Being a man of steel does feel difficult by wearing a Superman costume. Superman's appearance is iconic, which means that you have to make the costume as accurate as possible, following a few guidelines. The advantage of the Superman costume itself is that the design is quite simple, so you don't have to be a very experienced cosplayer (people who like to wear famous character costumes) to be able to create realistic costumes. Don't forget to add curly hair in the middle of the forehead before you go out to save the world!
Step
Part 1 of 4: Making Clothes
Step 1. Get a blue long sleeve shirt
Make sure the shirt is made of spandex (or an elastic and thin material). Usually, shirts like this are sold in sports clothing stores. If you can, choose a shirt that is plain, or one that only has a few logos and prints on it.
If you can't find a plain t-shirt, choose one with the image around the chest and behind the collar as these areas will be covered by the crest and cape
Step 2. Get the blue leggings
Purchase blue leggings online or at a local clothing store. As much as possible get leggings that match the color of your shirt.
- Note for men, if you decide to buy women's leggings, choose leggings one or two sizes smaller than your size.
- In addition to leggings, you can also use tights that can be found in shops that sell clothes for dancing.
Step 3. Do a search with the keyword "superman" on Google images
There, you'll find lots of pictures showing the Superman emblem. Choose red and yellow. You don't have to worry if the image has black lines because these lines will be cut out later. After that, print the image.
Step 4. Increase the size of the image to cover the chest area
The printing center will show you how to enlarge the image. Visit a printing center to print the image in a size large enough to cover the shirt at the chest.
Before printing an image, make sure you measure the area of the shirt at the chest. Print the image with a size of 5-10 cm from the size of the t-shirt or you can adjust the size as desired
Step 5. Make a stencil from the printed emblem
Use a knife to cut out the yellow areas of the image so that all that's left is the red "S" letter. The piece of the letter "S" will be used as a stencil later.
Step 6. Use a red "S" stencil on a piece of felt
Attach the stencil to a piece of red felt using spray adhesive. Use a pen to trace the outside of the crest on the fabric, then cut the fabric to follow the shape. After that, trace the inside of the crest, and cut it with a knife.
You can also use thick cardboard or craft foam to create a symbol with a three-dimensional effect. Cardboard like this can be found at your local craft store or at:
Step 7. Glue the red "S" symbol onto the yellow vinyl cloth
Use rubber cement to attach the red "S" symbol to a sheet of yellow vinyl, then cut the fabric around the red emblem so that the red and yellow of Superman are left.
Step 8. Glue the emblem on the shirt
Before gluing, adjust the position of the symbol on the shirt first. Stand in front of the mirror and stick the symbol in front of your chest using double foam tape. If necessary, ask a friend to help you attach it.
Part 2 of 4: Adding Cloaks
Step 1. Purchase 4 m of shiny red synthetic fabric
Prepare a cloth with a size of 3.6 x 1.5 m. If you can't find lycra, use felt, or something that won't wrinkle easily to keep the edges of the fabric neat after you've hemmed it. Try to choose a fabric color that is similar to the color of the emblem.
Step 2. Adjust the length of the fabric until it reaches the top of the calf
Ask someone to help you measure the length from the collar to the top of the calf using a measuring tape. Cut the fabric to that length using fabric scissors.
Step 3. Attach the fabric around the neck
Position 2.5-5 cm of fabric behind the collar, then pin. Make sure you ask someone to help you put on the robe as you will have to wear a costume during installation.
Step 4. Sew the cloak to the back of the collar
Take off the clothes used for the costume. Make sure the cape is still pinned in the same position. After that, sew the robe using a needle to put it behind the collar of the shirt.
- You can use a sewing machine by running the fabric under the needle of the machine.
- For a final result, knit the sides and bottom of the cloak 0.6 cm wide using a sewing machine or needle and thread.
Part 3 of 4: Adding Men's Shorts
Step 1. Prepare the men's shorts
Find high-waisted shorts at various menswear stores near you or online.
- These pants will give the finishing touch to your Superman costume.
- If you can't find the red shorts, you can dye the white cotton pants with red paint. Make sure the color you choose is similar to the color Superman uses by looking on the internet first.
Step 2. Make the red shorts
You can make your own red shorts if the pants you're looking for are hard to find or if you really want to make your own.
Start by finding white shorts, preferably high-waisted ones
Step 3. Choose pants that are made of elastic
You can use a red fabric made from spandex, lycra, or polyester. Place the fabric on the table and then the shorts on top so that the top of the trouser hem lines up with the edges of the fabric. Draw the shape of the pants on the fabric using sewing chalk.
Add 5 cm to the width of the pants to adjust to your body size later
Step 4. Draw the shape of the pants
First of all, cut the fabric following the shape of the pants until it reaches the perineum, but don't cut it first. After that, place the pants in front of the half-cut fabric, as if to create a reflection. Redraw the shape of the pants using sewing chalk and make sure the seams on both sides are connected.
Step 5. Prepare the pants for sewing
Cut the fabric into shorts and fold it up to half the crotch. Pin the two sides of the waist together so that only the top hole and the leg holes are exposed.
Step 6. Sew the two sides of the waist together
You can sew it by hand or with a sewing machine, and make sure the thread is red. Try these shorts over tights or blue leggings.
Step 7. Sew the elastic into a belt
In order for the shorts to be wearable, first, adjust the length of the elastic to your waist measurement, then subtract 2.5 cm from that measurement. Sew the elastic on the inside of the pants waist.
Step 8. Make eight vertical slits on the pants
Cut two slits at the bottom of the right hipbone and two other slits under the left hipbone to a height of 5 cm and leave a distance of 2.5 cm between the two slits. Repeat these steps on the back of the pants. These eight slits will be used as belt loops.
Step 9. Cut out the yellow felt that is slightly larger than the waist circumference
Make sure it is cut in increments of no more than 5 cm.
Step 10. Sew the belt around the belt loop
Sew the belt only on the back of the shorts as that will be covered by the robe.
Part 4 of 4: Coloring Boots
Step 1. Visit a store that sells used goods
Look for cowboy boots, equestrian boots, or rubber boots. Make sure you buy boots that are at least half a calf tall to mimic Superman's very distinctive red boots.
Look for bots with simple patterns and a little embellishment. Try to get the most simple and plain bot
Step 2. Use red spray paint
Choose a spray paint that works on leather or vinyl and gives a glossy finish if you want a shiny boot. For a more perfect coating, don't forget to buy a primer. You don't need to sand the bot if you use a special spray paint for leather or vinyl.
- Color the bots. Spray the outside of the bot with a primer. Wait for it to dry, then spray it again with red ink.
- Give it a day's interval. For a more perfect coat on the outside of the boot, you can spray red paint twice with an interval of a day between the two.
Step 3. Apply red acrylic paint on the bot
If you don't want to use spray paint, use red acrylic paint as an alternative. Previously, you had to sand the boot first to remove any shiny parts on the surface of the leather or vinyl boot. After that, clean the bot that has been sanded with spiritus.
- Make sure the painting is done in an open space, and cover the surrounding objects so they don't get painted. Mix the paint and water in a 1:1 ratio in a bowl. Use a brush to apply three coats of paint, and wait until it is half dry before applying the next coat.
- To avoid cracking, always flex the boot skin before painting and never allow the paint to dry completely between coats, as this will cause cracking.
