Grease is the word
January 19, 2012 7:43 AM Subscribe
So I've landed myself in a bit of a predicament. Last year my wife had to undergo chemotherapy and was worried about the loss of her hair, so we went out and bought her a wig. I jokingly said that if she didn't need to use it I wear it to a fancy dress party. Thankfully, she didn't need to use it but that has left me having to follow through with the promise.
We've now been invited to a fancy dress party and my wife has decided we're going to go as Danny & Sandy from Grease, but with her being Danny and me being Sandy.
Looking for ideas of how I get a Sandy 'like' outfit.
Everyone in the world is going to have the movie version in mind, because it got the most exposure. So if your wig is curly hair, go with the look she had at the end of the movie -- tight black shirt and tight black pants. (The shirt shouldn't be so tight as to prevent you from putting some fake boobs in there somehow.)
If your wig is straight-hair, on the other hand, you can go with a look from early in the movie -- and that's just a straight-up 1950's poodle-skirt look. In fact, that image is from a web page that sells pre-made Sandy costumes, so you can really go authentic. If you don't want to go that far, your basic "1950's poodle-skirt girl" will do fine.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:50 AM on January 19, 2012
If your wig is straight-hair, on the other hand, you can go with a look from early in the movie -- and that's just a straight-up 1950's poodle-skirt look. In fact, that image is from a web page that sells pre-made Sandy costumes, so you can really go authentic. If you don't want to go that far, your basic "1950's poodle-skirt girl" will do fine.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:50 AM on January 19, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks. Any idea of how Womens sizes compare to mens?
I'm not a small bloke by any stretch of the imagination so guessing I'd need the biggest available size.
posted by lloyder at 7:58 AM on January 19, 2012
I'm not a small bloke by any stretch of the imagination so guessing I'd need the biggest available size.
posted by lloyder at 7:58 AM on January 19, 2012
It would probably be easier to go with the later Sandy, with the big hair and the tight shirt, which you could do in men's sizes, then just add the boobs and some clip-on earrings and a pile of "bad girl" (a la 50s) makeup, and you'll have it.
posted by xingcat at 8:03 AM on January 19, 2012
posted by xingcat at 8:03 AM on January 19, 2012
Any idea of how Womens sizes compare to mens?
So here's the thing, while men's sizes are standardized by inches, women's aren't. At least in the US, the sizing on women's clothing is almost totally arbitrary and varies depending on the store you go to and the brand you're buying. Trying to do a 1:1 is an exercise in futility unless you stick to a single brand that makes both men's and women's clothing and know your size in that brand.
(Vanity sizing has hit men's clothing too, but it's not nearly as bad as it is for women.)
posted by griphus at 8:07 AM on January 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
So here's the thing, while men's sizes are standardized by inches, women's aren't. At least in the US, the sizing on women's clothing is almost totally arbitrary and varies depending on the store you go to and the brand you're buying. Trying to do a 1:1 is an exercise in futility unless you stick to a single brand that makes both men's and women's clothing and know your size in that brand.
(Vanity sizing has hit men's clothing too, but it's not nearly as bad as it is for women.)
posted by griphus at 8:07 AM on January 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
If you plan to shop online for women's clothes, you will find size charts - measure your chest (plus 2-3" for fake breasts), hips & waist to determine what size to order.
Alternately, you could "try things on" that look approx the same size as your clothes. :)
posted by Heart_on_Sleeve at 8:08 AM on January 19, 2012
Alternately, you could "try things on" that look approx the same size as your clothes. :)
posted by Heart_on_Sleeve at 8:08 AM on January 19, 2012
...okay, and apparently you are in Europe which means this should help you out (assuming it applies to the UK.)
posted by griphus at 8:09 AM on January 19, 2012
posted by griphus at 8:09 AM on January 19, 2012
I love that you are doing this.
If you could send us your chest, waist, hip measurements we might be able to help translate sizes for you.
posted by TooFewShoes at 8:49 AM on January 19, 2012
If you could send us your chest, waist, hip measurements we might be able to help translate sizes for you.
posted by TooFewShoes at 8:49 AM on January 19, 2012
This is hands down the best AskMefi predicament I've seen in a while.
posted by Willfull at 8:50 AM on January 19, 2012 [21 favorites]
posted by Willfull at 8:50 AM on January 19, 2012 [21 favorites]
You're a good man, Charlie Brown.
If you haven't thought of it yet, try finding web sites that cater to drag queens - they should have some helpful tips for fitting women's clothing for bigger dudes and you might be able to order some stuff (depending on how much time you have).
posted by dismas at 8:56 AM on January 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
If you haven't thought of it yet, try finding web sites that cater to drag queens - they should have some helpful tips for fitting women's clothing for bigger dudes and you might be able to order some stuff (depending on how much time you have).
posted by dismas at 8:56 AM on January 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
You've got lots of options for cheap black leggings for the final Sandy look - Matalan, H&M, New Look, Asda, Sainsburys, Tescos . A size 16 would be equivalent to a 32" waist but the sizing is so arbitary that you could probably figure out if they'll fit just by holding them up to your waist. You'll probably be able to find size 20 or more in supermarkets.
