How to dress like Yzma from The Emperor's New Groove

After all is said and done, Yzma is the power behind the throne in 2000's The Emperor's New Groove. Her methods may be egregious, her plans devious, but we can't deny she is the Incan equivalent of the unsung worker in the office, forever hindered by the glass ceiling.

Anyway, here's how you can be a skinny legend like Empress Yzma for your next costume party (fingers crossed after the pandemic).

How to make Yzma's headpiece and costume

Yzma may look like the 21st century equivalent of Cruella de Vil but she is actually hand-drawn like real-life Peruvian soprano Yma Sumac. Yzma is one of those rare animated Disney villains who dare to undergo several costume changes, true to the songstress who had an array of outrageous outfits.

Just as big as Yzma's lust for power is her skyscraping feather-like headpiece. Believe it or not, you can make this by using bendable hanger wires, nylon tights, and a cloche hat. Or a poster board and dowel rod.

A purple collar of feathers is also another signature Yzma accessory. Look for some faux purple ostrich feathers and glue them on a headband or the lopped-off brim of a cloche hat. You may also glue the feathers on your headband for more verisimilitude.

If you're going for Yzma as she is first seen in the film, you'll have to put on some sky blue "earrings". Emphasis on the quotes as you can easily create them using styrofoam and other craft material.

Continuing Disney's penchant for the anachronistic, Yzma is always seen in a slitted black dress not out of place in the flapper era as well as a pair of black sandals. She also likes to wear her fingernails long and claw-like. (Like a cat's? Wink, wink.)

If you're more into the laboratory Yzma, we've got your back:

Otherwise, if you're feeling a little lazy like Kuzco, you can get a lot of decent ready-to-wear Yzma costumes online, complete up to her trademark headdress.

Makeup

Don't reach for those potions when you can paint your face with what you have on your makeup kit.

Snuff out the light!

Now you may not have Eartha Kitt's pipes, but anyone can say this line: "Pull the lever, Kronk!"

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