Bye Bye Birdie Costume Ideas

If you're playing a teen girl: Consider combinations of the following (some are links to click): poodle skirts, big, swingy skirts, blouses that button up, sweater sets, scarves around the neck, cat-eye glasses, saddle shoes or plain white tennis shoes, bobby socks, rolled-up jeans, capri pants, thick belts around the waist. Here are some more links to teen girls' fashion in the 1950's: #1

If you're playing a teen boy: Consider combinations of the following (some are links to click): bowling shirts that button, plaid or madras shirts that button, plain shirts that button, rolled-up jeans, khaki pants, converse sneakers, high school letter jackets, brown or black loafers.

If you're playing an adult female: Consider combinations of the following (some are links to click): 50's style women's hats, full skirts, pencil skirts, sweater sets, plain blouses, "flats" or "pumps" shoes, aprons, trenchcoats. Here are some more links to women's fashion in the 1950's: #1 #2 #3 #4

If you're playing an adult male: Consider combinations of the following (some are links to click): button-down shirts, brown or black shoes, navy/black/khaki dress pants, neckties, sportscoats/blazers, cardigan sweaters, 50's style men's hats. Here are some more links to men's fashion in the 1950's: #1 #2

If you're playing both a teen and an adult: You have the following options... 1. You can have 2 costumes. 2. You can have a teen costume with some kind of long coat over it for when you're an adult. Consider something like a trenchcoat or an adult's winter coat.

Things NOT to wear: Modern tennis shoes, short skirts, shirts with modern logo.

Here's a clip from the production of Bye Bye Birdie I just saw in the Twin Cities. It gives some ideas for costumes and hairstyles.

I'll add to this page as I find things, so check back often! :)