Star Wars has a deep bench of women to dress as: princesses and generals, scavengers and pilots, bounty hunters, senators, villains, and a couple of droids and furry forest dwellers. Many of them can be built from thrifted clothes, a little simple sewing, foam pieces and good makeup. Below are 35 of them. For each one I've laid out the base garments, the hair or wig, the makeup, the shoes and the props, so you finish with a whole character rather than a pile of parts. I've also noted which ones suit a hot party, a cold street or a long convention day, because the right costume often depends more on the night than on the character.
Gown, Armor or Jumpsuit for Your Kind of Night
The costumes below fall into three rough families, and each behaves very differently once you're out in it. Before you fall for a character, think about where you'll be, for how long, and how much you want to carry, sit and climb stairs.
Long gowns and robes
Leia, Padmé, Mon Mothma and Morgan Elsbeth look regal in photos and feel lovely at a seated party. They are hard work on crowded stairs, outdoors in wind and anywhere you'll be walking for hours. Hem anything floor-length so it clears the floor in the shoes you'll actually wear.
Foam armor and helmets
Sabine, Bo-Katan, Phasma, the stormtrooper and Vader give a strong silhouette, but armor is warm, helmets cut your vision, and sitting takes planning. They suit costume contests and photo-heavy events more than a long night of trick-or-treating with kids.
Jumpsuits and layered separates
Hera, Rose, Jyn, Rey and Doctor Aphra are the comfortable middle. Pockets, flat boots and real clothes make them the easiest to wear all day, and most of the pieces go back into your wardrobe afterward.
1. Princess Leia White Dress Costume
Leia's white dress is the costume I'd hand to anyone making their first Star Wars look. You need a long white gown with loose sleeves, a high neck and a softly fitted waist, plus a silver belt in metallic fabric, craft foam or linked plastic panels. The side buns are your own hair or a brown braided wig, with clean makeup: defined brows, rosy cheeks, neutral shadow and a soft pink lip. White knee-high boots finish it. Look at thrifted white nightgowns and choir robes, since they often have exactly the right sleeve and neckline. A small white pouch, a futuristic tablet or a friendly droid toy beats a weapon prop at a party.
2. Princess Leia Hoth Costume
Hoth Leia is the warm choice, and on a cold October night that matters more than glamour. Wear a cream quilted vest over an off-white long-sleeve jumpsuit, or matching shirt and pants, with a structured beige utility belt and a few gray panels in fabric tape or felt. Brown hair goes into a braided crown with a low bun, or use a pre-braided wig. Keep the makeup natural: light foundation, soft brown liner, pink blush and a muted lip. White or light gray snow boots let you walk comfortably. Padded gloves, clear goggles and a small comm device finish her. A quilted vest from the outdoor section of a thrift store is closer to the film than most costume versions.
3. Princess Leia Endor Costume
Endor Leia is for anyone who wants an adventure costume and no long skirt. Start with olive cargo pants, a beige long-sleeve top and a cropped camouflage poncho in green, brown and tan, plus a brown utility belt and a light pouch. Her hair sits in a low braided bun with small braids framing the face, and the makeup stays natural with softly defined eyes, warm blush and a rose lip. Brown knee-high boots or flat riding boots are comfortable all night. A green helmet in painted craft foam and compact binoculars add the last cues. If your poncho is too long, cut it rather than hemming; a slightly ragged edge is closer to the original.
4. General Leia Blue Gown Costume
General Leia is the one I'd recommend for anyone who wants a dignified costume with no armor and no theatrical makeup. Choose a floor-length slate-blue gown with long sleeves, a high neck and a relaxed shape, layered with a draped vest or cape that falls below the knee. Gray, silver or light brown hair is swept into a smooth braided updo at the back. Makeup is polished: luminous skin, gray-brown shadow, mascara, a little blush and a berry lip. Gray ankle boots hide under the hem. A silver ring, a geometric bracelet and a slim tablet finish her. A matte, heavier knit drapes the way her gowns do; thin polyester satin looks cheap here.
