What You’ll Need
Blonde Drawstring Ponytail Extension
Glittery Pink Hair Clips
Matte Lavender Eyeshadow
Metallic Pink Lipstick
Light Pink T-Shirt
Y2K Denim Vest
Denim Mini Skirt
White Socks
Black Strappy Heels
Putting Together Paulette’s Double-Denim Look
Start with the base layer: a light pink crew-neck t-shirt in soft cotton. It should fit close to your torso without gripping it, because the denim vest sits directly on top and any bunching under that layer will create lumps you don’t want. A standard women‘s cut tee in a true pastel pink works fine—nothing about this piece needs to be fancy.
The denim vest is the one garment worth spending time on. Paulette wears a Y2K-style vest with a slightly tailored waist, chest pockets, and metal hardware. The key is that it follows your torso rather than hanging boxy. Vintage stores and online resale platforms are your best bet for finding one with the right medium-blue wash and structured shape. If you’re between sizes, size down so the vest nips in at the waist. A vest that’s too loose will read as a jacket with the sleeves removed, which is not the same silhouette.
Match the vest with a denim mini skirt in the same blue wash. The two pieces don’t have to come from the same set, but the shades should be close enough that they look like a deliberate ensemble. A medium-blue skirt with a simple hemline and minimal distressing keeps the proportions accurate. The skirt should hit mid-thigh, matching the early-2000s proportions Paulette wears.
Black strappy high heels worn with clean white crew socks are the most distinctive styling choice in this costume, so don’t second-guess it. The socks should be visible above the heel line, slightly bunched at the ankle. Choose a heel with straps that go across the instep or around the ankle—thicker straps are easier to walk in than thin ones. If you’ll be on your feet for hours, test the heels with the socks beforehand, since the sock material changes how your foot sits in the shoe and can affect your grip.
The hair carries as much weight as the clothing. Paulette’s high blonde ponytail has real height and bounce. Pull your natural hair into a tight, slicked-back bun at the crown of your head, secured with strong elastics and bobby pins so nothing shifts during the day. Then attach a blonde drawstring ponytail extension directly over the bun. The extension should be thick and voluminous—the fuller it is, the closer you’ll get to Paulette’s dramatic silhouette. Glittery pink hair clips along the sides or across the front hold back loose strands and add the sparkly detail that finishes the look.
Makeup follows the same pastel, high-shine aesthetic. A matte lavender eyeshadow applied across the lid and blended up toward the brow bone gives the right early-2000s color payoff, and a shimmering metallic pink lipstick completes the face. An eyelid primer underneath the lavender shadow will keep it from creasing over a long day.
A small manicure bottle, nail file, or a plush dog prop makes a natural addition for photos. Paulette is a manicurist and a dog lover, so holding either item fits the character without feeling forced. The costume itself stays comfortable for long wear—there are no heavy layers or restrictive pieces—so the main practical concern is simply making sure your heels are broken in before event day.
