Lady Gaga Telephone Costume
Channel pop royalty with Gaga's legendary music video style.
Lady Gaga's 'Telephone' music video is a masterclass in avant-garde fashion, making it a favorite choice for pop music fans and cosplayers. The most iconic looks from the video include the yellow caution tape outfit and the black-and-white striped prison dress. This guide focuses on recreating these bold, high-fashion styles using accessible materials and creative styling.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~90 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as Lady Gaga Telephone
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What you need for a Lady Gaga Telephone costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Lady Gaga Telephone costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Yellow caution tape or striped prison dress
Either a roll of heavy-duty yellow 'CAUTION' tape for the video's opening look, or a black-and-white striped long-sleeve mini dress with structured shoulders.
DIY: Wrap real caution tape over a nude bodysuit, securing it with clear double-sided tape.
Blonde telephone wire wig
A bright blonde wig styled with heavy blunt bangs and large, hollow cylindrical curls that mimic hair rollers.
DIY: Wrap sections of a standard blonde wig around empty soda cans or foam rollers and set with heavy-duty hairspray.
Cigarette sunglasses
Black sunglasses adorned with faux burning cigarettes attached to the outer edges of the frames.
DIY: Glue painted paper straw segments with orange cotton-ball 'embers' to the sides of cheap black sunglasses.
Studded leather gloves
Fingerless black leather or faux leather gloves adorned with silver metal studs.
DIY: Add press-on silver studs to a plain pair of black fingerless gloves.
Fishnet tights
Classic black wide-mesh fishnet tights to wear under the bodysuit or prison dress.
Black platform boots
High-heeled black patent leather ankle or knee-high boots with a thick platform.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Lady Gaga Telephone costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
If choosing the caution tape look, put on a nude-colored bodysuit first as a base layer.
- 2
Carefully wrap the yellow caution tape around your torso, arms, and thighs, securing the layers to the bodysuit with double-sided fabric tape to prevent slipping.
- 3
If choosing the prison look, slip on the black-and-white striped dress and adjust the shoulder pads for a sharp, dramatic silhouette.
- 4
Put on the black fishnet tights and step into the high-heeled black platform boots.
- 5
Secure the styled blonde wig using a wig cap and bobby pins to keep the heavy curls balanced.
- 6
Put on the studded fingerless gloves and finish the look by sliding on the cigarette sunglasses.
Makeup & hair
Apply a dramatic dark smokey eye with thick black winged eyeliner and a bold, matte red lip. Style the wig with structured, hollow cylindrical curls on top of the head, keeping the bangs perfectly straight and blunt.
Lady Gaga Telephone for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Beyoncé's character from the video in a matching yellow and black pin-up outfit.
- group
- Have friends dress as prison inmates in matching striped jumpsuits or diner waitresses from the video's second half.
- Plus size
- Use a sturdy black-and-white striped bodycon dress with added shoulder pads for a comfortable, structured fit.
Tips
- If doing the caution tape DIY, ensure you leave enough slack around your joints so you can sit and walk comfortably.
- Use plenty of hairpins to secure the heavy roller wig so it doesn't tilt backward during movement.
- Carry a vintage telephone receiver prop for fun photo poses.
Lady Gaga Telephone costume FAQ
- How do you make the caution tape stay in place?
- Wrap the tape over a tight nude bodysuit and use double-sided fashion tape or fabric glue to secure each layer to the fabric and to other layers of tape.
- What are the key accessories for the Lady Gaga Telephone costume?
- The essential accessories are the cigarette sunglasses, studded fingerless gloves, and the signature blonde wig styled with hair rollers.
- Is the prison dress outfit easier than the caution tape outfit?
- Yes, the black-and-white striped prison dress is much easier to wear and move around in compared to wrapping yourself in non-stretch caution tape.
Did you know? The 'Telephone' music video is a 9-minute mini-movie directed by Jonas Åkerlund, continuing the story from Lady Gaga's 'Paparazzi' video.