Choose Your Base Clothing

For fans of the video games and films you'll already know that there are several 'looks' which are associated with Lara Croft. Wetsuits, jungle gear and combats are all looks which have been shown in both films and the video game, but the most iconic look is the classic combination of cropped t-shirt and hot pants with associated nickel plated pistols which has been used right the way through the video game franchise as well as all of the films.

The Base Outfit

The base outfit consists of hotpants and a shortened t-shirt. These tend to change colour in the series of games, but the classic colour is a light brown hotpant and a shortened t-shirt which is turquoise / aqua marine blue. If you can't find this type of t-shirt in the stores then you can easily create one using a plain white t-shirt, removing the sleeves and cropping / dyeing to suit. There are, however, many fancy dress outfits available which have these basic elements.

Added to these basic items of clothing you'll need the right footwear. In the films and video games you'll always see Lara wearing at least 8 hole Dr Martens boots or army boots. These are easy to find online, just make sure they're black as Lara really doesn't do shocking pink!

Getting The Accessories Right

Of course if you really want the right look then you need to get all of the accessories right. First on the list is a khaki / brown daysack / backpack. These can be bought from any military surplus supplier at a reasonable price and most outdoor sports stores will offer an approximation of this for around £20. This may seem like an expense for a bit of dressing up, but remember most of the things you need for this look you can use again in your everyday life.

Next on the list would come a gun belt for those pistols. You'll need a fairly chunky belt, one with a heavy silver buckle to be truly authentic. Again army surplus stores may be able to help, but you can get the right look with accessories from some fancy dress shops also. The belt and holsters for your guns are normally black composite or leather, with leg straps worn below the hotpants (these stop the guns from flopping around when the guns are holstered).

You're also going to need a pair of short, military styles leather or composite gloves.  These should be a fingerless design as you really don't want anything interfering with those itchy trigger fingers!

What About The Guns?

The pistols used by Lara Croft in the movies are thought to be Heckler and Koch USP stainless slide pistols, taking a 9mm cartridge with an 18 round capacity. These have widened ejection ports to stop jamming. In the earlier video games these are fully nickel plated, so you have a wide range of choices as long as you stick to a semi-automatic pistol. Replicas of these pistols used to be available, but now in the UK if you want to get the look you're going to have to rely on water pistols because of replica gun laws banning lookalike firearms.

Have fun with your Lara Croft look. It's great fun for a summer costume party!

Rocky Horrors offer a great range of Dr Martens boots which can be used in the any of the costumes used by Lara Croft in Tomb Raider

One of the first people to really push Burlesque back into the mainstream was Robin Antin who, along with Carla Kama and the actress Christina Applegate, founded the original incarnation of The Pussycat Dolls back in 1995. Before they became known as a pop group, The Pussycat Dolls were a Burlesque dance troupe in Los Angeles who attracted many famous fans including Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz. In fact, The Pussycat Dolls can be seen in the film ‘Charlie’s Angels: Full Throtle’ with Drew, Cameron and Lucy Liu all taking part in a Burlesque routine.

Perhaps the best known Burlesque performer of recent times, however, is Dita Von Teese, a performer known for her grand dance routines involving props such as feather fans and a giant martini glass. As Von Teese quirkily puts it, she ‘puts the tease back into striptease’. Cinema has also seen two Hollywood blockbusters about Burlesque in recent years: 2001’s ‘Moulin Rouge’ staring Ewen McGregor and Nicole Kidman, and 2011’s ‘Burlesque’ staring Cher and Christina Aguilera.

For many women, the Burlesque style is unique when compared to other styles; it’s fun, bold and definitely sexy, but perhaps one of the most alluring things about the Burlesque style is that it is not ruled by size. A burlesque outfit can be worn by women of all sizes, regardless of whether you are a size zero or a voluptuous size 18; once you put on that Burlesque corset and those fishnets and heels, you can instantly feel very sexy and saucy. A good Burlesque corset will bring shape to those with none and enhance the form of those already voluptuous ladies.

The variety of places from which to buy good Burlesque corsets has also increased. In fact, there are numerous websites purely dedicated to the selling of these garments. And on the high street you are no longer restricted to shops like Ann Summers for your corset needs, as several well-known high street chains also sell a good range of corsets in the Burlesque style. The high street store is also a good option for those who are just starting out with the Burlesque style or for those on a budget, as proper Burlesque corsets can be quite expensive due to the material and type of boning used.

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Yet with so many different styles and options out there, it can be tricky to know exactly which garments to choose. The key to getting it right is to remember that the burlesque originated as a form of theatrical satire before developing into the twentieth-century striptease and cabaret shows for which it is now famous. Therefore, when gathering ideas it helps to think of your outfit as being more of a costume – flamboyant, artistic and designed to put on a show.

Accordingly, burlesque outfits should embrace femininity by accentuating curves, offering sneaky flashes of flesh and epitomising vintage glamour. What’s more, due to the satirical nature of the genre, exaggeration and humour are essential ingredients when dressing up in true burlesque style, and this leaves the door wide open for those of you that have the courage to take the theme of risqué to the max!

Remember, these outfits are designed to flatter – regardless of your shape or size. A frilly, boned corset will cinch your waist to perfect proportions and can be teamed with ruffled knickers, suspenders, black fishnet stockings and satin high heels to create the ideal ‘cancan girl’ outfit. Add a black top hat, long gloves and a cane to the equation and you’re ready to dance.

If the idea of stepping out with this much leg on show is a little too daunting, try replacing the panties with a short, net bustle or even a long, ruffled petticoat. Bustle dresses are also an option, as are panel skirts.

The trick is to accessorize as much as possible! Stockings or hold-ups, long gloves or gauntlets, and top hats, fascinators, feathered headbands or black veils are essential items. Fringed bras, tassels and pasties provide that extra bit of tease whilst doing the twirl, and feather boas and fans accentuate the fluffy look that typifies the burlesque.

Forget the idiom of ‘less is more’: pile on the make-up and the jewellery to your heart’s content! Beaded chokers, dangling earrings and glitzy bracelets are ideal, whilst false eyelashes, bold lipstick and matching nail varnish will complete the effect and have you looking like the queen of the cabaret.

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However, a good place to start is the corset. It's the staple item of any burlesque outfit, an anchor to which accessories can be built upon. The boning (vertical rods) can be made of various materials; steel boning is what the professionals use. It’s unwieldy, inflexible and guaranteed to clinch you in at the waist, giving you the perfect hourglass figure. However, for a costume party, there's no harm opting for plastic boning, which is often cheaper and won’t be as uncomfortable.

Once you've chosen the type of corset that is best suited to your needs, then colour and style come into play. Whilst burlesque does not mandate the use of dark colours, it’s often best to stick to reds, blacks and rich colours, like green and purple. These convey a sense of wealth and opulence that perhaps other colours, like bright orange, do not!

French knickers are commonly worn on the bottom half. Keep these simple and un-patterned, and preferably black, so as not to distract from the corset. However, if you are not comfortable with wearing just knickers, there are some clever cover-ups still in keeping with the theme. A small tutu (also black) will make you feel less self conscious. Alternately, a bustle (a gathering of layered fabric at the back) is a more daring option than a tutu, as it only covers half, rather than all, of your upper thighs. However, the added weight of the fabric will make you feel less ‘naked’.

The last essential items are stockings and suspenders, as well as a pair of killer heels. There are also many other items to supplement your outfit with, like fascinators, hats, feathers, gloves and fans, and for added daring, perhaps a pair of nipple tassels beneath the corset. These were a staple item of burlesque dancers and, whether you plan to show them off or not, will make you feel incredibly sexy, which is really the whole point of burlesque!

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Bordello Teeze is a great place to start. This style has recently begun to enter into the mainstream; you can find them in some form in most fashionable shoe shops and high street retailers, but Bordello Teeze is the definitive brand for stand-out ‘look at me’ glam. This shoe has a high stiletto heel, but is off-set by a wide high platform (usually around two inches) in the front of the foot. Cheekily, these shoes are a bit deceptive, allowing you to strut on six inch heels without the discomfort. They come in all designs, from a more conventional red or black to glitter, polka-dot and brogue-boot.

For the more daring, try Leg Avenue. These kinky little numbers come in all shapes, colours and heights imaginable. Ankle-cuff shoes are more overtly sexy, or their quirky Brass Knuckle boots have a ballsy unique quality. You’ll really stand out from the crowd!

If sailor chic is your thing, look no further than Irregular Choice, who has a wide range of nautical looks that are totally burlesque. This brand is great for fantastic quirky and stand-out designs with reasonable price-tags. You can even add a touch of burlesque to jeans and t-shirts with these styles!

There is no shortage of glitter in Burlesque shoes! Why not add a peep-toes black or silver glittered shoe to that sexy little black dress. Or a sequined shoe to add off-kilter edge to a girly floral number. When it comes to Burlesque shoes, it really is about adding that something different, something that stands out and isn’t afraid to make itself heard. So be brave! If your shoe is brash and bright, your look will be Burlesque and fabulous!

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Feather Boas
Feather Boas are especially useful for burlesque dancers and can be used to cover up, at least temporarily, those ‘naughty bits’, keeping the audience in a state of suspense. The sensitivity of feathers against skin adds a touch of eroticism to the performance too.

Hats
Although hats may seem a little old fashioned, on the surface, they are very popular in burlesque performance and are used as part of many routines. There are several types available, ranging from the more traditional plain top hat, through to the more colourful which sometimes have feathers and a veil attached.

Gloves
Long gloves are usually worn in burlesque dance and are used to slowly, very slowly, peel off, often using the dancer’s teeth, almost in a teasing manner. They are usually made from satin which is sensitive to the touch against the skin.

Nipple Tassels
Perhaps the best known accessory in burlesque, nipple tassels were used initially to get around laws in certain US states which banned nudity in public places. Initially plain, purely to satisfy the law, these accessories have become an integral part of any burlesque dance. These come in a wide variety of shapes and colours and are guaranteed to be one of the most popular items in the burlesque wardrobe.

Wigs
Wigs are often used as part of a burlesque act. This may be to set the routine in a certain historical period, or, sometimes, simply to hide the performer’s real identity, keeping the personal and private life of the performer very separate.

Parasols
The parasol, or umbrella, has been used in burlesque for many years and is an ever present popular item for the burlesque dancer. These are often, but not always, made in a black lace like pattern.

If you want to create a really genuine Burlesque look for that special party, the best thing is to wear a vintage hairstyle. You could make the hairstyle on your own or visit a beauty parlour. However, you should have lots of patience as these hairstyles are quite involving. To save time and energy, you could simply wear a burlesque wig.

The Burlesque wigs are very convenient because they are already styled. All you have to do is to select one that suits your style, costume and make up. These wigs are authentic looking, elegant and stylish. They transform your special costume by adding sophistication and drama to it.

The wigs are available in a variety of colours to go with the clothing and the makeup. Blonde, brunette, curly and straight wigs of different lengths are available. You have the option of choosing long, mid length or short wigs. You could also go for the razor styled fashion wig or the short bob wig. Fashion flicks inspired by the styles of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s are also available.

If you are wearing pin up clothing, there are wild colours of wigs to go with it. Some of the wild colours you can choose include fiery red, jet black, beautiful blond, pink and even white. You can deck the wig with unique ornaments such as leaves, beads and plastic birds to make it more unique.

The other popular choice is the duchess inspired wig which has a large poof in the front, beautiful and curly pinup and thick strands of hanging curls. There is also the baroness wig which is very bold. It is big with huge curls that make it perfect for the more dramatic Burlesque costumes.

To achieve the modern day burlesque look requires the combination of the right costume, shoes, makeup and wigs. You do not have to be a star to don this look. Such a look makes you elegant and glamorous and also enables you to stand out. It also makes you bold and boosts your self-confidence.

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It originated in parody, mocking, making fun of more serious works. Travesty, caricature and 'over the top' equally describe the mode. The words came from the Italian ‘burlesco’, meaning a joke or mockery. In the Victorian era it found form on the music hall stages, making fun through song and dance and exaggeration.

Later in the USA particularly, it found its way into cabarets and clubs, stripteases and comedy houses. Forty years ago, movies 'Cabaret' (1972) and 'All That Jazz' (1979), featured burlesque beginning to enter mainstream dance and musical theatre. The Cher and Christina Aquilera movie 'Burlesque' (2010) brought it into this decade.

Since the mid 1990s it has been a driving force in entertainment style, and there are now neo-burlesques and post-burlesque fashions that appeal to all ages, genders, class and races equally because the emphasis is on fun. If it is likened to striptease the emphasis is on the tease part, not the stripping.

Costumes can be bought or hired from many websites and high street stores on both sides of the Atlantic, and again they draw on different places and eras, You can get the Vegas showgirl look, or the French Moulin Rouge touch that owes much to cancan high-kick dancing.

Descriptors like sexy, flame, flamingo, black swan, peacock, silver and blue conjure exact images of what wearers will look like in a basic leotard customised with skirts from frilly to skimpy, ruffled to strip panel, luminous to rhinestone studded.

Some outfits have bare shoulders, some halters and cloaks, shimmy belts, long gloves most require high heels and show long stretches of leg, either with exotic pantyhose/stockings or tights, corsets and padded bras/pasties.

You can get the style that owes much to modern pole dancing and adult entertainers. You can go for traditional burlesque and many older originals are still around. There are ‘bump and grind’ or streetwalker versions and some very near the knuckle varieties in ‘crossdresser, transgender, sissy and poufbunny’ flavours.

