Carbon Costume 
Mary Tudor from The Tudors
Long before she was Bloody Mary, Mary Tudor was just the daughter of a king. A daughter pushed aside by her father when her mother fell out of favor. Then further still when first a sister and then a brother were born. Sarah Bolger plays her to perfection on “The Tudors”. And though the show doesn’t go on long enough to see the tyrant Mary would become, Bolger does an amazing job showing how a sweet girl can turn into the woman now remembered as Bloody Mary.
To copy her look, or something close to it, you’ll need a Tudor gown. Since the fashions of Mary’s day hinged on small details and intricate work that is expensive to reproduce, the gown above is simpler than something she would have worn but it is a similar style. The white socks and red flats aren’t period-accurate but they’re close enough while still being versatile pieces that can transition into other cosplays. And of course Mary would never be caught without her rosary. Finally a long brown wig and a regal red Tudor necklace complete the look.
Anne Boleyn from The Tudors
Anne Boleyn – both the character and the actual woman – was cunning and clever. She knew how life at court worked and did all she could to make the best life for herself in a world that seemed stacked against her. Natalie Dormer’s portrayal of her is a fan favorite from The Tudors and brought new attention to the tragic life lived by the mother of Queen Elizabeth the First.
Though Anne wears several gowns on the show one of her most popular is the yellow gown she wears to Catherine’s funeral. Given the intricate styles of the Tudor era it is hard to easily replicate the dress. Etsy sellers have a few listed, one of which is pictured to the left in the image above. The option to the right is from Amazon. With either option you’ll want a hoop to fill out the skirt, a brunette wig, and a Boleyn necklace. A pair of thigh high socks and white ballet slippers dyed yellow finish the look.
Catherine Howard from The Tudors
Catherine Howard (played by Tamzin Merchant) was the youngest of Henry VIII’s wives, marrying him and 17 and dying by his order between the ages of 18 and 19. The reason was adultery, though some argue that the charges were false. But even if they were true, it’s hard to blame the young queen for looking for love when her husband was 49 to her 17, a 32 year age gap.
Catherine’s story is one of tragedy and heartache, ending in her execution. It is the scene that sticks most with fans, closely followed by the way she danced both for the king and for herself. A specific request came in for her execution gown and that is what we focused on for this write up.
A simple white gown dyed black serves as the basis for the costume, one with a black slip underneath. A long black coat with attached goes over the top. And the costume would not be complete without a long blonde wig and a white cap.
