Becoming a Kitsune: Tail Design Considerations

The key element of a kitsune character is the tail (or tails in most cases). You'll need to determine what you want the tail to look like so you can determine the best method of attachment. The primary consideration for attachment is weight. The things that affect weight are size and materials. So let's get into it!

Tail Shapes

These are the common shape profiles I see for making kitsune-style tails whether it's a fur tail or crystal or unnatural. 

A: Tube Sock - a uniform girth and rounded end. Close to reality. 

B: Pointed Tube - a uniform girth that tapers at the tip. 

C: Squirrel Style - wider in the middle rounded tip. Very much like an oval shape. 

D: Pointed Barrel/Paintbrush - the tail gets wider in the middle and tapers at the tip and at the top. 

Tail Poses

Another aspect of tail shape is how you want it to pose or hold in place. 

Limp - a relaxed tail that hangs down loosely. It doesn't hold any pose. 

C Curve - the tail is arched in a c-curved manner. The curve can go in any direction but it's most common on tails that are slightly upward or going around the side. 

S Curve - a somewhat iconic look for a foxtail is the S-curve. Usually, there's a curve at the base and an opposing curve near the tip. This looks best either upright or downwards when posed. 

Snaked - a long tail that curves multiple times giving it a snake-like look. Usually done when you have multiple tails or extra long tails. 

Poseable - The tail can change shape and poses based on how you bend the internal wiring. 

Tail Weight

This is going to be an important factor when you make your costume because you'll need supporting structures to hold multiple tails. Making that look good with your costume is the challenge. Attaching the tail inappropriately can cause damage to your costume. 

-  Materials: The first thing to consider is the weight of your materials. Using a heavyweight fabric versus a lightweight one can change how the costume piece feels while wearing it. It can also depend on how much you stuff the tail with. 

- Size: Both the girth and length of the tail contribute to the weight. A long tail with lightweight fabric will become a heavily weighted item to wear. 

- Number: Taking both size and material into consideration then multiply it by the number of tails you need. Yikes! It adds up quickly. 

Here are a few tips! 

• If you are going to have many tails, use a lightweight material and use a pool noodle to cover your support wire (or some kind of internal framework). This way you don't really have to stuff the whole tail.
• Consider creating a tail "core" out of Paper Mache and chicken wire or EVA foam. Then cover the tail in the desired material. 
• Make sure the length of the tail is proportional to your body. Use measuring tape or wire, then look in a mirror to see how different lengths will fall on your body. You may not need as much length as you think. 

Attaching the Tail 

Various Methods of tail Attachments

Assuming the tails are coming from the usual spot on your backside you are likely going to attach it around belt level. What you use to attach the tail depends on how heavy it is. If the attachment is not strong enough, the tail is likely going to sag at best or fall off at worst. 

Light Weight attachments

• Direct Attachment (Sewing or Glue) - for small tails or light tails or if your costume fabric is very sturdy (a thick material) then you could sew the tail directly onto your costume! But careful! The tail is likely to move a bit and if it's too heavy could tear your fabric.
• Pin On-  Using a large safety pin or a kilt pin, you attach the tail to your costume or through a belt loop. 
• Clip - A carabiner, snap hook or key chain clips can hook onto a belt or belt loops. 
• Plastic Buckles - Half the buckle is part of the tail and the other half is part of the costume somewhere. 
• Fabric Loop - The tail ends with a loop made out of elastic or ribbon or scrap fabric. This loop can be small and fit around another belt, used in conjunction with a pin or clip. You can also make it a big loop and use it as a belt around your waist. 
• Hooks - This may be an odd one but I've seen tails that end in hooks to hang off the lip of pants, belts or in corset lacing. 
• Magnets - You can install magnets to the ends of your tail and on the back of your costume/belt. They should be the Rare Earth Magnets that are tough as heck to detach. 

Heavy Weight Attachments

Heavier tails or multiple tails will often requires sturdier material to keep them attached. 

• Leather -  Leather is a tough material. It can hold some weight.
• Nylon Webbing - When wide enough it can distribute the weight well. 
• Either of these materials can serve as the basic belt or worked into a harness to distribute the weight. (For example, adding garters or suspenders.)
• Back Panels - The main thing with heavy tails or many tails is the back panel. These are often made with a very sturdy material such as wood, plastic, metal or VERY thick EVA foam. From the panels you attach posts, bolts, long wire or rods to hold up the tail. 
  Similar to this Etsy Product: Wire Holster for 9 Tail Fox

This video shows a method you can used. (Also a good tutorial for crystal tails!)

References

Kinpatsu Cosplay Book: Ears and Tails for Cosplay

Pretzel Cosplay Ahri Tutorial Book