Posts by A.C. Rodgers

Molly Finnister from Penny Dreadful: City of Angels

Molly Finister (played by Kerry Bishe) was a revivalist singer on the show Penny Dreadful: City of Angels. Although she ultimately chose death rather than continue the life her mother had trapped her in, Molly was best known for her stunning voice.

Singing like Molly isn’t easy, but her look is fairly straightforward. You’ll need a coiffed blonde wig in a ’30s style and a dress similar to those worn at that time. A handbag, nylons, and heels finish her look. Because of her religious studies, Molly carries heavy leatherbound books. And as a bonus, the book is an accessory you can use in many, many different costumes!

Branch from Trolls World Tour

Branch (voiced by Justin Timberlake) is the erstwhile low-key love interest from the first Trolls movie. And while he might have been reluctant to join in on the chaos of Trolls, he is just as unwilling to leave Poppy’s side in Trolls World Tour. They are one of DreamWorks’ most adorable couples and that’s before you get to the toe-tapping music!

You might not be able to seeing like JT but you can get Branch’s look! Start with a black wig then add some light blue body paint. Finish off the look with a green vest and green shorts. Xero shoes get you close to Branch’s barefoot look until you can find or make a pair of invisible shoes, which there are tutorials for online. Green felt leavers makes it easy to recreate Branch’s vest while green felt squares can be cut down and decorated to recreate the patches on his shorts!

Midna from Zelda

Midna from Zelda

Midna (voiced by Akiko Koumoto) is the former leader of the Twili people. She made her debut on The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for the Nintendo Gamecube and Wii. Though her people are known for wielding great magic she has been stripped of hers and – for most of the franchise – is trapped in her imp form. Both her imp form and her true form make for excellent cosplay costumes!

For her imp form you will want to find a custom cosplay headpiece from Etsy. Worn over a yellow spiked wig it gives you the most iconic part of her appearance. From there face paint and a light blue body suit modified with black fabric paint gives you the rest of her look.

If you want to cosplay her true form you will need a ginger wig that you style in the unique manner Midna prefers to wear it. A black bikini top , black wrap skirt, and black cloak finish off her clothing. You can use body paint to achieve the blue-skinned look of her concept art or you can choose to stick with your natural skin tone if body paint is not appealing!

Zooey the Fox from Sonic Boom

Zooey the Fox from Sonic Boom

Zooey the Fox (voiced by Zooey Deschanel) is a kind-hearted and compassionate fox on Bygone Island in the show Sonic Boom. She is the apple of Tails’ eye though it takes a little time for her to warm up to him. Once she does, though, they’re the cutest couple on the island!

Zooey’s costume can be worn one of two ways. You can use a yellow body suit to get the “full fox” look or you can leave it off and just use the yellow ears and tail along with Zooey’s blonde wig, red dress, red bracelets, and red slip-on shoes.

Magda from Penny Dreadful City of Angels

Magda from Penny Dreadful: City of Angels

Magda (played by Natalie Dormer of Game of Thrones fame) is a shapeshifting demon with a taste for meddling in the affairs of mortals. She has several looks throughout the show, three of which have been recreated here.

For Elsa, you will need a blonde wig and a dress in the style of the 1930s. The heels for this costume can also be worn with the costume for Alex, the next person. As Alex is older and a personal assistant her clothes are a little more formal. She wear a wool skirt and blazer along with a white button up shirt.

If you want to dress as Magda in her natural form, you’ll want a sweeping black dress, black button boots, and an auburn wig. Her makeup is more stark in this form as well while both Alex and Elsa wear more natural looks.

Poppy from Trolls World Tour

Poppy from Trolls World Tour

Queen Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick) is the leader of the Pop trolls. She’s one of the most adventurous – and definitely among the most energetic – of nearly all the trolls. After creating peace with the Bergens, how hard can peace among the trolls be?

