A work in progress since 1997.

DISCLAIMER:

These are scene-by scene breakdowns of costumes and hand props for a screen-accurate rendition of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Makeup (including tattoos and scars) is treated separately in the Makeup section. This list is based on observations of several different prints of the film, discussions with other fans, and extensive use of Rocky Horror posters, books, magazines, video, DVD, Blu-Ray, stills, etc. I've had lots of excellent help. (My thanks to everyone on the Rocky Horror newsgroup for their input and support; I miss you.)

The descriptions here are not perfect; this is a work in progress. Remember, if what's on this list doesn't look like what's on-screen, go with what's on-screen. This list is NOT "definitive" and is intended as a convenience to people assembling costumes, not the word of God.

If you think you notice a mistake or just want to chat about costuming, please email me. (If you see something that is wrong/incomplete, it would really help if you tell me which scene I can see the detail in question; I reply much faster if you send a photo/screencap than if I have to drag out the Blu-Ray.) I am happy to talk with anyone so long as a tone of mutual respect is maintained. The site doesn't get updated often; for details, see "What's New" below.

All mistakes on this list are my own--nothing goes onto the site until I have verified it with my own eyes.

The DVD really has changed everything. Now everyone can have access to high-quality stills. Same thing for the Blu-Ray and digital prints - it's astonishing to be able to freeze frame on a movie screen. I bought a DVD player specifically to watch Rocky, then did the same thing for the Blu-Ray. Make sure you get a player with zoom capabilites.

How To Use This List
This list is intended for fans who want to recreate the costumes from the movie "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."
If you are costuming a production of the play "The Rocky Horror Show," I can't stop you from using this website for reference. But I can strongly encourage you to do what Sue Blane did and costume the play using your own original ideas, or, if you must, using her designs as a jumping-off point instead of slavishly copying them. Please leave that to us fans.

Each section has a "last-updated" date on it--remember, if you print off a section, you do not have the most current version unless the dates match!

Thank you,
Ruth

What's New

What's Coming Up - What's Not Coming Up

Correctly-colored Columbia bustier fabric available!
In 1999, Kim Shafer, faced with the impossibility of finding correctly-colored multisequin material, had a bolt MADE and offered it for sale to Rocky fans. It went in less than 2 months. For several years afterwards, Larry Viezel periodically had additional bolts custom-made. Sadly, they're no longer available.

(NOTE: if you've never seen this, please note: the sequins are not sewn onto a backing fabric. Costume maven Mina Credeur notes: "Lack of backing makes it really easy to use one solid piece to cover an entire bodice - no messy sequin seams!" and notes that the lack of backing makes it easy to drape, but it threw me for a loop.)

Costuming Plug: Mick Rock Calendars, and the Coffee Table Books
The Mick Rock calendars are highly recommended for costume work. Mick Rock took a slew of photos on the set with a very good camera; serious costumers have been discovering new things even when we own mass-reproduced 8x10s of some of the same photos. (As someone grumbled when he previewed some of the photos at the 2005 Las Vegas convention, "Oh, great, we all get to redo our Riff costumes.")

The majority of these photos can be seen in the 2005 coffee table book "Mick Rock: Rocky Horror," which features over 300 photos. ISBN is 3896026666, because if you look for it, you'll get the 2025 book instead. A slightly different book, "ROCKY HORROR: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Cult Classic" was released in 2025 for the 50th anniversary. I'm not sure it's as good; it has some new photos and more modern testimonials from famous folks. If you're serious about costuming, you need one.

Close-up photos of actual film costumes:
Frank's dinner corset. In October 2000, my husband and I won Frank's dinner corset from the film at auction at the 25th anniversary. Many thanks to Jaimie Froemming and Mark Beck., who photographed it for us and who floated us a small loan.

Frank's jacket, as it looks today (we think) (external link): A gentleman named Mike Scott owns what is probably Frank's original jacket, purchased at auction from the 59 Club, and he's been kind enough to put up a website with photos of it. If it isn't the original, it's a damn good reproduction. The jacket has been refurbished (in which process some of the original patches were lost), the leather repaired, and the badges cleaned. Some items have broken over the years, notably the zipper pulls. Mike will also make you a reproduction jacket, if you have the means...

