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Rosie the Riveter
Rosie the Riveter is an iconic symbol of women empowerment and women in the workforce. As men went off to WWII women were needed to take the factory jobs left empty, greatly increasing the number of women in the workforce.
DIY an inexpensive Rosie costume! Here’s what you need:
- A denim romper, cuffed OR do a pair of jeans, cuffed AND a chambray workshirt (short or rolled long sleeves)
- A red bandana
- A pair of workboots, ankle boots or even red sneakers or pumps
- Red lipstick
- Name patch, order one with your own name here
Or you can purchase costume bits if you just want ‘er done! These are affiliate links, just to make it easy for you!
RBG
The notorious RBG, Ruth Bader Ginsburg!
The key costume ingredients are:
- The Gavel
- Lace or jewelry type Collar – DIY one using a paper doily and stencil it.
- Graduation type gown – DIY using your old one, a black dress or coat could do in a pinch too. You could go totally casual with a black tee as long as you use a fancy collar, or stencil one on with a lace or paper doily.
- Spectacles, either Clear Glasses or Black Glasses
Lady Liberty
Now more than ever, Lady Liberty is a really strong symbol of feminine power as she proclaims, ” give to me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”. She was also a symbol for suffragists who pointed out the irony that she represented a free land but one where women had no vote.
The key elements you need to whip this costume together are:
- A greenish-teal piece of fabric wrapped like a toga, or a flowy dress (or a long flowy shirt and some same color leggings)
- A torch, make your own using paper rolled into a cone and tissue paper flames taped inside or wrap a flashlight in green paper with paper flames and it’ll light up!
- A crown, make your own using foam, cardboard or paper.
19th-century feminist heroines
Here are two ways to become a 19th-century feminist hero. The basic outfit is the same just mix it up to be one or the other.
First of all Harriet Tubman – I can’t imagine a braver human ever existed. She was an abolitionist, feminist, political activist, humanist, army scout, spy, leader, social justice activist, and courageous icon.
Or be Susan B. Anthony – whose path crossed Harriet Tubmans in their shared abolitionist and suffragist activities. She was a women’s rights activist, leader, social reformer, abolitionist, powerful icon.
The basic outfit for a 19th-century icon:
- Long-sleeved, long black dress (or skirt and top tucked in)
- White lace or plain necktie, ruffled jabot, or lace collar
- Black ankle boots, boots, or even black high tops
- Hair slicked back in a tight bun or pinned back
For Harriet add a lantern and kerchief.
For Susan B. add a “Votes for Women” suffragist sash or copy of the 19th amendment.
Upcycle a T-shirt into a Market Tote
