Okay, no corny Christmas jingles, I promise. We thought it would be fun to put together an entire Christmas burlesque outfit with the “12 days of Christmas” theme. This outfit can be given as a gift, one piece at a time, each day for 12 days. What a way to build up the excitement and keep your special someone waiting in anticipation!

We’ve included pieces that we have in our boutique, and also a few things that you’ll have to get locally at your favorite retailer. Use this as a starting point; mix things up and have fun!

1 - Ruffle Panties
Let’s start the 12 days of Christmas lingerie with a fabulous basic: a ruffle panty. If you’re going to be creating a burlesque inspired lingerie outfit, ruffle panties are the natural foundation. Tons of colors and different styles, and these lovelies are just so cute.
2 - Garter Belt
You will be needing some elegant hosiery, and the burlesque style calls for old fashioned stockings. A fancy garter belt makes the perfect second day Christmas gift and keeps the lucky giftee interested, knowing that stockings are also part of the days of gifts to come!

3 - Stockings
But, of course! You could move this one down the Christmas lingerie list to keep the excitement building, but I thought I’d just include it here. We have a ton of hosiery and stocking styles, so pick a few and give this day’s gift a little variety.

4 - Heels
Use this Christmas list as an exciting opportunity to buy some new heels! Yes it’s quite a burden, we know. You’ll no doubt already have a ton of favorite places to buy shoes from. May we suggest something with a closed toe and in patent leather? Zappos.com is one of our favorite online shoe retailers.


5 - Overbust Corset
So let’s imagine you’re trying on your burlesque outfit. What’s next? The corset. You have a couple of options. You can go with an underbust corset and then coordinate your ruffle panties, corset and a bra, or you can just get an overbust corset like one of these and make sure your ruffle panties match in a pleasing way. Now if you want to, you could stop the gifts here and you’d have a fantastic burlesque outfit. But if you want to go the full 12 days of Christmas Lingerie, read on.

6 - Gloves
As we progress with our 12 days and add to our burlesque outfit, gloves make a beautiful next step. Satin or lace gloves are the essence of glamour and can be fun to try on right after they’re unwrapped. Opera length gloves like these add a glamorous touch with a bit of mystery, which will keep the excitement and anticipation going.


7 - Hat
Talk about cute! Christmas attire is often about cuteness, so we should incorporate that into our 12 Days of Christmas burlesque gifts. Right now, these miniature hats are so popular and I see guests at burlesque shows wearing these all the time. Everything is cuter in miniature, so include one of these in your outfit to add some cute into your sexy burlesque look.


8 - Eyelashes
Burlesque has a big fantasy component to it, and sometimes the little things can add so much. Eyelashes like these are really inexpensive and add so much drama. These little gifts are flirty and really step up the “wow” factor. Only a few days left now!


9 - Makeup
Along with those eyelashes, a bold makeup look can be a lot of fun. We don’t sell makeup in our boutique (yet) but here are a few makeup packages from Sephora that will really compliment your burlesque outfit and make a wonderful gift for your 12 days of Christmas Lingerie. A great kit for amazing eyes is "Smoked" by Urban Decay.
10 - Jewelry
One of our favorite pieces of jewelry to add to a burlesque outfit is a bold choker. It really gives an outfit that cabaret style that is so fun and eye-catching. Arthlin, a fantasy & romance inspired jewelry boutique on Etsy.com, has a lot of wonderful chokers to choose from, such as this red satin flower choker.

Now if you are really going the full 12 days of Christmas Lingerie, burlesque style, then I know you’re still with me. The last two days are the fancy wrapping and the cherry on top!

11 - Bustle Skirt
Add a bustle skirt to add on to the bottom of your corset. This is an ostentatious little item that adds interest to the waist, creates some volume and might just transport you to the 19th century. We have a few different styles to choose from. 

12 - Pasties
So assuming that the 12 Days of Christmas will end with your very own private show, complete with a burlesque-style striptease, let’s make the final day of gifts be pasties! The “crowd” will love it, trust me!


-Beth 

It’s currently November, which, in Texas means I can pretty much walk around in shorts without  so much as a chill, but as the holidays roll around, that won’t be the case. Unfortunately, for many burlesque dancers, the time for skimpy apparel has long since passed the point of comfort. So, here’s the problem many of us face – how in the heck do we stay warm, while getting ready to take it all off?

The art of burlesque can be very strenuous, but sometimes a frenetic jiggle just isn’t enough to keep the circulation going! Here are some tips on how to maintain the illusion of the tease, without complete exposure to the elements.

Layers – A great way to keep the heat on is to start with heavy layers. Think opulent velvets, or furs (faux fur tends to be cheaper AND warmer). Cashmeres and wool overcoats can make for a dramatic reveal, and by the time you’re done dancing in all those heavy layers, you’ll definitely have worked up a sweat. Pair a floor sweeping velvet or wool coat with a satin and lace chemise, or a bra and panty set in icy tones for a glamorous (and cozy) finale.