I've been known to try on leggings over the top of trousers in the aisles - but then Im a woman, your mileage may vary :)
The shoes would be a challenge if you've large feet, maybe some bright flip-flops?
posted by Ness at 8:58 AM on January 19, 2012
I've been known to try on leggings over the top of trousers in the aisles - but then Im a woman, your mileage may vary :)
The shoes would be a challenge if you've large feet, maybe some bright flip-flops?
posted by Ness at 8:58 AM on January 19, 2012
Response by poster: Cheers for the responses so far.
Think i'll have to wait until I'm home from work to google web sites for drag queens :-)
TooFewShoes : i'm Waist 38", Chest 44" no idea about Hip but I can measure once i'm home
posted by lloyder at 9:17 AM on January 19, 2012
Think i'll have to wait until I'm home from work to google web sites for drag queens :-)
TooFewShoes : i'm Waist 38", Chest 44" no idea about Hip but I can measure once i'm home
posted by lloyder at 9:17 AM on January 19, 2012
Response by poster: @MissMagenta leaning toward end of film Sandy.
posted by lloyder at 9:19 AM on January 19, 2012
posted by lloyder at 9:19 AM on January 19, 2012
I think your best bet for tight black pants and tight black shirt in a men's size is to go to a sports store and look at bicycle pants and running pants -- there are a lot of really spandexy items that might fit the bill.
Shoes will be harder....maybe Goodwill? Maybe just see if you can find the right size and spray paint them. They're red.
You'll probably be wanting to shave your chest, since that's low cleavage, and odds are you'll only want to do this once in your life so you should do it up. The waist and belt will be challenging but I think once you've got the hair and the shoes you'll be taking everyone's breath away anyway, and nobody will notice.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 10:07 AM on January 19, 2012
Shoes will be harder....maybe Goodwill? Maybe just see if you can find the right size and spray paint them. They're red.
You'll probably be wanting to shave your chest, since that's low cleavage, and odds are you'll only want to do this once in your life so you should do it up. The waist and belt will be challenging but I think once you've got the hair and the shoes you'll be taking everyone's breath away anyway, and nobody will notice.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 10:07 AM on January 19, 2012
Slight derail: if you should shave your chest...make sure you put ice water on it instantly you've finished, or you will discover the agony of ingrown chest hair. It's not pretty.
posted by halfbuckaroo at 11:17 AM on January 19, 2012
posted by halfbuckaroo at 11:17 AM on January 19, 2012
if you're going with end of the movie sandy, and going the spandex route, make sure you consider the package. that's pretty up and forward for a fancy dress party.
posted by nadawi at 11:39 AM on January 19, 2012
posted by nadawi at 11:39 AM on January 19, 2012
Nadawi's right, you're going to need to find a way to conceal those...details. You might want to consider wearing a dance belt under whatever leggings/cycling pants you'll wear.
posted by thisjax at 12:12 PM on January 19, 2012
posted by thisjax at 12:12 PM on January 19, 2012
Agreeing with nadawi and thisjax look into a dance belt/gaff and read up on tucking (NSFW).
Off the top of my head Evans, Next and New look all do shoes in larger sizes
posted by Z303 at 1:41 PM on January 19, 2012
Off the top of my head Evans, Next and New look all do shoes in larger sizes
posted by Z303 at 1:41 PM on January 19, 2012
I don't have anything substantive to add, but I suspect that you are a wonderful husband.
posted by Mr. Justice at 6:10 PM on January 19, 2012
posted by Mr. Justice at 6:10 PM on January 19, 2012
Poodle skirts are ridiculously easy to make, and I only know how to sew by hand. Here is a cheesy youtube video that shows you how to do it with Velcro!
This also makes me very, very happy!
posted by kamikazegopher at 7:42 PM on January 19, 2012
This also makes me very, very happy!
posted by kamikazegopher at 7:42 PM on January 19, 2012
Response by poster: Quick update.
Managed to find a pair of Size 20 PVC effect leggings in Primark, Tight black T-Shirt as well. Decided against attempting heels, so have gone for Black pumps which i'm gonna put Pink laces in.
Can't say I look like a particularly attractive Sandy though.
posted by lloyder at 7:54 AM on January 21, 2012
Managed to find a pair of Size 20 PVC effect leggings in Primark, Tight black T-Shirt as well. Decided against attempting heels, so have gone for Black pumps which i'm gonna put Pink laces in.
Can't say I look like a particularly attractive Sandy though.
posted by lloyder at 7:54 AM on January 21, 2012
Response by poster: Oh and thanks everyone for the help
posted by lloyder at 7:54 AM on January 21, 2012
posted by lloyder at 7:54 AM on January 21, 2012
Can't say I look like a particularly attractive Sandy though.
I have a feeling practically everyone in here would disagree, and I know I'd enjoy seeing pictures....
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:12 AM on January 25, 2012 [1 favorite]
I have a feeling practically everyone in here would disagree, and I know I'd enjoy seeing pictures....
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:12 AM on January 25, 2012 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by missmagenta at 7:46 AM on January 19, 2012