5. Rey Jakku Scavenger Costume
Rey on Jakku is an athletic look made of neutral layers you can find almost anywhere. Start with cropped beige pants and a sleeveless cream tunic, then cross two long strips of light gauze over the shoulders and let them hang beside the legs. Brown wrist wraps, a distressed belt and a small canvas pouch go on next. Divide brown hair into three stacked buns down the back of the head, and keep makeup minimal with bronzer, smudged brown liner and a nude lip. Brown ankle boots with fabric wrapped around the calves, scavenger goggles and a worn shoulder bag finish it. I tea-stain the gauze and dab diluted brown paint along the hems; it looks worn without looking dirty.
6. Rey White Jedi Costume
Rey in white is cleaner and calmer than her desert clothes, and it photographs very well. Wear a white wrap-front tunic over fitted white or cream pants, with a hooded outer layer whose long panels cross at the waist and fall toward the knee. A pale brown belt, a wrist cuff and a compact pouch add a little contrast. Her three buns can be your own hair or a textured ponytail wig with the same stacked shape. Makeup stays fresh with neutral shadow, defined lashes, peach blush and a natural lip, and brown mid-calf boots, a cream hood, linen arm wraps and a small gold charm finish it. All-white outfits look flat unless the fabrics differ, so mix cotton, gauze and linen on purpose.
7. Ahsoka Tano Gray Tunic Costume
Ahsoka's gray tunic is detailed, but it doesn't ask you to wear heavy armor or difficult shoes. Begin with a sleeveless charcoal tunic, fitted dark pants, wide forearm cuffs and a structured brown utility belt. Her striped head-tails are a light foam headpiece in white, blue and gray; keep it hollow and flexible, or the weight pulls on your scalp within the hour. Orange face makeup goes on evenly, then crisp white markings on the forehead and cheeks, with blue-gray shadow and defined lashes. Gray knee-high boots or flat boot covers, silver belt pieces, fingerless gloves and a small comm cuff finish her. Set the orange base with powder before you add the white, or the white turns peach.
8. Ahsoka Tano White Cloak Costume
Ahsoka in her white cloak looks almost ceremonial, and the cloak is where the effort should go. Layer a long white cape with a generous hood over a fitted gray tunic and pants, with a pale silver belt and simple arm wraps underneath. Her headpiece for this older look has longer, tapered white-and-blue sections. Orange face makeup, crisp white markings, muted gray shadow and a neutral lip give the finish. Flat gray boots blend into the pants. A silver cuff, a geometric cloak clasp and a small round map are the details. Use a matte linen blend or soft suiting for the cloak; shiny satin reads as a costume-shop cape the moment light hits it.
9. Padmé Amidala Red Queen Costume
Queen Amidala in red is the costume for anyone who loves an ornate gown and doesn't mind a little engineering. Start with a floor-length crimson robe with wide sleeves, structured shoulders and gold trim down the front, and add small battery lights under translucent fabric at the hem for her glowing detail. The tall black-and-gold headdress comes from craft foam, light plastic and decorative cord. Mount it on a padded headband, never balanced on your hair, or it tips every time you turn your head. Makeup is a pale base, sharply drawn red lips, red cheek dots and fine brows. Red flats or low boots hide under the hem, with a gold collar, ornate cuffs and a small hand fan.
10. Padmé Amidala Lake Dress Costume
The lake dress is soft and romantic, and its fade from pale yellow at the neck through pink and lilac to lavender at the hem is the whole point. Choose a floor-length chiffon gown in those colors, with a bodice that sits securely on the shoulders and loose fabric draping around the arms. Brown hair goes into coiled side buns dotted with small pastel flowers or pearls, and the makeup is luminous with lavender shadow, rosy blush, a little highlighter and a natural pink lip. Nude or pale gold flats go under the sheer skirt, with a silver headband, fine arm bands and a sheer shawl. Several light layers of chiffon give movement; one heavy layer just hangs.
11. Padmé Amidala White Battle Costume
Padmé in her white battle outfit is the most practical of her looks, and I'd pick it for a long convention day. Wear white stretch pants, a fitted long-sleeve top and a cropped white vest with silver fasteners, with a wide cream belt holding foam pouches and a silver buckle. Brown hair goes into a smooth low bun, and makeup stays natural with brown liner, peach blush and a soft rose lip. White knee-high boots or boot covers keep the color running head to toe. Metallic wrist cuffs, a comm device and a torn-effect panel on snaps, for when you want the battle-damaged version, finish it. White stretch fabric is often sheer, so wear it in daylight before the event and buy a heavier one if it shows through.
