David Bowie changed his look so often that almost every era gives you a different costume: glam jumpsuits, long capes, sharp suits, fantasy tailoring and the stripped-back black of his last records. I've rebuilt thirty of those looks for women, with the base garments, shoes, hair, makeup and one prop spelled out for each. Very little here needs an exact replica. Most of them start in a thrift store with a blazer or a stretch jumpsuit, then lean on a decent wig and cosmetic face paint. If you've never worn anything bolder than cat ears, scroll down to the suits. If you want the full transformation, the Ziggy looks near the top are where I'd begin.
For each look I've pointed out the one detail that has to be right, because that's where your time and money should go.
Turning a Cheap Wig Into Ziggy's Mullet
About ten of these looks rely on the same orange-red mullet, and ready-made Ziggy wigs are often thin, shiny and flat on top. I'd rather buy a plain short orange shag wig and cut it into shape myself. It takes one evening and looks far better than most packaged versions.
- Pin the wig to a foam head set at roughly the height of your own head, and brush it out completely before cutting anything.
- Shorten the top and crown first with thinning shears, cutting into the hair vertically rather than straight across, so the ends look textured instead of blunt.
- Leave the back long enough to reach the nape of your neck. The contrast between a short top and a long back is what makes it read as a mullet.
- Tease the crown at the roots with a fine-tooth comb, then lock it with a strong-hold wig spray. Synthetic fiber holds teasing well, which is one of the few times a cheap wig works in your favor.
- Brush a little dry shampoo or translucent powder through the lengths to knock back the plastic shine before anyone takes a photo.
Keep hair dryers and curling irons away unless the label says heat-safe. Then try the finished wig on over a wig cap a few days ahead, because the crown sits lower once your own hair is packed underneath, and you may need another round of teasing.
1. Aladdin Sane Lightning Bolt Costume
Here the face does nearly all the work, so the clothes can stay plain. A metallic silver jumpsuit is the obvious base, though silver pants with a matching top, or a white mini dress over opaque tights, reads just as well once the bolt is on. Red platform ankle boots, a silver toy microphone and an orange-red wig teased into a short spiky mullet with height at the crown cover the rest. I always cut a stencil for the red-and-blue bolt from thin card rather than freehanding it, because a wobbly edge is the first thing people notice. Paint it over pale foundation with cosmetic-grade face paint, press setting powder on top, and keep the brows soft and the lips glossy. One silver star earring is plenty of jewelry.
2. Ziggy Stardust Striped Jumpsuit Costume
Ziggy's striped jumpsuit needs a good fit more than anything. Look for a fitted jumpsuit with red, blue, gold and black vertical stripes, or paint the stripes onto a thrifted unitard yourself. If you paint, stretch the unitard over a board while you work and let each color dry before the next; paint applied to slack fabric cracks the moment it stretches over your body. A deep V-neck and structured shoulder pads give the glam-rock shape. Add red platform boots, a lightweight toy guitar or microphone, and a vivid orange-red mullet with short bangs and a lifted crown. The face is pale foundation, gold shimmer across the forehead, pink blush and blue shadow, with a small gold circle centered above the brows.
3. Starman Rainbow Jumpsuit Costume
Of all the jumpsuits here, this is the one people spot from the far side of a dark room. You want a fitted one-piece with bright geometric stripes and a plunging neckline. If none turns up, high-waisted striped pants with a matching wrap top and a wide fabric belt make a convincing two-piece. Glossy red platform boots and a small silver microphone finish the body, and an orange-red shag wig with hairspray at the crown gives the Ziggy shape. Pale matte foundation, blue eyeshadow and pink blush handle the face, and a metallic star appliqué on the chest leans into the space theme. The fine gold glitter at the temples will end up on everyone you hug, so I use a cosmetic glitter gel rather than loose craft glitter, which shouldn't go near the eyes anyway.
