Costume – The Lucy Room

Lucille Ball’s Favorite Beaded Jacket from The Lucy Show with Dean Martin

On Valentine’s Day 1966, The Lucy Show’s “Lucy Dates Dean Martin” aired. Lucille Ball considered this show to be her favorite episode of all her series. Fans can agree the script was adorable and Lucy looked simply stunning with her flip-style hairdo while wearing this gorgeous, beaded jacket. The piece was Lucy’s actual personal garment she brought on set to represent an auction item for a Hollywood charity ball, purportedly worn by Audrey Hepburn in “Danger in Paris.”

The jacket was custom made for Ball using a plush olive-green velvet damask with thousands of hand sewn fuchsia sequins, beads, and rhinestones. The inside is lined with a pink silk fabric, and the stand-up collar has a single gold hook and loop closure. The black underdress was also Lucy’s however it is not the one used in the episode. It is similar and for displaying of this jacket.

Lucy’s reaction when Eddie Feldman (Dean Martin) buys the jacket for her is genuine, heartfelt and purely emotional that comes through on camera. In that moment we are truly happy for Lucy Carmichael getting the chance to own something so expensive and beautiful.

Lucille previously wears the jacket when she portrays Judy Garland on Danny Kaye’s 1962 special. Then in the 1974 episode of Here’s Lucy – “Lucy Carter Meets Lucille Ball” the jacket can be seen hung in the closet of her dressing room next to other personal clothing.

April 23, 2026April 23, 2026 by The Lucy Room Categories: CBS, Costume, Desilu, Gale Gordon, Here's Lucy, Lucille Ball, Mary Jane Croft, Personal, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucy ShowTags: Danny Kaye, Dean Martin, Desilu, Gale Gordon, Here's Lucy, I Love Lucy, Judy Garland, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, Personal, Screen Worn, Sequins, The Lucy Show Leave a comment

Finger Cots Worn by Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy “The Audition” Episode

“The Audition” was filmed on October 12, 1951, a mere three days before the official television premiere of I Love Lucy. This was the sixth episode of the show where Lucy Ricardo replaces a clown named Buffo for an act at Ricky’s club. Lucy is referred to as “the professor” and is dressed in an oversized blue suit who plays the cello.

This act was initially conceived by the Arnazes along with Pepito & Joanne Perez as part of a vaudeville style act Lucy and Desi used, touring the country proving to CBS audiences across America would accept them. They also used the skit for the I Love Lucy pilot.

Part of Lucy’s costume were these cotton finger cots. Each used to cover the fingers of her left hand as she takes them off in dramatic fashion to the beat of the drum. The entire costume was originally on display at Universal Studios Hollywood ‘Lucy A Tribute’ exhibit for over 20 years. The rest of the outfit is now displayed alongside the prop cello in Lucy’s hometown of Jamestown, NY at the Lucy-Desi Museum.

February 6, 2025February 6, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Babalu, CBS, Costume, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Pepito the Spanish Clown, Prop, Ricky Ricardo, Shown Worn, Television, Vivian Vance, William FrawleyTags: CBS, Cello, Costume, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Ethel Mertz, Fred Mertz, Hollywood, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Worn, Lucy Ricardo, Pilot, Prop, Ricky Ricardo, Screen Used, Screen Worn, Show Worn, Universal Studios, Vaudeville, Vivian Vance, WIlliam Frawley Leave a comment

Joseff of Hollywood Earrings worn by Lucille Ball in MGM’s “Meet the People”

Lucille Ball’s fourth film with MGM was 1944’s “Meet the People.“ She stars alongside Dick Powell, featuring Virginia O’Brien, Bert Lahr, Rags Ragland and June Allyson in the World War II era musical. Lucy plays Julie Hampton, a Broadway star who leaves the stage to join Rosie the Riveters, becoming a welder and falling in love with her coworker “Swanee” played by Powell.

Lucille wears this pair of simulated diamond and pearl earrings in the movie. Made by Joseff of Hollywood each clip back earring is designed as a cluster of three pear-shaped simulated diamonds, centered upon a simulated pearl.

