Introduction: Elly Jackson - La Roux Halloween Costume

About: Making and sharing are my two biggest passions! In total I've published hundreds of tutorials about everything from microcontrollers to knitting. I'm a New York City motorcyclist and unrepentant dog mom. My wo…

Last year on the MAKE YouTube channel, commenters started saying I looked like the singer from the English synth-pop duo La Roux. Here's how to get the Mondrian jacket look from the video for their song Bulletproof. You can also make your own "neo cameo" necklace with a laser cutter and these files on Thingiverse.

Find more photos in my La Roux costume Flickr set.

To keep up with what I'm working on, follow me on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and subscribe to my newsletter.

Step 1:

Find a plain white blazer or jacket to start.

Remove pockets from the jacket with a seam ripper.

Step 2:

Create a pattern from one of the pockets by tracing it onto paper.

Use a ruler to "square off" the corners.

Step 3:

Cut pockets from a thick folded layer of each colored fabric.

Make sure the fold is at the top edge of the pocket.

The yellow and green pockets are rectangular, so I squared up my pattern before cutting the square red and blue ones.

Step 4:

Cut and iron a ton of 3/4" wide black binding. If I had to do it over, I'd probably order some black bias tape.

Step 5:

Pin binding around 3 raw sides of pockets, leaving the layered fold at the top.

Step 6:

Straighten the front flaps of the jacket by opening up the seam with a seam ripper.

Cut off the excess fabric and use an iron to press in a new, straighter flap. Sew with white thread.

Step 7:

Pin and sew binding to jacket around the front edges, inside of collar, and cuffs.

Because the bottom front corners of my jacket weren't square, I fudged it by extending the binding out past the edge.

Step 8:

Pin and sew on pockets!

There's a bit of binding detailing over the shoulders and on the sides as well.

Step 9:

Sew on five black buttons. Don't worry about buttonholes, you'll wear the jacket open!

Step 10:

Grab the "neo cameo" necklace laser cutter files on Thingiverse

Hang acrylic pieces from a long chain.

Step 11:

Pair with a long black tank top or short dress and some leggings.

Plain white or striped sneakers complete the look.

Don't forget the signature hair and Bowie eye makeup!


Halloween Contest

Participated in the
Halloween Contest