How to Create a Showgirl Costume

Outrageous and theatrical, this costume can easily be toned down or spiced up as desired.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Dancing Shoes
• Hosiery
• Leotards
• Showgirl Costumes
• Tiaras
• Fabric-marking Pens
• Fabrics
• Body Glitters
• Makeup Kits
• Feather Boas
• Feathers

1. Put the "showy" in "showgirl" with the headwear. Pin ostrich feathers, a rhinestone tiara or cascading lilies to your upswept hairdo. It's your opportunity to set the costume's mood.

2. Make the costume from a shiny leotard, the top of a bathing suit, a Wonderbra or a flesh-colored bodysuit.

3. Paste or sew items like sequins, beads, pearls and feathers to your top.

4. Drape ropes and ropes of pearls, baubles and toy/thrift store necklaces. Lengths should vary.

5. Decorate your costume's bottom half the same way, attaching shiny gewgaws, feathers or jewels to a bikini, boy-cut bottoms or a bodysuit. Wear some necklaces around your waist and hips.

6. Put a big fake jewel in your belly button.

7. Wear flesh-colored pantyhose. Sprinkle it with body glitter.

8. Strap on the tallest high heels you can bear to wear. Or, opt for little Mary Janes, ballet slippers or even recycled sneakers covered with craft store baubles.

9. Apply gobs of stage makeup, including false eyelashes.

10. Grab a feather boa, cape or length of shiny fabric and go.

11. Do a little dance and smile, smile, smile.

Tips & Warnings

• Theme costumes can make assembling props easier; consider an Old West showgirl, a French cancan showgirl, and so on.

• Toy stores are a good source for necklaces and boas; craft stores for feathers, beads and sequins. Try flannel square appliques glued onto the costume; options include stars, snowflakes, flowers and butterflies.

• Cut out a cardboard stencil that still lets light through for your flashlight.

• High heels can be tricky to navigate, especially at night, and especially for novices. Wearing stacked heels or no heels eliminates the risk of tripping.