This year, I’m sharing my DIY Burlesque Girl Halloween Costume, a fun little project I made using my very own Rose Corset sewing pattern as the starting point.
I made a few tweaks to the original pattern to get the look I had in mind, then added some lovely accessories to bring the whole outfit together.
And the best part?
You don’t need to make everything from scratch to create a costume that feels special!
I’ll show you the modifications I made to the corset and share my favorite ideas for accessories to complete this glamorous, vintage-inspired look.
Let’s get sewing!
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The Inspiration Behind My Burlesque Halloween Costume
Last year, I went to see the Moulin Rouge musical with one of my best friends, and oh my goodness, you know how it goes with me!
I see something beautiful, and suddenly, my brain is full of sewing ideas.
For the occasion, I was actually wearing my own Rose Corset sewing pattern.
And between the gorgeous costumes, the glamorous atmosphere, and all that burlesque inspiration, I decided right then and there that I was going to be a burlesque girl for Halloween that year.
Of course, I left everything until the very last minute. What else is new? I ended up finishing my costume at 3 a.m. on Halloween morning! By the time the party was over, I had missed my chance to share it with you last year.
But I finally took the pictures and thought it would be fun to show you how I made it, just in time for this year’s Halloween inspiration.
The funny thing is that this costume was actually super easy to put together. I spent about two days working on it, and most of that time went into making the corset and adding the lace trim.
The rest was all about choosing the right accessories!
I could have gone all out with bigger, bolder accessories, but the Halloween party I attended was a little more low-key, so I decided to keep things a bit more subtle.
Still, if you’re planning to make your own DIY Burlesque Girl Halloween Costume, I’ll share some fabulous accessory and makeup ideas to help you take this look as far as you want.
After all, a little extra drama is never a bad thing when Halloween rolls around!
Making the Burlesque Corset With the Rose Corset Sewing Pattern
Why I Chose the Rose Corset Pattern
The Rose Corset sewing pattern has been our best seller for the majority of My Golden Thimble’s journey, and honestly, I can see why!
Every time someone shares their finished corset with me, one of the things I hear most often is how well it fits.
And I love seeing all the different designs you can create with this pattern just by making a few little modifications.
The Rose Corset is a basic corset pattern with straightforward sewing instructions and very few pattern pieces, which makes it a lovely starting point if you’re new to sewing corsets.
You can put it together without getting lost in a million tiny pieces, and once you have the basic construction down, the possibilities for customizing it are endless.
Another thing I love about this pattern is its inclusive size range. It comes in sizes 4XS to 8XL, so there’s a wide range of sizes to choose from.
Since I already had my Rose Corset pattern drafted, tested, and ready to go, it was the perfect starting point for my burlesque Halloween costume.
I didn’t need to reinvent the wheel; I just needed to give it a little makeover!
The Modifications I Made to the Rose Corset Pattern
The original Rose Corset is a basic corset that finishes around the waist.
For my DIY Burlesque Girl Halloween Costume, however, I wanted something longer that would cover more of my lower body and better resemble the elongated silhouettes of traditional burlesque costumes.
So, I decided to extend the pattern in two places: the neckline and the bottom hem.
I adjusted the top to create the neckline I wanted and extended the bottom to give the corset more length and coverage.
I made these modifications according to the measurements shown in the picture below, so you can see exactly how much I added to my original pattern.
These small changes made a big difference!
The extended shape gave my corset a more dramatic silhouette, which was exactly what I wanted for this costume.
Here Is How My Burlesque Corset Turned Out
And here is the final result!
I love how a few simple modifications can transform a basic corset into something that feels completely different.
I’ve also included a comparison of the original Rose Corset and my modified version. You can see how extending the neckline and hem changes the overall shape while keeping the original pattern as the foundation.
How to Sew the Burlesque Corset
The best part is that you don’t need to change the sewing process to make this version.
Once you’ve made your pattern adjustments, simply follow the sewing instructions included with your digital copy of the Rose Corset sewing pattern.
The construction steps remain the same, so you can focus on your modifications and any decorative details you want to add.
For my costume, I finished the corset with a lace trim to give it that extra touch of vintage-inspired charm.
And that’s it!
A few pattern adjustments, some pretty lace, and you’ve got the main piece for your own burlesque-inspired Halloween costume.
Accessories to Complete Your DIY Burlesque Girl Halloween Costume
For my costume, I kept things pretty simple. I paired my corset with a short black mesh skirt, black net tights, and a black ribbon tied around my neck.
I also added some golden jewelry to bring a little sparkle to the whole outfit.
Since the Halloween party I attended was more on the low-key side, I didn’t want to go too over the top with the accessories.
But if you’re planning a more dramatic burlesque look, oh, my friend, you have so many fun options!
Skirts and Bottoms
A short, flowy skirt is a lovely way to complement your corset. I chose a black mesh skirt because it’s lightweight, easy to style, and gives the outfit that playful, showgirl-inspired look without taking attention away from the corset.
If you want something with a little more drama, you could try a layered tulle skirt, a skirt with feathers, or even a ruffled satin skirt.
Black and red are classic choices, but jewel tones like emerald green, deep purple, and burgundy can look gorgeous, too.
And if you’re feeling extra crafty, you could always make your own skirt to match your corset!
Tights and Stockings
You really can’t go wrong with fishnet tights for this costume. They’re a classic burlesque-inspired accessory, and they’re also one of the easiest ways to make the outfit feel more complete.
I wore black net tights with mine, but you could also try sheer black stockings, seamed stockings for a vintage look, or fishnets with a larger mesh pattern if you want something a little bolder.
If you’re going for a more theatrical showgirl look, you could even add a garter belt. Just choose the style that makes you feel fabulous!
Neck Accessories and Jewelry
For my neck accessory, I used a simple black ribbon tied around my neck. It was such an easy detail, but it helped bring everything together and complemented the corset beautifully.
You could also try a velvet choker, a lace collar, or a statement necklace if you want to add a little more drama.
As for jewelry, I went with golden accessories to give the outfit a bit of shine.
Gold earrings, layered necklaces, chunky bracelets, and vintage-inspired rings would all work beautifully with this look. You don’t need to wear everything at once, either! Sometimes a couple of well-chosen pieces are all you need.
Gloves and Other Showgirl Accessories
If you want to lean further into the classic burlesque aesthetic, long gloves are a lovely addition. Satin or sheer black opera gloves can make the outfit feel instantly more theatrical, while lace gloves add a softer, vintage-inspired touch.
Feather fans, feather hairpieces, decorative headbands, and rhinestone accessories are also great options if you want to channel that glamorous stage-performer look.
And, of course, you can always add a little sparkle with rhinestones or costume jewelry. This is Halloween, after all! You have permission to be a little extra.
Hair and Makeup to Finish the Look
Finally, let’s talk about hair and makeup, because these little details can make such a difference!
For makeup, I’d recommend a classic vintage-inspired look with winged eyeliner, defined lashes, rosy cheeks, and a bold red lip. If you prefer a more dramatic style, you could add a smoky eye or a little shimmer around the eyes.
For your hair, soft vintage curls, a retro updo, or a side-swept hairstyle would all complement the corset beautifully.
You could also add a decorative hair clip, a small fascinator, or a feather accessory to complete the look.
My biggest recommendation is to choose a few accessories that work together rather than trying to wear everything at once.
You can keep the outfit simple and elegant, like I did, or go all out with feathers, sparkle, and dramatic makeup.
Either way, have fun with it and make the costume your own!
