With Halloween just weeks away, it’s officially time to start costume hunting. The spooky season is filled with endless opportunities to get creative and honor your favorite TV, movie, and book figures, and one character worth channeling this Halloween is the perfectly extraordinary, avant-garde Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek.
Moira, portrayed by television and film legend Catherine O’Hara, is the matriarch of the Rose family and had a successful career as a dramatic actress on the show’s fictionalized soap opera “Sunrise Bay” before losing her fortune after being scammed by the family business manager. After relocating to the small town of Schitt’s Creek, Moira continuously attempts to bring her socialite status to the town by dressing fashionably, adorning a variety of wigs, and even embellishing her speech and vocabulary to appear more posh.
Embracing your inner Moira Rose this Halloween does not require breaking the bank and burning a hole in your wallet. Rather, you can create a costume around the eccentric character using staple items you probably already have in your wardrobe and embellish them with inexpensive accessories. Remember, part of becoming Moira is also about bringing out your classy side! Add in a bit of absurdity, a completely made-up accent, and of course, drama, and you will be unrecognizable as arguably “Schitt’s Creek’s” best character.
Throughout the show’s six seasons, Moira Rose’s wardrobe has featured some incredible pieces, ranging from her iconic ruffled dress and feathered hat in season two’s “Finding David,” to her show-stopping blonde wig and papal hat in the series finale, “Happy Ending.” If you’re looking to wow your friends as Moira Rose this Halloween, try recreating these 11 outfits from the show!
YouTube user Scitt's Creek
Moira Rose in "Wine and Roses"
Moira Rose tackles “fruit wine” in this season one episode. As Moira and John slowly settle down in Schitt’s Creek, she is offered a dazzling job as a spokesperson for a local winery called Herb Ertlinger Winery. Dressed for the occasion, Moira wears an Elizabethan-style collared blouse along with a blazer, black pants, giant pearl earrings, and a chunky necklace. One definitely can’t forget her wig, which is reminiscent of Tina Turner’s iconic windswept hair.
To get this look, put together the following:
- Black leggings
- A form-fitting blazer
- A white collared shirt (or make your own DIY Shakespearean collar)
- Statement accessories like chunky earrings and necklaces
- A short, dirty-blonde wig with some layers
Everett Collection / CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corp.) / Courtesy Everett Collectio
Moira Rose in "Finding David"
In light of a family crisis, Moira is, of course, dressed to impress. When David runs away from Schitt’s Creek, Moira, John, and Alexis join forces to find him. Turns out, he fled to the Amish country in an attempt to escape the emotional turmoil of living in the town. As the family drives out to the country, they eventually find David and create quite the spectacle in front of his new Amish friends. With fishnet tights, a feathered hat, and a ruffled dress, Moira and David reunite and make a dramatic exit back to Schitt’s Creek.
To get this look, put together the following:
- A long-sleeved black dress (find a ruffled one for extra accuracy)
- A top hat with feathers
- Fishnet tights
YouTube user Scitt's Creek
Moira Rose in "Estate Sale"
Moira looks extra chic as she and John pop by an estate sale in this season two episode. While looking through belongings together, Moira and John reflect on all the specialty items they were forced to leave behind, like John’s golf clubs or Moira’s Galapagonian tortoise shell foot bath. Despite the occasion being a bit dreary and unsettling for the materialistic Moira, she nonetheless revels in being the center of attention because of her outfit.
To get this look, put together the following:
- A black turtleneck
- A big pair of black sunglasses
- A white cardigan or jacket
- A chunky necklace
- A brown wig that is longer in the front, shorter in the back
YouTube user Schitt's Creek
Moira Rose in "New Car"
The Roses are in the market for a new car, but with a limited budget, Moira and John are forced to go to a used car lot to find one. When Moira finds her dream car that is well above their set budget, she channels her greatest of acting skills and an over-the-top cockney accent to make up a story that will hopefully gain the sympathy of the salesman and get them the car at a discount. In this scene, Moira opts out of wearing her usual elegant outfits and instead goes for the more “common woman” look, which consists of a drab black shirt, black sweatshirt, and questionable blonde wig.
