Fashion

How To Nail The Flo From Progressive Costume

by Teresa Newsome

The very familiar face of Flo from Progressive has all the qualities that make for a perfect Halloween costume: Pop culture icon, car insurance goddess, quirky BFF material, stylish uniform innovator, and actor with two first names. Stephanie Courtney, who invented the character herself for her audition, has had us thinking fondly about car insurance since 2007. It's quite a feat, considering "fondly" and "car insurance" don't often end up in the same sentence.

Her costume doesn't require too many pieces to make it work. To nail it, you need the white polo, white apron, blue headband, and signature red lipstick. If you want to go all out, you can customize your apron, make a name tag, and an "I love insurance" button. Oh, and of course, you need her famous bue kicks.

Once you've got the look down, take some acting notes from Courtney herself, who had this to say about the driving force of Flo's big personality: "She was funny, she loved her job, and she loved her customers. So I thought, 'She'll love them [her customers] to a fault where she's walking the line of crazy. It's like the love just spills over and becomes a tiny bit inappropriate.'"

And if you find one of those "name your price" insurance guns, I'll be totally jelly.

1. Assemble The Basics

Here's a breakdown of the Flo from Progressive Halloween costume. It contains every detail of her look. You need to start with white pants, a white polo, and a white Progressive apron.

2. Nail The Accessories

Name Badge Tag With Magnet Fastener & Button, $16, Etsy

The name tag and the badge are probably the hardest accessories to find. Luckily, you can order them online from a variety of shops, including this Etsy. Because the word need to know how much you love insurance.

3. Master The Hair & Makeup

Pale foundation, light eye shadow, dark eyebrows, heavy winged eyeliner, and a bright red lip create the simple, quirky look.

4. Get Crafty

This tutorial walks you through how to make the apron and accessories from scratch.

5. Buy The Whole Accessory Pack

Flo Costume Set, $40, Halloween Costumes

This set has every accessory, even the wig. You'll need to add your own shoes, shirt, and pants. Pretty easy stuff.

6. Buy A Bag

Adult Flo Progressive Insurance 21.5" Bag, $21, Etsy

Gosh, I love bags. Even random totes that I never use. You can use this Progressive tote for Trick-or-Treating, because you're never too old.

7. Snag The Polo & Pants

St. John's Bay® Short-Sleeve Y-Neck Polo Shirt - Plus in White, $13, JCPenney

Here's a polo that comes in sizes up to 5X! Yass, queens.

Adar Women's Twill Pleated Pants w/Waistband, $13, Epic Sports

Here are some basic uniform pants in sizes 4 to 26, but any basic white pant will work, including scrubs or white jeans.

8. Score Some Kicks

Converse Men's or Women's Chuck Taylor Ox Casual Sneakers in Cyan, $55, Macys

Flo wears dark, navy blue Converse, but any blue canvas shoe will do!

Bongo Women's Casual Canvas Shoe: Caddy in Navy, $7, Sears

Or these super cheap dupes would work as well.

9. Buy Your Own Apron For DIY

Basic White Bib Apron, $3, Chefs Closet

See? Pretty simple.

Iron-On Letters 1-1/2" Athletic-Blue, $4, Walmart

And deck it out with iron-on letters.

10. Share The Love With Flo

That's right, Flo herself encourages you to dress like her for Halloween and share your images on her Facebook Page or on other social media with #DressLikeFlo.

Don't forget some of her catch phrases, like "unicorns and glitter!' and "name your price!"

Image: Flo The Progressive Girl/Facebook