4. Life On Mars Teal Suit Costume
The Life on Mars suit is the comfortable way into Bowie glam. A teal or powder-blue blazer with broad lapels, strong shoulders and a fitted waist goes over matching high-waisted trousers and a pale blue shirt or satin camisole, with brown platform loafers to keep it retro. Brush a short orange-red wig into a backswept mullet, smooth at the front rather than spiked. The blue shadow is what matters most. Take it right up to the brow bone and out toward the temples, much further than everyday eyeshadow, or the whole thing just reads as a blue suit. Pale foundation, rosy blush and a soft pink lip finish it, and a vintage-style microphone is all the prop it needs.
5. Tokyo Pop Black And White Costume
This is the most fashion-led look in the list, and also the hardest one to sit down in. You're after a sleeveless bodysuit or jumpsuit with a fitted torso and big rounded balloon legs. To make the legs, sew curved panels onto wide-leg pants or stuff lightweight overskirt panels with tulle. I'd use tulle over polyester stuffing every time: it holds the shape with far less weight and springs back after you sit. Red patent platform boots give the flash of color. Add a short orange-red wig with angular bangs and a swept-up crown, then keep the face pale and graphic with thin black brows, pink-red shadow around the eyes and a gold circle on the forehead. One simple microphone is enough, since anything more fights the silhouette.
6. Red Kanji Cape David Bowie Costume
If a tight jumpsuit isn't for you, the long red cape gets you the drama with a forgiving fit underneath. Start with a floor-length red robe or kimono-shaped cape and add large black-and-gold graphic symbols in felt or fabric paint. Stitch the felt down or use fabric glue; hot glue peels away from fabric that swings this much. A fitted black unitard, or a black top and leggings, goes underneath with red platform boots. Hem the cape a little above the floor. In platforms you can't see your feet, and a cape that touches the ground gets stepped on at the first staircase. Finish with an orange-red mullet wig, pale foundation, strong pink blush, blue eye makeup and a gold forehead accent, and when you walk in, hold the sides open so the whole design shows.
7. Woodland Creatures Ziggy Stardust Costume
Woodland Creatures is the most hand-drawn of the Ziggy looks. The base is a fitted green jumpsuit, or a green top and leggings, covered in woodland shapes, curling vines, flowers and stylized animals in orange, yellow, black and red. Fabric markers are far easier than appliqué here. I sketch everything in chalk first and slide cardboard inside each leg before inking, so the color doesn't bleed through to the back. Knee-high red platform boots, a silver microphone and a vivid orange-red mullet tie it to Ziggy, with pale foundation, coral blush, dark eyeliner and gold shimmer at the temples. Skip realistic animal masks; they bury the drawing. A wide metallic belt at the waist makes the hand-decorated suit look deliberate.
8. Gold Quilted Ziggy Stardust Costume
Gold quilting gives you stage shine without the weight and scratch of a fully beaded bodysuit. Pair a gold quilted jacket with structured shoulders with matching fitted pants or a gold mini skirt over opaque tights, and put a black or burgundy bodysuit underneath for contrast. Tall red platform boots and a narrow metallic belt follow. Making the jacket yourself? Lay thin batting under metallic fabric and stitch diagonal lines through both layers. Use a fresh needle and a longer stitch, because metallic fabric snags and puckers easily. Drawn lines are the quick option, but they look flat under party lights. The wig is Ziggy's short orange-red mullet held up with strong spray, and the face is pale with blue and copper shadow, pink blush and a small gold circle above the brows. Carry a lightweight microphone or a compact toy guitar.
9. Red Vinyl Ziggy Stardust Costume
Red vinyl looks sleek, but it doesn't breathe, and by the second hour of a warm party you'll know it. That's why I like it as a jacket or structured vest rather than the whole outfit. Wear it with high-waisted red pants over a black mesh top or a simple fitted bodysuit. If vinyl still feels too stiff, red stretch fabric with a glossy finish gives a similar shine and moves far better. Tall red platform boots in a slightly different finish add depth. Then come the orange-red shag wig, pale foundation, metallic blue eyeshadow, strong pink blush and gold shimmer near the hairline, plus a toy microphone and silver cuffs at both wrists. Once the hair and makeup are on, the all-red base reads as Ziggy straight away.
