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Christine Daaé Costume Guide (The Phantom of the Opera)

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Christine Daae Costume

A Christine Daaé costume needs long brown curls, a red rose with a black ribbon, and one of her four signature outfits from The Phantom of the Opera: the white nightgown with a sheer dressing gown (the 'Music of the Night' scene), the cream and pink 'Think of Me' gown, the black hooded cloak over a dark dress (the graveyard scene), or the pink and white masquerade gown with a rose in the hair. Pick one; each is recognisable on its own.

The nightgown is the cheapest and the one most people choose for Halloween because it pairs so clearly with a Phantom in a half-mask. The masquerade gown is the showiest. If you're going as a pair, our Phantom of the Opera Red Death guide covers his masquerade look, which matches hers from the same scene.

At a glance

  • Difficulty: Easy (nightgown) to moderate (gown)
  • Rough budget: $40–$80 nightgown; $90–$180 gown
  • Time to put on: 30 minutes, mostly hair
  • What people recognise first: Brown ringlets + white nightgown + rose, next to a Phantom

What you need

  • White Victorian nightgown — Fastest and most popular look. Long, white, with a lace or ruffled neckline and long sleeves. Worn with a sheer white dressing gown over it in the film.
  • Sheer white or ivory dressing gown / robe — Worn open over the nightgown. Chiffon or lace, floor-length.
  • Long brown curly wig — Christine's hair is a mass of soft brown ringlets, worn down or half up. If your hair is long, set it in rag curls or with a wand.
  • Red rose with black ribbon — The Phantom's calling card. Tie a thin black satin ribbon around the stem; it's the prop that identifies her instantly.
  • Cream and pink 'Think of Me' gown — Off-the-shoulder, cream with pink and gold trim and a full skirt. A Victorian or Regency-style ball gown in those colours is the match.
  • Black hooded cape — For the 'Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again' graveyard look: a black hooded cloak over a dark dress, hood up.
  • Masquerade gown (pink and white) with rose hair piece — A pink and white gown with a fitted bodice and full skirt, plus a small rose and feathers in the hair. The matching scene for a Red Death Phantom.
  • Half-mask (for a Phantom partner) — If your partner is the Phantom: white half-mask, black cape, tuxedo. His costume is cheaper than hers.

How to put it together

Nightgown look

  1. Put on the nightgown with a slip underneath, then the sheer robe open over it.
  2. Hair down in full ringlets, parted in the centre.
  3. Carry the rose; the pose is looking over your shoulder as if hearing the Phantom's voice.

Gown looks

  1. Wear a petticoat or hoop under the 'Think of Me' or masquerade gown for the right fullness.
  2. Half-up hair with ringlets falling at the back; for masquerade, pin the rose and feathers at one side.
  3. Long white gloves suit both gowns.

Makeup

  1. Soft and stage-ready: rosy cheeks, defined brows, a pink lip and a touch of shimmer on the lids.
  2. For the graveyard cloak, go paler with a little grey under the eyes.

About the character

Christine Daaé is the young soprano at the Paris Opera who is tutored in secret by the masked Phantom in Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel and, most famously, Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1986 musical. Sarah Brightman originated the role in London; Emmy Rossum played her in the 2004 film, which is the source of most costume references because its gowns were designed to be looked at closely.

Her costumes track the story: the innocence of the white nightgown, the stage glamour of the 'Think of Me' gown, the mourning of the graveyard cloak, and the romance of the masquerade dress. That range is why Christine is such a flexible costume, from a $40 nightgown to a full ball gown.

Frequently asked questions

What does Christine wear in The Phantom of the Opera?

Several outfits: a white nightgown with a sheer dressing gown in the 'Music of the Night' scene, a cream and pink gown for 'Think of Me', a black hooded cloak in the graveyard scene, and a pink and white gown for the masquerade. Her hair is long, brown and curly throughout.

What's the easiest Christine Daaé costume?

The white nightgown and sheer robe with brown ringlets and a red rose. It costs the least, takes minutes to put on, and is instantly recognisable next to a Phantom in a half-mask.

What does the Phantom wear for a couples costume?

A white half-mask over the right side of the face, a black tuxedo or tailcoat with a white shirt, and a black cape with a red lining. For the masquerade scene he's the Red Death: a red skeleton-themed suit, cape and skull mask.

What is the rose with the black ribbon?

The Phantom leaves Christine a single red rose tied with a black ribbon after her performances. Carrying one is the simplest way to signal the character.

Further reading

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