I first searched online for a good costume I could buy, but to my disappointment there were no good ones to be found. So, I decided to make my own – a Vivian from Pretty Woman costume!
I started with some trips to the thrift store and craft/fabric store. My friend told me about a great product that allows you to hem without sewing, called stitch-witchery. It is amazing! I didn’t have time to sew the costume, so I used it and it lasted throughout the night! You simply iron the two pieces of fabric together to form a bond!
To create the look I purchased a pair of boots via the internet (expensive, and I recommend finding a place that sells them in your local area for fit). I am 5’2″ and the actual boot was much too tall for my short legs, so I had to fold the boot in on itself to make them my height.
The fabric for the skirt I found at a fabric store, and boy was I lucky. I found the perfect fabric color! The shirt from a second hand store, and the wig online.
I bought some cheap gold hoops, some cheap lipstick, and the tights they sell for Hooter’s girls to keep myself from feeling too naked. (I don’t usually wear short skirts, so those thick leggings made me feel great especially since I wasn’t sure how well the costume would hold up!)
Also, for the metal rings to connect the pieces, I found some plastic ones at the fabric store and simply spray painted them silver. I had the bracelets and I found some cord to hang my key from, which she always wore around her neck.
Total Time: 3-4 hours to create
Total Cost: ~$100-$150 (boots were $80, so find used ones and your golden!)
Prize winning costume!! It was a great success and everyone knew who I was instantly. It got more attention than my boyfriend wanted, but I loved my own homemade Pretty Woman costume!
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Coolest Homemade Vivian From Pretty Woman Costume
Hello! LOVE the costume. Could you post more specific instructions about the cut, etc. of the pattern? I’d really like to make my own, but I’m a little nervous! Thank you so much!
Thats probably the coolest Vivian Ward outfit I’ve seen. You should sell it.
Hey could you possibly post about what websites you used for your purchases. Also, how you “sewed” the hoop and shirt and skirt together.
Thanks!!
Where did you get your fabric from??
Would you be willing to sell the custome you made if you are not using it anymore?
To make the costume I used an electric blue tube top dress and a white low scoop tank (both purchased at American Apparel. I tried to find a sky colored material, like Vivian’s but found no luck. For the ring, I bought a scarf and saved the ring that came with it (the one’s they use for display)
I didn’t actually sew it myself–I had my seamstress cut and sew it. All and all it cost me a little less than $100 (including cost of the seamstress). But since I used American Apparel material, it was pretty high quality. I have it saved for re-use when I go to multiple parties (I’ll save my new costume for the bigger one).
Sorry for the way delayed response — I totally forgot I posted this! So, in order:
1. As for the cut (the pattern), I just guessed. I printed a photo and took out the scissors. Because the I used a tank top for the top, I just cut the bottom into the general shape, and then sewed the edges to make it look for uniform.
2. I don’t recall the website I used for the boots, but you can find them online anywhere. I am a bargain hunter, so I just shopped whatever site let me use a coupon code. The rest was purchased at Joann’s Fabric and Crafts (it’s local for me).
3. As for the hoop, I cut the fabric on the top and bottom long, and then wrapped them around the hoop and attached the end to the inside of the garment for each respective side. This was the same, front and back.
4. As for selling it, I am not willing to part with it just yet. I would like to try to find a different top to reattach, but the skirt fabric I found on a whim at JoAnn’s. It was a “fuzzy” polyester, but it was in the tie-dyed coloring, so I used the “back” side as the exterior, with the fuzzy part in. It worked out perfectly. Finding the skirt fabric inspired the whole look.
5. If you try to recreate, I do recommend using a spandex blend for the tank top, rather than a cotton fabric, as the spandex will keep it tighter. I had given my “perfect” tank top to good will years ago, so I had to settle with a cotton top, but I will revamp it to a better tank in the future. Vivian will be back!