Start to finish how-to of my Ran costume, debuted at Youmacon ‘13, apart from the wig, 100% from scratch.

Hakama

8 Yards of bottom weights, 4 large ~64x34 inch pieces

Lots and lots of pleats, the pattern itself is pretty simple…just…dear god so many pleats

Use tailors chaulk and basting stitches to mark out and hold down said pleats

Robe/Top

Very simple robe pattern, got lazy and didn’t even put in a way to make the parts attach on the inside, but thats mostly taken care of by the sash’s straps

Modified the sleeves to get very large near the bottom

Sash

Two layers of bottom weights with medium interfacing inbetween

Symbols are tacked down with stitcing and double-sided interfacing.

Straps from 4" bottom weights folded over on itself twice and tacked down

Collar

One large piece + interfacing folded over on itself

Gem has two tie tacks super-glued on the back to hold it on

Fluffy Tails

Shag faux fur with an inflatable toy inside, the large ones have a 4ft banana, the smaller ones have a 2ft novelty bat. Both toys are available on amazon.

Weight belt and 9 gauge galvanized steel wire hold the whole thing together with apoxy. On the inside there is also a foam pad for cushioning.

Make-up / Wig

Ears from leftover fur, sewn into the wig

Make-up is beard concealer, powder, eyeshadow, and eye liner

Scarecrow molded fangs

I had some claws…but they were incredibly cumbersome and I need more practice with them

Overall, very fun to wear, but you absolutely MUST have a minder to help you into and out of the costume as well as help hold the tails up wile walking as they are very heavy.

Future Stuff:

Look into some kind of strap system for the tails to transfer some of the weight to my shoulders, which would let me stay in costume longer

Work on the claws and painting them an ivory white

Shoot me an ask if there are any questions!