A Simple Fancy Dress Costume
The best way to save money or reduce purchases is to recycle what you already have at home or in the studio. I choose simple and quick ideas. Like an Artist! Easy and comfortable, this costume will certainly help you out.

1. Artists’ styles:
If we look at the above self-portraits of artists, they often have two distinctive trends:
- 1 / painting blouse with or without beret cap.
- 2 / vest and white shirt but a little too close to the “waiter” style for my taste.
For my costume, I chose style number 1: long hair by Dürer, painting blouse and beret by Corot, ruffled cuffs by Maurice Quentin de La Tour and scarf by Chardin. Obviously, if you’re a man you can add the beard of Cézanne or Pissarro, or hat from Manet or Toulouse-Lautrec, and if you have the haircut of Picasso why not replace the blouse with a sailor tee shirt!


2/ The Materials:
- 1 painting blouse
- one scarf
- a flat cap or beret
- makeup pencils if you want a mustache and makeup sponge (to remove makeup)
- Wide band Lace (6”x 39”)
- Mahl Stick
- Wooden Palette + Brushes
- White Cotton Thread, string or ribbons
- Scissors + Scotch Transparent Tape
3/ The method for ruffled cuffs:
This is very easy, and it is inspired by the method of making a wristband.
- A white strip of lace (6”x 39”), the openings in the lace will be very convenient for weaving thread.
- 2 lengths of White Cotton Weaving Thread or 20” ribbon that will be used to create ruffles.
Cut the lace strip into 2 equal lengths in order to have 2 pieces of 20”.
Create the ruffles along one side. To make it easier to thread the string or ribbon through the holes in the lace, wrap a small piece of adhesive tape to one end to make a small pointed cone.
Pass the string through your 2 pieces of lace. The tape will makes it easier, it can be removed when you’re done.
Note: For those who are more comfortable with sewing, you can obviously create nicer finishes.
4. The Final Result:
And now, my costume is ready!
I’m really happy with the result and it’s so easy. The longest part was taking the pictures!

5. Your Turn:
Fancy dress party planned? Go ahead, tell us everything… What will be yours? Do you have any tips to make it fun and simple?
Information for this article was provided by professional fine artist, Amylee Paris. You can visit her colourful portfolio or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
Find all Amylee’s posts published in GreatArt online Magazine by clicking here!
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