12. Padmé Amidala Blue Senate Gown Costume
The blue Senate gown gives you Padmé's regal drama without the bright red. Choose a full-length dark blue velvet dress with a fitted bodice, long bell sleeves and a softly flared skirt, plus a lighter blue cape from the shoulders edged in silver ribbon. Brown hair sits under a sculpted blue headpiece, or a smooth wig set in symmetrical side loops. Makeup is an even base, navy-gray shadow, soft brows and a plum lip. Dark blue flats or low boots go under the gown, with a silver collar, a decorative waist panel and a small jeweled clutch. Velvet gets hot fast in a full room. For a crowded party, stretch velour or a light matte fabric is kinder.
13. Sabine Wren Mandalorian Costume
Sabine is the costume for women who like to paint, since her armor is basically a canvas. Start with fitted dark pants, a long-sleeve charcoal top and a burgundy vest, then attach light foam armor to the chest, shoulders, knees and forearms. Paint it in purple, orange and pink with graphic shapes, splatters and worn metallic edges. A short purple wig, or dark hair with colored temporary spray, plus violet liner, defined lashes and berry lipstick do the face. Black combat boots, a painted helmet, fingerless gloves, pouches and a paint marker finish it. Temporary hair spray rubs off on collars and pillows, so I'd choose the wig if your armor or top is pale.
14. Hera Syndulla Pilot Costume
Hera is a pilot first, which means the costume is a jumpsuit and boots you can wear all day. Start with an olive or tan utility jumpsuit with cargo pockets and rolled sleeves, plus a brown pilot harness, a wide belt, fingerless gloves and a cropped beige vest. Her green head-tails are a light foam or fabric headpiece with subtle printed markings. Green face makeup goes on smoothly and blends down the neck so there's no line at the collar, with dark liner, defined brows and a muted rose lip. Brown lace-up or flat work boots, amber goggles, a small headset and a navigation tablet finish her. A soft fabric headpiece is lighter than foam and won't press on your temples by late afternoon.
15. Bo-Katan Kryze Armor Costume
Bo-Katan's armor is blue and gray, and the trick is building it so you can still sit down. Wear a fitted black or charcoal undersuit with reinforced knee panels, then add blue foam chest armor, shoulder plates, forearm guards and shin pieces, with silver dry-brushed on the edges. Red hair goes in a short layered bob, or choose a copper-red wig thin enough to fit under the helmet. Makeup can stay natural with defined brows, brown liner and a muted pink. Sturdy black boots, a blue-gray helmet with a narrow visor, a utility belt, fitted gloves and wrist controls finish her. Keep each armor section separate on elastic straps, so knees bend and nothing pops loose.
16. Fennec Shand Bounty Hunter Costume
Fennec Shand is sleek, and her coat carries the costume. Start with fitted black pants, a high-neck black top and a long split-front coat lined in burnt orange, then add brown shoulder panels, a structured waist belt and flexible black forearm guards. Black hair goes into a long braid tied with small orange ties, or use a braided wig. Makeup is sharp: winged liner, sculpted cheeks and a muted berry lip. Black knee-high boots with a low heel, fingerless gloves, a small tracking device and an orange-trimmed helmet carried under one arm finish her. Quilted fabric on the coat panels gives the right depth, and it's far softer than stiffened armor.
17. Jyn Erso Rebel Costume
Jyn Erso can come almost entirely out of a normal closet, and nothing about her needs a wig, a helmet or tricky makeup. Pair dark cargo pants with a charcoal long-sleeve shirt and an olive utility vest, then add a brown belt with canvas pouches and a light gray scarf. Hair goes in a messy low bun or loose shoulder-length waves, with soft brown shadow, mascara, a touch of bronzer and lip balm. Brown lace-up boots, a small messenger bag, compact binoculars or a homemade data card finish her. Dry-brush gray fabric paint on the knees and pockets for wear. She also handles rain well, which most costumes here don't.
18. Mon Mothma White Gown Costume
Mon Mothma is minimal, and minimal costumes live or die on fabric. Choose a floor-length white or cream gown with a high neck, wide sleeves and soft gathers, then add a structured silver belt or metallic waist panel so the shape doesn't turn into a sack. Auburn hair goes into a smooth shoulder-length bob with the ends curled under, or use a polished copper wig. Makeup is refined: satin foundation, taupe shadow, subtle liner, peach blush and rose lipstick. White flats or low silver heels, geometric earrings, a slim bracelet and a translucent tablet finish her. Draped jersey or crepe moves well and resists creasing in a car, where crisp cotton would crumple.