Getting Poppy’s perfectly pink look takes some work but is well worth it! You’ll want to start with a pink wig and pink body paint. A green headband and some felt flowers can recreate her headband while you can get close to her felt dress with printed blue dress to match the pattern on hers. And, yes, technically Poppy runs around barefoot but that’s not a safe option. Pink sandals will get you close enough unless you can find a tutorial for invisible shoes, which might come in handy for other costumes!

Nelson Van Alden from Boardwalk Empire

Nelson Van Alden from Boardwalk Empire

In Boardwalk Empire, Nelson Van Alden (played by Michael Shannon) is one of those men who lived long enough to see themselves become the villain in their own story. Although he started as a good man, he ultimately allowed corruption to take hold.

It’s hard to see that from the outside though. Throughout the series Van Alden stuck to the same sort of clothing even as his priorities and principles changed. Like many men at that time he wears a coordinated three-piece suit with a white undershirt and an understated tie. Van Alden prefers browns over blacks and greys and his ties are usually striped. His shoes match the tone of his suit and he wears a camel wool overcoat when the weather calls for it. He also has a wide-brimmed fedora to keep his head covered as was proper at the time. And of course you can’t forget the pomade for the distinct slicked hair of the period.

Greef Karge from The Mandalorian

Greef Karga from The Mandalorian

Greef Karga (played by Carl Weathers) is the head of the bounty hunters in the Hunters’ Guild. He hands out the assignments and ensures that the clients pay the hunters. Unless, that is, one of the hunters runs off with bounty. Then things get a little messy.

Copying Greef Karga’s look takes a little bit of work. Most Star Wars costumes aren’t easy to recreate from your typical closet and Karga’s is no different. You can get close, though. Brown leather pants and a light brown undershirt set up your base layers. Over that you’ll want to add a brown leather vest and a brown leather tunic-style coat. Over the waist of your pants you’ll want to add brown fabric for a belt pad and then a brown leather belt. Brown leather boots and black gloves finish the look while a tracking fob, bounty puck, and official license get you ready to go after your own bounties!

Cara Dune from The Mandalorian

Cara Dune from The Mandalorian

Cara Dune (played by the fantastic Gina Carano) is a former member of the Rebel Alliance. When the Empire fell the Alliance largely disbanded and Dune began wandering the galaxy on her own. She’s savvy and quick with a sharp tongue sharper knife. In short she’s everything a Mandalorian could ask for in a friend!

Cara’s costume requires a little bit of DIY and some patience, specifically when it comes to her armor. You can buy the pre-printed pieces above or, if you know your way around a 3-D printer, you can order the patterns from Etsy and print the pieces yourself. In both cases you’ll have to go through some trial and error to get the paint colors right in order to finish the appearance of the armor.

Once the armor is done, though, the rest of the costume is a bit of a breeze. A black compression shirt provides a foundation for the armor while leggings and boots make up the rest of her outfit. You can style a brunette wig to mimic her hair and apply temporary tattoos to match Cara’s. Just make sure you cover up with an arm band if you’re going near any Imperial holdouts!

Waddsworth from Clue

Wadsworth from Clue

Most people know Clue as a board game. But in 1985 it became a major motion picture with an ensemble cast led by Tim Curry. And while Tim Curry is best known as Long John Silver and Dr. Frank-N-Furter, he is just as compelling as the much more prim – though possibly no less dangerous – butler known as Wadsworth. Or perhaps he’s Mr. Boddy dressed as his butler Wadsworth. You’ll have to follow the clues and decide for yourself after watching the hilarious movie. And all three of its possible endings.

While the movie is a little topsy-turvy, Wadsworth’s costume certainly is not. He wears a traditional butler’s costume though he skips the gloves. A white dress shirt, black skinny tie, coat with tails, black vest, black pants, and black shoes makes up his entire outfit. The only other thing you need is a handy revolver. Just make sure you count the shots. Was it 1+1+2+1 or 1+2+2+1?

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