Why Ariel?
What kid doesn't grow up secretly wanting to be a mermaid? I remember always wanting and trying to swim like I was one when I would play in the pool, so Ariel was a no-brainer for me to cosplay, especially with her candy red hair! Ever since cosplaying her, I have been in love with that color on me, and I even dyed my hair "Ariel red" one summer, although just for fun, not for any specific cosplay.
This was my first attempt at a "swimmable" tail, although it did not work out so great. Perhaps one day I will revisit the idea, but in the meantime, enjoy what few photos I have of it!
Costume Stats
Started: July 2015
Completed: August 2015
Status: undergoing repairs
Wig by: Wig is Fashion
Worn at: not premiered at any events
Awards: none
About This Costume
Despite me making this pretty deep into my "cosplay career", I regret to say this was not my best work, but any time I can make a mistake, I can take a lesson from it. The shell bra was fun and looked great, but did not have enough structure to stay up on its own. Also, highly do not recommend hot glue, hahaha. It did not stick to the shells very well, so they were coming undone pretty fast.
The tail was pretty simple, a very tight skirt with a back zipper to more easily get dressed. The waist fin was organza with satin stitching for the details. I rather liked how I did that part, so I may recreate that for a future fin.
My tail fin was made with good intentions, but did not work out. It was done with organza, and clear vinyl on either side of it, with top stitching to create the lines. The result looks cool in person but serves absolutely no purpose once it is in the water. It has no structure and thus does not propel me whatsoever. I guess that's why people gotta buy those really nice monofins, haha! Perhaps I'll have to get me one too then!
All in all it's a simple look, so I put in simple work, but sometimes the simplest costumes give me the hardest time, because I underestimate them. So, again, I'll have to revisit this look in the future!
Why Ariel?
This look was more of a casual one intended to go out and party in than to be a full blown cosplay or character costume, but I'll include it here nonetheless, since hey, it's in the same vein! So that's how this look got dubbed the "Party Ariel" look since I wanted something recognizable, comfy, and simple to wear to the bars for Halloween and Breakfast Club (if you're from Purdue, you'll know what that is!) that I wouldn't mind possibly having drunk people spill their drinks on, including myself, hahaha. I do like to have fun now and again, but not at the expense of my very nice costumes that I labored hard to create! This I made in one day, so I think it fits the bill of fast, easy, low effort, and fun!
Costume Stats
Started: July 2014
Completed: July 2014
Status: retired (sold)
Wig by: Wig is Fashion
Worn at: Purdue Breakfast Club 2014
Awards: none
About This Costume
Because I didn't want to put too much effort into a costume whose intention was just to go out and drink, I tried to make this as simple as I could and as quickly also, managing to make it in only a day! The top was made with leftover scraps from my Jhudora cosplay, and the green I had on hand, intending to do an Ariel look officially, but was never sure when that was really gonna happen, so just went for a simple skirt look with this. The bottom "fin" is a small bit of gathered glitter organza to give it somewhat of a mermaid silhouette.
Dressed it up with some accessories from my Panty Anarchy beach bikini look, like bubble jewelry and a tropical flower just to make it look a little less plain!