How to Make a Cleopatra Costume

Cleopatra is known as a beautiful Queen of ancient Egypt. A costume of this powerful woman allows anyone to pull off this versatile look and you can customize it to suit your body type. Make it alluring and sexy or go for more coverage. Because of its versatility, it can also be worn in warm or cold climates and dressed up or down as appropriate. Only a few key pieces are needed to convey the image of Cleopatra. Add as many accessories as you need to enhance the illusion to its fullest potential.

Things You'll Need

• White sheet or a long gown in any color
• Metallic or colorful cape
• Black wig
• Metallic belt
• Metallic shoes or boots
• Coiled snake arm bangle
• Strings of beads for hair
• Black eyeliner
• Dangling gold or silver earrings

Instructions

1. Create the base of the costume with a long plain dress or gown. A sheet may also be wrapped around the body in toga fashion to create the underlying garment. For a sexier look, opt for a short, white skirt with a matching halter top. Another possible combination is a long skirt with a halter top. Wear any combination that is comfortable or already available in your wardrobe.

2. Belt the garment to create a dramatic effect. The belt may be made of any gold or silver material. Or make a wide belt with Egyptian symbols. The belt should hang low on the hips and come to a point or a drop in the front.

3. Add a wide, flat collar to the outfit. You can make one easily out of fabric or of felt. It should be decorated with geometric patterns, Egyptian symbols and costume jewelry.

4. Accessorize with dangling earrings of gold and red rubies or any costume jewelry gems. Add a snake bracelet to one of your biceps. Add cuff bracelets, real or made from Styrofoam cups and painted gold.

5. Add a cape. Choose gold or silver metallic material or choose an indigo blue or red material for the cape. Use an existing cape from a different costume or use a rectangle of material to create the cape. The cape may be attached directly to the toga, collar, dress or halter top by sewing it or using a series of strong safety pins.

6. Draw dramatic black cat eyes with liquid black eyeliner. Include geometric shapes including triangles with the black eyeliner. Add bright eye shadow to complement your eye color and skin tone.

7. Don gold or silver sandals or high heels if appropriate. Wear neutral-colored shoes if they will be covered by a long toga or dress.

8. Complete the Cleopatra costume look with a black wig with wide bangs. Add strings of beads to the hair in the front. The beads may be slid directly onto thin braids. Or, create a headpiece of beads starting with a gold headband. Attach the strings of beads to the headband and wear the headband around the head and over the bangs on the forehead. The headband can also help to create the right look for the bangs, and to secure the wig in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Use what you have first and then make the rest of the accessories.

• Do not wear uncomfortable shoes, since that is the least important accessory for this costume.

Resources

• Egyptian Hieroglyphics for Inspiration
• Cleopatra Costume on Stage and in Film