I need ideas on how to make a classic Willy Wonka jacket.

[amzking]

My DD wants to dress as Willy Wonka for Halloween. The Gene Wilder version, please! Which means I need a purple jacket, about knee-length. Everything else will be pretty straightforward but the jacket has me stuck. Any ideas on how to make one easily? I was thinking about buying a lab coat of some sort and dying it.

 

[CharliNye]

Nope. My 4 yr old daughter wanted that costume as well. I only found the version from the Depp film. Ordered it. She hated the look of it and it was cut for a boy and really big on her. So we took it back.

Now she's going to be Snow White. sigh.

She REALLY wanted to be Willy for halloween. I honestly don't know what to say regarding how to make the jacket. If you're going to make it(props to you, I can't sew) I would try to find something in a thick purple velvet/felt texture.

Good Luck!

 

[golfgal]

There are a lot of longer sweaters/jackets in the stores now. Maybe you can find a purple one? If not, find someone that sews. It wouldn't be too hard to make one.

 

[NotUrsula]

That's an Edwardian frock coat. Easy it is not.

Your best bet is to find a used purple winter coat in a thrift store, then sew some grosgrain ribbon on the lapels and add a very floppy cravat and the orange-brown top-hat and cane.

 

[Sparx]

I googled and found this pattern:
http://www.ecrater.com/p/3377155/simplicity-pattern-4083-mens-wonka-square

Its pretty cheap, and looks pretty similar if you find some kind of purple fabric to make it with.

 

[AprilRenee]

Look at Goodwill. You wouldn't beLIEVE the awesome and random things you can find there. I bet you can find a purple velvet coat. Just be sure to look in mens, womens AND kids coats. You can always modify it a little.

 

[SandrA9810]

LOL. I wish I had pictures on this computer, but I helped Kari make an awesome Dreamfinder costume a few years ago.

We found this hideous yellow suit at the Salvation Army store. It was pretty straight forward suit, just this awful yellow. Bought it for like 8 bucks (I guess they didn't think it would sell). Went to Home Depot and bought 3 cans of spray paint, and painted the entire suit blue. Didn't have the vest, so she kept it buttoned.
Went to a halloween shop and found a brown beard/mustache, sprayed it with orange hair spray. Just a little, and brushed it in, to give it a good color.
She managed to split the pants half way through the night, not much so it wasn't noticeable. But the outfit hit the trash can after that night. She can remember it by all the pictures we took.
A lot of people commented to her how cool her outfit was, and how well it turned out, even though it was completely last minute.


So even if you can't find purple velvet, a purple jacket would work just fine. People aren't going to be going up to your daughter to touch her costume. Sometimes it's the accents that really pull the costume together. Not just how exact you get it.

 

[SandrA9810]

Ohh yeah, stitch witchery is amazing stuff. It's iron on glue, and after a few go's at it, it's easy to work with.
I made mine and Kari's costumes last year with it, along with a bit of hand sewing. My friend on the left, he cheated and bought his online.

 

[amzking]

Thank you everyone for all your replies. I am going to hit the thrift stores this week. Or maybe I will feel adventurous and try to make it. She does NOT like the Depp version, which is available, and quite frankly I prefer the Wilder look and movie much better, so we'll see what I can come up with. Thanks again everyone!

 

[amzking]

I googled and found this pattern:
http://www.ecrater.com/p/3377155/simplicity-pattern-4083-mens-wonka-square

Its pretty cheap, and looks pretty similar if you find some kind of purple fabric to make it with.

Wow, that pattern looks perfect! I will have to try that, just need to make it small enough for a 9 year old, LOL! Thank you!