let me in your windoooow...

May 31, 2021 2:24 PM

Where can I find a decent replica of Kate Bush's red dress in the Wuthering Heights music video for Halloween costume purposes?

I know Halloween is a long way off but I love costumes and planning ahead. I'd like a dress that resembles Kate's pretty closely, ideally within a college student's budget, and for a relatively petite female-presenting person. I'm not even sure what to Google to find it.

posted by maighdeann mhara to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (8 answers total)

Try some variations of “red boho peasant corset dress” You can also add [slur for Roma people] as that is still a common descriptor. Other terms: v-neck, bell sleeve, bishop sleeve, handkerchief hem, chiffon.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 3:02 PM on May 31, 2021

Crepe might be another fabric that you could look for. And consider trying to find separates - it might be easier to find a red balloon sleeve blouse and a matching or very-nearly-matching skirt. With the corset/belt (which you can probably diy) you won’t be able to tell the difference.
posted by mskyle at 3:07 PM on May 31, 2021

How about either of these two dresses from ASOS? Neither are perfect matches, but one might be a fair facsimile once dressed up with appropriate accessories. You could shred the hem.
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 4:09 PM on May 31, 2021

I know Halloween is a long way off but I love costumes and planning ahead

I don't personally have ideas about making the costume, but (1) you're actually right on time for The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever celebrations (2018 news article; another 2018 news article); (2) here are a couple of organizations getting ready for it in 2021: one in Australia and one worldwide via Facebook; and (3) maybe messaging one of those groups for suggestions might work.
posted by Wobbuffet at 4:13 PM on May 31, 2021

Per mskyle's suggestion, examples: Women's Casual Sweet & Cute Loose Shirt Balloon Sleeve V-Neck Blouse Top in Red, w/Maxi Skirt or Flowy Skirt, sash belt or scarf tied at waist. (Your local thrift stores might have similar components.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 8:40 PM on May 31, 2021

If you are OK with ordering from China, this one from AliExpress gets you pretty far in the right direction.
posted by Too-Ticky at 1:15 AM on June 1, 2021

To my eyes it’s a Boho V-Neck Red Handkerchief Maxidress with Bishop Sleeves. You might find it easier to look for a red blousy top with bishop or ballon sleeves, and a handkerchief maxiskirt. What you might want to do is go to the theater department of your college and find someone to commission to make the dress, or alter a close match for you!
posted by Champagne Supernova at 1:30 AM on June 1, 2021

Just to add on -- I wouldn't worry about getting an exact match. Depending on your venue, Halloween parties tend to be on the darker side of lighting and no one is going to be comparing you to a photo, assuming the crowd even knows the reference. I've always been super impressed with Halloween costumes that get close enough to know the reference without being on-the-nose.
posted by archimago at 4:57 AM on June 3, 2021