Sunday, September 30, 2012

June Cleaver : 10 Famous TV Moms : Costume Ideas

June Evelyn Bronson was a teenager attending State College when she met the dashing young Ward Cleaver in Mayfield. How could she resist?

They married, had two sons and Leave It to Beaver, an iconic 1950s television family was created.

Where would those Famous TV Dads be without Famous TV Moms?? There are loads of TV-inspired costumes. Let's look at 10 TV Mom Costume Ideas.

Leave it to Beaver ran from 1957-1963. When the program began, Barbara Billingsley and Hugh Beaumont played June and Ward Cleaver, the parents of Wally, age twelve and Theodore Beaver Cleaver, age seven.

June is a stay-at-home mom. Ward wears as suit and tie, carries a briefcase and goes off to work each day in the Plymouth. Apparently it's not until Season 3 that viewers find out what he does for a living.

The whole Ward Cleaver, Secret Agent theory is blown out of the water. It's revealed that Ward works for a Trust Company. He has a boss called Mr. Anderson. Jim Anderson, in Father Knows Best, was an insurance agent. Any connection? Apparently not.

June usually wore a calf length dress (now also called a 1950s style) with an A-line full skirt, belted or cinched at the waist, short or long sleeves.

For a costume, you may enjoy filling out the skirt with a petticoat or skirt crinoline underneath. Sometimes there may be a v-neck and a little collar,
perhaps a bow.

The dresses were modest on top.  She wore an assortment of prints, plaids and solids. She was known for wearing pearls. Some of these ideas are for the updated June. You can also always get (or create) a T-shirt for the show or in honor of the movie, Airplane! See below.

Consider the 1940s Vintage Bullet Bra in your choice of color. Want to be a very authentic Sweater Girl or pinup?

50s Housewife Adult Costume (right) includes the crinoline pettiskirt. It could be worn for other occasions, not just as a housewife costume. The 50s Housewife Womens Dress with rosebud pattern, apron is temporarily out of stock, but check back.

Check out the Vintage 50s Dresses and Accessories by Lindy Bop. These outfits, such as the Classy Bow Shawl Collar Sky Blue Polka Dot Vintage 1950's Dress is less of a costume and more a fun cotton dress you can wear anytime.

Hope they have some good records on the jukebox if I'm wearing this cute dress. There are several styles to choose from in this line including halter tops.

This brand gets consistently good customer ratings, though the dresses seem to run small for several customers. Keep that in mind when ordering, especially since many of the dresses are shipped to the US from the UK and may take a while to arrive.

The Poodle Skirt Crinoline - Standard or Plus Sizes is available in Four Colors. It's received high ratings from customers.

Even while doing work around the house, June stayed stylish. She had pretty aprons to go over those cool dresses and we can, too.

Quite a few have the look of vintage aprons by Kay Dee Designs. There are many contemporary styles and they have terrific flash sales! Keep checking!

Still the Beaver, a CBS movie in 1983 and later sequel series The New Leave It to Beaver(1984–1989) also featured now grandmother, June Cleaver, who was widowed. Hugh Beaumont had died of a heart attack in May of 1982 and the TV movie was dedicated to his memory.

A divorced Beaver Cleaver and his two sons lived with her. Wally, his wife, son and daughter lived next door.

June Cleaver is later elected to the Mayfield City Council.

A June Cleaver wig is hard to find. Her short, feminine yet conservative style is not readily found in a costume wig.

Try pinning up or curling your own hair in June's style.

For a fun fashion wig, try something like the Short Blonde Flip Wig Theatre Costumes Accessory. (left) This is very Mad Men and can be work for your into a sassy 60s cocktail party or the fun 50s sock hop. It's available in blonde and black so choose which you prefer.

The blonde 50s Housewife Wig is from the right era and could also work. They have a similar look, color and feel.

Autographs: Leave it to Beaver cast, Barbara Billingsley, Tony Dow, Jerry Mathers, the Beaver. These sell out fast, especially items with signatures by more than one cast member. If you're lucky, you may find a book, prop or an autographed baseball, real cross-collectibles.

Barbara Billingsley appeared in the movie Airplane! playing a role quite unlike June Cleaver, memorable as a passenger who could "speak jive."

She was the voice of Nanny and The Little Train on Muppet Babies from 1984 -1991. She made guest appearances on shows such as Mork & Mindy, Murphy Brown and Roseanne.

Never forget where it all started. You and your family, maybe even your grandkids can enjoy full length episodes of the show without commercial breaks, watermarks or frustrating editing. Get Leave It To Beaver: The Complete Series. Remember how TV was when you were a kid. :)


There are Leave It to Beaver board games, books, Barbie dolls, themed paper dolls and more.


