DIY Flapper Costume

October 15, 2015

Affiliate Links: If you click on a link in this post, I may make a very small commission. All items were purchased by me.

Last week I started off the Halloween celebration with silly pet costumes. This week, it’s the humans turn with this DIY Flapper Costume! This isn’t your typical DIY costume… I’m not actually making anything, but I am DIY-ing this by skipping the packaged costumes! I’m keeping it budget-friendly at under $25 (below the average price of one of those lame-o pre-packaged versions.) The nice thing about the costumes I have planned? It’s likely you’ll already own a lot of the pieces I’m repurposing, and after Halloween you won’t have to dump the entire costume!
DIY Flapper Costume / 1920s Gibson Girl Halloween Costume // hellorigby seattle fashion blog

DIY Flapper Costume

Flapper / Gibson Girl Halloween Costume & Makeup Look // hellorigby seattle fashion blog

What You’ll Need: Makeup

I opted to grab my Urban Decay Naked Smoky palette for this light smokey eye look, but you can easily recreate this look with any nude, medium gray, and black shadows you own. (Same goes for the rest of the look – I used what I had on hand!)

I swept the nude shadow (Combust) all over the lid. Then, I used the medium gray (Dagger) in my crease. I darkened up the outer corners with the black shadow (Black Market) and smudged it across my lower lashline with a little purple (Smolder). I used Ardell Natural 110 Lashes for a little extra volume and liquid liner to tie the eye look together.

For my face, I used IT Cosmetics CC Cream in Fair, NYX HD Blush in Taupe to contour, and Tarte Blush in Dollface on my cheeks for a little pop of color. I made my brows appear thinner by using NYX HD Concealer, concealing a small amount of my upper and lower brow, then blending it out with a small, flat foundation brush. Then I defined the rest of the brow with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil in Dark Brown. To finish off the look, I used NYX Soft Lip Cream in Copenhagen.

DIY Flapper Costume, Accessories, Hair & Makeup // hellorigby seattle fashion blog

What You’ll Need: Hair

This is going to be the easiest hair style ever if you have short hair – just a little tousle and you’re good! If you have long hair like me, I recommend pinning it into a bun and slicking it back (I used hairspray to do this, as I didn’t want my hairs blowing away in the breeze!) I picked up a lace headband at Ross (Cost $3.49) and I liked how it stood out with my hair pulled back. It feels very “Gibson Girl” to me. For this look, I simply twisted it into the typical bun shape and strategically placed 6 bobby pins. (My hair is heavy!)

1920s Flapper/Gibson Girl Halloween Costume {On a Budget!} // hellorigby seattle fashion blog

What You’ll Need: Flapper Costume

After doing a little Googling, it seemed like I could easily save a bunch of money by skipping the stereotypical fringe dress and going for something more simple. I originally had wanted to find a black lace slip dress, but when my local thrift shops didn’t have what I wanted, I settled on a ruffle trim skirt (Cost: $.99). I paired it with a silk tank top (Cost: $0) I already had and used a yard of decorative ribbon from my local fabric & trim shop (Cost: $3).

Since I felt like I was missing the fringe, I picked up a lace kimono with fringe trim at my local Ross (Cost: $10.99). Finally, I grabbed some simple black pumps I own (Cost: $0) and I accessorized with necklaces I already owned as well – a chain tassel necklace and an art deco inspired statement necklace (Cost $0). You could also try layering varying short and long necklaces, anything with a little bling, or strands of beads. If you don’t own anything that you think would work, try picking up some inexpensive fake pearls like these.

Total Cost of Costume: $18.47

Have you decided what you’re going to be for Halloween? I’d love to hear about it in the comments, and stay tuned for next week’s costume. I’m a little excited about it! :)

43 Comments

43 thoughts on “DIY Flapper Costume”

  3. Breenah

    Having done costumes for theatre for the better part of the last 11 years, I feel like I can’t just buy a costume. I made both Quinn’s and mine this year. She’s going as Katerina Kitty Cat (from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) and I’m being Henrietta, her mom.

    Reply ↓
  8. Erica

    Cute! I’m being a flapper for Halloween as well! I found a dress on Amazon for pretty cheap, and I’m using a few other items I already own.
    Looks good! I’m still deciding on how to do my makeup, I don’t think I have a good enough concealer to make my eyebrows look thinner haha

    Reply ↓
  14. Ashley (@asilvertwig)

    We don’t celebrate Halloween so there’s no costumes in store for me but we did once attend a Great Gatsby party and I dressed as a flapper. It was so much fun! We were even taught how to dance the Charleston. :)

    Reply ↓
  17. Lix

    YESSSSS. If only they’d invent a teleporter so I could just show up whenever you dress up awesomely and do editorial shoots with you. Cause damn, girl.

    I’ve always wanted to dress up as a flapper girl, too, though not quite like this! My ideas are less lace and more 20s-shape dresses…if that makes any sense. I know what I want, I just can’t describe it. Sadsies! But you look amaaaazing.

    Reply ↓
  21. Cindy Hoffman

    Hi there Jenn, this is soo cute. I really love the way the dress hugs you and how you have matched everything. I think I am goign to steal your style. Thanks a lot for the awesome share.

    Cindy

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *