Designing Your Costume

I've received a great deal of interest lately from other phans seeking advice on their own Phantom costumes.  Whether it be for a simple Halloween gathering or a more elaborate costumed event (or even just for fun!), there's a thought process that goes into each costume.  There's also a wide variety of involvement - some people will spend ten minutes and ten dollars on their costume, while others will go to great lengths both in time and money.  I'm more than happy to offer some insight about coats, hair, makeup, and other aspects of the costume, but it all comes down to you.  What do you want the character to look like?  We've all seen images from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, but no one has to be limited to that.  There are infinite possibilities with this character.  The idea of this page is not to tell you what you should wear, but rather offer offer some thoughts and guidelines to help you design your costume.  Here are some points to keep in mind:

• Your Vision
  Do you have a certain look that you would like to go for?  Sit down and make a list.  If you're artistically inclined, sketch it out.  Be imaginative. 
  
• Your Existing Resources
  What do you already have in your closet that would work for your vision?  How much of the costume are you missing, and thus would have to create/purchase?  Can you borrow anything from family or friends?
  
• Your Budget
  Sit down and be honest with yourself about this.  This is the deciding factor between making your dream costume and settling for something else.  There's nothing wrong with settling, either!  You just have to be a little more creative.  Back on topic - how much money are you willing to spend?  If you have an idea starting out, it will make planning that much easier.  This is particularly important when shopping around for various pieces.  Sounds like common sense, doesn't it?  Well, it is.  But that doesn't mean that people don't take it into full consideration.

Makeup
Ahh, the signature aspect of any Phantom.  What version are you aiming for?  Leroux?  Kay?  Lloyd Webber stage or film?  Perhaps you prefer your own original design.  There are many options here, several of which are listed on my makeup pages.  More cost effective options include two-dimensional makeup (foundation, eye shadow/color, etc), pre-made prosthetics from Halloween stores, etc.  

Hair
The gentlemen out there usually have a much easier time than the ladies who want to play Phantom.  Again, look to your own interpretation here, and decide what hairstyle would best suit it, or make compromises to make them suit each other.  I, for one, have a strong love of my hair and thought it ridiculous to get a male haircut, so I just tied my long hair back for a couple of years.  Ladies - there's no problem with that!  Ideally, sure, we could cut and style our hair for one evening of costume craziness, and wake up the next morning with it back to normal.  Unfortunately that's not possible.  One alternative is getting a wig.  Another would be to actually use that long hair as part of the character.  The Hungarian non-replica version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber stage musical, for example, features a long-haired Phantom.  Long hair styles were common on men well before and through the 18th century.  Why not design a costume around that?

The Coat
Shirts, trousers, etc are typically easily adapted to costume use, but coats can be a problem for a lot of people.  Some people don't mind using a modern blazer or tuxedo coat (no tails).  Whatever works for you and your budget is fine.  Others, though, put more emphasis on a tailcoat.  Personally, I consider the tailcoat my favorite piece of the whole ensemble.  Tailcoats are incredibly fun and make a great impression, but they can also be tough to find if you have a budget.  A wonderful place to search is eBay, particularly in the Pre-1930 (Victorian) section.  Vintage tailcoats occasionally pop up there, so keep an eye out.  Also, the wedding apparel and costume sections may be very useful.  Also, look at some of these Victorian clothing sites if you're interested in purchasing new coats.  If you are unable to find a coat that works for you...why not go without? 

Alterations
If you acquire a coat which needs some tailoring, take it in and have it altered.  This is an additional cost, but if you're planning on keep the coat for an extended period of time, then it is well worth it.  Look up local tailors in the phone book, online, or ask the local dry cleaner.

The 18th Century
As mentioned earlier, one option is doing a Phantom costume from another century.  Phantom of the Opera is rooted in the Victorian era, but that doesn't stop some people from putting a twist on their costumes.  If you're looking to make a reasonably historically accurate 18th century (1700's) costume, here are some suggestions:

• Double-breasted tailcoats are more appropriate for 18th century 
• Jabots or stock ties are representative of neckwear from the era
• Knee length breeches and stockings were the norm.  Trousers only became popular in the early 19th century (double breasted tailcoats were still the standard then as well)
• Waistcoat (modern vests will do if you can find one of an appropriate cut/color to suit your needs) 

The 19th Century
Because the story of the Phantom of the Opera is set in the Victorian era, most costumes are designed with this in mind.  Some general observations:

• Cutaway tailcoats, which are not designed to close in front, were the standard of formal wear  
• White tie with tails (a rule which still applies today!) wherever possible.  As seen in the 2004 film, however, the Phantom sported an ascot
• Modern wing collar tuxedo shirts, which can be purchased at any formalwear supplier, are quite appropriate for use
• Waistcoat (modern vests will do if you can find one of an appropriate cut/color to suit your needs) 
• Black ankle boots if possible, but regular dress shoes will do just fine

Helpful Tips

• eBay is an incredible resource.  Links to specific sections are in the Coat section above
• Search local thrift stores like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc.  I can't put enough emphasis on this.  You'd be surprised what sort of pieces you can find for very little money!  

Did you find this page helpful?  If so, please let me know by writing a quick note in the guestbook or throwing me an email.  As always, I'm happy to offer advice and feedback on Phantom costumes.  Just email me at phantomtango1[at]yahoo[dot]com!

Links
List of Online Victorian Clothing Stores
Coat Sizing Chart

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