Rocky's trunks in gory detail and in color!: Some wonderful fans from South Carolina went and took a bunch of close-up pictures of Rocky's trunks at the Hard Rock Cafe in Myrtle Beach. (Thanks, Dawn!) The external link's been dead, so we're displaying some of them here, in addition to a few I shot.
Keep in mind that Sue Blane says she thinks Rocky had several pairs (the gold wore off very quickly). But these photos are as close as we'll probably ever get to definitive.
By the way, the Hard Rock rotates their stock; I'm told the shorts are no longer in Myrtle Beach, and they were spotted by a fan at the Hard Rock in Orlando in April 2011:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1661176060560&set=o.160788907308875&type=3. Sadly, the way they're displayed (on a mannequin) means you can no longer see the inside of the shorts.

Frank's floorshow shoe. A friend acquired it and asked if I'd like to take pictures. Here they are!

Columbia's bustier. Larry Viezel acquired it and let a couple of us take pictures. Some of these were posted on rhpscostumes; here they are, with some additional photos to boot. If Larry's touring with the stars, you might see it in person

Rocky's floor show boa. Larry Viezel acquired it and let a couple of us take pictures. Some of these were posted on rhpscostumes. Here they are at last.

Janet's pink dress. Megan Tabor provided this photo of the dress, which Sal Piro brought to an early Las Vegas convention. Wonder no longer if Janet's cuffs are gingham.

Close-up photos of Belasco (1975 Broadway) costumes:
NOT FROM THE FILM - Frank's red floorshow corset and the yellow sequin gauntlet.
Also a platform shoe, a red sequin gauntlet and a fishnet gauntlet.
At the same auction where my husband and I purchased Frank's dinner corset, we also purchased costumes from the original Broadway production at the Belasco: Frank's floorshow corset, fishnet and yellow sequin gauntlet, and underwear; as well as a red sequin floorshow gauntlet I was told was Brad's. At the same auction, someone else bought Frank's Belasco shoe; I have since acquired it from the original buyer. While these costumes weren't in the film, they look very similar (except for the shoe - shape is similar but it's just covered with glitter) and I presume they'll be of interest.
Belasco shoe photos updated 7/4/12.

Close-up photos of Kings Road (1976/1977 London) costume:
NOT FROM THE FILM - Columbia's boa
I've just acquired (July 2, 2012) a boa, which I'm told was Columbia's, from the Kings Road incarnation of the original Rocky Horror Show in London. It's possible it was used in the film....but not for Columbia.
Close-up photos of a Roxy (1974 Los Angeles) costume:
NOT FROM THE FILM - Frank's surgery gown
In 2010 I acquired a couple of Roxy costumes: the Riff vest, Janet's dress and sweater, a feather boa, and Frank's surgery gown. Only the surgery gown looks close to the one from the film, but if people ask, I can post the others as well. (Janet's dress is teal polyester and unlikely to be recognized by anyone other than big fans of the Roxy.)
Close-up photos of First North American Tour (1980-1981) costumes:
NOT FROM THE FILM - Frank's undies, red corset, and Rocky's shorts.
I still need to post photos of Magenta's chiffon dinner dress and her very battered apron.
A friend acquired these. The Magenta costumes I haven't posted yet are actually probably more exciting, at least if you're a Magenta wondering how they fasten/stay on.

Frank
Janet Brad
Riff Magenta
Columbia Rocky
Eddie Dr. Scott
Crim Trixie
Transylvanians (Preliminary)

Makeup by Character and Tips & Tricks

Costume & Prop Tips & Tricks
Where to find costume-making supplies, costume-making hints, and costume care tips

Wig and Hair Tricks
Thoughts on wig and hair supplies, and basic wig care. Not the thoughts of an expert but might help.

Helpful Links
(photo sites, costume sites, costumer sites)

Thank You List (and Source List)

Who is Ruth, anyway?