What You’ll Need
AB Rhinestones/ Gems
Teal Blue One-Shoulder Dress
White Rhinestoned Gloves
Pink Bouquet
Silver Tiara
Rhinestone Silver Letters
White Blank Sash
White Makeup
Purple Eyeshadow
Yellow Eyeshadow
Cup Trophy
The album cover for The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess channels a heightened, slightly satirical beauty queen aesthetic rooted in regional pageant traditions and queer camp. The visual centers on a vivid teal one-shoulder gown paired with theatrical stage makeup, exaggerated hair, and classic winner accolades.
Recreating this outfit relies on balancing formalwear elements with intentional, over-the-top styling. You are essentially assembling a DIY beauty pageant titleholder who stepped straight off a regional stage into a high-glam music video.
The Teal Gown and Pageant Sash
The base garment is an asymmetrical floor-length gown in a saturated teal or jade blue. A one-shoulder neckline with soft gathers or a mesh overlay mirrors the draped silhouette from the cover photo. Floor-length cuts provide the formal drape needed for the pageant look, though hem pins or tailoring the skirt to clear your shoes prevents tripping during events.
Draped across the bodice from shoulder to hip is a white satin pageant sash. To customize it, spell out the title using self-adhesive or iron-on rhinestone letters. Spacing the letters before affixing them keeps the text centered across your torso, and a safety pin hidden at the hip keeps the sash from sliding off the slick dress fabric as you move.
Gloves and Rhinestone Accents
Opera-length white gloves extend past the elbows, studded with rhinestones that catch stage lighting. While pre-embellished gloves save prep time, adding individual AB rhinestones across the back of the hands and wrists helps match the density seen on the album art.
Using gem glue or skin-safe adhesive, scatter additional iridescent AB crystals across your exposed shoulder, clavicle, and upper chest. Setting these stones along the bare neckline bridges the space between the asymmetrical strap and the heavy makeup.
Hair and Royal Accessories
A tall silver tiara sits anchored firmly in voluminous, retro curls. Teasing the crown and pinning the tiara combs into crisscrossed bobby pins keeps it stable without shifting forward throughout the day.
The visual punchline comes together through the accessories cradled in each arm. In one hand sits a classic faux pink rose bouquet, while the other holds a tall metallic cup trophy. Lightweight hollow plastic or tin trophies are far easier to carry through crowded convention halls than heavy metal awards.
Camp Pageant Makeup
The makeup leans heavily into theatrical drag and vintage clown glamour. Start by creating a pale, porcelain canvas with full-coverage white face paint or an ultra-fair foundation, buffing it evenly across the face and down the neck to prevent harsh demarcation lines.
The eyes feature high-contrast color blocking. Pack bright yellow shadow across the inner lids and brow bone, then blend vivid royal purple through the crease and outer corners. Exaggerated graphic eyeliner, heavy false lashes, and intense pink blush swept high on the cheekbones complete the theatrical, campy Midwestern pageant portrait.
