How to Make a Davy Jones Costume

A new generation screams for the Monkees.

"The Monkees" ran on NBC from 1966-68, pioneering the concept of the studio-created music group. While today's teens may not readily recognize Monkees frontman Davy Jones, a new generation discovered the group through cable reruns, beginning with a 1986 MTV revival. Raid the vintage shop or thrift store for heeled boots and Nehru jackets to play the part of Davy Jones for Halloween or for a 1960s revival night at the club. Just for fun, ask a rival group to arrive as the Monkees' inspiration, The Beatles.

Things You'll Need

• Reference photos
• Bobbed wig
• Slim-cut pinstripe pants
• Heeled boots
• Double-breasted shirt or slim shirt with a wild pattern
• Ascot
• Nehru jacket
• Monkee T-Shirt

Instructions

1. 

   Look through 1960s celebrity magazines for reference photos.

   Visit the Monkees official website or buy 1960s celebrity magazines from an antique shop for reference photos of Davy Jones. The 1960s offered a variety of styles, from slim suits and crew cuts to flowing shirts and scruffy beards. Just because clothing was made in the 1960s doesn't give it The Monkees look. Use the photos as a guide.

2. Purchase a Beatles wig at the Halloween shop or a costume supply store or website, preferably brown. If you can't locate one, try a medical or beauty supply store. If buying a beauty supply closeout, choose a short bobbed style. Put on the wig and ask a friend to customize it. Using a photo as reference, shorten the back and sides to create a 1960s mop-style haircut that Davy Jones wore in the show.

3. 

   Choose shirts with small-scale but loud patterns.

   Hunt through your closet and the thrift store. Pair a turtleneck from your closet with a slim blazer. Trade your loafers in for a boot with a heel. Look for double-breasted shirts and slim pinstriped pants at a vintage clothing store. Alternatively, choose a wlidly patterned shirt. Pass up shirts with large psychedelic prints and baggy cuts, as The Monkees predated some of those styles. Small-scale loud and geometric patterns were in style and what Davy Jones wore. Wear an ascot at the neck. Nehru jackets were also a Monkees staple later in the show.

4. Shave if you're a male Davy Jones impersonator. Jones preferred a clean-shaven look.

5. Wear a Monkees T-shirt if you feel you look nothing like Davy Jones and need to clue friends in on who you are.

References

• The Monkees: Who are the Monkees

Resources

• The Monkees: Photo Gallery