To get this look, put together the following:
- A basic plain t-shirt
- An oversized black zip-up sweatshirt
- Black leggings
- A short, dirty-blonde wig with some layers
Everett Collection / CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corp.) / Courtesy Everett Collectio
Moira Rose in "Asbestos Fest"
When Moira is selected to headline for a charity fundraiser called Asbestos Fest, she brings her special pizzaz to make the otherwise underwhelming event more posh and exciting. In the scene, Moira and David perform a medley of Christmas songs, albeit horribly, and change some of the words to some beloved carols (i.e. “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, the keys to a Lamborghini”). Alongside David, Moira is in a patterned fringe dress, accompanied with a bold gold belt and a jeweled beret.
To get this look, put together the following:
- A long, black dress, preferably with some fringe
- A gold belt
- A black beret
- A long black wig
YouTube user Schitt's Creek
Moira Rose in "The Crowening"
It has been years since Moira has been in front of the camera, at least, in a serious role. When she receives an opportunity to star in “The Crows Have Eyes III: The Crowening,” Moira immediately jumps and goes to Bosnia to work. Though the work seems degrading, she is convinced that this will be her breakout role and allow her to revive her career. On camera, Moira portrays a crow and is covered with black feathers, though she still adds her stylish flair with a black wig.
To get this look, put together the following:
- A button-up white blouse
- A white blazer
- A short black wig
- A ton of black feathers to glue to yourself
Hulu
Moira Rose in "The Dress"
Perhaps the most iconic of Moira Rose looks happens in this season five episode. I mean, it’s not called “The Dress” for nothing! As Moira is preparing to integrate back into the world of being a celebrity and re-establish her famous reputation, she purchases a $3,700 dress to wear to the premiere of “The Crows Have Eyes III: The Crowening,” though a release date has not been announced yet. Nonetheless, Moira gets the dress, which puts John in a bit of a frenzy as they really can’t afford it on top of their mounting bills. Ultimately, she looks fabulous and the other Rose family members think so as well.
To get this look, put together the following:
- A long rose gold or light pink dress
- A matching robe with feathers and jeweled embellishments
- A bold red lipstick
Everett Collection / CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corp.) / Courtesy Everett Collectio
Moira Rose in "Rock On!"
When a Jazzgal’s date to see Poison in concert at a casino gets canceled, the group still decide to go to the casino to spend some time together. Moira, who is not above a “naughty night of debauchery,” totally embraces the night and even encourages a down-trodden Jocelyn to have the time of her life and let loose a little bit. Unlike her other flashy outfits, Moira’s casino selection is a bit more tame and sophisticated, with classic black and white pieces to tie everything together.
To get this look, put together the following:
- A platinum blonde short haired wig with bangs
- A button-up white blouse
- A black ribbon
- A black blazer
YouTube user Schitt's Creek
Moira Rose in "Life is a Cabaret"
The “Cabaret” play is officially underway with Moira behind the scenes helping with the casting and production of the musical. Stevie is cast as Liza Minelli’s iconic character, but when it comes time for the show to start, she is nowhere to be found. In an effort to save the musical, Moira takes matters into her own hands and dresses as the role, only for Stevie to rush into the dressing room and catch her practicing to be her replacement. Moira embodies the character of Sally Bowles with a perfect outfit to match.
To get this look, put together the following:
- A pin-striped black pants
- A black vest
- A plain black felt hat
- A short black wig with bangs
Everett Collection / CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corp.) / Courtesy Everett Collectio
Moira Rose in "Rebound"
Moira makes one unforgettable tourism video for Schitt’s Creek in this season six episode. Dressed in an eye-catching black gown, Moira appears on camera boasting about the wonders of Schitt’s Creek, ranging from the Cafe Tropical to the Rosebud Motel. Throughout the video, Moira’s acting skills definitely come through as she fibs about how much she loves the small town and she is accompanied by David, Stevie, and even John. While her dialogue may not be interesting, her outfit sure is.
To get this look, put together the following:
- A long, latex-style dress
- Black gloves
- Minimalist silver jewelry
- A short black wig with bangs
Getty / Daniel Knighton
Moira Rose in "Happy Ending"
In the series finale, Moira arguably outshines David and Patrick on their wedding day with an over-the-top, show-stopping outfit. As the officiant of the wedding, Moira has to be the center of attention and wears – off all things – a papal hat, along with beautiful gold jewelry and a lengthy blonde wig. Talk about going out with a bang! Following David’s wedding, Moira and John notably head to California, and leave her wedding outfit as the most memorable jewel of the episode.
To get this look, put together the following:
- A papal hat
- A long white dress
- A long blonde wig
- Chunky gold jewelry
