I love Halloween costumes that involve remixing items that you already have in your closet. And I just so happen to have a white dress that works perfectly as the ‘base’ for a Cleopatra costume. So, I DIYed the accessories (exaggerated jewel collar, crown, cuffs, etc) to take this plain white dress from normal outfit to Cleopatra. Want to see how it all came together? Click through for the full tutorial.
Materials:
- soft gold leather (or heavy gold fabric)
- flat bottom glass beads (find them in the floral department at any craft store)
- spray paint
- hot glue
- elastic string (or ribbon)
- gold foil tape
- 2 popsicle sticks
- white dress
How to make it:
1. Start by cutting out shapes for the large decorative collar, bracelet cuffs, belt plate, and headpiece.
The collar is an irregular U shape, the coffee bracelets are just long rectangles that will wrap around, the belt plate is a long rectangle with slightly rounded edges, and the crown is a pentagon shape with a long rectangle strip for the headband.
See image for shape references for each accessory.
2. Next, spray paint glass marbles in 2-3 jewel tone colors to create an interesting pattern. Once dry, arrange onto collar and in a linear pattern, being sure to leave space between the rows of jewels for the gold foil tape.
3. Next, glue the jewels onto the collar with hot glue.
4. Add strips of gold foil tape in between the jeweled rows. Be sure to cut the tape longer on each end than necessary, so it can wrap around to the back for a cleaner look.
5. Next, add gold foil tape to leather cuffs and jewels to the belt plate.
6. After creating a long strip headband and pentagon shape crown, flip the diamond shape over, add popsicle sticks with glue to keep the crown stiff. Then flip it back over and attach to the headband with glue.
7. Punch a hole on the ends of each piece (cuff bracelets, collar, headpiece, and belt) and add elastic string to each item. Tie them off in a knot and cut of excess.
Add a white dress and you’re Cleopatra costume is finished!
What do you think of this DIY costume idea? It’s easy enough, right?
This would be a great costume for a costume party. I’m a big fan of costumes that aren’t too cumbersome and don’t involve piles of complicated makeup.