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Costume 101

 These are posts on the blog that are meant to be introduction, overviews, or generally basic costume advice. 

Costume Design

Material Introduction

Special Effects/Props

Tutorials/Tips

Popular posts from this blog

Hakama Series - Hibakama (Scarlet Hakama)

The bright red hakama with a white kimono is a common sight in both anime and video game characters. Shrine maidens or Miko also wear this combination of colors when they work at Shinto shrines. Honestly, there is a LOT of history and cultural significance wrapped up in this one.  Anime/Games: Inuyasha, Genshin Impact, Sailor Moon,  So let's talk Design. Design Considerations Cultural Significance This is one I'd pay attention to if I was creating a character of my own. I assume that already created characters have had this research done and have taken their artistic license.  Some of the research taught me a few things: The color is technically scarlet or vermillion, not "red". 🤷 Miko are not part of the Shinto clergy. Sometimes they are just seasonal workers.  Generally, Miko are young women in their teens or early 20s. After a certain age, they wear different colors.  This was based on Heian nobility colors and fashions.  Color Like I said earlier, the ...
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Hakama Series - Split Leg Hakama

This is the classic style that you likely think of when you hear the word "Hakama". Very wide-legged pleated trousers worn by swordsmen and warriors. Admittedly these are "modern" hakama. There are variations based on historical time period and social status. But these should suit most cases.  So, lets go over how to make them!  You will see examples of this in many games and Anime but some faves of mine include: Rurouni Kenshin, Bleach, Demon Slayer, XXXholic, Hell's Paradise and Genshin Impact.  UPDATE 4/10/2024: I've redone all my instructions. Now that I've actually made a pair of hakama and found some more resources, I felt this needed updating.  From Chihirohowe's Guide Design Elements Color For modern or fantasy character design, no limits to color! You can also use print fabric and add designs! Historically, these would be a solid color and often have a neutral color scheme (white, grey, black, brown). More colorful hakama were usually worn ...
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Cosplay Knitting: Tabi Socks

Ever since my string of madness back in February, I have been happily knitting away and starting more projects than I can finish. Just like every knitter. 😜 I am enamored with the idea of yarn craft/fiber craft costumes, but it is certainly not an efficient method. I'll get faster eventually, but for now, I'm doing the inefficient right-hand/English knitting instead of the quicker continental knitting. Anywho...let's talk tabi!  This is how far I got before restarting. Capturing the Essence The nice thing about most shows is that they don't get too crazy with the sock design.  Demon Slayer, for most characters, uses either a white or "black" or Dark solid color. There are exceptions, of course. (Glaring at you, Mitsuri...and your delicious pinstripe thigh highs.) I do love her aesthetic. When it comes to the height of the socks, most of the major characters have leg wraps (kyahan) or long pants (hakama). This means you can make the ankle bit as tall as comfor...
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