How to Make a Dolly Parton Costume

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If you want to dress as the popular country western star Dolly Parton, create your own costume at home. Show off your creativity by making this costume from items that you might already own. Rifle through your closet or visit a thrift store to find a plaid shirt, a denim skirt and a pair of cowboy boots. Add a few items from the costume shop and the craft store, and you're ready to party. This is a good project for any skill level because there is no sewing involved.

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Make a Western Shirt

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Make your own version of a western show shirt that Dolly Parton would wear on stage. Don't hesitate to use bright, contrasting colors, since Dolly Parton's style is extravagant.

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Things You'll Need

  • Plaid, gingham or denim button-down shirt

  • Fabric marking pen with disappearing ink

  • Hot glue gun

  • 1 yard of 4-inch fringe trim

  • Assorted rhinestones

Tip

Use a shirt that is larger than you normally wear to make room for the ample chest you need for this costume.

Step 1

Button up the shirt and lay it face up on your work surface.

Step 2

Starting in the middle of the left armpit, use the fabric marking pen to draw a downward-facing, horizontal curve that stops in the middle of the shirt at the buttons. Draw a matching curve on the right side of the shirt.

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Step 3

Glue the fringe trim to the line you drew with the hot glue gun. Trim off the excess fringe.

Step 4

Glue assorted rhinestones on the front of the shirt above the fringe.

Assemble the Costume

Things You'll Need

  • Two round balloons

  • Bra with large cups

  • Safety pins

  • Homemade western show shirt

  • Denim skirt

  • Belt

  • Cowboy boots

  • Long, curly blonde wig

Step 1

Blow up the balloons and stuff them in the bra to give yourself a large chest like Dolly's.

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Tip

Use safety pins to secure the bra around your body snugly so the balloons stay in place.

Step 2

Put on the western show shirt and button it up over your chest so the bra and balloons don't show.

Step 3

Tuck the shirt inside the denim skirt and fasten a belt around your waist to cinch it in and accentuate your chest.

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Step 4

Finish the look with cowboy boots and a long, curly blonde wig.

Makeup and Accessories

Things You'll Need

  • Bright red or pink lipstick

  • Black liquid eyeliner and mascara

  • False eyelashes

  • Large, rhinestone-studded hoop earrings

  • Cowboy hat

Step 1

Apply heavy makeup. Wear bright red or pink lipstick. Line your eyes with heavy, black liquid eyeliner. Apply black mascara and false eyelashes.

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Step 2

Put on the rhinestone-studded earrings.

Step 3

Top off your outfit with a cowboy hat.

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