How to Dress Like Lucille Ball
Search local vintage stores or thrift stores for swing dresses and other 50s clothes., Opt to buy a swing skirt or dress from a vintage-inspired clothing line, such as eShakti, Pin Up Girl Clothing, Modcloth or Tatyana., Look for a classic button up...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Search local vintage stores or thrift stores for swing dresses and other 50s clothes.
It is hard to find a dress worthy of Lucille Ball in a regular department store.
You may want to devote a day to browsing vintage racks. -
Step 2: Opt to buy a swing skirt or dress from a vintage-inspired clothing line
They create similar looks; however dresses can run between $65 and $150.
Most of these stores don’t have physical locations, so you will need to shop online. , Lucy often wore patterns that popped in black and white.
Ensure it has a full swing skirt., Both should be form fitting.
The gingham shirt can be tied at the natural waist. , Sling back or patent flats can also work. , Chiffon fabric is the most comfortable, and you will need to measure it to the length of the dress.
Lucy favored knee or just over the knee-length dresses. , Although I Love Lucy was in black and white, she was well known for her red hair.
She was likely to have been a natural brunette, but the red hair matched her trademark lipstick and outfits. , Section the top of your head in a rectangular part along the sides and back.
This will be the bouffant-like section.
It is recommended that your bangs be at least three to four inches long to pull off the pin curl look.
Tie up the rest of your hair so that it doesn’t get in the way. , Twist one-inch (2.5cm) sections onto your head and pin them in place along each row.
You should have three to four pin curls in each of the three front rows.
Secure with two bobby pins placed like cross hairs.
Try to make each of the bobby pin pairs identical on each pin curl. , Pin curl a bottom row going clockwise.
Pin curl a top row going counterclockwise. , Cover the pin curls with a scarf.
Sleep on them and wait until you are getting ready the next day to take them out. , This way it will be out of your face. , Take down the sides first, one at a time. , Wrap them up into the bun and pin them in place, leaving a wave at the side.
Repeat on the opposite side. , Comb through the curls gently with your fingers, leaving them mostly intact. , Roll them so there is a ringlet in front.
Pin them in place, taking care to hide the pins. , The curls should come out slightly over your forehead., If you are going for the full black and white star look, remember that she wore heavy makeup to get a flawless complexion.
If you are going casual, this is not necessary. , Use a brow pencil to accentuate the arches.
Lucy had fairly heavy, distinct brows. , You can also use fake lashes to get a more dramatic look. ,, Lucy arched her lips slightly bigger at the top and bottom, between the creases. , Fill the lips in with matching red lipstick.
Powder the lips slightly to set them., Have someone help you into your dress at this point, so that it stays free from powder and hairspray. -
Step 3: such as eShakti
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Step 4: Pin Up Girl Clothing
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Step 5: Modcloth or Tatyana.
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Step 6: Look for a classic button up shirtdress with gingham
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Step 7: polka dots or another patterned fabric.
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Step 8: Pick a more casual look by finding pedal pushers and a button up gingham shirt.
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Step 9: Look for kitten heels or pumps to complete the outfit.
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Step 10: Invest in a crinoline if your swing dress doesn’t have enough body.
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Step 11: Purchase some temporary red hair dye or spray.
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Step 12: Start on the pin curls the night before you want to dress as Lucille Ball.
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Step 13: Separate the top section into three rows.
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Step 14: Start on the side of your head.
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Step 15: Repeat on the other side.
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Step 16: Wait until your makeup is done to do your hair.
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Step 17: Gather the back portion of your hair in a bun.
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Step 18: Comb through the pin curls with your fingers and not a brush.
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Step 19: Take down the top section.
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Step 20: Secure three groupings of curls onto the top of your head.
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Step 21: Spray to secure completely.
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Step 22: Start with a foundation.
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Step 23: Add in well-arched brows.
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Step 24: Use eyeliner to accentuate the eyes.
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Step 25: Curl your eyelashes and coat them with several layers of volumizing mascara.
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Step 26: Draw a nude line around the outside of your lip line.
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Step 27: Outline with bright red lip liner.
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Step 28: Powder your entire face.
Detailed Guide
It is hard to find a dress worthy of Lucille Ball in a regular department store.
You may want to devote a day to browsing vintage racks.
They create similar looks; however dresses can run between $65 and $150.
Most of these stores don’t have physical locations, so you will need to shop online. , Lucy often wore patterns that popped in black and white.
Ensure it has a full swing skirt., Both should be form fitting.
The gingham shirt can be tied at the natural waist. , Sling back or patent flats can also work. , Chiffon fabric is the most comfortable, and you will need to measure it to the length of the dress.
Lucy favored knee or just over the knee-length dresses. , Although I Love Lucy was in black and white, she was well known for her red hair.
She was likely to have been a natural brunette, but the red hair matched her trademark lipstick and outfits. , Section the top of your head in a rectangular part along the sides and back.
This will be the bouffant-like section.
It is recommended that your bangs be at least three to four inches long to pull off the pin curl look.
Tie up the rest of your hair so that it doesn’t get in the way. , Twist one-inch (2.5cm) sections onto your head and pin them in place along each row.
You should have three to four pin curls in each of the three front rows.
Secure with two bobby pins placed like cross hairs.
Try to make each of the bobby pin pairs identical on each pin curl. , Pin curl a bottom row going clockwise.
Pin curl a top row going counterclockwise. , Cover the pin curls with a scarf.
Sleep on them and wait until you are getting ready the next day to take them out. , This way it will be out of your face. , Take down the sides first, one at a time. , Wrap them up into the bun and pin them in place, leaving a wave at the side.
Repeat on the opposite side. , Comb through the curls gently with your fingers, leaving them mostly intact. , Roll them so there is a ringlet in front.
Pin them in place, taking care to hide the pins. , The curls should come out slightly over your forehead., If you are going for the full black and white star look, remember that she wore heavy makeup to get a flawless complexion.
If you are going casual, this is not necessary. , Use a brow pencil to accentuate the arches.
Lucy had fairly heavy, distinct brows. , You can also use fake lashes to get a more dramatic look. ,, Lucy arched her lips slightly bigger at the top and bottom, between the creases. , Fill the lips in with matching red lipstick.
Powder the lips slightly to set them., Have someone help you into your dress at this point, so that it stays free from powder and hairspray.
About the Author
Cheryl Jimenez
Enthusiastic about teaching crafts techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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