Halloween Costume Guide
She was burned at the stake twice, both times on her own terms. The wig survived everything.
Myrtle Snow is the Head of the Witches’ Council in AHS: Coven โ a devoted, truth-detecting, theramin-playing fashionista who spent decades trying to hold Fiona Goode accountable and was burned at the stake twice for her trouble, as detailed in the AHS Fandom wiki. The crimped red wig is the entire foundation of this costume โ without it, nothing else reads as Myrtle. Recognition is strong among Coven fans and the theatrical look is distinctive enough that it works as a standalone character costume regardless.
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The wig goes on first and everything else is built around it. If the wig is flat, underdressed, or sits too close to the head, the costume loses its main visual anchor before you have put anything else on. Shake it out, tease it slightly if needed, and make sure it sits wide rather than flat. The cape coat goes on draped across the shoulders โ arms out, not arms through. The yellow gloves and yellow boots are what give the costume its specific color signature. Either both or neither: one yellow item without the other looks like a mistake rather than a choice. Myrtle Snow does not make mistakes with color.
In the show, Myrtle calmly poisons two council members at a dinner she prepared herself, then apologizes for the key lime pie before gouging out their eyes with a melon baller. She had put real effort into the pie. That specific combination of genuine hospitality and absolute ruthlessness โ delivered without raising her voice โ is what makes the character work. She is always the most composed person in any room, regardless of what is happening in that room.
The Cape and Party Movement
A cape coat worn draped off the shoulders will slide backward every time you reach for something, lean forward, or move quickly through a crowd. Two small safety pins at the front lapels, pinned to the dress underneath, will hold the drape in place without being visible. Without this fix you will spend the night catching the cape as it falls rather than wearing it.
Playing Myrtle at a Party
“Balenciaga!” requires no setup, no context, and no explanation โ just delivery. Use it as an exit line when leaving a conversation, as a toast, or as a response to anything that impresses you. The cigar is most useful not for smoking but for gesturing: make a point, raise the cigar. Myrtle never makes a pronouncement without something in her hand.
Couples Costume
Strong pairing with the best costume contrast in Coven. Fiona’s controlled all-black severity against Myrtle’s theatrical polka dot and crimped red hair reads as a deliberate pair even without the AHS context. They spent decades as rivals at the academy, which means you have the entire party to maintain that dynamic โ and Myrtle Snow would absolutely know exactly how to do that.
Duo Costume
Strong duo with broader recognition than most Coven pairings โ Stevie Nicks is famous enough that the combination works for people who have never seen the show. The contrast between Myrtle’s polka dot eccentricity and Stevie’s shawl-and-platform aesthetic is visually distinct, and both characters share a commitment to theatrical presentation that makes them a logical pair.
AHS: Coven Witch Council
Might work, but requires everyone to commit to a character-specific look rather than a general Coven witch aesthetic. Myrtle’s polka dot and crimson wig, Fiona’s severe black, Madison’s Cossack hat and blonde, and Misty’s earthy green layers are all visually distinct enough to work together โ but only if each person is clearly dressed as their specific character. At a general Halloween party, expect to explain it. At an AHS event, this group will be recognized immediately.
Iconic Eccentric & Theatrical Villainesses
Strong group with excellent visual variety and near-universal recognition across the lineup. Maleficent’s horns, Ursula’s tentacles, Cruella’s black-and-white split hair, and Myrtle’s crimped red mane are each immediately distinct from across a room. The shared theatrical energy of the group makes it a coherent concept rather than a random collection of villains.
Every American Horror Story character costume guide on CostumeRealm โ click any card to view the full guide.
Tate Langdon
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Michael Langdon
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Zoe Benson
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Madison Montgomery
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Fiona Goode
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Myrtle Snow
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Misty Day
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Moira O’Hara
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Sally McKenna
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Montana Duke
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Mr. Jingles
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Brooke Thompson
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The Butcher
View GuideNine items sounds like a lot. Most of them are available cheaply or are already in most wardrobes โ the wig, cape coat, and yellow boots are the three items worth prioritizing.
Myrtle has more usable party lines than almost any other AHS character. The key is delivery: composed, slightly amused, never rushed.
You need the Myrtle Snow crimped red wig, white polka dot maxi dress, black cape coat, wide waistband, polka dot vintage scarf, vintage cat eye glasses, fake cigar, yellow hero gloves, and yellow go-go boots. The wig and cape coat are the two essential pieces โ without both, the costume reads as eccentric vintage rather than Myrtle specifically. The yellow accessories are what give the look its specific color signature.
The first is her most famous line and works in almost any context. Say it with complete sincerity, raise the cigar, and move on.
Yes, within AHS and Coven fan circles the recognition is immediate. The costume also works independently because the combination of a dramatic crimped red wig, cat eye glasses, cape coat, and cigar reads as a clearly intentional theatrical character rather than an assembled outfit. Coven remains one of the most revisited AHS seasons.
Frances Conroy plays Myrtle Snow in both Coven and Apocalypse. Her performance earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie, according to the AHS: Coven Wikipedia entry. She appeared alongside Jessica Lange for the third time in the franchise, with their characters as adversaries.
At her first burning she delivers a warning to the coven that they are all being slowly destroyed by Fiona, saying she would rather burn than boil. At her second burning โ which she demanded herself as punishment for killing two council members โ her only final word is “Balenciaga.” She was actually wearing Carolina Herrera at the time, which is either a detail she would have appreciated or one she simply chose not to address.
Myrtle’s wild red hair and dedication to fashion are widely considered a tribute to Grace Coddington, the longtime Vogue creative director known for her striking red hair and influence on the fashion world. Ryan Murphy named the character after his own grandmother, who introduced him to Dark Shadows and inspired his love of the macabre.
Yes โ Myrtle plays the theremin, an electronic instrument controlled by moving your hands near antennae without touching them. She describes its sound as soothing during stressful times. Cordelia, in the show, politely describes it as making horrible and awful noise. Both assessments are correct.