Buzz
Channeling your inner superhero as Superman is an exhilarating experience. The iconic nature of Superman's appearance requires attention to detail when creating a faithful costume. Fortunately, the design of the costume is relatively straightforward, making it accessible even for beginners in cosplay. Don't forget to style a curl in the center of your forehead for that authentic superhero touch before venturing out to save the day.
Procedure
Crafting the Costume
Locate a blue long-sleeved shirt. Look for a spandex or similarly stretchy and thin fabric shirt in blue. Many sports apparel stores carry these types of shirts. Aim for simplicity with minimal logos or prints.
- Acceptable logo or text placements on the shirt include the chest center and back collar, as these areas will be concealed by the emblem and cape.
Purchase blue leggings. Buy blue leggings from an online store or a local clothing store. Look for a shade of blue that matches the color of the shirt you found.
- If you're a man shopping online, consider getting a size or two smaller than usual when buying women's leggings.
- You can also opt for blue tights, available at online dance-wear stores or local dance stores.
Search for “superman” on Google Images. Browse through the search results to find a red and yellow Superman emblem. Don't worry about black outlines, as you'll be cutting them out. Print the emblem.
Enlarge the emblem to cover your chest. Visit a local copy center like Kinkos or Fed-Ex to enlarge the image. Make sure it's large enough to fit on your shirt's chest.
- Measure the width of the shirt's chest area before enlarging the image. Subtract 2-4' from the measurement for the final emblem size. The exact size is your choice.
Create a stencil from the printed emblem. Cut out the yellow parts of the printed emblem with a utility knife, leaving the red 'S' as a stencil.
Apply the red 'S' stencil onto red felt. Attach the stencil to red felt using craft spray adhesive. Trace the outline of the emblem on the felt and cut it out. Use a utility knife to cut out the internal parts of the emblem.
- You can enhance the emblem's appearance by using craft foam sheets for a 3-dimensional effect. These sheets are available at craft stores or online.
Use rubber cement to affix the red 'S' onto yellow vinyl. Afterward, carefully cut around the red emblem on the yellow vinyl to create a Superman emblem in red and yellow.
Position the emblem on the shirt. Wear the shirt to determine the correct placement. Stand in front of a mirror and use foam double-sided tape to attach the emblem to the center of your chest. Enlist a friend's assistance if needed.
Adding the Cape
Acquire three yards of shiny red synthetic fabric. Aim for a 60' width and a fabric that doesn't fray or require hemming. Felt can be an alternative if lycra isn't available. Choose a fabric color that closely matches the red in your emblem.
Measure a rectangle of red lycra that reaches the top of your calves. With help, use a measuring tape to determine the length from your collar to the top of your calves. Cut the red fabric to this length using fabric scissors.
Secure the top of the rectangle around your neck. Fold and tuck one to two inches of the red fabric into the back collar of your shirt, then pin it in place. Enlist the help of a friend to assist you with this step while you're wearing the shirt for the costume.
Attach the cape to the back collar of the blue shirt/leotard by hand or with a sewing machine. Remove the shirt or leotard you're using for the costume and ensure the red fabric is properly pinned at the back. Then, use needle and thread or a sewing machine to securely attach the cape to the back collar.
- If you have a sewing machine, you can sew the cape in place by running the fabric through the machine.
- To give the cape a polished look, hem the sides and bottom with a one-fourth inch (0.6cm) hem using either a sewing machine or needle and thread.
Adding the Men’s Briefs
Locate a pair of men’s red briefs. Find red high-waisted men’s briefs at a local men’s clothing store or online.
- The briefs will add the final touch to your Superman ensemble.
- If you can't find men’s red briefs, consider dyeing white men’s cotton briefs red using red dye. Aim for the correct shade of Superman red by referencing Superman colors online.
Create your own red briefs. If you can't find men’s red briefs or prefer a fully DIY approach, make your own red briefs.
- Begin with a pair of high-waisted men’s white briefs.
Trace the outline of the briefs on red stretchy fabric. Use spandex, lycra, or polyester fabric in red. Place the fabric on your work surface and align the top hem of the briefs with the fabric edge. Trace around the briefs using tailor's chalk.
- Add approximately two inches to the width of your traced briefs to accommodate your body's width.
Sketch the mirrored shape of the briefs. Cut out the brief shape, stopping at the crotch without fully cutting through. Fold the fabric at the crotch to create a mirror image. Draw another chalk outline on the folded side, connecting at the crotch.
Prepare the briefs for sewing. Cut out the traced briefs, fold them at the crotch, and pin the sides together, leaving the leg holes and top open.
Stitch the sides of the briefs. Use red thread to hand or machine sew the sides of the briefs together. Test the fit by trying on the briefs over your tights or leggings.
Attach the elastic to the waistband. Measure a length of elastic equal to your waist measurement minus one inch. Sew the elastic inside the top of the red briefs to make them wearable.
Create eight vertical slits in the briefs. Make two slits, each about two inches (5cm) tall and one inch (2.5cm) apart, just below the right hip bone and repeat the same on the left side. Do this also at the back and sides. These will serve as belt loops.
Cut a piece of yellow felt slightly larger than your waist circumference. Ensure it's less than two inches (5cm) thick.
Thread the belt through the belt loops. Sew the belt to the back of the briefs to secure it. This should be done at the back since it will be covered by the cape.
Coloring the Boots
Explore thrift stores in your area. Look for cowboy boots, riding boots, or rubber boots that rise past mid-calf, resembling Superman’s iconic red boots.
- Choose boots with minimal patterns or decorations, aiming for basic mid-calf boots.
Use bright red spray paint for the boots. Choose a spray paint designed for leather or vinyl, preferably with a glossy finish for shine. If needed, use a primer for full coverage. No sanding is necessary if using leather or vinyl-specific spray paint.
- Spray the boots with primer first, allowing it to dry. Follow up with several coats of red spray paint.
- Wait a day between coats. You may require two coats for good coverage.
Apply red acrylic paint on the boots. If you prefer not to use spray paint, opt for red acrylic paint. Begin by sanding the boots with fine grit sandpaper to remove any shine. Wipe down with rubbing alcohol. Mix one part paint with one part water, apply one coat, and repeat for a total of two to three coats, allowing partial drying between coats.
- Paint in a well-ventilated area with protective coverings on nearby items. Flex the leather between coats to prevent cracking. Avoid letting the paint fully dry between coats.
Tips
Things You'll Need
- Blue long-sleeved shirt
- Blue leggings or tights
- Red men’s briefs or white men’s briefs
- Yellow vinyl
- Red felt
- Red stretchy fabric
- Spray adhesive
- Rubber cement
- Foam double-sided tape
- Elastic
- Black marker or pen
- Fabric scissors
- Needle
- Thread
- Sewing Machine (optional)
- Calf-high boots
- Red spray paint
- Primer
- Red acrylic paint
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Rubbing alcohol
