Marilyn Monroe Costume

When you think fabulous, vintage and glamour... who do you think of? Why Marilyn Monroe of course! This is the celebrity that everyone knows! I decided she would be the perfect person for me to impersonate at our upcoming Halloween party. I started to searched high and low for a fun Marilyn dress. I found some online, but they were all made of thin polyester fabric and I knew that the longer white pleated skirt length would not look flattering on my 5'3 figure. I then decided that I would not do the traditional outfit that everyone wears, but that I would have to create something fun and youthful! Something that a modern day Marilyn would have worn if she were alive today! Fun - whimsical and yet sexy. I looked online and saw that a button down shirt could be made into a v-neck top if it was cut and sewn in a certain way. I took on the challenge to make a beautiful form fitting white sexy v-neck top and a fun dreamy skirt!
The first thing I searched for was a white button down blouse. I found a white women's snap closure top at Goodwill and started by cutting off the sleeves. I then put it on myself and pinned it through out to make it form fitting. I folded the edges and hand sewed it to give it a finished look. I then added pearls to the collar edge to give it a classy look. I stitched down the collar to hold it nicely into place. I knew that a rhinestone necklace would look better if you could see it easily with a clear open neckline. Next I took an elastic waistband and cut to my waist size for the skirt. I took tulle strips and measured them against my body for the correct length. I cut them and looped them around the elastic waistband. I just kept adding tulle until I got the fullness I wanted for the skirt. As a finishing touch I added white silky ribbon along the top and hand sewed it on to give it a finished look. I made it so that it would be a tie closure with a bow at the front. I also bought some white shoes and tied a bow with tulle at the front to give them a vintage fun look! Last, but not least I added rhinestone dangle earrings as well as a necklace - a petite bracelet and glamorous ring to dazzle it up. Of course I used Marilyn makeup techniques including full outlined red lips with lip gloss. I heard that was a little trick of hers. Regarding her hair... everyone in that era did the beautiful pin curled hair. This was duplicated as well. I styled and pinned up my long blonde hair to make it appear shorter in length. Whalaaa! The look was complete!
When I wore this people totally loved it! They told me that I hit it spot on for Marilyn! Everyone knew who I was without me saying who I was even though I did not have on the traditional outfit. So many people told me that they actually loved mine so much better than the boring white pleated dress! I was happy that I had achieved what I had set out to do. My modern day Marilyn was a success in every way and I was still comfortable because it was made for me. Form fitted to my body - super comfortable and yet modest! It was perfect for me!
I have searched high and low and have not seen a costume like this yet. I totally designed the whole thing and made it totally from conceptual ideas. It was so very fun to create and I hope that I inspire other people to take bits and pieces of history and things that they love and that they will make something modern that works for them! Make it your own. Love what you wear and keep it comfortable. Beauty does not have to equal pain. I danced in this all night and could have kept dancing all the next day. It was so comfortable and practical.