Construction Details:

Easy enough costume, but more than just a closet cosplay. I got to play around with dye and paint which I don't normally get to do, so while it wasn't labor-intensive by any means, I still got some creative satisfaction out of it.
Vest was a lucky find at Goodwill. It was originally a light taupe color that would have been passable, but I decided to try dyeing it to a darker tan color to be more accurate and get more experience with dyeing fabrics. It just so happened that tan Rit dye was on clearance at Michaels, so I used that instead of a diluted brown dye. I wish I had used brown instead because it would have come out closer to the proper color, but oh well.

T-shirt was purchased from Michaels (would you believe their t-shirts are cheaper than buying one at Goodwill??). I used painter's tape to mask off the designs, then painted the design with red acrylic mixed with fabric medium. Usually when I paint fabrics I prefer to use just straight acrylic, since it goes right into the fabric and mimics whatever dyeing technique is used on "vintage" style t-shirts. I don't like fabric paints since they dry stiff and uneven, but I didn't have much of a choice since I didn't want to end up with a pink t-shirt. I used white acrylic mixed with fabric medium to fix any errors (the painter's tape didn't work quite as well as I'd hoped... perhaps masking tape next time.)

Technically she's wearing pants with a button/zip fly but I did not feel like buying a pair. I got a pair of black leggings and hemmed them above the knee. Technically the hem is supposed to be more calf-length but I have large calves so that cut looks awful on me. I used the leftover fabric to make the wristband.

Personal Thoughts:

ahh my precious Makochi, Our Lady of Ugly Outfits and Wearing Layers In Inappropriate Weather. Barracuda got me hopelessly obsessed with IM@S, unfortunately this outfit was about all I could get done in time for AX. OH BUT THE OUTFITS THAT ARE TO COME, I CAN'T WAIT.

this is fairly inaccurate but no one recognized me but such a comfy costume and I felt cute as shit so it's all good.

Styling Notes

Dyed using iDye Poly in black (without color intensifier). I diluted it at first but ended up using the whole packet. It's not quite as dark as I would have liked, but it's darker than it was before without being pure black, so I'm pretty pleased with the result. The ahoges were styled using fabric glue and freeze spray and stay up very nicely.

Wig Review

I took a chance and bought this second hand off the coscom forums, and it ended up being better than I imagined. I'm really pleased with the cut and style of it. It perhaps doesn't have quite the layers Makoto's hair does but it looks flattering on my face shape so I probably won't be trimming it.

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