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Updated for 2024 Nothing speaks of sexy fantasy glamour quite like the showgirl. The skimpy outfits covered in rhinestones and the exotic feathered headdresses are iconic, and an endless source of inspiration and creativity for costume. In this article I will take a brief tour into the origins of the showgirl look, and then show you how to use tricks from the showgirl playbook to create your own show stopping themewear outfit or stage costume. Before we dive into how you can make your own showgirl look, lets delve into some showgirl moments from the past. If you want to skip the (it's super brief btw) history lesson, or my fabulous inspiration section and head straight to my essential showgirl checklist click here. The beginnings of the Showgirl Aesthetic Early showgirls were the cabaret dancers and entertainers of the music hall and variety shows of the early 20th Century in Europe and the US. The Folies Bergère in Paris, well known for it's raunchy female dance troupe inspired Florenz Ziegfeld Jr to create the Ziegfeld Follies in 1907. The Follies hit Broadway with their elaborate revue show of costumed chorus girls and were a spectacular hit, delighting Hollywood audiences with cheeky routines and OTT costumes. You can already see the costume staples of the showgirl showing their tail feathers in these black and white photos from the 1920's and 30's, but the golden era of the showgirl was in the 40's and 50's after Hollywood got it's hands on it. Hollywood cleaned up the image of the Showgirl for the silver screen, but it was the rise of stripper super stars such as Gypsy Rose Lee, Sally Rand and Lili St.Cyr that really established the showgirl look as part of the uniform of the Burlesque performer. Modern Showgirls Showgirl aesthetic has been inspiring artists and fashion throughout the modern ages, artists such as Cher and Tina Turner even had legendary Follies costume designer Bob Mackie design their stage and red carpet wear. And in the early 2000's Retro glamour and Burlesque came to take centre stage in the cultural Zeitgeist. The movie Moulin Rouge (Dir: Baz Lurhmann), was a massive hit and rising stars such as Dita Von Teese presented vintage glamour to a whole new generation and filtered back onto the world stage with artists such as Kylie, on the fashion shows of Victoria's Secret and the costumes in the Miss World pageant. Kylie's showgirl style is sassy but classy and dripping with ostrich feathers and bling. Keeping the colours to tones of blue and using silver and crystal as contrasting highlights keeps this voluminous outfit from overwhelming our teeny Kylie. I love my corsetry, and this particularly stunning piece was designed and made by Mr Pearl...a total legend in the corset community. Victoria's Secret also borrow heavily from showgirl aesthetic in their fashion shows to dress up their rather ordinary undies into show stopping glamour. This Victoria's Secret outfit from 2012) is perfectly curated in the classic vein of the Follies girl. I love the feather head-dress with it's cut ostrich feather and crystal...it's delicate in material and colour and the addition of gloves and chunky over the top crystal jewellery is another cheeky nod to Burlesque performance. These two fabulous costumes are from Miss World pageants. In the red is Miss France (2016) and she looks every bit the Folies Berger Showgirl in this cracking ensemble of crystal fringe bikini and ostrich feather stole. And in white is Miss Sweden in 2013. The simple block of white doesn't take over because it has a combination of texture, ruffles and feathers en masse, which are a perfect foil for the volume of silver diamante flowing from the sleeve. Be inspired...but don't copy There is a huge array of visual inspiration for your theme wear outfit and accessories to perform with to enhance your stage presence. Here I have started a pinterest board. Click my pincode, browse the idea's and follow the board as I frequently add idea's there as I come across them. The 5 costume pieces you need to create your Ultimate Showgirl look So now we feel suitably inspired, lets have a look at how we can get some showgirl sauce into your costume. Headdress No full showgirl costume look is complete without a headdress. The showgirl headdress is usually made from a wire base covered in crystals and an arrangement of feathers on top, but sometimes can be more like a jewelled crown or similar. Headdresses can be difficult to balance, so are secured tightly to the head with straps and grips to cause as few problems for the dancer as possible. Getting used to walking and moving in the headdress is necessary to avoid oopsies, so make sure you get it in advance of your show and practice your routine in it. Jewelled Bikini Traditionally the showgirl wears very little in the way of body costume, which usually comprises a jewelled bra top and knickers of some description. The style of your underwear or bikini is entirely up to you, but to qualify as a bonefide showgirl piece it has to be covered in crystal. You can buy a crystal bikini, have one specially designed for you or you can DIY it depending on your budget, available time and crafty skillset. Feathered backpack A backpack is optional, and can take many forms, a collar, shoulder piece or full on wings...but it must have feathers (or similar). Backpacks