf hints at the Viking skirt while letting you walk normally. Brown wrist cuffs and a small crossbody pouch add useful detail. Keep the side braid and headband, since without them people tend to read the outfit as plain autumn clothes. Rosy cheeks and soft lashes are plenty of makeup. A training journal, rider goggles or a plush dragon, brown lace-up boots and subtle fur cuffs carry it at a low-key gathering.
22. Modern Astrid Costume
Translating Astrid into streetwear works when the colour blocking stays. Pair a rust-red fitted jacket with black cargo pants and a cropped brown utility vest, then layer a short, flexible paneled faux-leather belt skirt over the pants. Silver shoulder details, fingerless gloves and small foam knee guards keep the armoured hint. I'd thread several thin braids through a blonde ponytail rather than one big braid, which reads more current, and lock it all under a brown headband. Sharp brown liner, bronzed cheeks and a muted rose lip suit the look. A dragon-themed backpack or rolled navigation chart and brown combat boots with textured cuffs are practical for real movement.
23. Plus Size Astrid Costume
For a plus-size Astrid, adjustable layers beat stiff armour every time. Start with a stretch burgundy tunic that falls below the hip and breathable navy leggings, then add a wide elastic-backed belt carrying faux-leather skirt panels that move independently. Separate panels matter because a single stiff skirt pulls open at the side seams when you sit. Shape light shoulder and forearm armour from thin EVA foam and attach it with adjustable straps, so it fits where you are, not where a pattern guessed. A voluminous side-braided wig balances the layered top. Smoky eyes and a berry lip, a light shield or journal, and wide-calf brown boots or ankle boots with fur gaiters finish it comfortably.
24. Modest Astrid Costume
A more covered Astrid starts with a long burgundy tunic over dark blue straight-leg pants and a knee-length brown paneled overskirt with small silver foam details on a wide adjustable belt. Full forearm guards, a high-neck base layer and a fur-trimmed shoulder cape add coverage while keeping her rugged outline. I line the cape's shoulders with a scrap of non-slip fabric so it stays put over a smooth high-neck top. Wear a long blonde wig in a secure braid with a brown fabric headband, keep makeup soft with grey shadow and muted pink lips, and carry a round shield, map case or guidebook. Tall brown boots, wrapped ankle straps and gloves finish the outfit.
25. Teen Astrid Costume
Teens usually want detail but not weight, and they'll ditch anything that pinches by the second hour. Start with a soft red tunic, navy leggings and a brown felt panel skirt sewn to an elastic belt. A flexible foam shoulder piece, comfortable wrist cuffs and lightweight knee guards are enough armour. Decorate the skirt with painted foam shapes rather than hard or pointed studs, which is also what most school rules ask for. Braid a wig or their own hair over one shoulder with a simple headband. Tinted moisturiser, rosy blush, brown mascara and a little grey shadow keep makeup age-appropriate, with a foam shield, flat brown boots and soft fur cuffs.
26. Kids Astrid Costume
With a child's Astrid, I plan around what they'll tolerate rather than what looks most accurate. A long-sleeve red T-shirt, navy leggings and a felt skirt with rounded overlapping panels are soft enough for a full evening. Attach silver foam details and faux-fur trim with fabric glue, and make the shoulder armour from flexible craft foam on comfortable elastic. Choose a child-safe braid extension or braided wig that stays out of their eyes. Use only washable cheek colour and soft grey face paint near the eyes, tested on the inner arm first. A light foam shield or small plush dragon is easier to carry than anything elaborate, and reflective details help if you're out after sunset.
27. Convention Astrid Cosplay
Convention wear means a long day of standing, sitting and squeezing through doorways, so durability matters as much as detail. A fitted burgundy base layer, stretch brown pants and a segmented scale skirt carry painted EVA foam armour at the shoulders, torso, forearms, knees and boots. I fix each piece with elastic, snaps or hook-and-loop tabs so a repair means swapping a strap, not regluing a seam. A lace-front blonde wig with small braids leading into a textured ponytail hides the hairline in close photos. Long-wearing neutral makeup with setting spray, concealed belt pouches for your phone, cushioned boots and moisture-wicking layers make the day bearable.
