No, I'm not going to roll myself in a carpet...
September 15, 2011 12:20 PM Subscribe
After kicking around the idea for years, I think this is the time to do an “Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra” costume for Halloween. And I need help. The ridiculously picky details are inside...
I’m not worried about re-creating a specific look from the movie, I just want to get something that carries the idea across. It looks like anything goes, as long as it’s low-cut and floor-length…the costumes had a lot more to do with early 60s fashion (and what looked good on Liz) than anything historically accurate.
I found the perfect reference site and am leaning towards something like this. But I’m stumped at finding something off-the-rack that works.
The ridiculously picky list:
- Size 18 (in regular sizing, I know formals are sometimes sized smaller)
- Must be low-cut and floor-length.
- Maybe one-shoulder, but I’d rather do a V-neck to at least partially cover my tattoos.
- Must be cheap. If I can (honestly) wear it again I’d be willing to go as high as $100, but if I’m going to be hot-gluing stuff to it or altering it with my meager craft skills I don’t want to pay more than $30 or $40. (I know that seems impossible, but I’ve found things in that range that would be perfect except for one thing; color, or size, or length.)
- I’ve had bad luck with eBay and various smaller vendors, so I’d like to stick to known sources.
Something like this would be perfect, except for the color (and price). I’ve looked at Macy’s, Nordstroms, JC Penny, Zappos, Amazon, and every “plus formal” site I can find, but there’s just so much out there…most of it crap. I’m hoping someone knows of something I’m missing by wading through endless Google results.
I’m also going to need to find a wig and acessories…again, not spending too much, but any sources that aren’t the same old “Party City costume in a bag” would be appreciated.
Thanks, and I promise to post pictures if I manage to pull it off!
I’m not worried about re-creating a specific look from the movie, I just want to get something that carries the idea across. It looks like anything goes, as long as it’s low-cut and floor-length…the costumes had a lot more to do with early 60s fashion (and what looked good on Liz) than anything historically accurate.
I found the perfect reference site and am leaning towards something like this. But I’m stumped at finding something off-the-rack that works.
The ridiculously picky list:
- Size 18 (in regular sizing, I know formals are sometimes sized smaller)
- Must be low-cut and floor-length.
- Maybe one-shoulder, but I’d rather do a V-neck to at least partially cover my tattoos.
- Must be cheap. If I can (honestly) wear it again I’d be willing to go as high as $100, but if I’m going to be hot-gluing stuff to it or altering it with my meager craft skills I don’t want to pay more than $30 or $40. (I know that seems impossible, but I’ve found things in that range that would be perfect except for one thing; color, or size, or length.)
- I’ve had bad luck with eBay and various smaller vendors, so I’d like to stick to known sources.
Something like this would be perfect, except for the color (and price). I’ve looked at Macy’s, Nordstroms, JC Penny, Zappos, Amazon, and every “plus formal” site I can find, but there’s just so much out there…most of it crap. I’m hoping someone knows of something I’m missing by wading through endless Google results.
I’m also going to need to find a wig and acessories…again, not spending too much, but any sources that aren’t the same old “Party City costume in a bag” would be appreciated.
Thanks, and I promise to post pictures if I manage to pull it off!
You probably want "crap". There's a lot going on in this costume. Between the gilded wig, the arm-band, and the eye makeup, nobody's going to much care what sort of garment forms the base. You could probably get away with any dark colored maxi-dress. Low quality is also fine - again, there's a lot going on here so no one will really notice.
I'm not sure about plus sizing issues, but Salvation Army is the perfect place to get this sort of thing. They've probably got a rack of last year's H&M black decollete maxi dresses in various fabrics and styles.
I'd spend more on a wig and arm-band and less on the nondescript black frocky gowny thing.
posted by Sara C. at 12:37 PM on September 15, 2011
I'm not sure about plus sizing issues, but Salvation Army is the perfect place to get this sort of thing. They've probably got a rack of last year's H&M black decollete maxi dresses in various fabrics and styles.
I'd spend more on a wig and arm-band and less on the nondescript black frocky gowny thing.
posted by Sara C. at 12:37 PM on September 15, 2011
I've found that searching online isn't really going to help when what I want is something off the clearance rack. I'd grit my teeth, go to the mall, and wade through the formals section in all the department stores. Sometimes I can't even tell that the brick&mortar and website versions of JCPenneys represent the same store. Try Kohl's, TJMaxx, Marshall's. Doesn't have to be ooh-la-la formalwear, just a long dress.
