Miley Cyrus’s look from the ‘Wrecking Ball’ music video strips away the elaborate stage costumes of the Bangerz era in favor of stark minimalism. The outfit consists of little more than a cropped white ribbed undershirt, white underwear, and heavy combat boots, framed against industrial rubble.
Because the clothing itself is so simple, the overall effect depends heavily on small specific elements: the exact shade of the boots, the distinctive tattoos scatter-shot across exposed skin, and the bleached pixie cut. Recreating it is straightforward, but paying attention to fit, fabric opacity, and prop rules keeps the result sharp and wearable.
The Cropped Tank and Bottoms
The top worn throughout the video is a plain white ribbed cotton tank top cut off well above the navel. A standard Bella ribbed tank top in white gives you the correct tight vertical ribbing and scoop neckline. To get the uneven, spontaneous cut seen on screen, you can trim the bottom hem with fabric scissors right beneath the ribcage, leaving raw edges that roll slightly with movement.
The bottom half presents a practical decision depending on where you plan to wear the outfit. The video features high-cut white underwear, making seamless white bikini panties an accurate choice for photo shoots. If you are taking the costume to a convention floor or public gathering, substitute dance trunks, high-waisted gymnastics briefs, or boy shorts in thick, opaque white spandex. This gives you proper coverage under harsh venue lighting without altering the stark white silhouette.
Cherry Red Combat Boots
The boots anchor the entire lower half of the outfit, providing a rugged, industrial contrast to the minimal white garments. Miley wears classic Dr. Martens 1460 boots in cherry red rouge smooth leather with their trademark yellow welt stitching and grooved air-cushioned soles. The deep oxblood tone is crucial here—standard black boots completely change the palette of the video. Wear them laced tightly through all eight eyelets without visible socks so they cut cleanly against bare skin.
Pixie Cut and Tattoos
The platinum blonde pixie haircut defines Miley’s visual transition during this period. The style features closely cropped, tapered sides and back with slightly longer, textured pieces across the crown. A short blonde wig with a tapered nape, such as a styled short wig cut down to pixie proportions, replicates the shape. A dab of matte styling clay or texturizing paste worked through the top separates the strands and keeps the hair from looking flat or synthetic under bright lights.
Because the outfit leaves so much skin bare, the tattoos provide necessary visual texture across your arms, torso, and hands. Key markings from this era include the dreamcatcher along the right ribcage, the small chest script, and assorted symbols on the fingers and wrists. Using a pre-printed Miley Cyrus temporary tattoo sheet is far more reliable than drawing them freehand with liquid eyeliner, which tends to smudge against fabric and sweat over several hours. Apply them to clean, dry skin with a damp cloth and dust with translucent setting powder to eliminate any telltale plastic shine.
Sledgehammer and Wrecking Ball
A sledgehammer is the signature prop tied to the song’s imagery. An authentic tool like a Tekton sledgehammer features the genuine steel head and long handle that matches the video down to the millimeter. However, security staff at virtually all comic conventions and nightlife venues will confiscate a real steel hammer at the door due to prop weapon regulations. If you plan to attend an organized event, check their specific prop policies beforehand. Many cosplayers keep the heavy steel hammer for outdoor photo sessions and carry a lightweight foam or plastic imitation inside crowded halls.
Carrying an inflatable jumbo ball and chain adds context to the costume in situations where dragging a piece of construction equipment around is impractical. The lightweight inflatable prop carries the visual joke without tiring out your arms, and it deflates flat for easy transport in a backpack when you need your hands free.