19. Qi’ra Red Cape Costume
Qi'ra is the costume you could almost wear to a dinner out. Begin with a fitted black high-neck dress, or a black top and slim pants, under a deep red cape with structured shoulders and a smooth front closure. A narrow black belt with a silver geometric buckle defines the waist. Brown hair falls in soft shoulder-length waves with a sharp side part, and the makeup is smoky brown shadow, defined lashes, contour and a dark rose lip. Black ankle boots with a block heel, silver drop earrings, a metallic cuff and a small black clutch styled like a data case finish it. A cape this structured needs interfacing at the shoulders, or it collapses into a plain cloak.
20. Rose Tico Mechanic Costume
Rose Tico's mechanic coverall is about as comfortable as costumes get. Choose a brown or olive utility jumpsuit with a front zip, reinforced knees and plenty of pockets, then add a wide tan belt, tool loops and a small round felt insignia. Dark hair goes in a simple low ponytail with soft face-framing pieces, and makeup stays natural with light foundation, brown mascara, peach blush and tinted balm. Brown work boots or lace-up ankle boots will last all night. Fill the loops with foam tools, a small flashlight and a homemade scanner. Real work coveralls from a secondhand or workwear shop fit better than costume ones, and rolling the sleeves makes them look lived-in.
21. Captain Phasma Silver Armor Costume
Phasma gives you full coverage and a towering silhouette. Wear a flexible black bodysuit, or fitted top and pants, then attach silver-painted foam armor across the chest, shoulders, forearms, thighs, knees and shins. A black cape edged in burgundy hangs from one shoulder. Hair stays tucked under the full silver helmet, and a neat braided bun makes taking it off easier. Makeup can be simple and long-wearing since your face is covered. Black combat boots with silver boot armor, black gloves, a utility belt and a small rank panel finish her. Chrome spray paint looks great but scuffs easily on flexible foam, so seal it and keep a small touch-up pen in your bag.
22. Maz Kanata Costume
Maz Kanata is a character-makeup costume, and it's a fun one because she's small, colorful and warm rather than scary. Start with rust pants, a patterned burgundy tunic and a textured brown vest, then layer several fabric belts and pouches at the waist. Wear a snug orange bald cap or tuck your hair under a light hood. Apply orange face makeup with soft shaded lines on the forehead and cheeks, keeping it stylized. Brown slip-on boots, oversized round goggles with clear lenses, layered bead necklaces, fingerless gloves and a tiny treasure box finish her. The goggles are what people recognize first, so spend your effort there. Bald caps look best with the edge blended into the makeup, so practice once before the night.
23. Asajj Ventress Costume
Ventress reads through her pale face and sharp shape more than through her clothes, which means you can skip armor. Wear fitted black leggings under a long charcoal tunic with an asymmetrical hem, then add a wide silver belt, structured shoulder panels and striped gray arm wraps. A pale bald cap gives the full effect, and a close-fitting white hood works if you'd rather keep your hair hidden without one. Light gray face makeup, dark plum shadow, sharp brows and a deep berry lip do the rest. Black knee-high boots, silver cuffs, a geometric necklace and a small orb finish her. Gray makeup looks muddy in photos unless you set it with a translucent, not tinted, powder.
24. Shin Hati Gray Warrior Costume
Shin Hati has a rugged, almost medieval look, which suits textured thrift finds. Layer a fitted gray tunic over charcoal leggings, then add a sleeveless textured vest, a wide brown belt, fabric forearm wraps, small pouches and a softly draped shoulder panel. Platinum hair in a chin-length wavy bob, or a pale wig, frames the face, with smudged gray shadow, defined lashes, cool contour and a nude lip. Dark brown knee-high boots or flat riding boots, a worn silver cuff and a compact star map finish it. Rough linen, faux suede and distressed cotton give her depth without any hard armor. Platinum wigs show grease and makeup at the hairline, so keep the foundation off the lace.