10. Clockwork Orange David Bowie Costume
The printed stage costume pairs a fitted polo-neck top covered in black, orange, red and white shapes with matching flared pants. When I can't find a matching set, I decorate a white stretch set with fabric markers or iron-on graphics. Test your iron on a scrap first, since thin polyester can scorch or go shiny before the adhesive has set. Add tall red or black platform boots and a wide metallic belt. Brush the orange-red wig back off the forehead into a slightly messy mullet, then use pale foundation, thin brows, blue shadow and warm coral blush. The print is busy enough that I'd stop at the microphone, or one small metallic pendant, and skip other jewelry.
11. Halloween Jack Eyepatch Costume
Halloween Jack is the obvious Bowie pick for Halloween night itself. The base is a plunging red-and-black patterned shirt over a fitted camisole, high-waisted red trousers, a matching neck scarf and black or red platform ankle boots, with the bright orange-red mullet and an eyepatch over one eye. A word of caution from me: covering one eye takes away your depth perception, and platforms on steps with one eye covered is how ankles get turned. I'd look for a costume patch with a fine mesh center you can see through, or push it up onto the forehead while you're walking. Make up the visible side with pale foundation, concealed brows, burgundy shadow and coral blush. Patch, scarf, red trousers and hair together say Diamond Dogs era without an exact stage replica.
12. Diamond Dogs Red Satin Costume
Satin is slippery to sew and slippery to wear, so with this mid-1970s Diamond Dogs look I build in some security. You want a silky red blouse with a deep neckline, fitted red trousers and black suspenders or a slim black harness over the shirt. A safety pin hidden inside the placket, or a camisole underneath, keeps the neckline where you put it once you start moving. Choose black platform boots with a stable block heel. The wig stays orange-red but goes shaggier and longer than the sharp Ziggy cut. Pale foundation, smoky burgundy eyes, pronounced contour and gloss on the lids give the slightly wild stage finish, though lid gloss creases within an hour or two, so I dab it on right before leaving. A red neck scarf, a vintage-style microphone and a few silver rings are enough.
13. David Bowie Mime Costume
Bowie's early mime work gives you a monochrome costume that costs very little. Start with a black mock-neck top, fitted black pants and a sleeveless white tunic or short tabard, then add white gloves, black suspenders and polished black ankle boots. Swap the orange mullet for a neat medium-brown mod wig with side-swept bangs. With the white face, less really is better. A full white base creases on a warm night and rubs off onto that black collar, so I go lighter: thin white makeup, thin black brows, a small line beneath each eye and a muted rose mouth. Keep the expression friendly rather than eerie. A white theatrical mask in one hand or a black bowler hat gives you a prop you can put down.
14. The Man Who Sold The World Floral Dress Costume
This is one of the easiest Bowie looks to adapt for women, because the base is a dress you might already own. Look for a floor-length maxi with a blue, cream and green floral print, ideally with long sleeves and a softly gathered waist, and wear tan knee-high boots under the hem. The long honey-blond wig with loose waves and a center part is what tells people who you are, so I'd spend more on it than on the dress. Long synthetic wigs tangle at the nape where they rub your collar; a wide-tooth comb and a little wig detangler spray before you leave helps a lot. Keep the face dreamy with pale luminous skin, blue-gray shadow, soft lashes and a muted pink lip. Carry a record-sleeve prop or a few artificial flowers, add one bold silver ring, and remember the languid, reclined pose matters as much as the clothes.
15. Hunky Dory David Bowie Costume
Hunky Dory is soft glam. A silky blue blouse with loose sleeves goes with high-waisted cream trousers or a flowing blue maxi skirt, and gold platform shoes add a bit of stage without the height of the Ziggy boots. Brush the shoulder-length blond wig out into waves with a relaxed center part. A paddle brush gives a synthetic wig that softness, but keep curling irons away from it unless the label says heat-safe, because standard fiber frizzes or melts. Use luminous foundation, blue shadow, peach blush and glossy nude-pink lips, with light brows. A delicate gold necklace and a few rings set the early-1970s mood. I steer people here when they want Bowie without face paint or a jumpsuit.