Eugene Joseff was the premier costume jeweler during Hollywood’s golden age. He developed a matte metal finish for his jewelry which minimized the glare from lighting. Their custom jewels were designed, manufactured, and rented to movie studios and can be seen in nearly every production from the 1930’s to the 1950’s.

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Costume, Earrings, Film, Film Worn, Jewelry, Joseff of Hollywood, Lucille Ball, Meet the People, MGMTags: Bert Lahr, Broadway, Cowardly Lion, Diamond, DIck Powell, Earrings, Film Worn, Hollywood, Jewelry, Joseff of Hollywood, June Allyson, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Worn, Meet the People, MGM, Movie, Musical, Pearl, Rags Ragland, Screen Worn, Virginia O'Brien, Wizard of Oz, World War II Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Bandmaster Uniform from The Lucy Show “Main Street U.S.A.”

Lucy Carmichael and Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) travel to Bancroft, a small town whos mayor is asking the bank for a loan to build a highway. Unfortunately this construction would tear right down the middle of Main Street. Lucy joins the residents opposing the demolition for this January 1967 episode in season five of The Lucy Show.

Lucy performs a catchy song and dance number with guest stars Mel Torme and John Bubbles wearing this sequined bandmaster uniform. Designed by Edward Stevenson the costume consists of three, handmade pieces. The heavy, elongated jacket is completely covered in pink sequins with a matching mesh material placed over the top to soften the reflection and shine in the studio lights. It is adorned with gold metal buttons, gold lame trim on all the hems and gold metal fringe on the shoulder epaulettes, cuffs and bottom hem.

To complete the look, Stevenson constructed a custom-made hat that still has the original aqua feather attached and a pink velvet undergarment. This is also trimed with the metal fringe on the leg openings and is visible at the very end of the routine when Lucy does her big finish, raising her arms into the air. This is an incredibly detailed costume that must have taken hours to complete and Lucille looked sensational in it for the show-stopping finale.

July 18, 2024July 18, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: CBS, Costume, Desilu, Edward Stevenson, Gale Gordon, Lucille Ball, Personal, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucy ShowTags: Bandmaster, Desilu, Edward Stevenson, I Love Lucy, John Bubbles, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, Main Street, Marching, Mel Torme, Screen Worn, Sequins, The Lucy Show, USA Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Cowhide Western Boots

One organization Lucille Ball supported for many years was SHARE. Founded in 1953 by the wifes of the Rat Pack, it is the oldest charity in Beverly Hills. In its 70+ years of exisitance, the members have raised over $65 million for children in need throughout the Los Angeles area.

Many of their fundraising events were a western theme. Lucy can be seen costumed in variations of this concept accompanied by Desi during the 1950’s, then Gary and family over the next three decades. These cowhide and leather western boots were Lucille’s and most likely worn to one of these galas. They were originally sold to the public during one of the estate auctions held in the mid-1990’s.

May 16, 2024May 16, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Costume, Desi Arnaz, Gary Morton, Lucille Ball, Personal, TelevisionTags: Boots, Charity, Costume, Cowboy Boots, Cowhide, Custom-made, Fundraiser, I Love Lucy, Leather, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, Non-Profit, Personal, SHARE, Western 2 Comments

Lucille Ball’s Wool & Silver Fox Fur Coat

Lucille Ball once said, “I love furs. I actually like them more than jewelry.” This black wool coat trimmed in silver fox fur was one of her favorites. For their one year anniversary Lucy and Gary decided to head East to New York City and celebrate where they first met. During the Thanksgiving holiday hiatus, Lucy and Vivian Vance flew into Idlewild Airport to meet their husbands on November 15, 1962 where Lucy was photographed wearing the coat.

An image of Lucy and Viv taken on this trip inspired famed characture artist Al Hirschfeld to capture the dynamic dou which he rendered into the well-known sketch of Lucille holding her purse and cigarette. This artwork would be used over the years for such things as the 1984 Museum of Broadcasting event honoring Lucy as the First Lady of Comedy.

