Sally O'Malley Costume
I'm fifty! And I like to kick, stretch, and kick!
Sally O'Malley is the energetic, fifty-year-old dancer made famous by Molly Shannon on Saturday Night Live. Known for her high-waisted red pantsuit and enthusiastic high kicks, this character is a beloved choice for anyone wanting a funny, high-energy costume. The look is defined by a bright red polyester outfit, a voluminous bouffant hairstyle, and oversized glasses.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $35–80
Try it on
See yourself as Sally O'Malley
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.
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What you need for a Sally O'Malley costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Sally O'Malley costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Red high-waisted pants
Bright red, stretchy polyester or spandex pants pulled up high above the waist.
DIY: Use red leggings or sweatpants pulled up extra high with a thick red belt.
Red sleeveless V-neck top
A matching bright red sleeveless top or vest with a deep V-neckline.
DIY: Cut the sleeves off a red t-shirt and cut the collar into a deep V-neck.
Oversized eyeglasses
Large, round, retro-style reading glasses with thick frames.
DIY: Pop the lenses out of a pair of cheap vintage sunglasses.
Bouffant wig
A voluminous, teased brown or dark blonde flip wig with heavy bangs.
DIY: Tease your natural hair heavily at the crown, spray with hairspray, and flip the ends out.
White sneakers
Classic, comfortable white athletic sneakers or tennis shoes.
DIY: Any plain white running shoes or canvas slip-ons will work.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Sally O'Malley costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the bright red pants, pulling them up high past your natural waistline to sit just under your ribs.
- 2
Tuck the matching red sleeveless V-neck top securely into the waistband of the pants.
- 3
Put on the voluminous brown bouffant wig, ensuring the bangs are straight and the back is heavily teased.
- 4
Slide on the oversized retro eyeglasses.
- 5
Lace up your white athletic sneakers, ensuring they are comfortable enough for high kicks.
- 6
Practice your posture: hands on your hips, chest out, and prepare to shout, 'I'm fifty!'
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup simple with a neutral lip and light blush. The hair is the star: a massive, teased brown 1960s-style flip bouffant wig with full bangs.
Sally O'Malley for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with another SNL classic like Leon Phelps (The Ladies Man) or a generic TV talent show host.
- group
- Gather a group of Sally O'Malleys all kicking in unison, or pair with other Molly Shannon characters like Mary Katherine Gallagher.
- kids
- A miniature red pantsuit, tiny glasses, and a small teased wig make for a hilarious kids' costume.
- Plus size
- Stretchy red knit pants and a matching flowy red tank top offer a comfortable, flexible fit for high-energy movement.
- pet
- A red dog t-shirt and a tiny brown wig headpiece.
Tips
- Wear stretchy fabrics. The essence of this costume is being able to high-kick and stretch comfortably.
- Secure the wig with bobby pins so it doesn't fly off during your energetic SNL dance moves.
- Keep a loud, confident attitude ready—the costume is only complete when you're in character.
Sally O'Malley costume FAQ
- What is Sally O'Malley's catchphrase?
- Her famous catchphrase is: 'I'm fifty! And I like to kick, stretch, and kick!'
- How do I style the hair if I don't have a wig?
- Tease your hair heavily at the crown using hairspray and a comb, then use a curling iron to flip the ends of your hair outwards.
- What kind of shoes should I wear?
- Simple, supportive white athletic sneakers are perfect and match the original SNL sketch look.
Did you know? Molly Shannon based the physical comedy of Sally O'Malley on her own father, who used to do wild kicks and stretches around the house to prove how youthful he felt.