Carbon Costume

Miss Trunchbull in the 2022 adaptation of Matilda The Musical is played by Emma Thompson. Matilda was originally a book by Roald Dahl, then made into a film, and then a Broadway musical. The 2022 film is based on the musical. With all of these different versions of the classic story, Miss Trunchbull has always remained a pretty scary character!

Miss Trunchbull wears a very military inspired costume, showing her authority and seriousness for her job, being a terrible principal. Her costume hilariously fits her attitude and personality so well- from the army green trench coat, to the special belt attachment to hold her mallet. This would make a wonderfully fun and recognizable costume!

If you were a ’90s kid, Miss Trunchbull from Matilda was the stuff of nightmares. Played by Pam Ferris, she was the epitome of a horrible principal. Whether it was locking kids in the Chokey or tossing them out a window to land (safely, thankfully) in a rare patch of flowers near her school, she terrorized students and staff alike.

I wouldn’t recommend emulating her attitude but you can certainly get her severe style with a few key pieces. The most important pieces are a long green overcoat and a wig with a slicked-back bun. The overcoat pictured above is longer than Miss Trunchbull’s but this will allow you hem it (or tape it up) to the right length for you. If you want to cosplay her her school uniform you can wear a skirt and shirt under the overcoat, though they won’t e seen. Of course you’ll need the wig with its slicked back bun as well. Add in some tall Army green socks and leather shoes as well as a leather belt to complete the look.

For the clothes she wears at home you’ll need a grey pullover sweater, green sweat pants, white athletic socks, and sneakers. Using letter Transfer sheets add the words “1972 Olympics” to the front of the sweater.  Tuck a white towel in around the back of your neck with the bulk of it showing above the collar. Take the leather belt from her school outfit (or a weight lifting leather belt if you have one) and tighten it around your waste. Then add in green sweats, bunched athletic socks, and simple sneakers.

And, of course, Miss Trunchbull isn’t Miss Trunchbull without her coveted box of chocolates. You can make your own by taking the chocolates (still in their paper cups) out of a standard box of chocolates and putting them into an enamel hinge-top box. It’s a bit bulky for an accessory but every Matilda fan will know immediately why Miss Trunchbull would keep the box close!