Take a Cue from Figure Skaters – Dancing on ice is certainly a challenge for temperature regulation, but figure skaters have got it down! Many figure skating costumes give the illusion of bare skin, without really revealing a thing. A nude bodysuit, or even nude hose covered with fishnets and topped with a burlesque corset will give the impression of bare skin from afar. If you aren’t going for a full reveal, don’t be afraid to choose a bodysuit studded with crystals. You can also take advantage of a warm nude colored bodysuit for dances like a fan dance, or you can sew pasties or tassels right onto a burlesque teddy for some added excitement that won’t leave your teeth chattering.


Know Your Venue – Before you choose your burlesque costumes, try to spend some time on the stage in your chosen venue with the lights on, and the climate control set for a show. This will let you know exactly how much cold you need to plan for. If that’s not possible, plan several versions of your burlesque costume, so you have options when it’s time to perform. While putting together your burlesque outfit, also plan for what you’ll be wearing to mingle before and after the show. A wrap or voluminous shawl is a great way to turn a plunging neckline into a comfortably elegant ensemble.

-Rouge Dubonnet
 

Themed parties are so much fun. Our whole business is about burlesque, burlesque outfits and costumes, so when it comes to related party themes, we have all sorts of ideas to make it work.

There are a few risque party themes that come up all the time and that get everyone excited because they offer the girls a chance to be kinda sexy and naughty, and the guys can step out of the modern day shlubbiness that is so normal today and dress up a bit. So it works for everybody! Here are a few favorites and some costume ideas.


Burlesque - Moulin Rouge Era
A classic burlesque era that offers a lot of burlesque costume options to choose from (if you’re a girl). The look of the day involved lots of lace, petticoats, and wild color combinations. This is your chance to get that corset you’ve always wanted, since a corset is a foundation garment of this time period. Pair your corset with cute ruffle panties, a garter belt and striped stockings, and you’ve pretty much got the look. You can also wear long opera length gloves and lots of sparkly jewelry to make the outfit pop.

Read our tutorial on burlesque and pinup hairstyles

For the guys, well your best bet is to look refined and dapper, but with furry Edwardian facial hair. You’re in luck though, since beards and mustache wax is back in style with a vengeance. Just wear a suit and a some sort of hat and you’re all set.

Burlesque - Roaring 20s Era or Gangsters and Flappers
The 1920s was entirely different, although burlesque has always maintained a lot of it’s 19th century audaciousness. This era was much more streamlined and sleek, so for a burlesque costume for a 20s party, skip the corset and gloves, and go for a sleek dress (with a drop waist if you can find one) with more subdued hosiery. Concentrate on the hair and makeup, and also wear heels that are lower with a block heel, instead of stilettos. They didn’t have those yet!


For the guys, your party costume can be either the refined gentleman wearing a slightly oversized suit (zoot suit) with pinstripes, or you can take it casual and wear a simple white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a short fat tie, a pair of high waisted trousers and a hat. It works.

Pimps and Hookers
Alright, I mention this costume party theme because it comes up all the time. If you wanna get kinda trashy, this would be the one. It’s the roaring 20s era combined with the 1970s. You’re on your own here! But our advice for all the wannabe hookers, a little tease is a lot hotter than letting it all hang out everywhere. Maybe go as a “call girl” from the mid century and wear some seamed stockings, a tight minidress and long gloves.

Circus and Carnival
The revival of the 1890s is in full swing today in Austin and every other major city. Men are forming facial hair clubs, circus performance groups and vaudeville style acts are popping up all over the place. Our burlesque costume boutique really fits with this theme well and offers a lot of ideas for a party with this theme. If you’re a girl, you can pretty much try any style from corset to minidress. The look mainly involves a lot of stripes, vibrant colors, and hosiery. Add a really tall feather in your hair & you’re golden! Consider wearing a cute two piece or corset with ruffle panties and stockings with garters. If it’s a little cold out, break out that vintage full length coat and amaze the crowd when it comes off at the party!


For the guys, you can go with just about anything, from refined gentleman to hobo. Brown trousers, rolled up shirtsleeves and suspenders, combined with a stylish, worn-in hat will do the trick. Or if you’re feeling feisty, be the circus strongman or a lion tamer! Your options are pretty much endless.