Even if nothing is immediately perfect, you're very likely to find several things that might be adequate, and once you know you've seen the options, that's when you decide what'll be easiest: you can dye, add a flounce to take it to floorlength, cut sleeves off, trim down a neckline and cover it the raw edge with metallic gold tape, or whatever seems to need to be done to take it from a dress to a costume.
posted by aimedwander at 12:53 PM on September 15, 2011
Even if nothing is immediately perfect, you're very likely to find several things that might be adequate, and once you know you've seen the options, that's when you decide what'll be easiest: you can dye, add a flounce to take it to floorlength, cut sleeves off, trim down a neckline and cover it the raw edge with metallic gold tape, or whatever seems to need to be done to take it from a dress to a costume.
posted by aimedwander at 12:53 PM on September 15, 2011
If you're looking for a wig that doesn't look cheap, but still *is* fairly cheap, go for any and all cosplay sites. You can find practically any wig you could ever want, and most of them won't be over $35-40. (Unless you were going for a "Tangled" length blonde wig, but, you aren't.)
Try Goodwill or yardsales for jewelry; you can usually find lots of cuffs in yardsales and a small bit of acrylic paint and varnish can decorate them beautifully. Goodwill could also work really well to find the dress you want, and seconding Sara C., after the whole picture comes together, the base garment will look fine no matter what. I went to an Anime Con last year as Princess Mononoke and I'd made my cape out of teddy bear "skins" from bears I bought at goodwill so that I didn't have to buy the fur, and the rest of my cosplay was just a dress I had on hand in my dresser, a Tshirt and a spear I made out of a tree branch from my backyard. One of the organizers took a photo of my cosplay and told me I had one of the best representations of her character he'd seen. Basics work.
For a maxi dress, definitely try Kohls, they have a ton of them and they should be going on clearance right about now. If they all have a flat neckline, cut a slit in the middle, fold the fabric back behind the original cut, and sew it; voila, v-neck. Small edits can make a really, really huge difference.
Good luck!
posted by linzenoonoo at 12:58 PM on September 15, 2011
Try Goodwill or yardsales for jewelry; you can usually find lots of cuffs in yardsales and a small bit of acrylic paint and varnish can decorate them beautifully. Goodwill could also work really well to find the dress you want, and seconding Sara C., after the whole picture comes together, the base garment will look fine no matter what. I went to an Anime Con last year as Princess Mononoke and I'd made my cape out of teddy bear "skins" from bears I bought at goodwill so that I didn't have to buy the fur, and the rest of my cosplay was just a dress I had on hand in my dresser, a Tshirt and a spear I made out of a tree branch from my backyard. One of the organizers took a photo of my cosplay and told me I had one of the best representations of her character he'd seen. Basics work.
For a maxi dress, definitely try Kohls, they have a ton of them and they should be going on clearance right about now. If they all have a flat neckline, cut a slit in the middle, fold the fabric back behind the original cut, and sew it; voila, v-neck. Small edits can make a really, really huge difference.
Good luck!
posted by linzenoonoo at 12:58 PM on September 15, 2011
Here's a dress that might work: floor-length, low-cut, comes in black, $60. There are some others on that site. I can't vouch for quality, but they do come in plus sizes.
Get a cheap Party City wig and a can of Aqua Net with some beauty-store beads. You can make that wig happen without spending big bucks.
posted by aabbbiee at 1:05 PM on September 15, 2011
Get a cheap Party City wig and a can of Aqua Net with some beauty-store beads. You can make that wig happen without spending big bucks.
posted by aabbbiee at 1:05 PM on September 15, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks, all! Yeah, I guess I'm going to have to (ugh) go shopping out in meat-space. And thanks for the local tip, Mr. Moon...I've never been by that store but will check it out.
made my cape out of teddy bear "skins" from bears I bought at goodwill
OK, that's a good idea just on general principles.
posted by JoanArkham at 1:09 PM on September 15, 2011
made my cape out of teddy bear "skins" from bears I bought at goodwill
OK, that's a good idea just on general principles.
posted by JoanArkham at 1:09 PM on September 15, 2011
I also recommend thrift stores. If I wanted the black dress you linked, I'd just look for a sleeveless boat-neck dress that fit me with the idea that it would be worn once. It can easily be dyed black. The neckline can be recut for one night's use, and you can add in reinforcement tape and/or wire if double-stitching isn't enough to prevent wardrobe malfunction.
