Jeannie or Samantha? Endora of course! There’s something about playing Jeannie and Samantha. I think it’s the idea that you have the power to do anything you can imagine. We lose sight of our own power sometimes. We can do anything we can imagine as long as we follow through and believe. As my mom always reminded me, “Anything’s possible.” I think that’s why I like dressing up in costumes…especially fantastical characters like Jeannie.

There are two officially licensed versions of this costume: the TV costume and the sexy costume. I tried the sexy one this time around. It shows more cleavage than the 60s TV censors would have approved (and the belly button!). This costume includes the pants, top, and hat. No panties or shorts are attached to the pants. You will need to wear something under them (I have flesh colored bloomers).

I hope you like glitter, because the costume is covered in it. The veil is attached to the hat. I cut the hat down a bit because the circumference was too big for my braid. My hair isn’t long enough for a full braid to circle the hat like Jeannie’s braid does. I’d recommend investing in a clip-in ponytail or braid hair. The fake hair will be easier on your head and look great. For shoes, I wore beaded slippers. They’re great all-purpose costume shoes. You should look into finding a pair to keep in your costume closet.

For the makeup I referenced publicity shots of Barbra Eden. She wore false eyelashes and used blue eyeshadow. I kept the rest of the makeup in the pink family to coordinate with the costume. First I used black eyeliner on my eyes. Then a sweep of blue shadow across the lid. I put shimmer pink below the brow to brighten up the eyes. Then I applied basic black eyelashes to the upper lid. The finishing touch is a bit of light pink gloss. It’s not perfect, but I’m pretty happy with the look.

The eyes are key to dressing as a genie or other exotic character. Sweeping eyeliner upwards a la Elizabeth Taylor is all you need to do. Long fake eyelashes will help, but if you don’t have any or are uncomfortable wearing them, don’t worry too much about it. Add a second coat of mascara to bring out your natural lashes. Shimmer and frosted colors can be nice too, but use them sparingly. A little glitter goes a long way. When you want to play up one feature, downplay your other features. When you emphasize your eyes go light on the blush. Do not confuse exotic with vamp. When you vamp up the makeup you want heavy eyes and dark lips not just heavy eyes.

I had a lot of fun playing in my Jeannie costume. I recommend getting a magical costume or two for those times you need to reaffirm your possibilities.

Ah, the Rocky Horror Picture Show and Rocky Horror Show. Lots of great costume possibilities and crazy characters. Check local listings for special Halloween showings and regular monthly events. The audience participation makes for a memorable experience. Neither the movie or musical is for kids.

I’m not sure what you mean, Guest 3204. I don’t have any Columbia costumes since I don’t sell costumes. Do I know where to find a Columbia costume? Right here. The costume you’re most likely to find is the satin shorts, sequined bustier, and top hat. If you want one of her other costumes from the movie, you’ll have to assemble it on your own. Or you can do your interpretation of Columbia. When theaters put on Rocky Horror shows, they often put their own artistic (costuming) spin on the characters. Why can’t you?

Let’s see, her other costumes include the mouse ears and men’s pajamas, lab apron with mask, and the floor show lingerie. Make sure your mouse ears don’t have a logo or embroidered name. The apron is worn over the bustier and shorts. Instead of a bow tie, she is now wearing a small dog collar. I’m at a lost for the mask. I don’t know where you’d find one. On to the floor show: panties, corset, fishnets, boa, and glove. You’ll need one red sequined gauntlet. Columbia’s corset is tied at the top. Basic black corset with sequins along the top edges and some along the bottom. Look for the red scrunchy garters at lingerie stores. The boa is the trickiest part of her floor show costume. I’m not aware of any black, red, and yellow tulle boas on the market. Look around, you never know where you’ll find one. Worst case: you make it yourself.

The makeup. Columbia has pencil thin eyebrows. This will require you to cover your eyebrows (I assume you don’t want to remove your eyebrows). One way it to smooth down your eyebrows using spirit gum. Brush your eyebrows down then cover with the first coat of spirit gum. Let this dry completely for about 4 minutes. Press down on your eyebrows to make sure they’re flat and add another coat. Use your discretion with the number (about 4) of spirit gum layers (brow wax, appliances, and latex are other options). Once the eyebrows feel and look smooth, you can begin to add the makeup. Powder is a good start and will help the makeup set. Use a base that is one color lighter than normal, or concealer, for the first coat. Then use you normal base to blend the eyebrow to your skin color. Stipple on another round of powder. Lastly, draw on the curved eyebrow. Once you’ve applied the rest of your makeup, set everything with more powder. You don’t need to buy expensive spirit gum remover. Baby oil should do just fine.

Powder is important. Never forget it!

And you simply cannot go without the big gaudy fake eyelashes.

Mouse Ears: Magical Memories, Treasure Kingdom,
A Pinch of Pixie Dust.

Check out the RHPS livejournal for more help from a community of Rocky costume lovers and performers.

We’d love to see pictures of you dressed as Columbia.

It’s time I share one of my favorite internet videos with all of you. During holiday shopping in December, I loaded it onto an Apple Store iPod. Teehee.

Costume + Music = Awesome Dancing Fun.

The incredible dancing storm trooper is DannyChoo.com. Isn’t it neat how random folks join in the fun? More people should dress up and dance in the streets…

After all, summer’s here and the time is right. I imagine it would result in an increase of 48 hour commitments, heh. I say go for it! In fact, I’ll give some sort of prize to the best costumed dancer sent in to me@thatcostumegirl.com. The video needs to be of you or have you as the cameraperson. If it is not you dancing, please give the name of the person and proof of their permission.

Need some more Trooper inspiration? Here ya go: With Darth Vader, Looking for Droids, and Caramel Dancer.

Get your cameras and get dancing. A prize is waiting (I’ll think of something). Oh, here’s one more for the road.

The polls are closed…for this round.

With 46%, Kitty Pryde won the most votes. More than 50 of you participated, thank you. Jem was closing in on her over the weekend, but Kitty’s support never wavered. Sadly, Lisa Hayes and Carrie Kelly weren’t as loved. It’s likely that at some time or another I will make all of these costumes. Don’t be sad if your choice didn’t win.

I will make Kitty’s Astonishing X Men uniform. The picture above isn’t quite right. The boots will be black not yellow. There is a high black collar instead of no collar. The shoulders aren’t as pronounced. Finally, the belt is yellow not red. See below. I’ve made an album of Kitty and Lockheed pictures in my gallery for reference.

Kitty will join the other costumes slated for D*C. Watch the blog for updates on construction and progress photographs. This will be my first time sewing stretchy material and I’m nervous as all get out. My sewing machine is one of those cheapo models for hemming and curtains. I don’t know how it will handle the more delicate fabric. Yes, it does have a zigzag stitch. I’ll look at patterns and already made suits to get started. Now, if only I can master this phasing thing…Wish me luck!