Sci-fi Costume Design

vintage-sci-fi-costumes — averagejoesblog.com & buycostumes.com

In need of the perfect get up for an upcoming ComiCon? Last-minute invite to a space-themed costume party? Never fret. Here are ten iconic sci-fi vixens that make for attractive and creative costumes.

Top 10 Best Female Sci-Fi Costumes

Princess Leia in Return of the Jedi
Barbarella
Seven of Nine from Star Trek: Voyager
Pris from Blade Runner
Number Six from Battlestar Galactica
Leeloo from The Fifth Element
Aeon Flux
Mystique from X-Men
Yori from TRON
Tank Girl

1. Princess Leia in Return of the Jedi

The legendary gold bikini Carrie Fisher dons in Star Wars may not the most original choice as far as costumes go, but it is certainly classic. Packaged costumes can be bought online, at plenty of costume shops, or a determined seamstress could construct a homemade version. However, the embellished brass bra and g-string may be a bit difficult to recreate.

2. Barbarella

For a playful, yet sultry look, Barbarella's 1960s sex-kitten look can be achieved, but it will take some planning and skill. The over-the-knee boots are easy enough to come by, but finding a space-age leotard with retro details is going to be difficult. Savvy tailors could alter an existing leotard or even make one from scratch.

A layered, high-volume blowout or a teased out wig are essential for Jane Fonda's signature mane, so be prepared to do some backcombing. The ultimate accessory, Barbarella's over-the-top piece of artillery, will take some imagination, but this video may provide some inspiration.

3. Seven of Nine From Star Trek: Voyager

It will be a snap to find the supplies for Star Trek: Voyager's fierce femme if you're in a pinch. A sleek, silver bodysuit is simple enough to find, and a homemade logo pin can be fastened with a little hot glue. Makeup being the most important part of this costume, take some time and be patient when piecing together the details above the left eye.

4. Pris From Blade Runner

Ideal for the last-minute costume, this look can easily be pulled together from clothes laying around the house. All over black, combat boots, torn tights, a spaghetti tank, and a deconstructed sheer top are all you need to pull this off. The makeup is foolproof because even if it's sloppy, it will still be perfect for Pris' maniacal black mask.

5. Number Six From Battlestar Galactica

Another character that could be easily thrown together at the last minute, this look will look much better with a little forethought. A simple, form-fitting red dress with spaghetti straps can be altered to mimic the sexy getup Number Six sports throughout the series. Strappy black heels will complete the look. Blondes should throw their hair up in some hot rollers to get those bouncy curls, and a standard Marilyn wig could be used for anyone else.

6. Leeloo From The Fifth Element

Tight and revealing, this futuristic number takes some serious guts. Piece this get up together using strips of a durable white fabric with a nice amount of stretch to it. Dedicated fans could go the extra mile and dye their hair neon orange, and there is temporary brush in color on the market (check with your local costume shop), but wigs are a suitable solution for Milla Jovovich's electric bob.

7. Aeon Flux

Even more daring is the S&M leotard worn by Aeon Flux, an animated MTV cult classic. Sex shops may be the way to go when looking for the black latex pieces needed for this sci-fi dominatrix style. The most important element is the dramatic aline bob, which can be achieved by giving a longer wig a little haircut and curling the end pieces for undeniable detail.

8. Mystique From X-Men

Head-to-toe blue may seem like a complicated feat, but can actually be quite easy to recreate. Hunt down a blue bodysuit, or dye a white one using Rit or a similar at-home fabric dye product. The makeup will be the most challenging part, and luckily the video tutorial below is available to share some tips.

9. Yori From TRON

Rocking a vintage look like Yori from the original TRON will be a huge hit with sci-fi enthusiasts. The helmet and LED lights are striking and bold and tame the overt sexiness of the white, skin-tight bodysuit. Make this costume yourself using battery-operated lights, which can found at some local costume shops or online.

10. Tank Girl

Thrift stores are your friend when recreating this edgy comic book heroine. Thanks to the popularity of the steampunk trend, goggles are relatively easy to come by these days. Otherwise, the devil is in the details, and in this case, the details are a fuzzy hunting cap with ear flaps, carefully placed bandages, and a good pair of combat boots.

Ky on June 18, 2020:

Yes this list is not great, where are all the Joss Whedon females??!!

Dahlia on June 13, 2014:

Aren't there any non-sexy modest costumes anymore?

SeattlePeach (author) from Seattle, WA on January 25, 2012:

Thanks so much to everyone who voted for this article in the HubNuggets competition! It means so much to have support.

Michelle Simtoco from Cebu, Philippines on January 24, 2012:

Costumes are fun!!! Congratulations on your Hubnuggets nomination...read and vote this way https://pattyinglishms.hubpages.com/hubnuggets6/hu...

Claudia Tello from Mexico on January 23, 2012:

So that's the Princess Lei famous golden bikini outfit that has every man I know fantasizing about her!!! I am glad you showed me her photo at last, she does look sexy.

Rachel Richmond from California on January 22, 2012:

Yay! You put in Tank Girl!

I dressed as Tank Girl for the a Halloween party and sad to say no one knew who she was! Oooo!! Lovely list.

SeattlePeach (author) from Seattle, WA on January 21, 2012:

haha i guess it really shows my bias, huh? i personally find that i have added confidence to show more skin when i dress in costume because i am taking on an alter ego :) but i realize now that most women probably don't feel the same way.

btw, can you guys think of some female sci fi icons who are not so scantily clad?

DougBerry from Abilene, TX on January 21, 2012:

Congratulations on your HubNugget nomination: https://discover.hubpages.com/style/

I have to agree with plussize-lingerie. I wouldn't run around in a loin-cloth, so I'd find it hard to ask someone to wander around in the bare minimum unless we were at the beach...

David Taylor from UK on December 13, 2011:

Excellent collection, but only Tank Girl seems to make the definition of "costume", whereas the rest seem to be utilizing various forms of "bikini", which stretches the definition of costume!

Still, an excellent collection of female sci-fi icons.