Looking for an easy Ashley Banks costume? Her signature outfit is the Bel-Air Academy school uniform: a dark blazer with a gold crest, a white blouse, a red bow at the collar and a red plaid pleated skirt. It's mostly pieces you can find at any school-uniform store, which makes it one of the cheapest 90s TV costumes to put together for Halloween, a 90s party or a group costume with the rest of the Banks family.
How to Make Ashley Banks Costume
Blazer, navy schoolBlouse, white collaredBow, red cross-overSkirt, red plaid pleatedCrest patch, goldBows, red hairWig, long curly blackSaveTap any item in the photo to shop itClick any item in the photo to shop it
| # | Item | Description | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blazer, navy school | Ashley's blazer is a dark, almost black-navy school blazer with gold buttons and a crest on the chest pocket. This fitted navy one has the right two-button, flap-pocket shape. For a child, the same brand makes a girls' version. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 2 | Blouse, white collared | A plain white button-up with a small collar sits under the blazer. Any crisp white short- or long-sleeve blouse works; this one is cut for women. For kids, try a Peter Pan collar blouse. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 3 | Bow, red cross-over | Her red velvet bow sits in an X shape at the collar. A pre-tied criss-cross bow in bright red copies that shape and adjusts to the neck. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 4 | Skirt, red plaid pleated | The skirt is a knee-length pleated plaid in red with navy. This below-the-knee navy-and-red pleated skirt is the closest match we found; most "plaid skirts" are minis. Girls can wear the mid-length version. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 5 | Crest patch, gold | The small gold-and-red crest on the pocket is what makes it Bel-Air Academy rather than just a school uniform. Iron or stitch on a gold crown badge and use one from the pack. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 6 | Bows, red hair | Ashley wears a red bow in her hair on top of her head. Clip one in. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 7 | Wig, long curly black | Optional. Her hair is long, black and in loose ringlets. Skip this if you already have long curls. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
Getting Ashley's Look Right
- The blazer decides the costume. Black reads better than bright blue on camera, so go for the darkest navy you can find and add the crest and gold buttons.
- Keep the skirt long. Her skirt in the reference sits at the knee. A mini skirt looks more like a generic "schoolgirl" costume than Ashley, so shop for knee-length or hem it yourself.
- Hair does a lot of the work. Long curls pulled up on top with a red bow tie it together, and it's the quickest fix if you don't want to wear a wig. Curl your own hair with a curling iron or flexi rods, or use the wig above.
- Shoes and socks are up to you. The only official photo of the uniform we found doesn't show them, so use plain black school shoes or flats and white socks.
Group and Couple Ideas
Ashley is the youngest of the Banks kids, so she pairs naturally with her cousin in the Fresh Prince costume, whom she followed around in the show. Add a suit and bow tie for Carlton and a sleek 90s outfit for Hilary and you have the whole household.
About Ashley Banks
Ashley Banks is the youngest daughter of Philip and Vivian Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and was played by Tatyana Ali for the whole run of the show. She starts as a Bel-Air Academy student of about 11, goes on to work at Dippity Do Dog and picks up the nickname "Ash" from her cousin Will, who she looks up to like a big brother. Over six seasons she grows from a kid following Will around into a teenager with her own friends and her own ideas, which is also why her wardrobe changes as the series goes on. The school uniform is the look she's best known for.
