Most of the main female characters, including Rizzo, Frenchie, Marty and Jane, are members of the Pink Ladies gang. In the movie, the girls wear short-sleeved, button-up shirts in black or white. These mischievous maidens complete their ensembles with black pencil skirts or skinny pants and a pale pink jacket. For a school production, students can wear their own black bottoms and shirts. Add pink jackets or sweaters if available, and simple pink scarves tied around the neck. If you have enough costuming budget, get fun fifties wigs in blonde, black or hot pink for your actresses to wear.
To complement the Pink Ladies, the Rydell High men have their own group, the T-birds. These cool kids dress in classic 1950s greaser style: blue jeans, simple white t-shirts and leather jackets. Although real leather may be out of your price range, any black jackets with zippers will help your actors feel the part. Provide cheap black sunglasses and hair grease to complete the bad-boy look.
For other characters, costumes can be straightforward student wear or elaborate 1950s period outfits. Cheerleader uniforms, varsity jackets and school paraphernalia fit well into the high school atmosphere. Feel free to change the Rydell school name or colors to match your own. Extras can wear blue jeans or puffy poodle skirts. Sandra, in particular, begins the play in long skirts, pale innocent colors and youthful ponytails.
Although students can provide many of the essential pieces for creating "Grease" outfits, you may need to purchase a few extra accessories to complete the costumes. Thrift stores have inexpensive deals on used, old-fashioned clothing in unique styles. Look for black and pink jackets, long skirts and cheap dresses for the school dance scene. Show the movie to your students for inspiration, and tap their creativity and enthusiasm in the costuming process.