Do you love Star Wars and need ideas for a free and easy version of a Princess Leia costume? Princess Leia has different hairstyles and outfits; however, her white clothing and large hair buns are certainly iconic and sure to identify you as Princess Leia. Here are some quick how-to steps to follow.
1. Part your hair down the middle, dividing the hair into two equal sections. Secure each section with a ponytail holder at the side of the head near the ear.
2. Braid or twist each section of the hair, and then take the braided/twisted hair and wrap it in a circle. Use bobby pins or another elastic to secure the bun.
3. Look for an old white sheet. If you do not have a white dress, do not panic; you may well have the makings of a Princess Leia flowing dress in the linen closet. If you will not be using the sheet again as a sheet, fold it in half and cut a hole for your head to go through. If after Halloween this sheet will go back to its former uses, then simply wrap and drape it around you. Use safety pins under the arms to provide sleeves.
4. Use craft trim, ribbon or even thin rope to make a belt, and use the belt to gather the sheet in around your waist. Wear a white t-shirt and white pants or leggings under the sheet dress.
5. Make white shoes or boots, which will complete the outfit. If you do not have white shoes, consider using white felt, fabric or even a handkerchief to cover your shoes. You can use no-sew sticky Velcro to attach the fabric around your ankle. Alternatively, you can use more of your trim to tie the white covering to your shoe. You can even make your white fabric shoe coverings into tall boots if you wish.
Tips
Are you dissatisfied with the size of your buns? If you want bigger buns, you can use bobby pins or large hair elastics to attach a hair prop to your head first and then wrap your braid or twisted hair around it to cover up the prop and to accentuate the size of the bun. Prop ideas include a ball of yarn, a piece of styrofoam, a cut-up egg carton cup, a roll of tape or a small ball. Go for whatever you have on hand that fits your desired bun size and will stay put in your hair. Alternatively, you could crochet yarn hair buns and then you can make them any size you wish. Spend as little as you want on making this costume. Use what you have on hand to make it cheap and inexpensive.
Warnings
Your sheet may be thin. Wear enough clothing underneath to keep you warm for your costume party and Halloween trick-or- treating.
Sources
IMDb: Princess Leia Organa
IMDb: Princess Leia Organa (Character)