Foxy Cleopatra Outfit and Costume Guide (Austin Powers)
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Foxy Cleopatra, played by Beyoncé in Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002), is an undercover FBI agent in 1975 New York styled after 1970s blaxploitation heroines like Foxy Brown and Cleopatra Jones. Her most famous outfit is head-to-toe gold: a sequinned halter top, gold hot pants or a short skirt, gold knee-high boots, a large afro held back by a gold headband and big gold hoops.
It is a bright, disco-era costume that's easy to find pieces for because 1970s and gold-themed clothing is everywhere around Halloween. The afro and the gold do the recognising; everything else is attitude. 'Sugar!' is her catchphrase.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Easy
- Rough budget: $50–$110
- Time to put on: 15 minutes
- What people recognise first: Gold sequins + afro + hoops
What you need
- Gold sequin halter top — A halter neck crop top in gold sequins or metallic fabric. This is the anchor piece.
- Gold hot pants or gold mini skirt — High-waisted gold shorts or a short gold skirt. Match the metallic tone of the top as closely as you can.
- Gold knee-high boots — Gold or metallic boots with a chunky heel. Gold boot covers over black boots are a cheaper alternative.
- Large afro wig — Big, round and full. If you have natural hair, pick it out and shape it round.
- Gold headband — Worn across the forehead or at the hairline to hold the afro back.
- Oversized gold hoop earrings — The bigger the better.
- Gold bangles and a choker — Stack several bangles on one arm. A gold choker or collar necklace finishes it.
- Toy pistol or FBI badge prop — Optional, for the agent angle. A gold toy pistol fits the Goldmember theme.
How to put it together
Outfit
- Put on the hot pants or skirt first, then the halter top, tying the neck securely.
- Pull on the gold boots.
- Add the choker, bangles and hoops.
Hair and makeup
- Fit the afro wig and fluff it out evenly with a pick, then place the gold headband at the hairline.
- Makeup is 1970s glam: shimmering gold or bronze eyeshadow, long lashes, a glossy nude or bronze lip and highlighted cheekbones.
Attitude
- Foxy is confident and funny. Her lines, 'Sugar!' and 'Foxy Cleopatra, and I'm a whole lotta woman,' are worth having ready.
- A disco point or a hand-on-hip pose suits the costume.
About the character
Foxy Cleopatra appears in Austin Powers in Goldmember, the third film in Mike Myers' spy-spoof series, released in 2002. Austin travels back to 1975 to rescue his father and reunites with Foxy, a former flame working undercover at Goldmember's roller disco. Beyoncé's performance, her first major film role, and the character's wardrobe made Foxy one of the most popular costumes of the early 2000s.
The character is a tribute to 1970s blaxploitation heroines, her name combining Pam Grier's Foxy Brown with Tamara Dobson's Cleopatra Jones, and her styling pulls from that era: afros, gold, platform boots and fierce confidence. That's why the costume works even for people who haven't seen the film; it reads as pure 1970s disco glamour.
Frequently asked questions
What does Foxy Cleopatra wear in Austin Powers?
Her best-known look is all gold: a sequinned halter top, gold hot pants or mini skirt, gold knee-high boots, a gold headband across a large afro and big hoop earrings. She also wears other 1970s outfits in the film, including a blue roller-disco look.
Do I need a wig for a Foxy Cleopatra costume?
If your natural hair can be picked out into a full afro, no. Otherwise, a large round afro wig is the piece that makes the costume recognisable, so it's worth getting a good one.
What's a good couples costume with Foxy Cleopatra?
Austin Powers in a blue velvet suit with a frilly shirt and thick glasses, or Goldmember in a gold suit. Dr. Evil and Mini-Me in grey Nehru suits extend it to a group.
Is a Foxy Cleopatra costume appropriate?
Foxy is a confident, capable FBI agent played by Beyoncé, and the outfit is a loving nod to 1970s style icons. Wear it as a tribute to the era and the character; avoid darkening your skin or caricature of any kind.
Further reading
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