are worn over the shoulder and secured with straps. If they are really heavy they are sometimes also stabilized at the waist. Showgirl Athena Patacsil, who wore the famous White Star costume in Jubilee! reports that the backpack weighed 35lb's ( that's15.9kg's for us metric users) and spanned 6ft wide (1.8 mtr). When choosing your backpack do be aware of it's size, especially if you are sharing the stage with other performers or competitors, you may even have to adapt how you walk when moving around so you don't hit people and objects. Athena Patacsil reports she had to walk "...sideways, like a crab...so you didn't break the feathers..." ( to watch her full white start story click here Jubilee! Finale Principal Star Backpack - (showgirls.life)) Heels Sorry ladies, but a showgirl always wears heels! If you are actually performing you will need some dance heels, whether you opt for something low(ish) like a Latin dance shoe or go fully stacked in stripper heels do make sure they have an ankle strap for security. Once you have your costume pieces assembled make sure you practice, practice, practice! Sources: Kylie Victoria's Secret 2012 Miss France Miss Switzerland Victoria's Secret ‘Jubilee,’ an iconic showgirl spectacular, takes its last steps in Las Vegas | Shows | Entertainment (reviewjournal.com) Ziegfeld Follies - Wikipedia Vintage Photos of Ziegfeld Follies Girls | FROM THE BYGONE (wordpress.com) Jubilee! Finale Principal Star Backpack - (showgirls.life)

Updated for 2024 A beginners Guide to choose your first Competition Bikini If you are doing your first Fitness Competition, getting the right bikini is essential to your show experience and placement. So before you start hunting for the perfect bikini read my list of 5 things you should be considering before you purchase. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a competition virgin it is always worth doing your research. Bikini fashion and federation rules can change from year to year so stay ahead of the competition and read up on the rules before you order. TIMEFRAME BUDGET STYLE COLOUR FIT TIMEFRAME When should I order my bikini? Order your bikini as far in advance as you can, as many bikini making companies get booked up fast! Get your bikini sorted up to three months in advance of your show. Never leave ordering your bikini to the last few weeks. Contact the company you want to make your bikini to check their lead in times, and schedule in fittings to work with your prep schedule and real life. Don't leave anything to the last minute....it will only stress you out. And the last thing you want to be during prep is stressed! Make sure you pay your deposit as early as possible to ensure your order is placed. Do not assume your order is in until you have at least part-paid for your designers services. Like most service industries bikini designers expect part payment before starting your order, and will make your bikini from scratch after your order is placed. If you have chosen to get a custom (bespoke/couture) competition bikini made to your specification order well in advance so your designer can complete the bikini in plenty of time. TAKEAWAY: Decide which show date you are heading to compete and start thinking about your bikini 12 weeks out. Make sure you order at least 8 weeks out or you may not get the choice you want. What to do if you miss the lead time deadline? Many designers are very accommodating if you just miss the lead time deadline, so give them a call or message to see if they have any ready-made bikinis that are acceptable, or can be altered to fit your needs. BUDGET How much does a Competition bikini cost? Like all things in life, expect to get what you pay for. Internet store bought bikinis are the cheapest option for a new bikini. Price could be anything between £225 and £1000 depending on the brand. You pick your bikini, send in your measurements and pay....simples. Each bikini company charges different amounts for their services. Expect to pay more for bespoke, one off bikinis tailor made for you than those you would buy from an online store. Be aware, especially if you are competing for the first time that your body is going to change dramatically as you get closer to your competition, so your bikini will need to be fitted near your competition date to fit your new body size. Make sure your bikini company accommodates altering your bikini within the price stated or be prepared to have the bikini altered at your own expense. If you are finding yourself a bit strapped for cash it is always worth checking out Kompak marketplace and Facebook groups for ladies that are selling their used bikinis. I would also advise contacting companies to see if they have any sample or clearance bikinis from the previous season available at a discounted rate. TAKEAWAY: Decide your own budget and keep it realistic to your lifestyle and resources STYLE What style Competition Bikini do I need? Three things should decide the style of your bikini. Which show you are doing What category you are competing in Your body shape, personal style and preferences Each federation has different rules and expectations when it comes to bikini design. When you pick your show get clued up on the full rules and regulations before you fall in love with a specific bikini. For fitness shows almost anything goes in terms of design and style, so long as your bikini is