16. Thin White Duke Three-Piece Suit Costume
Thin White Duke tailoring is crisp and controlled, and it suits anyone who'd rather wear clothes than a costume. Put high-waisted black trousers with a fitted black vest and a white collared shirt, sleeves rolled neatly, and add a slim black jacket if it's cold. Polished black brogues or loafers finish the bottom half. The hair is slicked straight back in blond or warm copper, with a short wig or temporary color. Temporary color sprays rub onto a white collar, so if you use one, spray before you dress and let it dry completely. Keep the makeup angular: pale foundation, taupe contour under the cheekbones, brown liner and a neutral lip. Carry a classic microphone, tuck a folded white handkerchief in one pocket and add a slim watch.
17. Station To Station Black Vest Costume
Station to Station sits close to the Duke but looser through the leg. Build it around a fitted black vest and wide black trousers over a crisp white shirt with a pointed collar, top buttons open but the neckline secure. Polished black ankle boots and a narrow black belt follow. Slick a short blond wig away from the face; I work a little gel through synthetic fiber with my fingers, which holds that smooth shape better than spray alone. Matte pale foundation, light brown contour, subtle eyeliner and muted rose lipstick look sharp under bright lights without adding color. A corded microphone and a pocket square are the props. It's easy to thrift, fits most bodies, and it's the one I'd suggest for a work party where a full jumpsuit would feel like too much.
18. Young Americans Soul Suit Costume
The Young Americans suit is all about drape. Pick a chocolate-brown or charcoal three-piece with high-waisted flared trousers, and wear a white shirt under the vest with the collar open. Platform loafers or polished heeled boots carry the mid-1970s line. Brush a short honey-blond wig smoothly back from the forehead, and keep the face soft and matte with warm brown shadow, defined cheekbones and a natural rose lip. A retro silver microphone, a patterned pocket square and gold hoops finish it. When you try thrifted suits, sit down and lift your arms before you buy. A suit that's too tight pulls across the hips, the flares stop swinging, and the easy, slouchy cool of the era disappears.
19. Isolar Tour White Linen Costume
Billowing white gets you drama without a single sequin. Half-tuck a loose white linen shirt with full sleeves into wide-leg white trousers, then layer a fitted white vest or long scarf over it. White platform loafers or cream block-heel boots go underneath. Style a short blond wig back from the face with a little texture left through the crown, and keep the face pale and luminous with soft gray shadow, cheek contour and a neutral pink lip. A silver microphone and one narrow bracelet are enough. Two things I've learned fitting white: a nude base layer hides far better than a white one, and makeup should go on before you dress, or foundation ends up on the collar. In warm weather it's the coolest Bowie to wear.
20. Ashes To Ashes Pierrot Costume
The Pierrot looks elaborate, yet people read it at a glance. Start with a white satin jumpsuit, or a matching blouse and loose trousers, and add oversized blue buttons, a structured scalloped collar and a soft white cap or hood. White ankle boots keep the line unbroken. Tuck a short copper-red wig under the cap so a little hair frames the face. The collar is the part to get right. I cut it from thin craft foam and cover it in fabric, so it keeps its scallops but still bends when you turn your head, while card goes limp once you've been warm for an hour. Pale skin, pink-red blush, blue shadow and a small defined mouth finish the face, kept artistic rather than frightening. Carry artificial flowers or a silver microphone.
21. Serious Moonlight Blue Suit Costume
The blue Serious Moonlight suit is oversized on purpose, which makes it one of the most comfortable costumes here. Choose an ice-blue or medium-blue blazer with broad shoulders and matching pleated trousers over a pale open-collar shirt, with white loafers so you can move freely. Style a short golden-blond wig with a swept-back front and soft volume. Natural foundation, subtle blue-gray shadow, peach blush and a polished pink lip, plus a handheld microphone and a slim leather belt. Push the blazer sleeves up slightly for that relaxed fit. It's my pick for an office party, because from across the room it's just a good suit until the hair and the microphone give it away.
