I work with a Burlesque troupe here in the Emerald City and I’ve seen many a person come through our little performance space – it amazes me how many of those people are adequately dressed for the occasion and how many are not.

I went to the Dita Von Teese show and getting all dolled up for that really  made me think about appropriate attire for these shows.  It also made me think about how to sport burlesque wear in our everyday lives.  I understand you’d feel silly showing up to work decked solely in swarovski crystals, but honey, you don’t have to forgo the sex appeal of burlesque couture.

Oh… by the way:  Here’s a little slice of Dita!

(Images by JustJared)

For a show:

Gents, getting dressed up for a show is your chance to show off what a hip cat you are.  I wanted to tell the gentleman next to me that jeans and polos are so frat boy passé.  I *know* they’re comfortable and effortless, but if those girls onstage are going to take HOURS getting into all that glitz and garb, the least you could do is go home and put on a shirt with buttons.  Or a nice sweater… if it’s winter, I’ll give you the nice sweater.  Look at it this way – boys in sport coats, pressed shirts and sometimes ties get winks and glittery pouts from the pick-ups and artistes who run the show.  You want to get winked at and glittered over – look sharp.

Ladies, getting dressed up for the show is your chance to be bombshell beauty.  You’re a sexy, classy, and sleek sophisticate under all that day-time, too-busy, workin’-girl exterior.  I KNOW you are.  This is your chance to doll up and let that inner babe out.  Pick up a corsage headband from F21 (they’re cheap, I hear), break out the red lipstick, slap on a pair of faux cils (eyelashes, girl!  Eyelashes!) and your ultra sex-kitten heels and get ready to drink cosmos (or whiskey if you’re me!) and cheer those ladies on!  For extra fun, go with stockings and garters underneath, and break out the burlesque babe when you get home!  Mee-yow!

For anybody in between: I generally get the feeling y’all know what you’re doing, so just keep doin’ your thing!

From day-to-day:

Experiment with a cute pomp or big waves, or curls.  Bust out that red lipstick again.  Try the single faux cils and just apply them to the outer edge of your lashes, after doing your makeup.  Invest in a shimmery, sparkly dusting powder.  Work it in fishnets or stockings.  Wear your mile-high heels (but only if you can walk in them and NOT suffer!).  Rock a knee-length pencil skirt and blouse – very sexy secretary style.  Adorn yourself with a sparkly brooch, hair ornament or delicate bracelet.  Listen to something that makes you shimmy while getting ready in the morning.  Wear flowers in your hair.  Do a little strip-dance while getting ready for bed.  Wear sparkly eyeshadow or sparkly nail polish.  Have your nails and toes done in bright reds or pinks.  Wear a bustier (appropriately) under a blazer.  Have a little fun!

Here’s what I wore to see Dita!

For extra reading, if you think you want to buy a corset and go full-on burlesque beauty, visit Dramatis Personae, where the most lovely Ashe Mischief explains How to Buy a Corset! They are going to cost you a bit, but the end result is definitely worth it in comfort and style.  Miss Mischief also posted on Bringing Back Burlesque – a fantastic read!!

Related posts:

1. Combatting Casual Wear
2. Party Attire
3. Intentional Dressing

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