decent and in good taste but for bodybuilding competitions it is very important to turn up in the correct style for your category and with the correct coverage or it will effect your score or you could even be asked to change your bikini by the organiser. Next think about your shape, and order a bikini that maximises your winning qualities and balances out anything that may be judged unfavourable. Think about your overall proportions, and area's of your body you would like to highlight or hide. A well fitted bikini should enhance your figure without popping the judges eyes out. Let your bikini designer know if you have any particular issues that need to be raised about the style and fit of your bikini, you will be glad you did. TAKEAWAY: Research your show and category to make sure you are within the stated rules of the competition, also be aware of 'unwritten rules' such as what fashions the judges are tending to choose and pick a bikini cut that shows your body to it's best. COLOUR What colour competition bikini should I choose? Just so we are totally clear...there are no winning colours. The colours that the winners wear have these things in common...they compliment them and their personal style and look great on stage. Bold colours tend to look better under the glare of the lights, and pale colours can wash out. Your crystal choice and decoration can also effect how your bikini looks from a distance. While it is true that the more crystal you have on your bikini the more shiny it will look, this is not a necessity for winning. TAKEAWAY: You should love the colour of your bikini, it should enhance your overall look and compliment your colouring and features as well as looking great on stage. FIT -how important is the fit of the bikini? Your bikini should fit like a second skin on show day, allowing you to step on stage in total confidence. A poorly fitted bikini can really let you down on show day. You don't want it to gape, move around or create unsightly bulges. That's quite a lot to expect from four bits of lycra and some elastic! Everyone looses weight differently, and at different rates according to their specific training. This is one of the reasons that final fitting 2-3 weeks out from your show is critical, between ordering and wearing your bikini your body will go through many changes so don't expect to whip out the bikini on show day and have that perfect fit without that final fitting. Check out the bikini brands company policy on alterations and fitting services and what is included in the price of your bikini. TAKEAWAY: Try on your bikini 3 weeks out to do a final fit check, and if you are still dropping body fat at this stage be prepared to get a last minute alteration. It is a common misconception that if you have more elaborate or highly crystalled bikinis you are more likely to score high....do not fall into this trap! Most federations score your bikini within a stage presence mark which also includes how you conduct yourself on stage, your posing and your overall appearance. I always tell my clients the bikini is just icing on the cake, and it should reflect your personality and taste...the judges don't care how much you spent on your bikini...they want to see you on top form, however you wish to express this. Enjoy your bikini hunting. #bikinibuyingguide #fitnessfashion #fitnesscompetitiontips #whatbikinishouldIwear #bikinicompetitiontips

Updated for 2024 We all know how distressing it is if you have had a bikini slippage on stage, and no matter how much you want to pull that wedgie out of your bum and re-position your boobs...you must resist! Bikini disasters on stage, with ill fitting bikinis and all sorts of gaping and slippage is becoming a thing of the past. With every year that passes the standard for bikini and fitness competition goes up, and as you invest your time and money you want to look absolutely tip top on stage. So to avoid the dreaded wardrobe malfunction read on and discover the benefits of body tape and bikini glue. Of course the most important way to avoid bikini slippage is making sure your bikini is the right size and shape for your body, even if that means having it adjusted in the last few weeks of your show. Your body will be dramatically different from the start of your training so make sure you have a final fitting and try on within the last few weeks before your competition. The next step is to get aquainted with some artificial aids: namely bikini glue and body tape. STICKY SOLUTIONS Depending on the type of fix you want; whether you need to keep the bikini bottoms in place, or also to keep your boobs and bikini top in check you may need different products and solutions. Types of product to stick down your bikini: roll on glue sticky strips/ body tape tit tape Bikini Glue The tried and tested method among fitness competitors to stick down a bikini is glue. The most popular product by far is Pro Tan's Bikini Bite, although other products are available. APPLICATION Apply when your skin is completely dry, roll it on to the skin area you want to stick down. Apply a single layer to the bikini area you want to stick, it is best to stick to the edges of the bikini where there are many layers of fabric and do not put too much on, it will damage your bikini. Wait until the glue goes tacky and then stick it on your skin and hold until it is completely dry. From then on in DO