And Jerry Mathers as the Beaver
"A warm and revealing autobiography, he presents his own history--as a child actor as well as in the years following his role as The Beav." By Jerry Mathers, himself! This book contains never before seen photos and reminiscences. What does he have to say about those Vietnam rumors?

Jerry Mathers is now one of the leading lecturers on living with and dealing with diabetes. Maybe he's been on D-Life? Tony Dow is a sculptor among other things!

Years ago, we saw Jerry Mathers and Tony Dow together in a play called, So Long, Stanley. Research suggests they toured with that play in 1979-1980! Hard to believe it was so long ago.



Barbara Billingsley talks about June Cleaver's wardrobe and pearls Emmy Legends


Janine Turner played June Cleaver in the 1997 feature film version of Leave It To Beaver. Billingsley played Aunt Martha and Ken Osmond was Eddie Haskell, Sr.

Lots of special features including the pilot where someone else played Wally Cleaver. What were your favorite Leave It to Beaver episodes?

Barbara Billingsley died in her home in Santa Monica, California on October 16, 2010. She was 94 years old.




Does your town have Free Summer Outdoor Movies? Something like that? Maybe you show favorite movies in your living room to family and friends? They're showing Airplane! this summer in the park! This would be a great T-shirt to wear there. Not sure which variation would be best. I was considering getting our business logo on the back.



 

Get that nostalgic photo at the top of the page of June and Wally Cleaver
Leave It to Beaver cast members, Barbara Billingsley as June with Wally 8 x 10 Photo



What other TV Moms will be on the list
of 10 Costume-worthy Mamas? 
Who do you think belongs on the list?


Previously there was 
The Famous TV Dads Costume Ideas list

** This 10 Famous TV Dads Costume Ideas Series began with Andy Taylor from The Andy Griffith Show. The dads are in no particular order

When significant updates are added to pages, there will be a message with a date of last update.

Andy Taylor, Gomez Addams, George Jetson, Paul Teutul Sr., Ricky Ricardo, Herman Munster, Ben Cartwright from Bonanza, Homer Simpson and now King Friday the 13th and Bruce Jenner were the 10 Famous TV Dads.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

10 Famous TV Dads: Bruce Jenner: Costume Ideas

Olympic Champion, business owner and reality TV celebrity, Bruce Jenner was born October 28, 1949. Jenner won the gold medal for decathlon in the Montreal 1976 Summer Olympics.
 

The decathlon consists of ten track and field events. Other track & field multiple event contests include the Heptathlon and the Octathlon. The Triathlon & Quadrathlon include different sports or disciplines as does Chess-Boxing.

The photo above is famous and that iconic uniform would make a great, if chilly, Halloween costume. For a warm weather fancy dress party, it's recognizable as an Olympic champion uniform. Mr. Jenner was also known to sport a red USA track suit.
 
Bruce Jenner has been on television as himself and in dramatic roles (on the 70s shows like The Love Boat and CHiPs) over the years. 

Wondering about Bruce Jenner's kids? He has six children and four step-children. He first became a grandfather in 2009. Not long ago, he and wife, Kris Kardashian celebrated the birth of little North West, the cute baby daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. One nickname they have for the baby is Norrie.

February 2015 Update: This blog article was written in 2012 as part of a series. In May 2015, ABC will air an interview with Bruce Jenner and Diane Sawyer where Jenner speaks about his journey, his transition. Jenner married Kris Kardashian in 1991 and the two finalized their divorce in December 2014. Jenner's transition is also being filmed for an unscripted series to air on E!, the network home of Keeping up with the Kardashians and other Kardashian-Jenner family shows.
-- Information from CBS News, NY Post, E! News February 2015

Watch for Jenner to give statements/interviews that could supersede the information above.

The ultimate in costume pieces to be the young Bruce Jenner would be the Bruce Jenner Hand Signed USA 935 Olympic Jersey available and guaranteed authentic. Not sure how long it'll last. Two others that were available have sold.

We were there with a friend of ours as he trained for the Iron Man Triathlon. Pretty cool! Congratulations to all who compete in these races.


Bruce Jenner may be best known, at least since 2007 for the E! reality series Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Viewers see him with his wife, Kris, their children, Kendall and Kylie Jenner and his step-children, Kourtney, Kim, Khloe and Rob Kardashian. Bruce and Kris Jenner have been married since 1991.

His son, Brody Jenner, has been seen on The Hills.

You can be Bruce Jenner for Halloween! Bruce and Kris will be perfect for famous Hollywood couple Halloween costumes.

Finding a replica of the 1976 uniform or the track suit is difficult, but you can find some great, and budget-friendly, alternatives that will get friends cheering just the same. An Olympic athlete is always a good adult costume, you'll look good and people will recognize you. Ralph Lauren has Polo USA Olympic Team USA log shirts that you may like to more formal events.

