Charlie's Angels Costume Ideas

"Charlie's Angels" epitomised the laid-back glamour of the all-American, 1970s beach look. So costumes inspired by this show can be really good fun, but elegant too. The original TV series ran from 1976 to 1981, and the subsequent films in 2000 and 2003 took all the important elements of the original '70s styling but updated them with modern polish. Whichever decade inspires you, "Charlie's Angels" costumes are about shiny hair, beachwear and high-glamour action.

Create the modern glamour of the films with styling tools: Use ceramic flatirons to straighten your hair, then to flick it out and wave sections around the front. Farrah Fawcett was in "Charlie's Angels" for only one season but had the most famous hair of the 1970s, forever associated with the show. Get this by setting long hair on large rollers, so that it curls out. Blow-dry out with a radial brush and then fix with hairspray. Flick and curl round fringe as you dry them.

For 1970s' authenticity, wash your hair with a fragrant shampoo, such as a '70s classic like Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific or Clairol Herbal Essences. Your hair will be perfect to fragrantly flick around as part of your costume. However you style hair, make sure that it has plenty of movement and fake the shiniest locks in the room by smoothing serum onto dry hair with the palms of your hands.

Charlie's original angels wore the relaxed but glamorous beachwear of the day. Try bell-bottomed jeans and fitted T-shirts, which can usually be found in thrift stores. The 2000 film updated the fashions, but swimming costumes and bikinis were still essential. Work these into your costume, maybe with shorts and high heels or quad-skates, for a jaw-dropping entrance to any fancy dress party.

The original '70s look was the natural beach glow of the era. Create this with a gentle fake tan and a lip gloss, ideally a rollerball one that can be pulled out of your purse for retouches. If you want to feel super-glamorous, wear some subtle fake lashes in a natural colour that shimmers over your tan. The modern Charlie's angels were a little slicker, often wearing red lipstick.

Police-girl accessories dress up any '70s outfit to pull-off a "Charlie's Angels" costume. Try a plastic pistol, handcuffs or a plastic cop badge. All of these are available in toy and joke shops. Heels are a must for glamorous crime-busting.

The '70s angel's heels were high stiletto platforms, and the modern "Charlie's Angels" films paid tribute to this.

If you don't have the time to search through thrift and vintage stores, you can rent a "Charlie's Angel's" costume online or from your local fancy-dress store. Dress these up with hair, make-up and accessories to really look the part, but also consider a few other options for complete authenticity. A Farrah Fawcett costume wig turns any pair of thrift-store bell-bottoms and tight T-shirt into a "Charlie's Angel's" character. Charlie's angels were always three girls, so try to get two girlfriends to dress up with you and be easier to spot. If you want to make a real party entrance, hire a vintage sports car for the night, such as a Ford Mustang.