True Blood Costume/Cosplay Ideas: Merlotte’s Waitress (Sookie, Jessica, Arlene, Dawn)

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True Blood may have ended over four years ago, but it’s still one of my favorite shows. I didn’t get into it until it was over, actually–I kept holding out because I was a fan of the books and thought I might not like it (I was wrong, I love it!) I’ve watched quite a few times, especially the first few seasons, and I have so many cosplay ideas.

Today I’m sharing a fairly easy costume idea: a Merlotte’s waitress. All you really need for a basic Merlotte’s waitress costume is the Merlotte’s waitress uniform: a white Merlotte’s t-shirt, black shorts or mini skirt, and a forrest green apron.

If you want to take it up a notch from a basic costume to cosplay, just pick your favorite Merlotte’s waitress and add some unique accessories. Here are some ideas:

Sookie Stackhouse

I love being a redhead, but sometimes I think about going blonde again, and I’ll readily admit that it’s partly because I want to cosplay Sookie Stackhouse. After all, Sookie is the main character in the books and the show, the telepathic waitress that started it all.

Key aspects of a Sookie cosplay: the basic Merlotte’s uniform, plus blonde hair or a wig, and black sneakers (she wears black Nike’s.) Sookie usually wears her blonde hair in a curled ponytail, but sometimes she wears it down. Her makeup is light and natural with pink blush, brown eyeliner, and pink glossy lips.

You could also add a silver chain like the one she puts on when talking to Bill in the first episode.

Or a green and white handkerchief/scarf to hide bite marks…or you could just let the bite marks show!

Jessica Hamby

Jessica wasn’t a character in the books, but I love her on the show. (Can you imagine becoming a vampire as a teenager? I’d be out of control!)

Key aspects of a Jessica cosplay: the Merlotte’s uniform, plus red/strawberry blonde hair or a wig, and long True Blood style vampire fangs (though they’re not really necessary since they’re often retracted.) Jessica wears the cutest hairstyles–I love her retro inspired ones (like in the first photo), but a single braid is also an easy option. She also wears it curled and pulled back sometimes.
Like Sookie, Jessica’s face makeup is light and natural (after all she’s young and a vampire, which enhances your features magically), and she often wears black winged eyeliner. It also looks like the actress Deborah Ann Woll wears subtle false lashes and pink lip stain/gloss.

As for shoes, when Jessica works at Merlotte’s, she wears flats or sneakers.

Arlene Fowler

Arlene’s version of the Merlotte’s uniform is the most fun if you ask me–she rocked fanny packs before they came back in style!

Key aspects of an Arlene cosplay: the Merlotte’s uniform, plus bold red hair or a wig, pink accessories like a pink fanny pack, pink bra, and watch, chunky plastic bracelets, and layered necklaces. Also, heels–somehow Arlene waitresses all night in platform heels!