Taylor Momsen rewears her exact Cindy Lou Who ‘Grinch’ costume 25 years after film became festive hit

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Taylor Momsen rewears her exact Cindy Lou Who ‘Grinch’ costume 25 years after film became festive hit

The festive classic was released back in 2000, with Momsen fully embracing her Whoville roots for the 25th anniversary

Taylor Momsen, the actress who brought to life Cindy Lou Who in How The Grinch Stole Christmas back in 2000, has rewarded her fans with a dose of nostalgia by trying on her iconic costume 25 years later.

The talented actress-turned-musician, was just seven years old when she starred opposite Jim Carrey in the festive classic, yet even despite a quarter of a century having passed since then, she revealed her costume ‘kind of still fits.’

Taking to Instagram on Monday December 22, Momsen delighted her followers by dusting off the original outfit, which consisted of a red and green patterned dress adorned with festive appliques, and completed with a signature red cape.

Although it’s safe to say Momsen has grown quite a bit since her role in the film, she did reveal she had a little help to squeeze herself back into the iconic outfit for the Christmas period.


With the help of an assistant, Momsen shimmied her way into the dress, which she paired with a tulle petticoat to help fluff out the skirt, before sliding the puff sleeves carefully up her arms.

“I’m a little jacked,” she joked while struggling to fit her arms inside.

Noting the tight squeeze, her assistant then asked if she would be okay with a seamstress opening ‘the seam on the sleeve and then restoring it’ so that she could wear it more easily.

This was something Momsen said she could ‘possibly’ accept going forwards, yet in the meantime she did find a workaround by wearing the dress off the shoulders instead.

The familiar costume didn't quite fit how Momsen remembered it (@taylormomsen/instagram)
The familiar costume didn't quite fit how Momsen remembered it (@taylormomsen/instagram)

“Can [I] wear it like that?” she said, while showing off the unbuttoned garment.

Content with her costume mostly fitting, Momsen then got glammed up and slipped the gingham number back on before showing off the nostalgic outfit that brought a little extra magic to her Instagram feed.

“Yes…that is my real Cindy costume from the Grinch movie,” Momsen captioned the post. “25 years later…it still (kind of) fits what a surreal holiday season #whereareyouchristmas.”

With a little creative tweaking however, Momsen pulled off the iconic look (@taylormomsen/instagram)
With a little creative tweaking however, Momsen pulled off the iconic look (@taylormomsen/instagram)

Fans were loving the development, with many praising Momsen for how effortlessly she had embraced the nostalgia, particularly since it was so long since she had starred in the film.

“I love that you’re fully embracing this!’ one gushed, while another added, “Oh my gosh I love this."

A third fan commented: “This is incredible, what a surreal full circle moment for you.”

Taylor Momsen starred as Cindy Lou alongside Jim Carrey’s Grinch (Universal Pictures)
Taylor Momsen starred as Cindy Lou alongside Jim Carrey’s Grinch (Universal Pictures)

Despite her festive smash hit, Momsen is usually better known to fans these days for her work on Gossip Girl and for her performances with her band, The Pretty Reckless.

The latter even nodded to her Grinch roots last month, when they released a festive cover of Cindy Lou Who song 'Where Are You Christmas?'

Featured Image Credit: Tim Mosenfelder/WireImage Universal Pictures

Topics: Film and TV, Christmas