22. Serious Moonlight Pink Suit Costume
Salmon pink is the brighter sister of the blue suit. Wear a roomy pink blazer with matching high-waisted trousers and a white or pale-yellow collared shirt, adding a narrow belt at the waist if you want more shape. White brogues suit it. The wig is short, golden blond and brushed back with controlled volume, and the makeup stays fresh with taupe liner, peach blush and rose lipstick. A silver microphone and small metallic earrings finish it. I'd hunt for real lightweight suiting instead of costume-aisle polyester. Cheap pink costume fabric goes shiny under a camera flash and hangs stiffly, while proper suiting drapes and makes the oversized cut look intentional.
23. Blue Jean Lord Byron Costume
Screaming Lord Byron, from the Blue Jean video, is the 1980s Bowie for anyone who loves a coat. A dark-blue or teal tailcoat with metallic trim goes over a ruffled white shirt and slim black trousers, with black knee-high boots on a low heel and several ornate brooches pinned across the front. The wig is tall, dark and swept back with streaks of blue or silver. Use pale foundation, sharply arched brows, smoky blue shadow, sculpted cheekbones and berry lipstick. To turn thrifted formalwear into this coat, add braided trim, fabric gems and shoulder pads. Sew the braid on with a few hand stitches every inch or so; glued trim lifts at the corners within an evening. Let the coat do the talking and keep props to a pair of costume gloves.
24. Labyrinth Goblin King Costume
The Goblin King is fantasy built from ordinary separates. Wear a white poet shirt with a ruffled neckline, a fitted black or gray vest and slim gray leggings, then a long dark cape and knee-high black boots. The wild, feathered platinum wig is what sells it. Tease the crown and sweep the sides back, and buy a wig with more length than you think you need, because teasing uses up a surprising amount of hair. Pale foundation, gray contour, smoky taupe shadow and sharp brows handle the face. Carry a clear acrylic orb and hang an ornate pendant at the neck. I keep the cape light and the trousers fully opaque for a public party. Metallic trim on a thrifted vest makes it look properly regal.
25. Labyrinth Ballroom Costume
The ballroom Goblin King is the formal version. Decorate a blue-black velvet tailcoat with silver braid, mirrored appliqués and small costume gems, and layer it over a silver satin blouse with a ruffled front and black leggings printed with a subtle silver pattern. Tall black heeled boots and fitted gray gloves follow. Style a voluminous platinum wig into swept-back layers with height at the crown, then use luminous pale foundation, smoky silver eyes, sculpted cheeks and a muted rose lip. Velvet is the tricky part. Glue sits on top of the pile instead of gripping the fabric underneath, so I stitch every gem and appliqué through to the lining, or they end up on the dance floor by midnight. Save this one for a fantasy ball or a party where everyone dresses up properly.
26. Glass Spider Red Suit Costume
Glass Spider is head-to-toe scarlet. A long red blazer or three-quarter coat goes over a red shirt and matching tapered trousers, with red ankle boots or low platforms. Monochrome is harder than it looks: reds from different shops almost never match, so lay every piece out together in daylight before you commit. An orange-leaning red beside a blue-leaning red looks like an accident. Add a short golden-blond wig with a lifted, swept-back front, and keep the face natural with smoky gray liner, warm blush and a neutral lip so the clothes dominate. Strong shoulder pads give the 1980s shape. Carry a red or silver microphone, and pick stretch trousers and a light coat if you plan to dance.
27. Tin Machine Striped Pants Costume
Tin Machine is the Bowie you can put together from a normal wardrobe. Fitted black-and-white striped trousers, a black shirt or sleeveless mock-neck, a cropped black leather-look jacket and sturdy black ankle boots. If you're painting the stripes yourself onto plain black trousers, mask them with tape and use two thin coats of white fabric paint; one thick coat cracks at the knee. Choose a short sandy-blond wig, tousled and swept back, and keep the makeup understated with matte foundation, charcoal liner, light contour and a neutral lip. A toy saxophone or handheld microphone makes the musician part clear. It's warm enough for a cool evening and the easiest pick for someone who wants rock clothes rather than cosplay.
