Costumes for the Music Man
Parents:
We are hard at work making sure all the performers look great on stage and we need your help providing some of the
basic clothing pieces that are needed for costumes. Below is a list of items each group needs to bring from home. If
your child’s character is not listed here, most of their costume pieces will be taken care of at school and you will be
contacted individually for additional items. Please send the requested costume pieces CLEARLY MARKED WITH YOUR
CHILDS NAME into Tuesday or Thursday rehearsals with your son/daughter beginning Tuesday, February 25th.
All wardrobe MUST BE BROUGHT IN BY WEDNESDAY MARCH 19th. Costumes will remain at school until after the play is
finished so please do not send anything that your child will need to wear before then. Attached to this sheet are some
photos for reference. If you have any questions regarding costumes or need help obtaining items on the list, please
contact Lorry Ripley at lripley@optonline.net or 973-349-5896.
Quartet 1 and 2:
Pants: Dress pants in brown or grey (not dockers if possible)
Shirt: button down dress shirt in pastel color (preferably not white).
If you have, one or more of the following please also bring: tie, bow tie, suspenders, vest.
Shoes: Black dress shoes, black socks
Pick-a-Little Ladies *
Long skirts/dresses: may be fancy with lots of embellishment, must reach ankle or floor and
can be straight or full
Blouses: long or short sleeved (not sleeveless), higher neckline with embellishments such as
ruffles, bows or lace.
Shoes: “Granny” style lace up boot or plain pump in black or brown to go with outfit. Skin
colored stockings.
*NOTE:
We have a lot of costume pieces in our collection that can be used for girls in this group.
Please contact Lorry Ripley if you are having trouble finding clothes that fit the above
description.
Additional items will be required for Alma Hix, Ethel Toffelmier, Maud Dunlop, Mrs. Squires,
Mrs. Britt and Mrs. Quail. This information will be emailed to you individually.
TOWNSPEOPLE (adults)
Townspeople,
Iowa Stubborn
Featured**, Wells
Fargo Featured**
Girls - Long skirts/dresses: plain, not fancy, should reach ankle or floor and skirts can be
straight or full
Blouses: Solid color (not white) or patterned long or short sleeved (not sleeveless) with a
higher neckline. Some embellishment to the blouse such as ruffles, bows, sashes or lace is
preferred.
Shoes: Black “Granny” style lace up boots, plain black pumps or black character shoes. Skin
colored stockings.
Boys – Pants: Dress pants in brown, dark blue or grey
Shirt: button down dress shirt in solid or patterned pastel color(s) - not white.
If you have, one or more of the following please also bring: tie, bow tie, suspenders, vest.
Shoes: Black dress shoes, black socks
**NOTE:
Iowa Stubborn Featured and Wells Fargo Featured performers who are in multiple groups
should follow costume guidelines for their other group. Ex) if you are a Wells Fargo Featured
and a Library Patron Dancer, please follow the costume guidelines for Library Patron Dancer.
TOWNSPEOPLE (teenagers)
Featured Dancers,
Library Patron
Dancers, Shipoopie
Dancers:
Girls - Skirts/dresses: Calf length, can be “prairie style” and should be full not straight
Blouses: must be white long or short sleeved (not sleeveless), higher neckline with some
embellishment such as ruffles, bows or lace is good but plain is ok.
Shoes: Flat “Granny” style lace up boot or plain ballet style flat in black Skin colored stockings.
Boys – Pants: brown, khaki or grey dockers
Shirt: button down dress shirt in pastel color (solid or striped) or solid color “waffle” style
thermal shirt with buttons at neck opening. PLUS: Additional button down dress shirt in Lilac
Shoes: Black dress shoes, black socks
TOWNSPEOPLE (kids)
Indian Dancers/Kid
Band:
Girls - Skirts/dresses: Knee length and should be full not straight. Ruffles or sash a plus.
Blouses: long or short sleeved (not sleeveless), higher neckline with some embellishment such
as sailor collar, ruffles, bows or lace is preferred.
Shoes: Flat “Granny” style lace up boot or plain ballet style flat in black. Skin colored stockings.
Boys – Pants: Nice long shorts (not basketball shorts) that reach down to the knee in brown,
khaki or grey OR pants in similar colors. All of these items will be cuffed to look like knickers.
Shirt: button down dress shirt in pastel color (preferably not white) or solid color “waffle” style
thermal shirt with buttons at neck opening. If you have suspenders, bring them.
Shoes: Black dress shoes, black or dark brown knee socks. Socks must come up over the knee.
ALL Kid Band Only - Black dress pants (not leggings) for band uniforms
TRAIN RIDERS (ROCK ISLAND)
Salesman:
Pants: Dress pants in brown, dark blue or grey
Shirt: button down dress shirt in pastel color (preferably not white).
If have, one or more of the following: tie, bow tie, suspenders, vest.
Shoes: Black dress shoes, black socks
Newspaper Readers:
Pants: Dress pants in brown, dark blue or grey
Shirt: button down dress shirt in pastel color (preferably not white).
If have, one or more of the following: tie, bow tie, suspenders, vest.
Shoes: Black dress shoes, black socks
Passengers:
Train Conductor:
NOTE:
Long skirts/dresses: should reach ankle or floor and can be straight or full
Blouses: long or short sleeved (not sleeveless), higher neckline with some embellishment such as
ruffles, bows or lace is good but plain is ok.
Shoes: “Granny” style lace up boots OR plain pumps in black. Skin colored stockings.
Black pants, white button down shirt, black socks and shoes
If your son is a salesman/newspaper reader AND in the Kid Band, the same pants that they wear
as a train rider can be cuffed above the knee and used for the Kid Band.
If your son/daughter is a salesman/newspaper reader/passenger and a town’s person, the same
costume can be used for both parts.
Edwardian style clothing (think Downton Abbey): The Edwardian period (1901-1919) is a very versatile time in fashion as it links the
stuffy Victorian period and the loose 1920s flapper styles. Women’s skirts/dresses should be floor to ankle length and can be straight
or have fullness. They are typically empire waist or natural waist but a waistline is defined . Blouses should have ruffles and/or other
embellishments, high neck lines and sleeves (short, long or cap all fine). Upper class women would have fancier clothes while
townspeople would wear plainer items. Lace up “granny” boots or basic pumps are good shoe choices. Teenagers fashion would
follow the women’s but their hems can be shorter up to calf length. Girls fashion would include hems up to the knee and
embellishments like sailor collars, sashes and ruffles. Men’s fashions varied depending on their trade. Dress shirts, vests, and suits
often with long coats or tails were worn. Boys wore knickers or short pants and sailor suits with knee socks.
Examples of Women’s Edwardian Style Clothing
Townspeople
Pick-A-Little Ladies
Teenagers and Children