-Patrick 

Looking for a simple Halloween costume you can make with pieces of your burlesque outfits? A few easy-to-incorporate accessories can turn just about any outfit into a quick costume for a party or a show.  Here are some quick ideas for creating a fabulous burlesque costume for Halloween:


The Obvious Burlesque Costume Ideas
First, let’s get a few obvious solutions out of the way. Devil horns, angel wings, and cat ears are cheap and easy ways to turn any burlesque costume into something you can wear at Halloween. True, they’ve been done, but they’re an old standby for a reason, so don’t discount them. Even a common costume can look amazing if you really put some effort into it. Try some twists on these basic looks. Pair red glitter lipstick, smoky eye makeup, and flame inspired body paint for a truly devilish demon. Amp up your angel costume with colors like pastel blues or a shock of yellow. Take your black cat beyond basic by adding sharp nails to your long gloves, and fang caps on your teeth.

Unique Burlesque Costumes for Halloween
There are quite a few accessories that can turn an outfit into a costume easily, and may not be so commonly used. Here are a few to try:


A mini hat headband – A mini hat headband can be used to communicate a variety of burlesque costume ideas. Use this accessory combined with a bustle skirt for a steampunk burlesque outfit. Add a few clock gears or a pocket watch fob to complete the look.

A cape – A good cape can open up a ton of burlesque costume options. A cape can turn you into a super hero, or turn you into a gender bent Phantom of the Opera. A cape can make a vampire, or even a Renaissance festival inspired costume.

A feather fascinator – A feather fascinator can be used to create several different looks. A simple single feather fascinator can be paired with a fringed mini skirt to create a burlesque flapper look. Feather fascinators can be used to create can-can burlesque costumes, too. For a truly Rococo look, pair an elaborate feather fascinator with a big hairstyle and light blue or Rococo style corset for a Marie Antoinette inspired burlesque costume.


A Mask – A mask is almost an entire costume by itself. A good mask can turn nearly any look into a burlesque costume. For interesting masks, try something you can’t get at your local costume shop. Look for real Venetian or Mardis Gras masks, handmade lace masks, or even leather masks from adult leather shops. You’d be surprised at the range and variety of wicked Halloween costume options available.

-Rouge Dubonnet 

Steampunk costumes are huge right now, and if you’ve been eager to take on this style, but not quite sure where to begin, Kuhmillion is here to help you out with some great burlesque costume ideas that let you turn any burlesque costume into a steampunk outfit.

What Is Steampunk?
To get a steampunk costume just right, it’s important to know where the aesthetic comes from, and what to expect of a steampunk look. The steampunk costume trend generally tries to evoke a time period of the mid to late 1800s to the early 1900s. Steampunk fashions are based around the fashions of this time period – generally from Europe, during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. What makes steampunk more than just historical re-enactment, however, is the addition of fantastical and science fiction elements. The core of steampunk is the addition of advanced technology by the standards of that era, stylized in a way that makes it fit into the aesthetic of the time period. This means that brass and copper are common metallic elements, and hydraulic pipes and tubing are common. The glassware of the amazing scientists of the day is in evidence, as are clockwork fittings and the rugged clothing of the adventurer.


So how does steampunk fashion relate to burlesque costumes? Common themes of steampunk rely on the garments worn by original burlesque performers. No proper steampunk outfit would be complete without a corset, for example. Bustle skirts with exposed legs are also popular in steampunk costumes. The modern element of steampunk places a heavy emphasis on tights and stockings, as well as elaborate headpieces like mini top hats  on headbands and fascinators.
 
Burlesque Costume Ideas for Steampunk Burlesque
Common colors and fabrics for steampunk costumes often include damask and leather. Brown and beige tones are common because they invite a comparison to great Victorian expedition teams, but any color can be used to make a vibrant steampunk burlesque costume. A corset, bustle skirt, and stockings are nearly always a necessity, so start there. Any burlesque corset can be made into a steampunk masterpiece, so choose your favorite, and look for some matching thigh high tights to start the base of your look.


The next step of turning your burlesque costume into a steampunk outfit is to decide what kind of steampunk character you wish to be. Common themes are inventors, scientists, explorers, or clockwork creations. Once you decide what sort of role you want to play, add pieces that look the part. Easy DIY examples of steampunk costume ideas for props include spraypainting toy futuristic guns to make them look antique and aged. The shoes and the hardware on them will also help achieve this look. A great way to communicate the steampunk aesthetic might be to add clock cogs and pieces of fine brass chain to your corset. Brass painted goggles are also common. Mini top hats and feather fascinators always make a great addition to a steampunk burlesque costume.

Just remember, many pieces will have to be adapted to fit the look of the period. This may include using paint, painted plastic tubing, glass, or other modern elements that have been aged or antinqued to serve as props. Also be sure to include jewelry that uses steampunk elements! If you’re planning to do a steampunk burlesque show, try adding some interesting props that are uncommon, but easily incorporated into the steampunk theme. Decorated umbrellas or parasols might be interesting burlesque costume ideas, or you could also try using two dancers to create a beautiful clockwork doll on stage. Have fun with it!

-Rouge Dubonnet