How to Make a Vigilante Costume
Vigilantes are media icons that represent the common person taking the security of her community into her own hands. She stands up to injustice using a disguise, honed fighting skills and often a talent that resembles a super power. Iconic vigilantes include superheroes such as Wonder Woman, Superman and Spiderman, as well as noble outlaws like Zorro. Dress up as a vigilante for Halloween or your next costume party to invoke the lore of this iconic type of person. Making your own costume allows you to conserve costs and maintain creative control.
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Things You'll Need
- Tights
- 1 shoelace
- Scissors
- 1 yard of fabric
- Ruler or tape measure
- Scrap fabric
- Spandex shirt
- Tennis shoes
- Toy weapon of choice
Instructions
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1
Put on a pair of tights. You can use spandex skiing tights or cotton tights intended for use as pajamas or under a dress. Tights are quintessential vigilante leg wear because they do not inhibit motion and will not snag on objects as you dash through the night.
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Cut a shoelace in half. Cut a small hole in two corners of 1 sq. yard of fabric and tie one half of the shoelace through each of these holes. This forms the cape of your vigilante costume, an essential that adds flair to the outfit. Tie the cape around your shoulders using the shoelaces.
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Cut a piece of fabric into a strip that measures 24 inches by 4 inches. This is your vigilante mask. Cut out two holes for your eyes and tie the mask around your face.
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Wear a spandex shirt under your cape for added motion and breathability. If you do not have a spandex shirt, use a skintight T-shirt or tank top. Wear tennis shoes that will allow you to run and jump as you reenact your vigilante character.
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Equip yourself with a toy weapon of your choice. Zorro carries a sword, Wonder Woman has a rope, Spiderman uses a web and Batman uses his strength and fancy gadgets. You can find toy weapons to satisfy your vigilante needs at most party supply or costume stores, or you can make your own sword by wrapping a length of tinfoil around a cardboard holster.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose dark colors for your clothing and the fabric you use if you want your vigilante to have a dark, night-prowling appearance. Use brighter colors if you wish to invoke a superhero aesthetic.
Give your vigilante costume some flair by adding a hat. Using Zorro and his black silk headwear for inspiration, visit a crazy hat store or do an inventory of your attic to find a top hat, cowboy hat or fez to complement the outlaw aesthetic of the vigilante.
References
Resources
- "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy"; Andrew Bolton and Michael Chabon; 2008
- Photo Credit Joe Raedle/Getty Images News/Getty Images