Lucy Carmichael would wear the coat as part of a disguise on the March 22, 1965 episode of The Lucy Show entitled, “Lucy and the Beauty Doctor.” It is most likely around this time Lucille gifted the coat to close friend and actress Carole Cook who often guest starred in the series and lent her voice as ‘Lady Cynthia’ for this particular episode. Carole would wear and retain the coat for over the next 50 years.

February 14, 2024February 15, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Al Hirschfeld, Carole Cook, CBS, Costume, Desilu, Fur Coat, Gary Morton, Gifts, Lucille Ball, Personal, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucy Show, Vivian Vance, WeddingTags: Al Hirschfeld, Carole Cook, Desilu, Fur, Fur Coat, Gary Morton, Gifts, Idlewild Airport, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, New York City, NYC, Personal, Screen Worn, Show Worn, Silver Fox, Television, The Lucy Show, Vivian Vance, Wool Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Rhinestone Ring Worn to MAME Premiere

Auntie Mame returned to the big screen in 1974 with Lucille Ball starring as Mame Dennis in her last theatrical performance. Directed by Gene Saks (originally George Cukor) the technicolor musical was slated to begin production in early 1972 but was postponed a year after Lucy broke her leg in a skiing accident.

Finally on March 26th the film was released with a lavish Hollywood premiere at the Cinerama Dome on Sunset Blvd. Lucy wore a white ensemble, the same costume she would also wear in the movie, as well as this rhinestone encrusted ring. Featuring clusters of jewels balled together in a mound with an elastic band, it can be seen on her left index finger. Lucille celebrated and danced the night away along side her family, cast, crew and celebrities with the picture at last coming to fruition.

January 11, 2024August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Costume, Jewelry, Lucille Ball, MAME, Movie, Ring, Warner BrothersTags: Auntie Mame, Broadway, Diamond, Film, Gene Saks, George Cukor, Hollywood, Jewelry, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, MAME, Movie, Musical, Premiere, Rhinestones, Ring, Warner Brothers Leave a comment

Lucille Ball Velvet Hat worn on The Lucy Show

In Season 6 of The Lucy Show, Lucy Carmichael finds herself needing a second job to pay for a television set of Mr. Mooney’s she broke in episode 17, “Lucy Gets Involved” which aired on January 15, 1968. Working as a carhop at a drive-in restaurant, things don’t go so well for Mrs. Carmichael and she gets repeatedly repremanded by her manager, played by former child actor Jackie Coogan. Lucie Arnaz also makes an appearance dancing in a roadster. Another guest star in this episode is Phil Vandervort who would go on to marry Lucie a few years later.

Lucy wears this black velvet fatigue cap as part of her uniform at the drive-in. A red mesh, selected to match Lucy’s hair, was sewn around the inside which helped secure it to her head. During this scene if you look closely, the mesh is visible when her side profile faces the camera. This accessory was originally part of Universal Studio’s “Lucy A Tribute” exhibit that was once at both amusment parks. It remained unidentified until recently.

December 14, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: CBS, Costume, Hat, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucy ShowTags: Carhop, Drive-In, Hat, Hollywood, Jackie Coogan, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Worn, Personal, Phil Vandervort, Screen Worn, Television, The Lucy Show, Universal Studios, Velvet, Waitress Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s False Teeth Used On The Lucy Show & The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson

These false teeth were worn by Lucille Ball on two separate occasions. The first was in an epiosde of The Lucy Show entitled “Lucy and the Soap Opera” from season four where Lucille Carmichael disguises herself as a Japanese gardener (distasteful and offensive stereotype) opposite comedian Jan Murray.

The prosthetic front dentures were made by the Wilkinson Company of Santa Monica, CA who in the 1960’s and 70’s, was a leading dental manufacturer. The date stamped on the box reads October 6, 1965 which corresponds to the timing when rehersals and filming would soon begin for the January 31, 1966 airing of the show.

