'80s Cruise Costume 2023: Pigs in Space (Part 1 of 2)

The Goal: A "Pop Icon" costume contest entry on The '80s Cruise that is (1) highly recognizable, and (2) not been done on the previous 6 cruises (because copying someone else's previous contest entry is generally considered poor form and not likely to get you to the finals).

The Idea: Running 80s movies & TV shows through my mind - I loved Animal from the Muppets - but that giant head. But how do you make a "human"ized version of a giant Muppet head? Maybe use a different Muppet? Piggy? Which version of Piggy? Who would Dudley be? Kermit would be just as difficult as Animal. I just don't want to be wearing giant heads that I can see out of (or drink!) - besides, they're rarely done well (sorry, but they just aren't). Then I remember Pigs in Space! Awesome! But we'll need a 3rd person - who then? And that's when I called Eileen and asked if her husband would mind if I dressed him up on the cruise because I had the best idea! 

The Research: There are lots of pictures of the skits, but how to address the lower half of Muppet that you almost never see?  I found mostly secondary resources that were somewhat inconsistent - so I felt like that gave me some flexibility. The colors changed somewhat, too - but Piggy's was always more pink from the guys. 

The Approach: Sewing is my strongest skill set and I knew I would be able to make virtually everything except the shoes and wigs. When Loretta Swit guested on the sketch she wore a replica of Piggy's costume with just a pig snout - so we followed suit.

The Materials: The glitter knit vintage fabric was easy to find on Etsy. The ears worried me a little in the beginning, but were surprisingly easy (some felt, batting, and craft wire). The pigs have 3 fingers and a thumb on each hand, and I'm very proficient and making spandex gloves. The lightning bolt emblem is just stiff felt (as opposed to embroidery; which would have also been easy).