Purchase a pair of black or blue pinstriped pants, a pair of black dress shoes and a white, long-sleeved peasant shirt. The shirt should be made from linen or another lightweight fabric. Place a brown, leather vest over the shirt. The leather should look distressed and worn. Tie a handkerchief around your neck and place a brown belt around your waist. The belt will hold your old-fashioned razor, used in the play to kill victims. Finally, color your hair black and comb a white streak down the middle. Use temporary hair color in your hair, or purchase a wig.
Go to a thrift store to find the dress for this costume. Look for dresses with dark colors. The dress should ultimately have a Victorian feel to it. At home, roughen the edges of the dress with sandpaper. Mrs. Lovett is poor, and can't wear very nice clothing. Curl your hair and pin it on top of your head with tendrils falling out everywhere. Place an apron over the dress and splatter it with red paint or fake blood. Find some heeled, lace-up boots to wear. Carry a rolling pin in your hand. She is, after all, famous for making her meat pies. Apply light makeup to your face and color your eyes with black eyeliner.
Find a long, black judge's robe by looking in a costume store. Look also for a long, white judge's wig to use in the courtroom scenes. Judge Turpin's costume outside the courtroom should include breeches, or pants which cinch around the calf area. Add wool stockings and shoes with a slight heel. Next, put on a long-sleeved, linen shirt and an embroidered vest. Tie a cravat around your neck and top off the look with a gentleman's jacket.
Find a pair of long brown trousers and a pair of simple, heel-less black shoes. A long-sleeved, white shirt, a vest and overcoat make up the rest of the ensemble. Because Beadle is Judge Turpin's henchman, their clothes should look similar; however, Beadle doesn't make as much money as the judge, so his clothes should look more ragged. Top off the costume with a short top hat or a bowler hat.
Remember that the play is set in the mid-1800s, in a very poor section of London. Women were wenches and men were thieves, and no one could afford nice clothes. Do your research and use your imagination when creating your costumes. Have a wonderfully wicked show!