The nameless alien protagonist in Under the Skin wears an outfit assembled from a Scottish shopping mall, designed specifically to blend into rainy Glasgow streets while appearing just slightly off. It looks like casual street clothing from a distance, but the specific combination—a heavy brown faux fur coat over faded casual layers—makes it instantly distinct.
Because all the pieces are based on real-world retail garments, putting this costume together is mostly an exercise in getting the proportions and textures right. You do not need complex fabrication skills, but matching the heavy silhouette of the coat against the slim jeans and messy dark hair is what makes the character recognizable.
The Oversized Faux Fur Coat
The coat anchors the entire silhouette. On screen, it is a boxy, hip-length jacket made from shaggy, mid-brown faux fur with a wide notched lapel and substantial volume around the shoulders. It should fit somewhat loosely rather than tailored, giving the impression of someone wearing a thrifted winter piece that swallows their upper body slightly.
If you are modifying a retail jacket, pay attention to the pile length of the fur. You want something with visible texture and a slightly unkempt, scruffy nap rather than sleek, ultra-soft luxury mink. The Brown Faux Fur Coat gives you that broad, heavy upper body shape without needing internal padding or shoulder rebuilds. Keep the front open or loosely closed so the magenta layer underneath remains visible when walking.
Henley Top and Acid Wash Jeans
Beneath the heavy outerwear, the character wears a simple, fitted scoop-neck top in a muted magenta or berry tone. The 3/4-Sleeve Henley in Magenta matches the color balance well, sitting comfortably against the collarbones and providing that pop of reddish-purple against the dark brown fur. Leave the top two buttons unfastened to match the relaxed, slightly disheveled look from the film.
For the legs, she wears high-waisted, tight skinny jeans with a distinct cloud wash or acid wash treatment. The Cloud Wash Skinny Jeans offer the right high-contrast, blotchy blue-and-white fading typical of late-80s and early-90s denim. The stark taper at the ankles balances the volume of the coat above, keeping the lower body sleek.
Fur-Cuffed Ankle Boots
Her boots are low-heeled black ankle booties featuring a band of dark faux fur around the top cuffs. The Faux Fur Cuffed Black Ankle Booties mirror this detail neatly, bridging the gap between the snug hem of the jeans and the footwear. Because the character spends long sequences walking through crowds and quiet streets, a flat or low chunky heel is both screen-accurate and practical if you plan on wearing the costume at an event all day.
Wig Styling and Makeup
The hairstyle is a short, inky black shag cut with soft waves, choppy layers, and uneven eyebrow-skimming bangs. A synthetic wig like the Short Black Wavy Wig provides the baseline shape, but it benefits from some quick hand-styling. Work a tiny dab of matte paste or texturizing spray into the crown and bangs to break up the factory sheen and give the waves a slightly piecy, lived-in texture. The hair should look windblown and a bit unbrushed rather than neatly set.
Makeup is minimal everywhere except the mouth. Keep your base foundation clean and natural, skip heavy contouring, and apply a classic bright crimson like the Rimmel Red Lipstick directly to the lips. In the movie, her red lipstick is vibrant but worn with soft, slightly imperfect edges, looking applied without a sharp lip liner. Pair that with bare-looking eyelids and natural brows to reflect her blank, observant demeanor.
