It happened on a Sunday.
August 2024. The heat at the Hinterland Music Festival in St. Charles, Iowa, was thick, the kind of midwestern humidity that turns hair into a frizz-bomb and makes denim feel like a personal prison. Then Chappell Roan walked out. She wasn't wearing the expected butterfly wings or the Lady Liberty torch. Instead, she and her entire band were dressed as nuns.
Specifically, Chappell was wearing a "sexy" habit—corset, fishnets, and a pair of Madonna-style cone breastplates.
The internet, naturally, had a minor heart attack. Some fans loved it. Some people outside the fandom called it "sacrilegious" or "anti-Christian." But if you actually look at the Chappell Roan nun costume, it wasn't just some random shock-value stunt pulled from a Spirit Halloween bag. It was a calculated, deeply personal nod to queer history and a very specific "thank you" to the local Iowa community.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Connection
Most of the "controversy" stems from a lack of context. Chappell didn't just wake up and decide to mock the Catholic Church for fun. The look was actually a massive tribute to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
If you aren't a student of queer history, here's the deal: The Sisters are a "leading-edge Order of queer and trans nuns" that started in San Francisco back in 1979. They don't just dress up to be edgy. They use religious imagery and "habitual" drag to raise money for AIDS charities, promote human rights, and basically provide spiritual healing to a community that has historically been kicked out of traditional churches.
Chappell’s makeup—that signature pale, pancake-white base with the exaggerated, almost clownish features—is a direct mirror of the Sisters' "whiteface" drag.
By wearing the Chappell Roan nun costume, she wasn't attacking faith. She was reclaiming it for the "Midwest Princesses" who were told they didn't belong in those spaces. She even dedicated her song "My Kink is Karma" to an ex who called her an "ungodly woman." It was a moment of pure, unadulterated "How do you like me now?"
📖 Related: The Squid Game bedroom area and why it feels so hauntingly familiar
A Local Iowa Rescue Mission
Here’s a detail most people missed: the costume almost didn't happen.
Chappell’s long-time stylist, Genesis Webb, had ordered a set of nun outfits for the band, but they didn't show up on time. Classic tour nightmare. The night before the Sunday set, the team was scrambling. They ended up reaching out to a local shop in Des Moines called Theatrical Shop.
The owner, Debbie Westphal Swander, basically saved the show. She pulled her entire stock of nun habits and worked with a local tailor, Hana Tailor, to get Chappell’s specific look ready in hours.
Debbie later told Iowa Public Radio that she was considering not even washing the costumes once they were returned. She wanted to put them on display. It’s kinda wholesome when you think about it—a local costume shop in a "red" state helping a queer icon pull off a controversial religious satire.
Why the Sunday Timing Mattered
- The Day of Rest: Performing in a habit on a Sunday is the peak of camp.
- The Theme: Chappell often sets themes for her shows (pink, camo, mermaids). The nun theme was specific to this festival's vibe and her personal narrative.
- The Commentary: It's a "f*** you" to the patriarchy, but also a celebration of "joy as an act of resistance."
How to Pull Off the Chappell Roan Nun Costume for Halloween
So, you want to do the Chappell Roan nun costume for your next party? Honestly, it’s a high-effort look. You can't just throw on a black robe and call it a day. You have to commit to the "Midwest Gothic" aesthetic.
First, the base. You need a theatrical white foundation. Donni Davy (the makeup artist who did Chappell’s Coachella look) often uses Haus Labs or Kryolan. You want it to look like porcelain, not a ghost. Then, the brows. Thin, 1920s-style "pencil" brows or no brows at all.
For the outfit, it's about the contrast.
- The Top: A black PVC or leather-look corset.
- The Details: Pointy silver or black breastplates.
- The Bottom: High-waisted briefs and fishnet tights.
- The Habit: A traditional nun's headpiece (veil and wimple), but usually pinned back to show off the red curls.
Don't forget the accessories. A heavy silver cross necklace is essential, but maybe pair it with something "ungodly" like platform boots or a "Midwest Princess" sash.
The "Ungodly Woman" Narrative
Chappell grew up in a very conservative, Christian environment in Missouri. She’s been open about how she was taught that being gay was a sin. This is why the Chappell Roan nun costume hits different than if, say, a random pop star wore it.
When she stands on stage in a habit, she’s facing the ghosts of her upbringing. It’s a "pendulum swing," as she's described her style before. If you weren't allowed to express yourself as a kid, you’re going to go 200% in the other direction when you finally get the chance.
The backlash she receives from certain religious groups actually proves her point. By satirizing the institution, she’s highlighting the systemic harm it’s done to queer kids. It’s not just a costume; it’s a statement of survival.
👉 See also: Jack Black SNL Skit: What Really Happened During His Chaotic Return
Final Insights for Fans
If you're planning on wearing this look, remember that Chappell’s version of drag is about "honoring the inner child." It’s meant to be obnoxious, loud, and incredibly fun. It’s about taking something that used to make you feel small—like the strict rules of a church—and turning it into something massive that fills an entire festival stage.
To get the look right, focus on:
- The White Base: Set it with a heavy waterproof spray like One/Size On 'Til Dawn. Stage sweat is no joke.
- The Silhouette: It’s all about the sharp angles—the cone bra, the high-cut leg, the pointed veil.
- The Attitude: You’re not a nun; you’re a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence. The goal is "expiatory" joy.
Stop worrying about being "accurate" to a real nun and start being accurate to the feeling of being your favorite wrestler's favorite wrestler. Grab some fishnets, find a local tailor if you have to, and remember: you're doing the Lord's work, just in a much more interesting outfit.
Actionable Next Steps: Check out local theatrical supply stores instead of big-box retailers to find higher-quality habits that can be modified. If you're doing the makeup, practice the "pancake" white base at least twice before your event; it’s much harder to blend than standard foundation and requires a heavy-duty primer like Milk Hydro Grip to stay put.