How to Dress Up as Joan Jett
Born Joan Marie Larkin on September 22, 1958, Joan Jett began her rock career in the '70s with the all girl group, The Runaways. She found major success and fame, however, in the '80s when she belted out "I Love Rock N' Roll" in her unique, raspy voice. If you want to dress up as the famous female rocker, two words will get you well on your way: black leather.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Think black. Joan Jett's signature color is black. The look most people think of when you ask them how to dress like Jett is the cover of her album, "Up Your Alley." It wasn't unusual to see her dressed head to toe in black.
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2
Get a wig. Unless you're into short, shaggy, jet-black hair that during the height of her career was basically a spiky mullet, then you'll probably want to opt for doing Joan Jett's hairstyle temporarily. Although in later years, the mullet became more of a pixie cut, many people may find your costume more recognizable with the longer hairstyle sported in the early '80s. She also went blonde briefly, but again, she's much more noted for jet-black tresses.
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3
Pick leather. Jett was oft noted for wearing leather as seen in music videos for songs such as "I Love Rock N' Roll" and again on some of her album covers. Of course, you'll want to stick to black and not only think about leather pants, but also a classic, '80s-style leather jacket with the collar turned up. Underneath the jacket, consider a black tank top. Without the jacket, try a black button-up shirt with the long sleeves rolled three quarters up your arm or a button-up, long-sleeved, fringed shirt with the sleeves down and buttoned at the wrists.
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4
Find the right accessories. Black boots, a choker chain and sometimes a bandana wrapped around her lower arm are just some of the accessories Jett has sported in her punk leather look.
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5
Go heavy on the eye makeup. Sometimes referred to as the "raccoon" look, Jett tends to wear a lot of makeup around the eyes, especially eyeliner in black. She also wore a lot of eye shadow sometimes in darker colors and sometimes in brighter, glittery colors and lipstick, not lip gloss.
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6
Take Joan's advice and don't give a damn about your reputation. Attitude is a big part of Jett's style, so to dress up like the '80s rocker properly, adopt her attitude if only for the night.
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Tips & Warnings
Backed up by the Blackhearts, Joan Jett is best known for her single, "I Love Rock N' Roll," which not only captured America's attention, but also a number one spot on the Billboards chart for seven weeks straight in 1982.
Other noted songs by the female rocker include "Crimson and Clover," "Do You Wanna Touch Me," "I Hate Myself for Loving You," "Bad Reputation," "Little Liar" and the theme song for the movie of the same name, "Light of Day," written by Bruce Sprinsteen.