28. Halloween Astrid Costume
For trick-or-treating, Astrid needs to read in the dark. Layer a bright rust-red tunic over dark blue leggings and add a brown panel skirt with reflective silver foam shapes. A grey shoulder guard, wide wrist cuffs and a fur capelet keep her outline. The thick blonde side braid and dark brown headband are what people spot first at a doorstep, so don't skimp on those. Waterproof taupe shadow, rosy blush and a muted pink lip handle a damp night. Carry a light shield with reflective painted patterns or a small dragon-shaped candy bag, and run discreet reflective tape down the back. I'd wear flat brown boots with fur cuffs here, never heels.
29. Astrid And Dragon Costume
Adding a dragon companion turns Astrid into a duo of one. Wear a burgundy tunic, brown leggings and an overlapping faux-leather skirt with silver foam accents, then a scale-textured shoulder guard, matching wrist armour and a wide belt with a small treat pouch. The blue or green dragon sits on one shoulder on concealed straps. A plush puppet slides down your back within an hour unless you anchor it at two points, so I run one strap under the arm and one across the chest. Style a practical braided wig with smoky taupe eyes, carry a dragon-care journal or decorated egg, and wear brown riding boots with scale-patterned covers. Keep the plush light enough that you can still turn your head.
30. Astrid Viking Leader Costume
Astrid as a grown Viking leader wears a longer tunic, a structured cape and refined armour. Choose a deep red woven dress or knee-length tunic over fitted brown pants, then add a bronze-trimmed scale skirt, matching shoulder guards, bracers and a wide embossed belt. A charcoal cape lined with faux fur gives a commanding outline. A lined cape gets heavy, so I sew it to a firm yoke that sits on the shoulders instead of hanging from a neck tie. Style a pale blonde wig in a braided crown flowing into a long back braid, with sculpted cheeks and cool metallic shadow. Carry a decorative shield or rolled village map, and wear tall brown boots with bronze boot panels and gloves.
Making a Cheap Blonde Wig Look Like Her Braid
Astrid's braid is long, thick and slightly loose, and most budget wigs are thinner than they look in the packet. If your braid comes out skinny, braid in a second inexpensive wig or a clip-in ponytail of the same shade. Brush synthetic fibre only with a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends, because brushing from the roots pulls the fibre and creates frizz you can't undo.
Synthetic wigs also have a plastic shine. I dust the braid lightly with dry shampoo or a little translucent powder to knock it back, and I keep it away from ovens, candles and hair dryers on a warm setting, since heat can melt or frizz the fibre. A headband over the hairline hides the wig edge and is canon, so it does two jobs at once.
Craft Foam or EVA Foam for Her Armour
Thin craft foam sheets are cheap, easy to cut with scissors and fine for spikes, studs and a simple shoulder guard. They don't hold a curve well, though, and they dent if you lean on them. Thicker EVA foam, the kind sold as floor mats or cosplay sheets, can be warmed with a heat gun and shaped around a shoulder or forearm, and it keeps that shape once it cools.
- Seal foam before painting it. Several thin coats of white glue or a flexible primer stop the paint soaking in and cracking.
- Paint with flexible acrylics and dry brush the edges; thick layers of spray paint crack when the foam bends.
- Use contact cement for foam-to-foam joins on anything that will flex. Hot glue is quick, but it lets go in cold air and under repeated bending.
- Work with a heat gun in a ventilated room, keep it moving, and let pieces cool on the shape you want.
Start With the Braid, Then Add Armour
If I had to make one Astrid this week, I'd start with the side braid and the paneled skirt, because those two pieces carry the character before any armour goes on. From there, add as much foam as your evenings and your weather allow: a single shoulder guard for a school day, full scales for a convention, a cloak and thermals for a cold street. Keep the props soft and light, fasten armour with straps you can undo, and wear boots you can walk in. Build the version you'll be happy to wear for the whole night, not the one that looks best on a hanger.
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