NOT TOUCH, otherwise you risk releasing the bond and having to start over. REMOVAL Putting on bikini bite can be messy and fiddly. To get the suit off, just gently seperate your bikini from your skin. The glue will come off your body with a bit of soap and water and a bit of a scrub. Getting it off your bikini suit is another matter. You will be most successful getting the glue off your suit if you clean it as soon as you take it off. If you forget to clean it promptly you may stain your suit and the sticky residue will in turn pick up dirt. Gently clean with a soft toothbrush, a super mild fabric detergent, running cool water and gentle persuation. One of my clients religiously cleans her suit after a show and her bikinis are pristine. Remember not to scrub the outer fabric of your suit as it destroys the shiny fabrics and crystal finishes. DOWNSIDES The bottle is big, so if you're only planning on doing one show there's a lot of waste. Easy to over apply, and apply incorrectly, so be patient. Body tape Sticky strips and double sided body tape have become very popular in the last few years. There are branded products such as Bikini bum tape, but you will find that any strong double sided body tape or toupee tape is pretty much exactly the same product. This is not the same as tit tape, which is only single sided. APPLICATION Make sure your skin is clean and dry, with no lotion or moisturizer as this will affect the adhesion of the tape. Cut the tape to the size you want and fix it to the edges of the bikini you want to stick down. Then put on the bikini and place it correctly where you want it to sit before you take off the backing tape. Start with one leg edge and whilst holding the bikini in place unpeel off the backing and stick to the body with a little pressure. Then repeat on the other side, remembering to hold the bikini in place and make sure that both sides are mirrored and symetrical. If you are also sticking top edges do those last. If the tape has come unstuck, or the surface you are applying it to is damp, or dusty it will not adhere correctly so best to go for a new strip and start over. REMOVAL Do not pull the tape straight off or you could literally lose some skin. Apply a little clear oil such as coconut or baby oil to the edges and let it work for a few minutes. You could also use a medical adhesive remover such as Appeal, and then gently seperate the tape from your skin and bikini. Glue Removal is time sensitive and necessary to keeping your bikini in tip top condition.Dealing with glue as soon as possible once you have finished your show will prolong the life of your bikini suit. If you leave the glue on too long it could be very difficult to remove it from the fabric. Remove it from your bikini using clear oil to break down the adhesion and then washing the bikini to remove any residue with running water and mild clothing detergent and gently rubbing it away. Do not forget the washing part, it's really important to remove the residue glue before new particles stick to it. DOWNSIDES It's a one shot method. If you mess up the tape on first go, take it off and start fresh with a new bit. Don't forget to take adhesive removal with you or you could damage your skin. WHERE TO STICK IT! BUMS With bikini bum coverage getting smaller and smaller it is increasingly difficult to keep those little bits of lycra from making their way into your bum crack. No matter how great us bikini designers are at fit your peachy bum wants to eat that lycra. The struggle is real! Here's a handy little diagram to show you where on your bikini you should stick your bikini glue. Tit Tape If it's good enough for Kim Kardashian, it's good enough for you! Tip tape is literally the stuff that will help lift and shape your boobs. It's extra helpful if you have lost a lot of breast mass but still have sagging skin left over and is a godsend for those of us that are mature and natural, it sticks and tucks it all neatly under your bikini. Hurrah! It is not the same as body tape, as it is only single sided. APPLICATION Make sure your skin is clean, dry and free from oil, lotion or moisturiser before you apply. Stick on some nipple covers to protect your most sensitive areas and do a patch test by cutting off a bit and sticking it on, proceed if no allergic reaction occurs. You can either build up strips of tape to build a cup or use the readymade shapes like the product illustrated above, start underneath and work your way up, slightly stretching the tape as you go. It is always best to experiement prior to the show to see what works best under your bikini. REMOVAL Apply a clear oil like coconut oil or baby oil and let it soak in for a few minutes before peeling it off. DOWNSIDES Will rip the top layer of skin off if you rip it straight off. It's a one shot deal, you won't be able to reposition your tape once applied, start again with a new strip. Top tips for Show Day Put glue on after you put on your bikini, but make sure you do it in sufficient time for glue to dry before you start moving about. Let your tan dry completely, otherwise nothing will adhere correctly Do not use moisturisers, lotions or oils where you plan to use glues or tapes Clean your bikini as soon as after the show so the glue doesn't damage your expensive suit. So there you have it...the secret to keeping your bikini in place and on point as you hit the stage.