Here’s an idea for a costume for a Halloween or theme party from the 1970s – Ziggy Stardust.
One of the music trends of the Seventies was that of glam rock, which saw some extreme outfits, clothes and makeup being worn by the performers. The recently deceased singer David Bowie, at the beginning of the 70s, created a new musical persona for the period, Ziggy Stardust.
Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars was a very popular act, even though it was quite short lived, when Bowie performed under that persona, and had a lasting impression on Bowie, the music industry, and the world’s perception of him, thanks to his almost total immersion in the role whilst on stage.
Given that David Bowie is a man, why would this be a suitable costume idea for women as well? Well, the Ziggy Stardust persona was rather androgynous, so it could be used for both men and women with little alteration. This is one of the more outrageous outfits that can be worn, and done properly, the end result can easily be quite androgynous as said.
The Head
One of the most distinctive changes made to David Bowie’s appearance was dying his hair red. It was spiked on top and long in the back.
Makeup was also a big part of the facial appearance, with one look being particularly iconic. The face was mostly pale, with some emphasis to the lips and other parts, perhaps with lipstick and rouge, but the most striking part was that of a coloured bolt of lightning coming down from the hairline and surrounding one eye, tapering away to the jaw line.
The Body
Brightly coloured and strongly patterned jumpsuits of differing types were the stage costume of Ziggy Stardust. These were finished off with colourful platform boots, often calf length. Shiny materials such as PVC are ideal for this.
The Accessory
For Ziggy Stardust, the two most likely accessories would be a microphone or a guitar. A microphone is easier to transport around than a guitar.