Debut of My Batman Costume Please Critique

[Hedji]

Well, I finally debuted my Batman costume for Halloween, so I thought I'd share some pics. I don't consider this costume "finished", but at least it's a start.

Please know that I am so incredibly grateful for all of the resources here, and all the people who have contributed to my costume, especially Mr. Chuck Williams. There've been many times Chuck talked me off the ledge. There is no way I could've done this without Chuck and the wonderful community here. Thank you, all. It really is the costume I've always wanted.

Please take a look at the pics and feel free to share any criticism or feedback. I'll share my own thoughts as well.

Cowl: In these pics I am wearing the Mattel cowl. I didn't want to risk damaging my Chuck Williams cowl. I am hoping to save up to buy a cosplay version from Chuck. But in the meantime, this cowl did okay for me. For one thing, I am blind as a "bat" without my glasses, but I have trouble wearing contacts. So you may notice in the pics that I velcroed lenses from an old pair of glasses into the inside of the Mattel cowl, which is lined with the perfect material for the velcro to stick! My vision was still wonky, but at least I could see.

Cape and Trunks: Williams Studio 2. They are the best part of the costume. The cape is especially glorious.

Gloves: Gaspar. Everything that could go wrong with these, did go wrong. The first pair was cut horribly large for my skinny forearms. I had to purchase more material from Chuck and send it to Gaspar for them to make a new pair. As it is, the new pair fits my arms better, but has thumbs that are about an inch too long. These were frustrating. With the false starts and shipping costs, they ended up being quite costly.

Boots: Duran. These came out pretty good. If I had to do it again, I'd go for a tighter fit around my skinny legs. Really, my limbs are bony I guess.

Belt: CY Productions. It'll do for now. Fits me really well.

Tights: Can I just say I HATE my Onstage Dancewear tights? I really don't like them. They don't conform, and as you can see, the legs are terribly wrinkled. Look how they sag behind my kneecaps. Part of it is my fault. I ordered a 3X, not realizing they'd be quite so baggy. The material just doesn't seem like what was used on the show. At least, they don't read that way. I dyed them with 2.5 boxes of RIT pearl grey, and about 1/8 tsp of RIT Purple. I think they need more purple. They just look too blue to me. Please, if anyone has feedback on the tights, please share. On my next pair, I'm not sure if I should go down to 2X or even XL?





Overall, I'm beyond happy. I am critical of the flaws, but honestly, I am overjoyed to have this. I am so fortunate to have the means to own this costume. It is the fast track to happiness.

And for fun, here is a pic of me with the Wife and Daughter! Batgirl is wearing the Rubies costume. Robin is wearing a shirt from one of our members here, and a cape made years ago by my mother. The skirt, leggings, socks, gloves, and mask just came from the Halloween store.

[dell]

It looks great sir. The one thing you were most critical of jumped out at me even before I read your comments, the tights. Other than that, and I consider it minor, that is an awesome costume and you wear it well.

[Chuck Williams]

AWESOME ANDY!!!

The whole family looks great and the smiles speak volumes!

Glad to be a part of the fun! Aren't the capes a blast!!

Believe me, it's always about the tweaking of the details. It is an ongoing process that rarely stops!
Most the suits that look great and fit well are on their second or third version of every part.
It's a learning process of what works best for you and what says '66 Batman to you.
Most of us have never had an experience like this before so the first stab at it is always a leap of faith.

Brilliant idea with the lenses. The older I get the more I may have to do the same one day.
The Mattel cowl worked out well. They seem to have found a good color of spandex.

The tights as you mention are too big but if you go to a local stitcher they can probably remake them smaller. If they are too blue and you want them to be a bit more grey, just drop them in as is to a dyebath with an 1/8 teaspoon of orange to tone down the blue. If you want them more grey just do that amount again. You have to sneak up on it sometimes.

If it's not what you want you can always strip the color out and start over. The color remover works best on the stove top with a big pot.
It will strip the white out too and it will look a tan/ecru color
The popular grey and purple formula will look more muted and slightly less vibrant after dyeing over the tan/ecru color which works well too.
Everything effects the color. Water temp, amount of water, amount of dye, etc.
Keep your water levels low and the temp as hot as your washer gets.
Looks like you got a nice color saturation. Not too pale.

Remember, those skinny legs make you a prime candidate for an excellent Adam West Batman cosplayer!!

WELL DONE!!!
Chuck...

[AndyFish]

I do a lot of cons and see a LOT of Batman '66 Cosplay and this is solid stuff-- you look great and the Mattel Cowl holds up! Other than tightening the legs a bit I think you're spot on.

[Mike Mulitsch]

Great family photo
You guys look great

And Chuck!!!!!!
Add orange to tone down the blue/grey
I want this knowledge ...awesome

[SprangFan]

That really looks great.

I've toyed with the idea of building a costume over the years, but I always come back to two truths: (1) it would cost a lot to do it right and (2) I'd end up chickening out in the end and not wear it out of the house anyway. So it's fun to live out this stuff vicariously through fans like yourself.

I think the boots look fine, and the tights aren't so loose that they ruin it. Personally I think the weak point is that Mattel cowl, which I know a lot of folks regard as "close enough" especially for the price, but seeing it as part of a highly accurate ensemble like this just points up how "off-model" it is. The nose especially bugs me as the paint lines makes it look too long...more like the Hanna-Barbera "Birdman" (if not Toucan Sam!).

That said, that's a brilliant idea fitting your lenses into the cowl. I hadn't even considered the issue of my near-sightedness as yet another barrier to successful cosplay. Hard to strike terror into the hearts of evil-doers when you're walking into walls!

[Ben Bentley]

Congrats Andy! You're off to a flying start!

[Grayvette03]

I think you did a fantastic job. We are always our own worst critic. I know i have made a second belt and will be making a second cape but it's a labor of love. Again great job and keep the pictures coming.
Jim

[BatBob]

Great job!!! Go out and spread some smiles with it!