28. Earthling Union Jack Coat Costume
Earthling centers on a distressed Union Jack coat, knee-length, worn over a black fitted top and slim black pants with chunky black platform boots. The wig is short, spiky and orange with uneven textured pieces, not Ziggy's smooth mullet. Pale foundation, dark eyeliner, rust shadow and softly sculpted cheeks handle the face, and a silver microphone or tinted glasses finishes it. To make the coat, paint a thrifted trench and stitch on patches, then age it. I sand the painted areas lightly and dab watered-down brown paint into the seams, so it looks worn rather than fresh from the craft table. Keep everything under it plain. It's one of the warmest costumes in the list, which counts for a lot outdoors on Halloween.
29. Glastonbury Floral Coat Costume
The Glastonbury look is the romantic late-era one. A knee-length navy or charcoal coat embroidered with colorful flowers goes over a half-buttoned blue pinstripe shirt and high-waisted white trousers, with black heeled boots and a simple silver belt. Style a shoulder-length honey-blond wig into loose, brushed-back waves, and keep the skin luminous with brown liner, peach blush and a soft rose lip. One silver necklace under the open collar and a microphone complete it. Embroidered coats are hard to find, so floral iron-on patches on a plain coat are the realistic route. Iron-on adhesive doesn't grip wool well, so I add a few hand stitches around each patch. Covered and comfortable, it adjusts easily to different body types.
30. Lazarus Black Striped Costume
Lazarus is the quiet final-era look, haunting without being graphic. Wear a black crew-neck sweater marked with uneven white diagonal stripes, fitted black jeans, plain black ankle boots and a long black coat if it's cold; a white fabric paint pen gives you the stripes in an evening. Smooth short silver-gray hair back, or wear a simple cropped wig. The eye wrap is the signature, and it's where I'm strict. Cut a concealed opening or use a sheer layer so you can genuinely see, and lift it off for stairs and streets. Keep the visible makeup pale with gray contour and a neutral lip. Carry a worn notebook, or a black walking stick used only as a prop. Since it needs almost no sewing, it makes a solid last-minute pick.
Painting the Bolt, Then Getting It Off Again
The Aladdin Sane bolt puts bright red and blue paint right beside your eye, and several other looks take shimmer and shadow far past where everyday makeup goes. A little care keeps it on your face all night and off your collar.
- Patch-test the paint on the inside of your wrist or behind your ear a day or two before. Any redness or itching means switching products.
- Use cosmetic-grade face paint or cream makeup made for skin, never craft acrylics, and keep loose glitter away from the eye itself.
- Hold the stencil flat against clean, lightly primed skin, paint in thin layers, then press translucent setting powder over the top with a puff. Pressing instead of sweeping keeps the edges sharp.
- Cream paint transfers when you get warm. A mist of setting spray, plus a tissue tucked into the neckline while you dress, protects silver fabric and white collars.
At the end of the night, melt the paint first with an oil-based cleanser or cleansing balm, wipe gently, then wash with your usual cleanser. Scrubbing at red pigment around the eye just leaves the skin sore, and a faint pink tint can hang around for a few hours whatever you do.
How High a Platform You Can Really Walk In
Red platforms turn up in about half of these looks, and they're what ends most Bowie nights early. A chunky platform with only a small drop from heel to toe is far easier than a tall heel with a thin platform, because your foot sits flatter. Walk a flight of stairs in them at home, and scuff brand-new soles on concrete or add stick-on grips, since fresh soles slide on hard floors. If your only comfortable boots are the wrong color, red stretch boot covers over them are a fair trade for a party where you'll mostly be standing.
Bowie Starts With One Unmistakable Detail
Every Bowie era has its own giveaway: the orange hair, the blue eyeshadow, the platforms, the sharp suit or the big outerwear. You don't need a designer replica. Get two or three of those signature details right, then build the rest from thrifted or existing pieces. Use cosmetic-grade face paint, wear shoes you can stand in for hours, and make sure capes, collars and eye coverings let you move and see. If I were dressing someone for their first Bowie night, I'd start them in the Thin White Duke or the Life on Mars suit, then save Ziggy's full paint for next year once they're hooked.
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