What You’ll Need
Black Red Plaid Vest
Flannel Button Down Long Sleeve
Light Red Lipstick
Dark Brown Short Wig
Eyeliner Stick
Red Oversized Eyeglasses
Red Eyeglasses Strap
Black Fleece Lined Tights
Black Pencil Skirt
Black Pointed Toe Heels
Building Janine’s Look Piece by Piece
The glasses and hair are what make Janine instantly recognizable, so start there. Her hair is a short, dark brown cut with volume and a slight wave, sitting just above the shoulders. A wig is the easiest way to get this right, and you can tease the bangs upward with hairspray to get that 80s lift. If your own hair is close in length and color, you can style it instead, but the wig saves you from committing to a cut you might not want afterward.
The red oversized glasses are non-negotiable. They need to be bold and statement-making, the kind of frames that dominate the face. Attach a red eyeglasses strap that hangs around your neck when the glasses are off. Janine wears hers constantly, and the strap is a small detail that signals she’s practical and busy, not just accessorizing. You can find both the frames and the strap easily online.
For the top half, the combination is a flannel button-down shirt with a plaid vest over it. The shirt should be long-sleeved and tucked in neatly. The vest is the centerpiece here—a black and red plaid pattern that ties into the glasses. Button it up for a more business-ready look, or leave it open if you prefer the relaxed version. Make sure the shirt collar sits over the vest collar; that layering is what sells the era.
The lower half is simple: a black pencil skirt and opaque black tights. The skirt should hit at a length you can walk in comfortably, since you’ll be on your feet at a convention. Fleece-lined tights are worth considering if you’re wearing this in cooler months, but regular opaque black tights work fine in warmer weather. The black-on-black lower half keeps the focus on the red and plaid up top.
Black pointed-toe heels finish the outfit. They elongate the leg and pair well with the pencil skirt. If you’re not used to heels, wear them around the house for a few days before the event. Blisters will ruin your day faster than any ghost will.
Makeup is where you can push the character further. Janine wears a light red lipstick that matches her glasses and vest, creating a coordinated color story. Apply it generously—it’s part of her armor. For the eyes, a defined eyeliner with a slight wing helps your eyes stand out behind the large frames. When you peer over your glasses at someone, the effect should be sharp and slightly intimidating.
A retro phone receiver or a small prop phone made from foam is the one accessory that elevates the costume from office worker to Janine. Walking around with it, pretending to answer calls, makes for great photo opportunities. A nail file or a gossip magazine also works well as a prop—Janine is often bored at her desk, and holding either one while looking completely unimpressed is peak character energy.
The physical costume is only half of it. Janine’s posture is relaxed, almost slouched, with a hand on her hip or leaning against a wall. She’s rarely standing at attention. Practice her nasal New York accent—”Ghostbusters, whaddya want?”—and perfect the eye-roll. She’s sarcastic and dry with everyone except Egon, where she gets flustered and awkward. That contrast is what makes her fun to play.
If you have a friend willing to dress as Egon, the two of you will make an excellent duo. The dynamic between them is one of the best parts of the franchise, and the photos will capture that awkward flirtation perfectly.
This costume is comfortable enough to wear all day, and most of the pieces are things you could wear again outside of cosplay. The glasses and vest do most of the heavy lifting for recognition, so you don’t need to overthink the rest. Put it together, practice your best “whaddya want,” and you’re ready.
