Ghostbusters 2016 cosplay: Jillian Holtzmann, Abby Yates, Patty Tolan, Erin Gilbert

Hello neglected cosplay blog! What can I say, I've been posting to Mad Madam Missy Cosplay on facebook. But I'm working on a Ghostbusters cosplay, and I thought I'd post a blog about sources for things. Though looks wise I'll probably end up pursuing a Yates look, I, like so many, have also got a soft spot in my heart for Holtzmann, so expect quite a few links to specific items for that.

First, the coverall. I've looked all over and the best info I've found indicates that the coveralls were custom made by the costumer. Sorry kids. But hey, if you decide you're not going to make it, feel freed from the burden of finding THE screen accurate one. Let's be honest, commercially available coveralls are not designed for women's bodies. Which brings me to my next point: commercially available coveralls are not designed for women's bodies. This means you'll be doing some guesswork as to your size. The men's suits (aka all suits) are done by chest size. This might be okay for the slimmer amongst us, but for those of us who *ahem* may have measurements that exceed our bust, buyer beware. You might want to find a store to try things on before ordering something online sight unseen. And for goodness' sake, try to sit in it. Some suits fit fine for standing cosplay purposes but heaven help you if you want to attend a panel or take a load off.
Search terms to use when searching for a suit: flight suit (particularly good for classic Ghostbusters, but it's a rounder collar, not the notched lapels of the new film), coverall, boiler suit. I find coverall to be the best approach. Bear in mind (at least on Amazon) the prices on these vary quite a bit by size, so when checking out the links, make sure to change it to what you believe your size to be before comparing prices.
Dickies was the first brand to come to mind. They make a lightweight cotton coverall with lapels. Add a couple pockets on the legs, and flaps to the existing pockets and you'd get darn close. Per reviews (always good to read that stuff!), there are slits on the sides of the coverall that allow you to reach your interior pockets. I view this as a large hip liability, but consider they could either be sewn shut with a little seam tape behind, or have a pocket interior added so you can skip layering. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B6EB616/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3G95P41TUE85V
Here's another coverall offered by a company named Walls (?) The downside here is the upper pockets are zippered, but depending on your plans, maybe you can work with it. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037RSSA2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2P5I4NW0QQAX1
So the main adjustments you'd be looking at would be: will you add pockets/flaps. Note the shape of the pockets, with pleats, if you want to get really detailed. Also, if the coverall is wide in the waist, you can add (screen accurate) elastic to the sides of the waist. Now, the more obvious alterations: Orange and gray reflective tape/ribbon across the chest, arms, and legs. Two stripes each, front and back so buy accordingly. I have found two options on Amazon. You may want to check your local hardware store to see if you can beat it.
Option #1: iron-on reflective tape. I have no opinion as to durability, but for those not in possession of a sewing machine, a good option. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DOAQNZY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Option #2: sew-on reflective tape. Cheaper, durable, requires sewing (obviously) https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F8UGG2C/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2LBFUKITQIB7
Note: if you have someone cosplaying a Kevin, remember that his stripes are wrong, and are only 1" (ish) wide orange, no reflective strip.
Now, you need patches. Or do you? For much of the film, they have no patches (you may recall the struggle to settle on a logo?).

But later in the film, they add a shoulder patch and a name patch. So if you want to add the name patch, plan on adding the Ghostbusters logo patch to your upper arm as well:

As far as I can tell, the Ghostbusters logo patch goes on the upper right arm, while the name patch goes on the upper left chest, above the pocket. (Before attaching, check its position with a backpack on, to be sure it can be seen still)
So yes, backpack. Well, proton pack. With backpack straps and hip belt. In orange. With what appears to be really dark gray fittings.
Boots: The boots are interesting. At first I thought they were simple black rain boots with the reflective strip added up the front. Turns out there's a whole lot more to it, but for the look, I think black rain boots with reflective strip should do the trick. Alternatively, you could perhaps make gaiters to go over boots/shoes you already own. In thin EVA/craft foam, you could probably recreate the texture, add the tops of bolts, etc. Cover the foam in gesso or primer, then paint black, you could recreate the bolts/studs with a bump of hot glue, googly eyes, etc. painted silver. I've recently discovered the wonders of Rub n Buff for making things look actually metallic. A stickler for detail could pursue that.

Gloves: another later-in-the-film accessory. I don't have a source for these but if you go this route, note the fingerless nature of them. I would start by searching fingerless biker gloves. If you are cosplaying the earlier style (no patches), you don't need the gloves.

