This year is the first time since high school that my costume doesn’t depend on the roommates, or Colorguard, or friends, or something else. I had several that I was debating between: Wendla from Spring Awakening, Rachel Berry from Glee, Magenta from Rocky Horror Picture Show, Penny from Hairspray, Lolita from Bride and Prejudice, and Alex Owens from Flashdance.
I decided that Wendla would take too much explaining. Rachel was too predictable. Penny wore her hair in pigtails. And I have no idea where to find the Indian clothes suitable to play Lolita (though that would probably be the most fun—maybe next year).
Plus with almost all of these, people would expect me to sing. Could be a tad embarrassing.
After I narrowed it down to the most practical (Magenta or Alex), I did the American, democratic thing and put it to a vote among friends.
Alex won.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILWSp0m9G2U&fs=1&hl=en_US]
Alex Owens is a steel town girl who just wants to dance, as I’m sure you all know. She’s a fully toned 80s dancer in killer heels. I’m still a tad intimidated, and I really hope that no one expects me to dance in those heels.
Money wise, I’m trying to be practical. There are a few key scenes that stick out to me from Flashdance, and I’m trying to sort of combine them all in my costume. It’s tricky.
When Alex is having that dreamy moment and wishing she was a ballet dancer, she’s wearing a tee shirt with the collar cut out. When she comes home from that first date with Nick (an iconic scene), she’s wearing a tight black leather skirt. She changes into her sweater with the collar cut out, and she’s still wearing those killer red heels. Later, she’s playing a strange game of footsie with Nick at the table, she’s got this lacy pair of panty hose on (and a scrap that she calls a shirt) and black heels.
I have the gray tee shirt with the collar cut out already. I’ve got a pair of mostly short black shorts, dressy-ish, that will stand in for her tight, short, leather skirt. I’ve got a pair of panty hose with strange lacy designs. And of course, a pair of tall black heels.
Now why am I telling you all of this? I need opinions. Would a pair of torn jeans be better than the shorts and lacy hose? Should I do one of the stage make-up designs or just her normal black eye-liner bit? Should I dye my hair my natural color (darker brown) to get it closer to the right hair color for her?
Or does all of this sound like I’m going to look horrible? Should I just try something simpler, like Rory Gilmore or something?
I suppose that I’ll post pictures up here when I finally do get dressed up in this costume. If nothing else, it’ll provide some laughs.
Let me know what you think!
p.s. here’s a post with good pictures about Alex’s casual wear.
No Comments