Some USA tank tops such as the white USA Bag Tank are available. You can usually find them in black or white with a USA logo.



Workout Tank Top United States Pride
Workout Tank Top United States Pride
Choose T-Shirt, Jacket, other colors & styles


For the blue running shorts,the Soffe Men's Running Short is a good choice. Also check out the popular company Brooks. They make quality running shorts for men and women. They get great customer ratings. There are many color choices, some styles even come in a shade of blue called, Olympic Blue. That should help get you out of bed on those early morning runs, keeping your eye on the prize.



popular SKINS Men's Team USA Jersey. The fact that this fabric to offers moisture wicking and breathability, keeping you dry and comfortable is great both while you're exercising and for comfort in the garment afterward.

This has three rear pockets to hold all your gear and a full front zipper. It's an option not only as a costume piece but a patriotic and cool item to wear anytime.

Looking for a red track suit? Create it yourself, getting the right fit buying each half separately. How about the ADIDAS Firebird Red Mens Track Jacket and its counterpart, the Adidas Men's Firebird Track Pant Find the jacket and track pants or sweatpants that will work for you.

A Gold Medal is an important part of the costume.

We bought some cheap gold medals for a sports-themed party and were really disappointed. They were too lightweight and the ribbons were all different lengths, some not even fitting kids!

Here are a couple costume medals. While I haven't seen them in person, they look pretty good for men to wear with their costumes and are still very inexpensive. You can always go bigger. :)

Gold Medal (pictured)

"They are about 2.5" in diameter and reasonably thick with a bit of heft to feel almost like real medals. Not as heavy as metal of course, but better than expected for plastic." quoted from a customer review.

Or maybe try the delicious Chocolate Gold Award Medal (Is this why winners are always biting their gold medals??)



Man's Shag Brown Wig 1970's Costume Accessory  (right) is one wig to try. Get something similar to that famous Bruce Jenner hair.


Try a US Games Foam Javelin (Set of 6) 4 1/2 Star customer Ratings. This toy can also be used to teach kids balance skills.

There are two Wheaties Box Costumes for Adults. One is an Olympic Champion version, one is not.
The Wheaties Cereal Box Gold Medal Costume (left)
Champion on the Wheaties Box One size fits most adult men Contains one jumpsuit and stabilizing tubes with assembly instructions. One is available.


The Weekender Mullet Headband The Mullet on the go looks like it's a headband with the long hair attached to the back. The Adult Wheaties Box Costume is also an option, there are kids' sizes, too! Create your own 3-D version of the Bruce Jenner Wheaties box! Maybe a headband?


The signed photo at the top of the page, Bruce Jenner autographed 8x10 Photo (Olympic Decathlon) is just one of the certified authentic signed items you may have for your own collection.


You can find Authentic Signed Photos, Sports Memorabilia, Magazines and More related to Jenner
There is a good assortment of Bruce Jenner photos, not all sports related



If you can't get enough of the cool reality TV stars then and now, there is a signed photo from an episode of The Love Boat. It includes Hulk Hogan, another reality TV dad and Captain Merrill Stubing, who played a dad on the show
 



Bruce Jenner Signed Framed 11x14 Photo Display The Love Boat w/ Hulk Hogan.








To channel the inner Bruce as you wear the costume, read his book, Finding the Champion Within: A Step-by-Step Plan for Reaching Your Full Potential. (1999) "In this book, Bruce Jenner, one of the world's greatest athletes and a highly sought-after motivational speaker, provides a plan, useful to anyone, for personal growth." -- from description

The more recent Kris Jenner book will have insight and information, too. Kris Jenner . . . And All Things Kardashian (2012)

When collecting the pieces of your Bruce Jenner costume, you may want to pick up some Kim Kardashian Perfume for Women, it's Kim's own Fragrance in a Gift Set.
Kim Kardashian By Kim Kardashian, 2-Count Contains 3.4oz EDP Spray and 3.4oz Shimmer Body Lotion. A glamorous Kris Jenner costume is a perfect match for the Bruce Jenner Costume!








There you have it!
The 10 Famous TV Dads : Costume Ideas
Who else do you think belongs on the list?
Who's your favorite?


Andy Taylor, Gomez Addams, George Jetson, Paul Teutul Sr., Ricky Ricardo, Herman Munster, Ben Cartwright, Homer Simpson, King Friday the 13th and finally Bruce Jenner. .... Hmmmm... What will be next??

** This 10 Famous TV Dads Costume Ideas Series began with Andy Taylor from The Andy Griffith Show. The dads are in no particular order. 

When significant updates are added to pages, 
a message with a date of last update will be added.