Lil' Kim Costume
Channel the queen of hip-hop fashion in her iconic lavender look.
Lil' Kim is a legendary American rapper and fashion pioneer known for her bold, boundary-pushing style. Her most famous look is the lavender one-shouldered jumpsuit she wore to the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards. This costume replicates that historic music fashion moment with a matching purple wig and pastie.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $40–100
Try it on
See yourself as Lil' Kim
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What you need for a Lil' Kim costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Lil' Kim costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Lavender one-shoulder jumpsuit
A form-fitting, asymmetrical purple jumpsuit with one long sleeve and one leg, leaving the left side of the chest exposed.
DIY: Buy a standard purple long-sleeve unitard and carefully cut away the left sleeve and chest area.
Purple seashell pastie
A metallic purple, seashell-shaped pastie to cover the exposed left breast.
DIY: Cut a seashell shape out of purple foam sheets or cardboard and cover it in purple glitter.
Lavender wig with bangs
A long, straight pastel purple wig with blunt-cut bangs.
Purple or silver high heels
Strappy high-heeled sandals in metallic purple or silver.
Purple lip liner and gloss
A dark purple lip liner paired with a frosty, light purple or clear lip gloss.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Lil' Kim costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the lavender one-shouldered jumpsuit, ensuring the left breast is exposed as per the iconic design.
- 2
Apply skin-safe body adhesive or double-sided fashion tape to the back of the purple seashell pastie.
- 3
Carefully position and press the pastie over the exposed breast, ensuring a secure hold.
- 4
Secure your natural hair under a wig cap, then put on the lavender wig, adjusting the bangs to sit straight across your forehead.
- 5
Apply 90s-style makeup, focusing on dark purple lip liner with lighter gloss and dramatic false eyelashes.
- 6
Step into your purple or silver high-heeled sandals.
- 7
Strike a confident pose with one hand on your hip to complete the legendary red carpet look.
Makeup & hair
Wear a long, straight lavender wig with blunt bangs. For makeup, go for a classic late-90s look with dark purple lip liner, frosty lip gloss, defined eyebrows, and dramatic false eyelashes.
Lil' Kim for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with someone dressed as Notorious B.I.G. in a red leather jacket or a white suit and fedora.
- group
- Create a 90s/2000s MTV VMAs group with friends dressed as Britney Spears, Missy Elliott, and Aaliyah.
- kids
- A scaled-down version using a purple jumpsuit without the asymmetrical cutout for a kid-friendly superstar look.
- Plus size
- Look for high-stretch spandex or metallic purple fabric jumpsuits that offer comfortable support and a bodycon fit.
- pet
- A small dog wearing a purple sequin cape and a tiny purple bow.
Tips
- Use high-quality body adhesive or spirit gum to keep the pastie securely in place throughout the night.
- Apply the pastie to clean, dry skin that is free of lotions or body oils to ensure the adhesive sticks properly.
- Keep a matching purple jacket or wrap handy if you are wearing this outdoors in cool autumn weather.
Lil' Kim costume FAQ
- What is Lil' Kim's most famous outfit?
- Her most famous outfit is the lavender, one-shouldered sequined jumpsuit with a matching purple pastie and wig that she wore to the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards.
- How do you keep the pastie from falling off?
- Use medical-grade body adhesive (spirit gum) or specialized fashion tape on clean, dry skin free of lotions or oils.
- Can I make this costume more modest?
- Yes, you can wear a nude-colored bandeau or a sheer purple mesh top underneath the jumpsuit instead of going completely asymmetrical.
Did you know? Designed by stylist Misa Hylton, the 1999 VMA outfit was inspired by Lil' Kim's close friend Missy Elliott, who suggested Kim wear something outrageous to stand out.