How to make a showgirl costume/headdress?

Hi I posted this elsewhere but think this may be a better place for it! Happy I was hoping some of you could help me, it's my birthday at the start of May and for my celebratory night out at university I wanted to think of a good and original theme, and I've thought of - Showtime! - as I am a self confessed very theatrical girl... and I thought I can ask people to be performers of some kind, famous musicians and singers or stereotypical magicians, clowns, so they can do as much or little as they want for the outfit... and I thought I could be a very sequined feathery showstopping showgirl well that's the idea... a bit like a carnival dancer type of thing... although are they just in very sparkly underwear? Haha.. as cool as it might look if I did it well, I don't want to look like a big slag!
but other than sewing fringing and sequins onto a bikini or a dress I'm not really sure? Any ideas? Especially for those feathery hats/headdresses they have as I would love to make one of those! Although how easy it is to get hold of massive ostrich feathers in the UK, I'm not sure Tongue
Thanks if anyone can help me, sorry it's a bit random!

update - I have ordered a red swimsuit from the lovely ebay, and am going to order about 5 metres of red fringing (just to be on the safe side and so I can do lots of layers!) and red sew on diamond hearts for the neckline... I am just wondering how best to tackle the headdress?
I have done quite a bit of research and there are either headband types or cap... I'm thinking headband is probably easier to do neatly?
Thanks for any advice anyone can give, sorry to be a pain!!

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6 replies since 20th April 2009 • Last reply 20th April 2009

Reply #1:

try mesh stockings, and black heels or boots

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Reply #2:

Vaudevill-ish. I'm thinking like reds, blacks, and golds. Maybe you could add a buslte or something. And clowns with old fashioned jokes. Stuff like that.

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Reply #3:

Do a Google search for this year's Miss Universe contestants in their national costumes. The ones from Latin America and other tropical climes often have showgirlish national costumes. One this year is modeled after a flamingo (their national bird)!!

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Reply #4:

Just saw this now - if you're still looking for costume advice here we go:

1. PEARL SHOWGIRL COSTUME
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/18485833

You need a white underwear set from Primark (about £4), some ribbon/lace and 6 for their £1.50 3 strand fake pearl necklaces. Cut out the back panels or the bra and glue individual pearls along the seams and straps of the bra (don't glue the strands on these parts or you will loose the elasticity). Cover the cups with glue and measure the strands out onto them. For the pants just glue pearls onto the front panel and attach strands of them in loops from the waistband (you can't see this from the photo). Add ribbon to suit.

2. TRADITIONAL SHOWGIRL COSTUME
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/18485824

Note: Don't buy rhinestones for this costume - they are fiddly, tiny, and expensive... and you need a ton of them. I bought up some really cheap 'diamond' necklaces from Primark, cut them apart with wirecutters and glued them onto the costume.

Headband: Just a length of elasticated sequins sewn into a band with ostrich feathers stuck to the front. Use any left over sequins to fashion a garter belt by sewing it around your leg and attaching a bow.

Bra/ Bodice: Just buy a cheap one and use gems from a pre-bought necklace to accent it.

Tail: One large length of ribbon with one feather boa sewn onto it. Fold in half 2 (or more) other feather boas of the same colour and safety pin (don't sew) them to the back of the ribbon to make the bustle skirt.

3. LAZY SHOWGIRL COSTUME
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/19045275

This is simply a cheap corset (or bodice if the costume is just a one-off) and frilly pants with a bellydance costume over the top. Basic showgirl costumes retail between £60 and well over £500. But you can pick up a bellydance costume from most marketplaces, hippy shops, or ebay for between £8-£15. It still looks quite professional.

My top showgirl tip is: Wear nude fishnet tights. They do wonders for your legs and look more Vegas (and a lot less trashy) than stockings do. Also opera gloves (satin over-elbow ones from joke/costume shops) always set the outfit off nicely.

Hope this helps someone
x


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Reply #5:

I know this is probably a bit late now, since you started the post last year, but just in case anyone else has a pressing need for ostrich feathers, the fabricland chain of shops sells them relatively cheaply (about 50p/feather, i think?). They have stores in Bristol, Brighton, Reading, Southampton and a couple of other places too. I seem to recall hobbycraft selling them as well, although they're likely to be more expensive there...

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Reply #6:

Oh wow - I didn't notice this thread was so old!

That's a good tip. One thing to watch out for when buying ostrich feathers is the type and length to buy. If you're looking for showgirl type ones it's the male drab feathers that have that nice length and curl to them. But the others are good for headbands too.

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