How to Make an Elvis Costume
An Elvis Presley costume is a real show-stopping number for Halloween. You can buy generic Elvis costumes from local party supply stores, costume stores and online Halloween costume vendors, but to be truly unique, you should make an Elvis costume.
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Things You'll Need
- Tacky polyester suit
- Sequined appliques or gemstones
- Elvis wig or hair styling products
- Blue suede shoes (or imaginative alternative)
- Guitar (optional)
Instructions
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Start to grow the top of your hair really long so you can have a pompadour by Halloween. Otherwise, look for an Elvis wig. You can find them at your local party or costume store, or even at a specialty wig shop. You can order wigs online and some even have adjustable caps so they can fit any head size. Be sure yours comes with lamb chop sideburns, since those are characteristic of cheesy Elvis impersonators.
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Learn all the words to several Elvis Presley songs and practice the Elvis-pelvis gyrating dance moves. Once you put the suit on, you'll want to do them and you need to make sure that you know how. Otherwise you're just playing air guitar and humming along.
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Browse thrift shops and second hand stores for tacky polyester suits. Make sure the pants have bell bottoms and that you have an appropriately tacky button-down shirt to wear underneath.
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Iron on sequined appliques or use one of those craft-guns to press jewels, stones or studs into the fabric. Embellish the bottoms of the legs, the collar and the arms. You might also want to make a gaudy pattern on the back of the jacket, or write the name "Elvis" with sequins or gems.
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Find blue suede shoes, or just pretend with any old dress shoes. You can buy faux blue suede and make shoe covers to go over the top of your shoes if you feel strongly about it.
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Style your hair last, so you don't mess it up while you're getting dressed. If your hair is long enough to do a pompadour, blow dry it thoroughly and add plenty of mousse. Back-comb (tease) the top so it stands up into a big fuzzy poof and then comb the front smoothly back over the mass. It should look smooth from front to back, and the back-combing will make it full at the front. Spray thoroughly with hair spray to keep it solid. If you are wearing a wig, make sure to pin it in place securely.
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Tips & Warnings
Carry a guitar or use an air guitar as the final accessory to an Elvis costume.
