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Now I know there are the people that go all in with some of the space marine cosplays (which I can NOT afford, and I know next to nothing about foam armor), but how much effort do you think should be put in for something simpler like a commissar? I've been thinking about doing it for awhile and debating if I should go balls to the wall or do a more casual approach. Right now the main thing I'm looking at is the chest.... I can go simple, just a generic buttoned shirt; a step up, with some bars of color across it; an armored chest piece, made of foam or such; or all in, with a 5 button hussar pelisse or a metal breastplate.

The first 3 options would be fairly possible of being accomplished and are relatively cheap, the other two are obviously a lot harder but with a tad more research I could pull them off. I've had a lot of practice sewing, though never a braided jacket, and I know a fair bit about metalworking and have a friend that'd be very helpful and willing to help.

The reason I specifically focus on this piece of the outfit is that the rest is a lot simpler... a black jacket with some gold stitching and red edging, epaulettes, some gold rope and a sash. Black pants and boots. A hat with an aquila. Cutlass and foam bolt pistol. Anything else I'm missing? Other than some hard work to make the jacket look good it all comes down to how hard the shirt will be.

Or I might end up changing my mind and picking one of the dozen other characters I've been contemplating.

It isn't harder or simpler then normal cosplay just pick a character not in too much armour. Then look for some similar more famous character there will be tons of really good tutorials to make it.

 oldzoggy wrote:
It isn't harder or simpler then normal cosplay just pick a character not in too much armour. Then look for some similar more famous character there will be tons of really good tutorials to make it.

Hmmmm.... did you not read the entire post? Nowhere did I ask about difficulty. I asked how much effort the average cosplayer would put into it. Primarily if I should do a proper hussar pelisse or just some bars across the chest.

I think you'd be better off asking a cosplay forum. I thing the number of people here who have done a 40k cosplay is a fraction of a percent.

 CrownAxe wrote:
I think you'd be better off asking a cosplay forum. I thing the number of people here who have done a 40k cosplay is a fraction of a percent.

Haha, good point. I guess when you've been up all night you don't take things like that into consideration *yawn*

I am sorry I misunderstood you, and perhaps still do : \

I am quite an experienced prop builder for sifi / post appo events and a 10+ years veteran larper. How much effort does the average cosplayer / costume builder into it. -> As much as he or see wants to. There is really a wide variety and it all depends on the place and the time. The best thing to do is to look at pictures of the event you want to visit.

There are a few major pitfalls.

- Going too big and bulky, allmost all beginners like to do this. And 40k really encourages it. But just don't do it. It doesn't look good, is expensive and not practical
- Making something that stands out by looking really cheap. Try to use the real product instead of obviously cheap stand in materials. If you can't afford it look for a cheaper costume idea.
- Not starting in time, this is a big one. Making costumes takes time. A lot of time.




Automatically Appended Next Post:

kingbobbito wrote: Nowhere did I ask about difficulty. I asked how much effort the average cosplayer would put into it. Primarily if I should do a proper hussar pelisse or just some bars across the chest.

The average cosplayer does not exist. Just look at the pictures of the previous event you want to go to, and compare yourself with the good cosplayers not just with the few 40k ones.

Cosplay is my Primary Hobby, and while I've never done a 40K cosplay( yet), It's all depends on how much time you're willing to sink into it and how detailed you want the cosplay.

Some of my "Let's go bar hopping after the con has closed/ Hungover from bar hopping the night before" cosplays I only sunk about a weekend into making. Most of them are just slightly altered clothes and a Wig. Maybe a bit of Makeup.

Most of my Other costumes, on Average I've sunk about 2-3 months to make sure I got the Results I wanted. One cosplay In particular I've been working on since I started Cosplaying 3 years ago( a Suit of T-51B Power Armor from Fallout 1) but I want to make sure that one is just the way I want it before I finally wear it to a con.

And overall working with Foam armor isn't too hard or Expensive. You cold probably make a nice Carapace Breastplate and all you'd really need is some EVA foam, a heat gun, some Gap Filler( a lot of people use Bondo, But I prefer Water Putty) Sandpaper, Plastidip, the Paint of your choice, some Glue and Adjustable straps, and Patience.

Over all, Cosplay is a great hobby. But just like painting your 40K models, you can't rush it. Just take you time and enjoy making the costume.