Final cost of newly purchased materials for the Silica (OS ver.) costume was around $43. I reused a wig and circle lenses for the cosplay, which cut the cost down by at least half.
The most expensive investment (other than 2 months’ time) was the teal polyester twill for the dress and shoes at $8. I lucked out with the base shoes by finding a pair for $5. All of the buttons (12 on the dress, 4 on the gloves, 8 on the socks, 2 on the shoes) were around $6 after using a ton of 50% off coupons and finding 2 old buttons in my stash.
[oh-so-casually leaves my sewing debris in my outfit photo so you know I’m A Real Sewist, never mind that I’ve been working on this skirt for MONTHS]
[Image description: one full-body photo of a young woman (me) with bright orange hair. I’m standing indoors, in front of a white wall, with fabric and pattern pieces and scissors around my feet. I’m wearing a sleeveless linen dress that buttons down the front. I have a brown-and-white striped button-down open over it. I’m wearing clips in my hair, dark red lipstick, “nude” tights, and black-and-grey sneakers. As always, I have on my round black glasses.]
I planned this outfit last year but then it got too cold to wear… and I was gonna wear it with my brown flats but then I broke a tiny bone in my foot and there’s all these annoying complications… and now there’s a pandemic. damn. This outfit came out very coordinated, though!
[Image description: one full-body photo of a young woman (me) with orange hair that is rolled back in front and pulled into a ponytail in the back. I’m standing indoors, in front of a white wall, holding a metallic cane in my left hand. I’m wearing a navy blue tank top tucked into a yellow/orange/tan knit skirt that hits just above the knee. The skirt has a sporty stripe of white at the hem, with narrower navy stripes. Over the tank top, I have on a white blazer. I’m wearing brown earrings, a navy blue scarf tied around my ponytail, “nude” tights, red lipstick, and brown hiking boots. As always, I have on my round black glasses.]
Okay, I guess the lighting tips I got don’t work quite as well when it’s 6 PM and completely dark out, even if you’re using both of your photography lights. Natural light will always win! Anyway, this is what I wore to see the newest Star Wars–I made the shirt! My feelings on both it and the movie are… mixed. I’m going to post some details of the outfit/my hair on my Instagram (same username as here) so I guess check that out if you’re curious.
[Image description: one (grainy) full-body photo of a young woman (me) with bright orange hair standing in front of a white wall. Said hair is rolled back in two rolls at the front, and topped with little gold bows. The back of my hair is not visible, but it’s in two braided buns. I’m wearing a white cotton eyelet shirt with an overlapping front and big, overlapping sleeves. The effect is mildly Princess Leia-esque. The shirt has kind of a high waist/peplum thing going on, and I have a red belt around the waist. Under the shirt, I have on a black camisole. I’m wearing a khaki skirt (loose under the untucked shirt) that goes to about mid-shin. I have on “nude” tights and white pumps. (I didn’t wear the shoes out in the snow, I changed!) I’m wearing bright red lipstick and a layered gold necklace. As always, I have on my round silver glasses.]
I got some advice from a portrait photographer on my lighting, and it turns out I was probably using… too much light? Apparently if I use the window and two umbrella lights it’s coming from too many angles. So while this is still a little dark and grainy, I think it’s noticeably better than previous photos.
[Image description: one full-body photo of a young woman (me) with orange hair pulled back loosely into a clip. I’m standing in front of a white wall, and there are bits of sewing debris around my feet. I’m wearing a black plaid flannel button-down under an off-white sweatshirt. The sweatshirt has a picture of a giant, fashionable person with a sheep head strolling through a city under a muted rainbow. Both shirts hang loose–as in, aren’t tucked in–over dark brown suede pants. I have on dark brown hiking boots and dark red lipstick. As always, I’m wearing my round silver glasses.]