Cherry Valance is the Soc girl who sits in front of the greasers at the drive-in and tells Ponyboy that "things are rough all over." Her most searched look today is the pink houndstooth dress from the stage musical, a pleated mini dress with a cream cardigan, white knee socks and white Mary Janes. This guide builds that look first and adds her 1983 film look: a mint-green sweater, a pastel plaid skirt and dark loafers.
How to Make Cherry Valance Costume
Pink Houndstooth Pleated Mini DressIvory Pearl Button CardiganWhite Knee-High SocksWhite Mary Jane Block HeelsLong Auburn Wavy WigLight Pink Padded HeadbandPearl Drop EarringsMint Green Drawstring Cowl-Neck SweaterPastel Plaid A-Line Midi SkirtDark Brown Penny LoafersSaveTap any item in the photo to shop itClick any item in the photo to shop it
| # | Item | Description | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pink Houndstooth Pleated Mini Dress | A light pink and white houndstooth A-line dress with a pleated skirt and a button front, the closest ready-made match to the musical's dress. Choose pink. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 2 | Ivory Pearl Button Cardigan | A cream crew-neck knit cardigan worn open over the dress. Sew a strip of white lace down each front panel to copy the embroidered cardigan. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 3 | White Knee-High Socks | Plain white cotton knee socks, pulled up over the calf. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 4 | White Mary Jane Block Heels | White strap shoes with a low block heel, like her cream Mary Janes. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 5 | Long Auburn Wavy Wig | Cherry is named for her hair, so wear a long, wavy copper-red wig with a side part. It works for both looks. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 6 | Light Pink Padded Headband | A soft, wide pink headband worn back from the hairline. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 7 | Pearl Drop Earrings | Small pearl drops, as in the musical. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 8 | Mint Green Drawstring Cowl-Neck Sweater | For the film look, a soft mint-green sweater with a funnel neck and drawstring ties at the throat, like the one Cherry wears in the film still. Choose mint green. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 9 | Pastel Plaid A-Line Midi Skirt | A light green, cream and tan plaid skirt that flares from the waist to the knee, the closest match to her pastel plaid skirt. Choose the light green one. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 10 | Dark Brown Penny Loafers | Plain dark brown loafers worn with bare legs, as in the film. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
How to Get Cherry's Look Right
For the musical look, the dress is a pale pink and white houndstooth with a pleated skirt, two small pink buttons at the neckline and a white band at the waist and hem. Keep everything soft and neat. Cherry is a Soc, so nothing is torn, faded or worn in. For the film look, the sweater is a soft mint green with a drawstring funnel neck, worn with a pastel plaid skirt that falls to the knee, bare legs and dark loafers. In the film's promo portraits she also wears a periwinkle-blue V-neck sweater over a white collared blouse; swap in a blue V-neck sweater and a white collared blouse for the sweater if you want that one.
For hair, aim for long, loose waves with volume at the ends, and skip the bangs. If your wig is very bright orange, brush it out with your fingers and shade it a bit with a touch of brown eyeshadow along the roots so it reads as natural auburn. Add light 1960s makeup with soft pink lips and a little mascara.
Cherry Valance Costume Ideas
- Couple or group: Pair Cherry with a greaser in a white T-shirt, jeans and a leather jacket, or add a friend as Marcia for a Soc duo. The Outsiders gang look is also an easy group costume for three or four people.
- Budget version: Wear a mint or light blue sweater and a plaid skirt you may already own, and spend only on the wig. For the musical look, a pink dress and a cream cardigan from your closet will do.
- Cheerleader look: In the book, Cherry is a cheerleader (Ponyboy recognizes her from school). A plain cheerleader skirt and sweater is a fun alternate, but the musical and film looks above are the ones fans search for.
- More 60s outfits: Browse our retro costume ideas for similar looks.
About Cherry Valance
Sherri "Cherry" Valance is a 16-year-old Soc girl in S.E. Hinton's novel The Outsiders and its 1983 film adaptation directed by Francis Ford Coppola, where she is played by Diane Lane. She is also a character in the stage musical adaptation, which opened on Broadway in 2024. She meets Ponyboy and Johnny at the drive-in and is kinder than the other Socs, seeing both sides of the divide between the Socs and the greasers. She is called "Cherry" because of her red hair, and she is the girlfriend of Bob Sheldon, whose death sets the story's big fight in motion.