Lucy retained the teeth and use them again in 1974 during her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In a gag to shock and surprise Johnny, Lucy pulls them out of her purse when he wasn’t looking, pushes them on and casually acts like nothing is wrong. Remnants of Poligrip are still present on the teeth from them being used nearly 50 years ago.

October 5, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Costume, Gale Gordon, Johnny Carson, Lucille Ball, Personal, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucy ShowTags: Costume, Dentures, Gold, Johnny Carson, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, Screen Worn, Teeth, Television, The Lucy Show, The Tonight Show Leave a comment

Lucille Ball ‘Sally Elliot’ Skirt from “The Fuller Brush Girl”

In 1950 while under contract with Columbia Pictures, Lucille Ball starred in the slapstick comedy The Fuller Brush Girl. Lucy plays Sally Elliot opposite Eddie Albert’s Humphrey Briggs who both work for a steamship company. After getting fired, Lucy’s character tries to sell Fuller Brush cosmetics.

Created by Academy Award winning French-American costume designer Jean Louis, Lucille wears this plaid pleated skirt throughout the last half of the film as she and Humphrey out run a criminal gang. The interior retains the original Columbia studio label with “L. Ball” written in pen.

August 16, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Columbia Pictures, Costume, Film Worn, Lucille Ball, Movie, Personal, Shown Worn, The Fuller Brush GirlTags: Columbia Pictures, Eddie Albert, Film Worn, Fuller Brush Girl, Jean Louis, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, Personal, Plaid, Screen Worn, Skirt Leave a comment

Vivian Vance Feather Headpiece from The Lucy Show

Vivian Vance returned to TV after I Love Lucy in 1962 for Lucille Ball’s second hit series, The Lucy Show. Airing on the last day of the year the episode entitled “Chris’ New Years Eve Party,” Lucy Carmichael and Vivian Bagley perform a silent movie sketch to help save Chris’ dull party.

In full costume, Lucy brilliantly portrays Charlie Chaplin while Viv is a flirtatious 1920’s flapper wearing this black feather headpiece. One end has an attached comb to secure the feather to her hair and a black velvet bow to hide it. This may have been added later for use in another production as the bow does not appear visible in the sketch.

August 1, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: CBS, Costume, Desilu, Feathers, Lucille Ball, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucy Show, Vivian VanceTags: Charlie Chaplin, Costume, Desilu, Feather, Flapper, Head Piece, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Personal, Screen Worn, Show Worn, The Lucy Show, Vivian Vance Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Aqua Ostrich Feather Vest

In 1964 Lucille Ball started a radio show called Let’s Talk to Lucy interviewing many people she found interesting both famous and not. One interview was with Academy Award winning designer, Edith Head. Towards the end of their two day session Lucy discusses her love of feathers and the color aqua. Edith dreams up an aqua feather cape and slim dress for Lucy and thus, this creation was born.

Featuring sections of handsewn aqua ostrich feathers, covering an elongated vest-style garment, Edith along with Edward Stevenson made this one of a kind piece for Lucille Ball. Lucy wears the vest for the opening credits of The Lucy Show (a rare behind the scenes clip of the filming for this is shown here). Then in March of 1967 Lucy wears it to the New York City premiere of Throughly Modern Millie starring Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Channing. In 1969 Lucille makes a very brief apperance at the end with it on Jack Benny’s New Look slapping Jack’s face saying “How dare you do a special without me!” In Lucy’s 1974 film of MAME it can be seen briefly in her stateroom amongst many of her other personal garments. Finally, as part of her western costume while attending a S.H.A.R.E. party in the mid-1970’s, Lucy wears the vest alongside her husband Gary Morton and mother, DeDe.

If the whereabouts of the sheath dress under the vest are known, please contact us!

July 18, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Costume, Edith Head, Edward Stevenson, Feathers, Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, MAME, Movie, Personal, Radio, Television, The Lucy ShowTags: Aqua, Carol Channing, Edith Head, Edward Stevenson, Feathers, Gary Morton, Julie Andrews, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, Mary Tyler Moore, Otrich, Personal Leave a comment