How to Make a Betty Boop Costume
Betty Boop, the first cartoon leading lady, hit the screen in the 1930's. With a figure based on that of Mae West and the high, little girl voice, Betty Boop was a vixen long before Marilyn Monroe ever hit the silver screen. Every woman has a little Betty Boop inside and costume parties are a great place to show off your "boop oop a doop." Just follow these easy instructions to make your own Betty Boop costume and soon you'll be charming everyone at the party.
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Things You'll Need
- Red or black strapless dress (short or with a thigh-hi slit)
- Red, black or white garter with red heart
- Short black wig
- Hair gel and bobby pins
- Wash out black hair dye (optional)
- Black eyeliner
- Long false eyelashes
- Bright red lipstick
- Black or red high heel shoes
- Fishnet stockings (optional)
- White, black or red feather boa (optional)
- Costume bracelets and hoop earrings
Instructions
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Shop thrift stores, consignment shops, Internet auction sites, yard sales, garage sales, flea markets or your own attic for a slinky red or black dress. In classic Betty Boop style, the dress should be low cut or strapless and fit snugly around the curves of your body. Look for a pair of high heels to match your dress.
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Buy or borrow a pair of black fishnet stockings, preferably the old fashioned kind that require a garter belt.
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Visit novelty shops online or at the local mall to find a black, red or white garter and wear it high on the thigh of your left leg.
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Check out the local party store for cheap costume jewelry. Wear at least two bangle bracelets on each wrist and big hoop earrings in your ears.
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Stop by a local beauty supply store, novelty shop or box retailer to find inexpensive false eyelashes, the longer and blacker the better. Add some black eyeliner and your Betty Boop eyes are all set.
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Search for a short black wig online or at a local costume shop, or die your short hair black with a temporary color shampoo. While your hair is wet, apply hair gel and wind strands of hair around your finger and secure with bobby pins to make "spit curls" to frame your face.
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Wear bright red lipstick and apply red toned blush to the apples of your cheeks in a rounded motion.
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Enhance your figure to achieve a Betty Boop silhouette with an uplifting bra or inserts.
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Finish off your Betty Boop look with a red, white or black feather boa and carry a stuffed white spotted dog.
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Tips & Warnings
High heels are a must for a Betty Boop costume.
Resources
Comments
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I thought this was about making a costume. Like, LITERALLY making it. Not just altering stuff.....
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chambermaid
Jun 26, 2009
Not to be nitpicky or anything, but if one is wearing fishnets that require a garter belt, then one should wear the garter on both legs ... it's just that Betty Boop has the slit-up-one-leg dress, but I assure you, she is wearing the garter on the other leg, too. You don't want your right-side fishnets falling down because you're wearing the garter only on the left leg!
