Burlesque, Vaudeville, Commedia dell'arte : Burlesqueology by Stacey Merrick : Performance Art, Neo-Burlesque New Burlesque, Performers and Costumes

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Even though I am on a hiatus from performing, I cannot stop looking out for costume ideas, or hearing songs and thinking, "Oh, I could do a great routine to that song." 

I received a link to a story about rubber duckies that spilled out of a container ship 15 years ago and the story of their journey around the world, when a link to another unrelated story on the web page caught my eye:  Kapow!  These are some crazy get-ups! 

Without actually reading the article and knowing anything about where the dresses came from or why they exist or why the women wearing them seem like they just got into a fight with their significant other, I am fascinated with those dresses.   I think any one of them would make a fantastic burlesque costume.  The make-up on the models is just as garish and extravagant as the dresses, and I think the make-up makes the outfits.  I am not big on wearing make-up in my day to day life, but it is really important to have good make-up for a burlesque performance.  Good make-up is just as important as having a good costume.

Another thing to note about good burlesque costumes is if a costume seems like it is too flamboyant or flashy and too much, then it's not enough.  Burlesque is camp and fun, and the more over the top, the better.  Of course I think those couture dresses are ridiculous, but that is why they would be great burlesque costumes.