DIY Burlesque How to Make a Rhinestone Bra
At Burlesque With Paris, we truly love the world of burlesque. It is fun, sassy, sexy, confidence-boosting, and one of the most empowering art forms there is.
Burlesque performance is not just about stepping onto the stage. It is about how you present yourself, how you feel, and how your costume helps bring your character to life. Costumes play a huge role in burlesque, but they do not have to cost a fortune.
With a few simple tricks, you can create a stunning burlesque costume that looks incredible on stage without spending more than you need to. One of our favourite costume projects is creating your own rhinestone bra, perfect for shimmying, twirling, and performing with confidence.
What You Will Need
To create your own rhinestone burlesque bra, make sure you have the following items ready before you begin:
Bra
Measuring tape
Fast-tack glue
White wax pencil crayon
Flat-backed rhinestones
Choosing Your Bra and Rhinestones
Before you begin, choose a bra that feels comfortable and secure. Style and colour are entirely up to you, and there are so many options available that you will be spoilt for choice.
Next, decide on the rhinestones you would like to use. Think about colour, shape, and size, and how they will complement your costume and performance character. Many of our burlesque lovelies find great options online, with a wide variety of rhinestones available in all colours and finishes.
Planning Your Design
Start by measuring the height and width of one bra cup so you know the size of the area you will be working with.
Draw the cup shape onto a piece of paper and use it as a template. This allows you to play around with different rhinestone patterns and designs before you start gluing. Taking time at this stage helps ensure you are happy with the final look.
How to Rhinestone Your Bra
Once you have decided on your design, you can begin attaching your rhinestones.
Apply a small amount of glue to a small area of the bra at a time. This helps keep everything neat and prevents the glue from drying too quickly. Use a white wax pencil crayon to pick up the rhinestones and place them onto the bra. This makes the process much easier, as rhinestones can be fiddly to handle.
When one cup is complete, repeat the same design on the other cup so both sides match.
You may also choose to add rhinestones to the bra straps or to any lace detailing below the cups for extra sparkle.
Let It Dry and Get Ready to Perform
Once all your rhinestones are in place, leave the bra to dry for at least twenty-four hours. This allows the glue to fully set and ensures your rhinestones stay secure while you dance.
And that is it. Your rhinestone bra is now ready for you to shimmy, twirl, and sparkle on stage.
Get Inspired
Creating your own burlesque costume is a beautiful way to express your personality, performance style, and individuality. When you design and decorate your own costume, it becomes more than just something you wear, it becomes part of your character and your story on stage. Adding your own personal touches helps you feel more connected to your performance and boosts your confidence every time you step into the spotlight.
Rhinestoning your bra is just the beginning. You can also enhance your design with tassels, fringe, lace, pearls, chains, appliqués, and charms to add movement, texture, and extra sparkle. Tassels are especially popular in burlesque, creating eye-catching movement as you shimmy and twirl, while fringe and lace can add softness or drama depending on your style. Some performers love adding bows, beads, or layered rhinestone patterns to create depth and make their costume truly stand out.
Below are some images to inspire your own rhinestone designs and decorative ideas. Use them as a starting point to explore different colours, shapes, textures, and embellishments. There is no right or wrong way to decorate your burlesque bra. The most important thing is that it reflects you and makes you feel confident, glamorous, and ready to shine on your burlesque journey.
