A catsuit only works if you can sit, climb stairs and hug someone in it, so I test the zipper and the sleeve length before I think about anything else. A plain black base also lets you decide how loud the night gets.

 

The Adult Black Zip Up Catsuit is the blank one: matte, long sleeves, curve-hugging, and a good canvas for your own ears and mask. The Women's Zip Front Black Bodysuit is glossy and long-sleeve, and I would wear it with a black skirt over the top. The On The Prowl Catsuit has a high neck and a full cat-ear hood with an eye mask, so it is almost a finished costume on its own.

 

The Leg Avenue wet-look zipper catsuit is shiny and high-drama, and the Forplay Hot Metallic mock neck catsuit has studded cuffs and a metallic finish, which reads more rock show than comic book. The Black Cat Fight costume adds cutouts, a tail and a whip.

 

Wet-look and patent fabrics do not breathe, so I check the underarm and the back of the knee. The strapless Black Patent Bodysuit is the one to try with long gloves.

 

What I would skip: a size that only fits when you stand perfectly still. You will be sitting down by ten.

A little black dress is the quietest way to do Catwoman, and it is the one I would pick if I knew I would be dancing. Add cat ears and a mask and the whole thing reads as a costume without feeling like one.

The Zephyra Collar Mini Dress and the Harpor Long Sleeve Mini Dress have sleeves, so they are the easiest to wear with long gloves. The Keely one-shoulder and the Skye deep V are the ones I would pair with thigh-high boots. The Amelie has a square neck and a structured bodice, which keeps it from looking too costumey. The strapless Puzzle dress has a curved, cut-out hem, and I would pick it if the plan is to stay on the dance floor.

Sit down in the dress before you commit. A mini that rides up when you sit is a long night.

Accessories are where a costume turns into a character, and they are also the quickest way to fix a catsuit that feels flat. I put the mask on first and judge the whole look from the eyes outward.

 

The Catwoman Mask is a black faux-leather half cowl with ears and stitched seams, the closest thing to the comic. The Catwoman Eye Mask is lace-cut and lighter, better if you plan to talk to people. The Black Lace Cat Ears are a velvet headband with lace-covered ears, a softer way in. The sequin and faux fur cat ear headband is the playful option, and I would wear it with a black dress you already own.

 

Hands next. The Catwoman Claw Gloves are sheer, mid-length and tipped with long claws, which look great and make a phone hard to use. I would text first. The extra long faux patent leather gloves are opera-length and glossy, and they pair with the strapless bodysuit. The Extra Long Black Satin Gloves are the matte opera-length option, and the Women's Black Lace Extra Long Gloves echo the lace eye mask. The Black Cropped Gloves are short, which makes a phone easier to use.

 

Then the boots. The Black Patent Over the Knee Boots are slim stiletto ones, and the Patent Faux Leather Thigh High boots are platforms, so I would take those if you are walking a long way. If you want a chunkier walking boot, the Raven Comando Platform Boot is a lace-up platform. Check the calf width and the zipper before the party, not at it.

I would pick the silhouette first: catsuit, dress or romper, whichever I would sit in comfortably for five hours. Then the mask, because the mask is the original costume. Gloves and boots come last, and only the ones I can walk in. Before I leave the house, I zip, sit, raise my arms and check the mask in a mirror.

 

If I am still undecided, I lay the options out and imagine the photo. The Classic 1966 gold belt makes the best picture, and the Dress makes the best night.

 

Catwoman went from a jewel thief with no costume to a cat-eared fixture of every October. I would still wear the mask first and let the rest catch up. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Jewel Tone Heels And Boots and Cowgirl Boots Beyond the Rodeo.