Three Ways to Dress Like Olivia Newton-John for Halloween

Have a friend dress up as "Greaser Danny" for a fun couple's outfit.

When you need a costume that people will notice and immediately place, Olivia Newton-John is a solid choice. Over the course of her long career in film and music, she has worn a wide range of memorable looks, which means you have more than one route to choose from when assembling your outfit for a Halloween or costume party.

Cheerleader Sandy from Grease

Grease is probably the film most closely associated with Olivia Newton-John. In it, she plays Sandy, a wholesome girl who becomes romantically involved with Danny, the rebellious character played by John Travolta. Sandy cycles through a number of 1950s-style outfits in the movie, but her cheerleading uniform stands out as one of the most recognizable and one of the least difficult to put together yourself. The look centers on a white sweater decorated with a large red letter "R" and a red megaphone, representing Rydell High, the school Sandy attends. Because the film is set in the 1950s, the red pleated skirt is on the long side, ending slightly below the middle of the calf. If you want a more faithful reproduction, you can stitch a red Peter Pan collar onto the white sweater, though leaving this detail out still leaves you with a convincing costume. Sandy's hair was pulled back into a lively ponytail tied with a red ribbon bow, and her makeup was kept understated. On her feet she wore plain white bobby socks and white plimsolls. One red and one white cheerleading pompom finish off the outfit.

Bad-Girl Sandy

Near the film's conclusion, Sandy reinvents both her look and her demeanor to fit with Danny. At the end-of-school carnival, she reveals the transformation: a black off-the-shoulder top with cap sleeves, tight black pants, mule-style heels, and a black leather jacket with the collar popped up. Hoop earrings and red lipstick serve as her accessories. The clothing matters, but what truly makes this costume work is Sandy's tough-girl attitude. Chew gum, push your chest forward slightly, and sway your hips while you wear it. Carry the outfit the way a greaser would.

Kira from Xanadu

In Xanadu, Olivia plays Kira, a muse and one of the nine daughters of Zeus. Kira's purpose is to inspire people, and she travels around Venice Beach on roller skates in search of someone to assist. Critics of the film tend to dwell on its over-the-top camp quality, while fans celebrate its soundtrack and the striking wardrobe at the heart of the movie. Kira's costume includes a vintage Gunne Sax-style pink dress, 70s/80s-style roller skates, and white leg warmers. Her blonde hair is curly and falls to roughly shoulder length, with pink ribbons hanging down the right side. Her makeup features pinkish lipstick and generous blush.

The "Physical" Look

Acting was only part of Olivia Newton-John's career; she was also a singer and songwriter with many albums to her name. Physical, released in 1981, became her most successful album, and its title track was a major commercial hit. The video, which is fairly racy and packed with the trendiest 80s fitness wear, is simple enough to reproduce for a Halloween or costume party. The foundation of the outfit is pink or purple Lycra tights worn under a high-cut pink leotard. If pink or purple pieces prove hard to find, you can wear bright-colored tights and a leotard instead, even if the two don't match. Take an oversized old sweatshirt and cut it at the waist, then carefully remove the neck and the sleeves. Add leg warmers and running shoes, and top it off with a braided headband to bring the whole look together.