Individual accessories:
Jillian Holtzmann: Screw U necklace (try etsy or shapeways), Yellow goggles: Hamist RAF aviator goggles (around $15-$30), yellow sunglasses with side shields: O'riginals Trading Company Sterling Spectre glasses - first run sold out but they are taking preorders ($87) for the next run, to be delivered in November.
Abby Yates: black framed glasses with clear yellow arms
Patty Tolan: Gold "Patty" name necklace
Erin Gilbert: In this case it may be more important to get the hair right, with a wig if necessary, as her accessories are not very significant. But she does wear a pendant on a thin gold chain, and a red watch with a square face.
I hope this post forms a good jumping off point for your own cosplay. If I ever get around to making a proton pack, I'll try to post a tutorial. See what you can whip up! Just remember to give it orange shoulder straps and hip belt!

Missy continued - accessories!

Missy has a few accessories that need to be addressed.  There's her hat, complete with hatpin, her device (which a fellow Missy cosplayer dubbed the "MPDA" - Missy PDA), and lastly, her jewelry, including cameo, spiky bracelet, and her cyber bracelet.

For reference:
  So starting with the hat, after searching around more expensive options, I decided to remake a >$4 trilby from my local big-box store. I turned it inside out and used a seam ripper to remove the top half, flattened it with a steamy iron, and stitched it back on by hand. I used that same steam iron to press out the brim's original curl, then press in the new side flip:

To make the hatpin, I used Sculpey to form the black spike at the end, forming it over the head end of a 5" hat pin. Since JoAnn's only sells those in packets of 3, and allowing for the risk of damage in the forming/curing process, I went ahead and made 2. I could not find teardrop shaped pearly beads in time for the con, so I went with a basic round shape, and hit it with some Krazy Glue (the Kragle!) to stay in place. The final stage was to add purple flowers, daisies, and dark and light cherries to the hat. In retrospect, it also needed netting around the crown, but I stitched the flowers on, so I will have to go back at some other time to add the net.

Next up, my MPDA... I cut the shape out of several layers of balsa wood, and used the original prop design image (not totally SA, since the final version was more silver), and mod podged it to the (painted) wood. For a 3-D effect, I cut the "lens" side into two layers.



For Missy's cameo, I continue to be on the quest to find the simple-edged cameo setting used onscreen, but lacking that, I went with this ebay find: I picked up some black cameos to go in the brooch, and more recently, ordered some orange ones, to keep up with the evolution of the costume in the coming season.
I believe the closest match to her spiky bracelet is this little number from Hot Topic, but since I came across a thrift store find that was "close" when I was still shopping hats, I have not purchased this... yet. I might not since future evolution of the costume appears to drop the spiked bracelet.

The cyber bracelet is on my "future projects" list. For the time being, I have been using a plain silver colored cuff bracelet. It's delightful, turns my arm a lovely shade of green *smirk*

Missy from Doctor Who Season 8

Let's dive right in, shall we?

One of my new cosplays for this year's Gally (aka Gallifrey One, a Doctor Who convention held every February in Los Angeles) was the new character, Missy.  If you didn't watch last season yet, consider this your spoiler warning...

Here's my reference:

 Now, for practical reasons, which were absolutely justified by the weather that week, I decided to go with a much lighter fabric than the SA (screen accurate) wool.  Actually, the costume being blogged about is really a toile/practice before I use a much nicer but still lighter crepe - but for now... eggplant colored broadcloth!

Starting with Sense & Sensibility's 1905 Beatrix jacket and skirt patterns, first I had to redraft it up to my size, and in the process, removed the two side back pleats and add in a center back vent.

Overall fit was okay. The back was great, but the front will need alterations to the pattern before I make it again. I need to add about 2" to all front pieces, and some of the bust curve I took out needs to be put back in, reduce flare over the hips, and possibly add an additional 6" to all pieces after that.

After the initial fitting, I remembered that I needed to round off the bottom front corners of the jacket. Yes... I really used a cereal bowl, yes, it worked like a charm.


Next up... trim and buttons! In the absence of SA buttons, I found this very acceptable substitute:
And in the area of trim, I had a couple options, one closer to accurate, one significantly less expensive. Given that this is still technically a test version of the costume, I opted for the less expensive, a decision I have not regretted as I see the way that Missy's costume continues to change heading into the new season.
I will say that the trim stretched quite a bit as I was sewing it down. This initially seemed like a good thing (look at those lovely corners!), but it caused some misshaping of the jacket.
Next stage: accessories!