Black Swan Costume for Halloween by Red Ostrich on Etsy

Halloween Costume. Black Swan - DIY

I thought I would share my Halloween costume this year and also how I made it in case anyone needs tips for next year! I wanted to continue my feather obsession and decided to be Black Swan, the goth ballerina from the Natalie Portman film. I was also inspired by the MOCA show of the real costumes earlier this year ( http://www.moca.org/audio/blog/?cat=79 ). I used items that I already had except for one $15 short tutu that I used to make my petticoat stick further out. I started with the following items:

1. a corset I had in the back of my closet (I turned mine inside out so it would be more black). 

2. two feather pads or lots of black feathers 

3. feather boas - one or two black ones - they can be old or falling apart - mine were and it adds to the distressed character.

4. black petticoat or black tutu or both.  

5. safety pins

6. needle and thread

7. tiara

8. some type of black necklace or brooches or jewels 

9. jewels for the corset

10. tights and ballet shoes or black heels and satin ribbons to use instead

11. black and white eye makeup (both eyeliners and shadow work best)

12. birdcage french veil netting or tulle and two bobby pins

I used the needle and thread to sew jewels on one side and the feather pads on the other side of the corset chest area. Then I took the feather boas and safety pinned them onto one side of the petticoat. I pinned them from the underside so the pins didn't show. I then made up my eyes like the character, after getting ideas by watching several youtube tutorials. I found that patting black and white eyeshadows over white and black penciled lines, helped the makeup stay all night. I used the MAC angled eyeshadow brush to achieve sharp lines. 

Then I used two overlapping bobby pins to adhere the french veil birdcage netting over my face, right above the center of my forehead. Then I placed on my goth tiara. I used an old tiara I had that was silver with a few fake diamonds but then I took an everyday necklace that was black and used wire to wind it around the tiara so it would have height and the black goth-y look. If you don't already have one, you can probably find something cheap at either H & M or Forever 21. You can also pin brooches on your tiara or use them instead of sewing on jewels on the front of the corset.

I got some great reactions at the parties I attended, all for a costume that cost me under $15. I ended up wearing it three different nights that week! :o)