25. Morgan Elsbeth Red Robe Costume
Morgan Elsbeth is a villain who wears red with real structure. Start with a long burgundy robe with a high neck, fitted sleeves and overlapping front panels, closed with a wide black belt over a charcoal underdress or slim pants. Dark hair goes into a smooth center-parted bun sitting low at the back, and makeup is smoky eyes, straight brows, muted blush and dark red lipstick. Black knee-high boots stay mostly hidden. Black wrist cuffs, a silver ring and a small engraved map sphere are the details. Skip shiny costume satin; matte crepe, linen or brushed cotton makes the red richer and holds the overlapping panels in place.
26. Dedra Meero Imperial Officer Costume
Dedra Meero is for women who like tailoring, and the impact comes almost entirely from fit. Wear a structured white or pale gray high-neck jacket with matching straight-leg pants, plus a wide black belt with a large silver buckle and neat foam utility boxes. Blonde hair goes in a severe low bun, or a smooth golden wig with no strays. Makeup is precise: matte base, cool taupe shadow, thin black liner and a neutral lip. Black knee-high riding boots, a rectangular rank badge, silver clips, black gloves and a slim data tablet finish her. Press every seam and take the jacket to a tailor if the shoulders are off. A rumpled uniform loses the character.
27. Imperial Officer Black Uniform Costume
A black Imperial officer uniform is a strong choice for any body or gender, and it fits easily into a group of stormtroopers, droids or rebels. Choose a fitted black military-style jacket with a standing collar and matching straight-leg pants, then add a wide black belt, a silver buckle and a small rank panel in blue, red and silver. Hair goes in a sleek bun or a short polished bob, with matte skin, gray shadow, clean liner and muted red lipstick. Tall black riding boots or flat knee-highs, black gloves, a structured cap and a small folder with geometric symbols finish it. A thrifted band or military-style jacket with the buttons covered is often closer than a costume-shop version.
28. Female Stormtrooper Armor Costume
A stormtrooper gives you full armor with no dress and no heels. Begin with a fitted black long-sleeve top and black leggings, then layer white foam chest armor, shoulder pieces, forearm guards, thigh plates, knee covers and shin armor. Hair is braided or secured under the white helmet, and makeup should be light and transfer-resistant so the helmet comes off without smudging. Black combat boots with removable white foam covers, black gloves, a white belt and a small comm panel finish it. Round every foam edge with sandpaper or a heat gun and connect pieces with elastic, because sharp foam corners rub skin raw by the end of the night.
29. Female Mandalorian Armor Costume
An original Mandalorian lets you pick your own colors, which is half the appeal. Wear a charcoal jumpsuit, or a fitted long-sleeve shirt with cargo pants, then add foam chest plates, shoulder armor, forearm guards, knee panels and shin covers in teal, burgundy, silver or violet. Hair goes in tight braids that lie flat under the helmet, with simple, strong makeup: waterproof liner and a berry lip. Black or brown combat boots, a visor helmet, a utility belt, gloves and foam wrist controls finish it. Your own painted symbol makes it yours without losing the helmet-and-plates silhouette people know. Seal the weathering with a matte sealant, or crowds will rub it off by the end of the evening.
30. Jawa Hooded Costume
A Jawa is warm, easy and a bit mysterious, and it's one of the few costumes here that's genuinely better in cold weather. Start with a loose brown ankle-length robe with wide sleeves, then layer a ragged capelet over the shoulders and cross fabric belts and canvas pouches at the waist. Hair disappears under an oversized pointed hood. Cover the lower face with breathable black fabric, and fix small amber battery lights to a pair of safe glasses for the eyes. Black leggings, brown ankle boots, brown gloves, a satchel and painted foam machine parts finish it. Cut the hem unevenly and brush on lighter brown paint for dust. Check your side vision in the hood before going near traffic.
31. Ewok Costume For Women
An Ewok can be cute and cozy without a full mascot suit. Wear brown faux-fur leggings with a matching long-sleeve top, or a short fur dress over opaque tights, plus a rust, tan or orange hooded cape with rounded fabric ears. Hair hides in braids under the hood, or soft brown curls frame the face. Warm brown makeup around the eyes and nose, a small black nose tip and rosy cheeks give the face. Brown flat boots with removable fur covers, a woven basket of fabric leaves and plush forest animals, fur fingerless gloves and a rope belt finish her. Short-pile fur is much cooler than shaggy fur and sheds less on everyone around you.
