Alex Vause DIY Costume Guide

What You’ll Need

Alex Vause’s prison look relies on a handful of very specific visual anchors rather than elaborate garments. At its core, the outfit is simple—a khaki prison uniform over a long-sleeve thermal—but the character comes through in the sharp styling choices: thick retro frames, defined eyeliner, jet-black hair, and exposed ink.

Because the base pieces are utilitarian, getting the fit and contrast right matters more than hunting down hard-to-find materials. A loose scrub set paired with the proper eyewear and arm tattoos will carry the silhouette immediately.

The Khaki Uniform and Undershirt

The foundation of the costume is a two-piece medical scrub set in a warm khaki or tan shade. Prison uniforms in Litchfield are boxy and utilitarian, so you want standard relaxed-fit scrubs with a basic V-neck rather than tailored, modern athletic cuts. Roll the pant cuffs slightly if they pool over your footwear, or let them fall naturally straight over your boots.

Underneath the scrub top, Alex consistently wears a plain white thermal shirt. The waffle-knit texture gives the outfit visual depth that a flat jersey long-sleeve lacks, and the crew neckline should sit cleanly above the V-neck of the scrub tunic. You can push the sleeves up past your forearms or leave them down to frame the wrist, depending on whether you want your forearm ink fully visible.

Eyewear and Hair

The thick-rimmed glasses are arguably the single most important identifier for this costume. Alex wears bold black frames with a slight retro flare and small silver rivets at the outer corners. Rimless or delicate wire frames simply will not convey the same presence, so stick to sturdy acetate-style frames with clear lenses.

Her hair is styled pin-straight and dyed deep jet black with a clean middle part. If you are using your natural hair, a flat iron and a smoothing serum give that sleek, sharp appearance. For wigs, opt for a heat-resistant synthetic unit without excessive volume, trimmed to fall just past the shoulders.

Tattoos and Inmate Badge

Alex’s arm tattoos are visible whenever her sleeves are pushed up or when she wears just the undershirt. Her most prominent pieces are a large red rose blooming on her right shoulder and an intricate band of barbed wire twisting around her left upper arm. Using temporary tattoo sheets makes application quick and painless; press them onto clean, dry skin with a damp cloth, then dust them lightly with translucent powder to eliminate the glossy shine and make the ink resemble aged body art.

Clip an inmate identification card to the left breast pocket of the scrub shirt or right at the collar. An official-looking Department of Justice badge holder with a printed laminated pass adds an authentic institutional feel to an otherwise plain cotton tunic.

Boots and Makeup

Sturdy black lace-up boots anchor the bottom half. Mid-calf combat or work styles with matte black finishes match the utilitarian prison aesthetic. You can tuck the scrub trousers loosely into the boot shafts or blouse the hems just over the top collar.

For makeup, the focus stays squarely on the eyes. Alex’s sharp liquid black winged liner extends into an elongated flick, paired with groomed brows, clean matte foundation, and a muted, neutral lip color. That precise eyeliner combined with the heavy frames instantly cements the character’s facial silhouette.