Alternatively, you could just go for a basic burlesque without worrying overmuch about what message you are sending, and enjoy the dancing, the party, the show and the mild shock you might cause!

Cabaret - 30th Anniversary Special Edition [1972] [DVD] List Price: £4.99 Sale Price: £1.92 You save: £3.07 (62%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days 58 new from £1.92

Description

Cabaret is one of those film musicals whose cultural and stylistic influence extend well beyond the cinema. It confirmed Bob Fosse's status as one of the boldest choreographers of the 20th century and gave Liza Minnelli an early peak in a film career which would never scale such heights again...

DVD Information

Binding: DVD
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.77:1
Audience Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Brand: FREMANTLE
Manufacturer: Fremantle Home Entertainment
Original Release Date:
Actors:

• Liza Minnelli
• Michael York
• Helmut Griem
• Joel Grey
• Fritz Wepper

Features

• Record Label: Fremantle
• Country Of Release: EU
• Year Of Release: 2002
• Notes: =Pal/Region 2= W/ Liza Minnelli, Micharl York

Reviews

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Wildly popular in the 1800s, Burlesque performances were centered on the art of seduction. Performers tantalized the audience by being both feminine and alluring. In a time where pornography was not as mainstream as it is today, Burlesque performers were there to entice the audience with a sexy sophistication. Just as important as her routine, an exquisite corset was paramount to her performance. Cinched tightly at the waist and accentuating a woman’s best assets, the corset was a little naughty while creating the perfect curves.

Burlesque corsets are no longer just for the stage. Just like the performers, a beautifully fitted corset gives any woman a classic hourglass silhouette, adding a retro glamour to any ensemble. Not only can you expect attention in the bedroom by wearing a beautiful silk corset, but they are now becoming more mainstream. Any daring woman can weave a corset into her wardrobe for stunning results. By simply pairing a stunning corset with a skirt or pair of jeans, you can create a suggestive and elegant evening look that will certainly garner you attention. If you are hesitant to wear such a bold statement, throw on a fitted blazer or wear a wrap over your shoulders to tone it down.

Even someone who wishes to remain a little more subtle can incorporate a Burlesque corset into any outfit. Wearing a pair of jeans with a button down shirt certainly has a low maintenance sexiness to it. Why not add a little va va va Voom to this simple ensemble, by wearing a corset under the shirt. By leaving a few buttons open, you are giving a suggestive hint as to what is underneath. Add a little sex appeal and femininity to the office by taking the corset off the stage and into the boardroom. By wearing a glamorous Burlesque corset under a classic business suit, you allow just a peek, creating an intriguing look that will certainly command attention at the next conference, and give you a great boost of sexy confidence.

Incorporating a Burlesque corset into any ensemble will not only give you a sexy hourglass silhouette, but it will also give your audience a sultry peek into your alluring, glamorous self, which is exactly what Burlesque was created for; to give a hint of what was possible.

This revival has been termed 'neo-Burlesque' and attempts to take Burlesque shows back to their roots and away from the corrupt descendants of the original performances, which have made Burlesque into a byword for a crude strip routine. Neo-Burlesque performances focus more on seduction and suggestion than they do on skin. Many performers actually prefer to design their own wardrobe, the Internet has made purchasing items and even whole dresses much easier than it has ever been before, which leaves the performer free to combine any number of intricate designs and styles.

Neo-Burlesque dresses encompass both the old and the new. Traditional, complex outfits can prove to be slightly impractical as far as actual physical performing is concerned so unless the act involves some striptease then movement can be limited. More modern Burlesque costumes are slightly more muted and form fitting, perhaps just focusing on one common colour scheme. These performers are potentially very talented dancers in their own right and use Burlesque to embrace the sexual imagery that often surrounds dance.

This wide range of styles has seen the rise of a number of new Burlesque stars. The most well-known Neo-Burlesque performer is probably 'Immodesty Blaize' who, among many other accomplishments, is the author of a number of bestselling books. She embodies a very traditional form of Burlesque and Cabaret with her glamorous dresses that sparkle from head to upper thigh. Another upcoming performer is 'Amber Topaz', she is educated in Ballet, Jazz and Tap dancing - her dresses take on a Burlesque flavour of whichever discipline that particular act involves.

A lot of people have criticised Burlesque entertainment for its portrayal of women but Neo-Burlesque performances have made a point of trying to adapt their productions to embrace all of the developments in women's rights since Burlesque's initial conception. A lot of shows incorporate women of many different shapes and sizes, allowing them to embrace their wardrobe and body with humour and confidence - something that very few other forms of entertainment and dance actually encourage.