Rockette Costume
Bring the precision and sparkle of Radio City to your next event.
The Radio City Rockettes are world-famous for their high kicks and dazzling precision dance routines. Recreating their iconic holiday look is a popular choice for dancers, performers, and Christmas enthusiasts alike. This costume captures their signature blend of festive red velvet, sparkling sequins, and classic showgirl glamour.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $50–150
Try it on
See yourself as Rockette
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Rockette costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Rockette costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Red velvet leotard or dance romper
A form-fitting red velvet long-sleeve or sleeveless leotard, ideally accented with silver sequins or white trim.
DIY: Take a plain red leotard and fabric-glue silver sequins and white faux fur trim along the neckline and cuffs.
Tan fishnet tights
Professional-grade, durable tan fishnet tights to give a classic stage-ready look.
Character shoes or T-strap heels
Black or silver leather character shoes with a sturdy, low-to-medium heel and a secure ankle strap.
DIY: Use any pair of comfortable black Mary Jane heels or T-strap pumps you already own.
White wrist-length gloves
Simple, clean white cotton or satin gloves that reach just past the wrist.
Festive headpiece
A matching red velvet headband, mini Santa hat, or sequined hair accessory.
DIY: Attach a small red bow and a sprig of faux holly to a plain black headband.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Rockette costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the tan fishnet tights to establish the classic stage-performer base.
- 2
Step into the red velvet sequined leotard or dance romper, ensuring a snug and secure fit.
- 3
Pull on the white wrist-length gloves, smoothing them down to the wrists.
- 4
Secure the festive red headpiece or mini hat in your hair using bobby pins to keep it steady.
- 5
Slip into the character shoes or T-strap heels and fasten the ankle straps securely.
- 6
Apply classic stage makeup, finishing with a bold, true-red lipstick.
Makeup & hair
Style hair in a neat, slicked-back low bun or classic retro waves. Apply glamorous stage makeup featuring defined winged eyeliner, false eyelashes, rosy cheeks, and a signature bright red lipstick.
Rockette for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with a Toy Soldier, Santa Claus, or a Radio City stage manager.
- group
- Gather a group of friends to dress in matching red rompers and pose in a synchronized high-kick line.
- kids
- A red sequin dance leotard with an attached tutu skirt and white tights makes a comfortable, kid-friendly version.
- Plus size
- Look for stretch velvet bodysuits or skater-style red velvet dresses with built-in shorts for comfort and support.
- pet
- A red velvet dog harness with white faux fur trim.
Tips
- Choose character shoes with a low, sturdy heel if you plan on walking or dancing a lot.
- Use plenty of hairspray and bobby pins to keep your headpiece securely in place during movement.
- Layer skin-tone tights under your fishnets for extra warmth during chilly outdoor events.
Rockette costume FAQ
- What kind of shoes do the Rockettes wear?
- The Rockettes typically wear custom character shoes or tap shoes with a sturdy 2-to-2.5-inch heel, often in black, tan, or metallic silver depending on the routine.
- How do I make a DIY Rockette costume?
- Start with a red leotard, fabric glue, and white faux fur trim. Add silver sequins along the neckline and cuffs, and pair with fishnets and a matching headband.
- What is the signature Rockette makeup look?
- The signature look is classic stage makeup: a flawless base, dramatic winged eyeliner, false eyelashes, heavy red blush, and a bright, true-red lipstick.
Did you know? The Rockettes do their own makeup for performances, applying their signature red lipstick (often MAC's 'Russian Red') before every show.