32. R2-D2 Dress Costume
An R2-D2 dress turns the droid into something wearable and playful. Choose a white fit-and-flare dress with blue geometric panels around the bodice and skirt, plus silver fabric accents, round felt details and a blue belt. Hair goes in two high buns wrapped in blue ribbon, or a silver bob wig for a robotic edge. Bright blue liner, silver shadow, rosy blush and clear gloss do the face, and white ankle boots or clean white sneakers keep you comfortable. A silver-and-blue headband, white gloves and a small round crossbody bag styled as a control panel finish it. Lay the panels out with a ruler and keep both sides mirror-matched; uneven panels make it look homemade in the wrong way.
33. C-3PO Gold Costume
A gold C-3PO look gives you shine from head to toe without rigid armor. Wear metallic gold leggings with a fitted long-sleeve gold top or jumpsuit, then add flexible gold foam panels on the chest, shoulders, forearms and knees, outlined in thin black cord. Hair goes in a compact bun under a gold hood, or wear a sleek metallic-gold bob. Gold shimmer on the face, bronze contour, black liner and a neutral lip do the makeup, with gold ankle boots, gold gloves, round tinted glasses and a circular foam chest panel. Mix matte, satin and metallic golds so the costume has definition. Gold face shimmer travels onto everything, so set it and keep it off your collar.
34. Doctor Aphra Costume
Doctor Aphra has an archaeologist's practicality, and most of her can be thrifted. Pair dark brown cargo pants with a cream tank, a cropped rust jacket and a wide utility belt, then add a harness made from soft brown straps and several small equipment pouches. Dark hair goes in a tousled shoulder-length bob with side-swept bangs, with soft smoky liner, warm bronzer and a muted red lip. Rugged brown lace-up boots, amber goggles, fingerless gloves, a canvas field bag and a homemade artifact box covered in geometric symbols finish her. Weather the jacket and pouches with the same brown wash, so pieces from different shops look like one outfit.
35. Darth Vader Costume For Women
Vader closes the list with a dramatic all-black silhouette. Begin with fitted black pants, a high-neck top and a long sleeveless tunic, then add light black foam chest armor, shoulder panels, shin guards and a wide belt with colored button details. Hair stays flat in a bun under the helmet, and makeup can be minimal and transfer-resistant since your face is covered. Black knee-high boots or flat combat boots, fitted gloves, a floor-length cape and a small chest control panel finish it. Line the helmet with breathable mesh and choose a light fabric for the cape. A heavy cape pulls on your neck after an hour and makes everything underneath hotter.
Side Buns, Head-Tails and Bald Caps That Stay Put
In this list the head does more identifying than the body: Leia's buns, Rey's three knots, Ahsoka's striped head-tails, Hera's green ones, Padmé's headdresses and the bald caps for Maz and Ventress. These are also the pieces most likely to slip, tilt or come apart halfway through the night.
- For Leia's buns, braid the hair first, then coil each braid around a foam bun form and pin through the form, not just the hair.
- Rey's three buns hold better if each sits on its own small elastic base before you twist it.
- Head-tails and tall headdresses should sit on a padded headband or a wig cap with combs sewn in, so the weight rests on your whole head.
- Use bobby pins in an X shape at the temples to anchor anything that wants to slide backward.
- Bring spare pins and a small mirror; a headpiece that has shifted is easy to fix in five minutes.
A bald cap without the obvious edge
A bald cap is a nice way to change your look, but it is the hardest thing on this list to get right. Flatten your hair as close to the head as you can, pull the cap down evenly, and trim the edge to sit just above the brows and in front of the ears. Glue it with a skin-safe adhesive made for that purpose, after a patch test on your wrist the day before, and blend the edge with your face makeup. If that sounds like too much, a snug hood or wrap in the same color as your base reads almost as well and is far more forgiving. Remove adhesives with the matching remover, never by pulling.
Leia's Buns or Phasma's Chrome?
If you can't decide, let the night choose for you. Leia, Rey, Jyn and Rose are built from soft layers and real clothes, so they're easy and comfortable. Padmé, Mon Mothma and Morgan Elsbeth suit a dressy party. Sabine, Bo-Katan and Phasma are for anyone who wants to paint and build armor, and the droids, the Jawa and the Ewok are fun inside a group. Whichever you pick, put the whole costume on together before the event, helmet, makeup, closures and shoes at once, because problems show up in combination. Change colors and details as you like, but keep the character's outline, since that's what people read first.
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