Homemade Cleopatra Halloween Costume Ideas

Cleopatra is an elegant and exotic Egyptian costume that works well for both adult women and for young girls. You can create your own original and unique Cleopatra costume using inexpensive materials. Here are a few ideas for creative homemade Cleopatra Halloween costumes for all ages.

Homemade Cleopatra Halloween Costume Ideas for Adults

Find or make a long, flowing gown in white or gold satin fabric. If you like, you could make your Cleopatra Halloween costume another color, such as blue, purple or black. If you choose to sew your own costume, you can use a sewing pattern such as McCall's MP280. If you want to sew a plus size Cleopatra costume, use Butterick costume sewing pattern 3587. Cinch your costume at the waist with a gold sash or belt.

To make a simple Cleopatra collar, headband and arm bands, measure the pieces and cut them from card stock. Cover them in fabric adhesive and attach some gold lame fabric that's been cut slightly larger than the costume pieces. Trim the gold lame fabric about an inch away from the edges of the card stock, then use fabric adhesive to glue the extra fabric to the back side. Attach decorative brightly colored and metallic beads in rows with the fabric glue. Use this picture of a real ancient Egyptian gold sheet collar as a guide. Make a snake decoration from card stock and attach it to the front of the headband before attaching any other decorations.

To create a more elaborate beaded Cleopatra costume collar, headband and wristbands, follow this tutorial on the Shira.net website.

Use black liquid eyeliner on your eyes to create thick lines on your upper eyelid. Extend the lines all the way out to the edge of the eyebrow and make a stylized point at the end. Use this picture of Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra as a guide. Paint thinner lines under your eyes with the liquid eyeliner. Then fill the rest of the space between your eye and eyebrow with eyeshadow and glitter powder. Keep the rest of your makeup demure and subtle.

Get a black Cleopatra wig or style a regular straight black wig into slender braids. Attach beaded decorations to the ends of the braids. Wear large gold-toned earrings and sandals to make your Cleopatra Halloween costume complete.

Homemade Cleopatra Halloween Costume Ideas for Girls

To make a Cleopatra Halloween costume for a child, get a simple white gown such as a silky nightgown or a white top and long white skirt. You can also sew your child's Cleopatra Halloween costume using a sewing pattern such as McCall's 9451 or Butterick 3586. Get a gold sash or embroidered belt to go around the waist of the girl's Cleopatra costume.

You can make smaller versions of the Egyptian Cleopatra collar, headband and arm bands mentioned above. For a simpler collar, headband and arm bands, cut the pieces out of card stock and draw directly on the colored bands with marker and colored pencil. You can also create simple children's Cleopatra costume accessories with printables on the DaniellesPlace.com website. You can make these easy Egyptian craft accessories with cheap materials such as card stock, crayons, paints, yarn and straws. Be sure to involve your child in making the costume accessories.

Get a black child's wig and braid it into rows. If she'd like to wear large dangly earrings, use clip-ons. Apply light Cleopatra makeup to her face. If she's never worn makeup before, test it in an inconspicuous spot to see if she's allergic. If necessary, you can use powder eyeshadow or eyeliner pencil to create the Cleopatra look rather than liquid eyeliner.

Dress your child in a white T-shirt and pants or tights before putting on the Cleopatra Halloween costume. Also give her some white shoes that cover the entire foot. This will help her to stay warm while she's out trick or treating on Halloween.

For more ideas on this topic, read Homemade Egyptian Halloween Costumes and Accessories.