The 16th President of the United States of America was Abraham Lincoln.One of the most famous and admired figures in US history is him.Lincoln had a unique look like some of history's most influential figures.His style of dress and manner of speaking are all instantly recognizable to anyone with a working knowledge of history.If you want to play the role of one of the greatest leaders in American history, you have to take into account the man's character as well as the clothes he wore.You don't need to look far to get a costume started because there is a lot of information about the man.
Step 1: There is a black fancy overcoat.
Lincoln had a lot of folk sense, but he never turned down the chance to look nice.He wore a black overcoat.If the coat doesn't have any visible logos or symbols, you can use any black overcoat.If you want to know if a coat is right for you, look at existing Lincoln costumes or pictures of the man.A grey vest can help round off your costume.A white dress shirt will do if you can't find one of those.You can button up your coat.
Step 2: Don't wear a hat that's too tall.
Lincoln has a big top hat and fancy clothes.Rolling black felt and glue on a rim can be used to make a top hat.If you want a traditional Lincoln costume, you should keep the hat black.Lincoln costumes often come with top hats.
Step 3: Wear black dress shoes.
Although they won't draw as much attention as your coat or top hat, it's a good idea to round off your costume with a set of black shoes.The most important thing is that your shoes are black; this way they won't conflict with the rest of the costume.If you have shoes with a belt lying around, they match the costume.Lincoln had size 14 shoes.Lincoln's father made shoes.
Step 4: A black bowtie is worn.
Lincoln wore bowties.You can find them for sale at department stores and costume shops.There is no need for bowties to be done up perfectly.An imperfect bowtie will give your costume more character.If you don't want to bother with the tying process, pre-tied bowties are also available.To tie a bowtie, loop it around your neck and leave a few inches on one side.Draw the longer end under the other side of the tie and loop it through the center.Take the longer end of the bowtie and pinch it in the middle, looping it through a hole at the back.Don't tighten it too much.
Step 5: A thick chin beard is needed.
Lincoln's beard was his most distinctive attribute.He was able to grow a bushy beard without hiding his shirt collar.Look at pictures of Lincoln's facial hair and beard.A fake beard can be made with brown felt or construction paper.Attach spirit gum to your face.There are points in Lincoln's life where he shaved his beard.He was persuaded to grow it by a woman named Grace Bedell.This made Lincoln look more trustworthy and warm.
Step 6: There is a bushy set of eyebrows.
Lincoln's eyebrows are unique.If you want to make a convincing Lincoln costume, they should be considered.Purchase fake eyebrows from a costume store or make your own by glueing pipe cleaner onto thin strips of brown construction paper.You can use spirit gum to glue them to your face.
Step 7: Lincoln has gaunt cheeks.
Lincoln had a face that was very striking.Stage makeup can be used to replicate this look.The first thing you should do is suck your cheeks.You will be able to see where your face is.Next, apply stage makeup to the area that has been sucked in.Use your fingers to blend the edges.Because "gaunt cheek" makeup is usually reserved for horror costumes, it's a good idea to be moderate with the makeup you use here.Different makeup variations can be used to create different looks.A "zombie" Abe Lincoln can be done with lots of white and black.
Step 8: Tousle your hair.
Lincoln preferred to keep his hair unruly as opposed to smooth.If your hair length is close to Lincoln's, you should tousle it up by rubbing your hands together.If your hair is long, you can make it look messy by trapping it under your top hat and letting a few strands hang loose.
Step 9: You can accessorize your look.
Once you have the basics down, there are many creative ways to dress up.You could make a pin that says "Vote Abraham Lincoln" on it and put it on your jacket.Adding a pocket watch to your costume may be a good way to fake authenticity.Adding a walking cane to a costume is always a good idea.
Step 10: You can make your costume from different materials.
The most obvious costume solutions won't be enough for a good costume maker.There are many ways to make yourself look like Lincoln without wearing the proper clothes.You could use paper and black spray-painted cardboard to make the costume's "coat" and "hat", then tie the pieces around your body.The "Paper-raham Lincoln" costume is what this approach is called.Multiple layers in a fake materials-based costume have an effect.A dress shirt could be made by cutting out some of the cardboard in the middle and using white construction paper to glue it on.
Step 11: Try a Lincoln costume.
Some women's costumes are "sexy" versions of something.Combining the costume with a skirt and heels is a form of this.The "Babe-raham" Lincoln costume is an example of this.The big coat and pants can be swapped for a black skirt and blouse.You should keep the hat and chin beard from the original costume.The Baba-raham Lincoln costume is a spoof of sexy Halloween costumes.It can be worn by both men and women.
Step 12: There are ideas from different costume sets.
Don't be afraid to use your Abe Lincoln design with other costumes because there are so many things you can do with a costume.The whiskers and ears can be combined with the chin beard and top hat to make a cute cat costume.If you have a lot of costume materials, you should experiment with different combinations.If you can make a pun from the combination you've created, you will get bonus points.
Step 13: Speak with courtesy.
Lincoln was no pushover, but all of his recorded speeches make him out to be a very down-to-earth, respectable and noble-minded speaker.If you want to be a great Abraham Lincoln, you should act with nobility no matter where you are.Don't speak out of turn.You should speak with conviction and force.This is a good way of speaking.
Step 14: There is an approximation of Lincoln's accent.
Try to nail his accent if you want to go the extra mile.Lincoln might be pegged between a Kentucky and Indiana accent.Pick up on the ways in which certain sounds are inflected by looking up examples of these accents.Lincoln had a soft, light voice that was similar to a bird, according to many accounts.Lincoln's way of speaking has been tried by actors.Look at a reading of Lincoln's speech and learn how an actor will use his voice.
Step 15: Talk using a different voice.
Historians have found that Lincoln's voice was higher-pitched than what we hear from politicians.His voice was not loud.If you have a deep voice, try to sound a bit higher.The first recordings of human speech were made 12 years after Lincoln's death.It is anyone's guess what he sounded like.
Step 16: There is a movie called Lincoln.
Steven Spielberg's Lincoln movie has been praised for its historical accuracy.A lot of attention has been given to the performance of Daniel Day-Lewis.If you want to get Lincoln's personality down, you should watch the film and try to mimic the actor on screen.It is important to note the way Lincoln talks as well as the manner in which he moves.You should look at the way the costume crew approached Lincoln's look if you're still stumped on certain aspects of your costume.