I've found Costume Craze very helpful in the past for wigs. Here's all their Cleopatra and Egyptian stuff. They even have multiple golden asp armbands to choose from!
I haven't seen that movie in over a decade, so I don't remember exactly what her hair deal is in those pictures; it looks to me like she may just have it braided with golden beads--that's cheap and easy, and you can do it with the wig off!
posted by heatvision at 1:15 PM on September 15, 2011
I've found Costume Craze very helpful in the past for wigs. Here's all their Cleopatra and Egyptian stuff. They even have multiple golden asp armbands to choose from!
I haven't seen that movie in over a decade, so I don't remember exactly what her hair deal is in those pictures; it looks to me like she may just have it braided with golden beads--that's cheap and easy, and you can do it with the wig off!
posted by heatvision at 1:15 PM on September 15, 2011
Check David's Bridal outlet for goddess gowns. You might also look at the sell your wedding dress websites, but they tend to be expensive (even in resale) and it's no easier than ebay for sifting through.
posted by crush-onastick at 1:20 PM on September 15, 2011
posted by crush-onastick at 1:20 PM on September 15, 2011
Seconding thrift stores, they always have a selection of gowns and sometimes costume jewelry. Check out all the ones in your area. You are more likely to find plus size stuff in the lower end ones, the consignment boutiques tend to cater to the thin and small. There are always all sorts of formals and bridesmaid type dresses in all colors. I have gotten all sorts of great costume stuff at thrift stores.
For accessories, you might look at sites that sell Belly Dancing stuff. They always have a heavy Egyptian theme. Friend who is a belly dancer has some amazing stuff, some of it quite cheap.
It looks like the wig is the most important part of the costume, so I'd put more money into that. Yes, a black pageboy wig braided with beads should do it, maybe take a picture to a bead store and see what they suggest.
Looking forward to seeing the finished costume, I love Halloween!
posted by mermayd at 1:32 PM on September 15, 2011
For accessories, you might look at sites that sell Belly Dancing stuff. They always have a heavy Egyptian theme. Friend who is a belly dancer has some amazing stuff, some of it quite cheap.
It looks like the wig is the most important part of the costume, so I'd put more money into that. Yes, a black pageboy wig braided with beads should do it, maybe take a picture to a bead store and see what they suggest.
Looking forward to seeing the finished costume, I love Halloween!
posted by mermayd at 1:32 PM on September 15, 2011
Don't forget to look at nightgowns as options, too, especially in the bargain store. When I saw this look on Olivia Wilde yesterday, my immediate reaction was "Liz Taylor's Cleopatra!" and I think any white chiffon-y nightgown would do the trick, especially with some gold (and snake-y!) accessories.
posted by argonauta at 2:03 PM on September 15, 2011
posted by argonauta at 2:03 PM on September 15, 2011
Oh, I actually assumed you knew about Unique, and just wanted to remind you of it. They have everything, and all sizes--my wife and I both have found stuff there (um, just her on the dresses) for Playa del Fuego and such. You've met us, and know we're not small people.
posted by MrMoonPie at 5:21 PM on September 15, 2011
posted by MrMoonPie at 5:21 PM on September 15, 2011
Just looking quickly at those pictures, I think you could also get away with matching separates. If you would wear a long, flowing skirt again, you could make all of your crafty additions to a very cheap low-cut top, and spend more if necessary on the re-useable skirt. Or, both of these items would be a lot easier to find at a thrift shop. (Size 18 dresses being, in my experience, extremely rare.)
A belt, either matching or in ornate Egyptian style, might look good (since you don't care about historical accuracy).
posted by snorkmaiden at 5:55 PM on September 15, 2011
A belt, either matching or in ornate Egyptian style, might look good (since you don't care about historical accuracy).
posted by snorkmaiden at 5:55 PM on September 15, 2011
Response by poster: Well, weekend shopping was a bust. I keep finding perfect dresses except for just one thing. Argh. I think Plan B will be to buy a long skirt and wear it with a shorter dress I already have with some sort of belt.
posted by JoanArkham at 11:57 AM on September 19, 2011
posted by JoanArkham at 11:57 AM on September 19, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by MrMoonPie at 12:26 PM on September 15, 2011