“The Golden Girls” is one of television’s most iconic and beloved sitcoms. Following the lives of four women in the golden years of their lives, the strong characters and witty dialogue made it one of the most successful shows of all time. If you have a group of gals that you want to step out with this Halloween, consider dressing as these four fabulous ladies and turning heads wherever you go.
Dorothy Costume
Bea Arthur’s Dorothy was the backbone of the show. A dry witted divorcee who handled every situation with strength and sarcasm, her no nonsense attitude was reflected in her wardrobe. Plain slacks and a 1980’s style sweater will perfectly capture the essence of the character. For the duration of the series, her hair was short, wavy and mostly all gray. Temporary hair color can be applied for the evening. Sensible shoes and very little jewelry is all that is needed to finish off the look.
Rose Costume
Betty White’s depiction of the widow Rose provided many of the laughs in each episode. She was sweet and kind and often very dim witted. She frequently appeared in shirtwaist dresses or a layered look of slacks, blouse and cardigan. Rose favored pastel colors which reflected her childlike innocence. Her hairstyle was blonde and short but with quite a bit of fullness. A curling iron or a set of old fashioned curlers can easily achieve this look. Natural looking makeup and classic jewelry such as pearls or a gold chain and earrings complete the costume.
Sophia Costume
Dorothy’s mother and the oldest member of the group, the character of Sophia exuded toughness but with a soft heart. She was often seen in an outfit of slacks and a sweater or a blouse with a button up cardigan. Sophia wore 1980’s style glasses, sometimes with a chain that went around her neck. Her hair was short and gray with tight curls. Aged to look older than the actress that portrayed her, artificial wrinkles can be layered on the face to make the look more authentic to the character. Sophia was often seen cooking on the show, so an apron can be worn over the outfit. The most important element to the Sophia character is the small wicker purse with loop handles she always carried.
Blanche Costume
Blanche was the sexpot of “The Golden Girls.” Although she also wore fashions that were popular in the 1980’s, they were of the more provocative kind. A dress that shows off the cleavage or tight pants and a low cut blouse are perfect for this costume. Blanche’s hair was light brown and on the short side, but wavy and always well done. A heavier makeup and large earrings that were popular during this time period nicely sets off this look.