The Chupa would be a good start -- the neckline in particular is pretty close, it's not a banded kimon style of neckline (don't forget to check the screencaps of Azula and the Dangerous Ladies stripping off their disguises in Ba Sing Se for good shots of the robes without the armor. The biggest changes are you need to set on somewhat loose sleeves, make the skirts more A-line than straight, and have them somewhat open in front so it can be worn over another darker wrapped skirt. I'd make the bracers as a separate item that laces/velcros/whatever on top of the loose sleeve -- notice how in the screencaps there's a little ruffled edge of what looks like the sleeve fabric sticking out under the wrist-edge of the bracers. The shape of the armor is very reminiscent of Japanese armor, so I'd say you definitely want something that's somewhat flexible rather than a solid-metal-breastplate sort of feel -- most of the Kyoshi and Suki cosplayers I've seen just went for green vinyl with stitching lines to match the lines on the costume.
No idea on (a), mine's long gone! (b) is all so so variable, I don't know what your sewing skill levels are like and I've been sewing so long, taught it for a while even, that my ideas of what is and isn't easy are kind of warped? If you're starting with the chupa as a base, though, you'll need to be able to sew darts, set in sleeves, and otherwise make some large alterations, so we're definitely not talking rank-beginner level here; if you go for vinyl or pleather for the armor that can also be a little tricky to handle if you're not used to the stuff. Costs are so variable depending on what fabrics you're using and where you shop that I'd be reluctant to venture a guess. Arm bracers, at least, I could give you a pattern for easily, I've got some leather ones that could be used as a base; for other ideas, try taking a look at threadbending. You also probably should look through avatar_fans for cosplay posts that might be tagged, since not everyone posts in both places, and it might even be worth checking DeviantArt, I seem to recall seeing pics from at least one of the Suki/Kyoshi cosplayers there. As for (c), um, cool water might help the dark circles! *ducks*
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
timeasmymeasure
no subject
The Chupa would be a good start -- the neckline in particular is pretty close, it's not a banded kimon style of neckline (don't forget to check the screencaps of Azula and the Dangerous Ladies stripping off their disguises in Ba Sing Se for good shots of the robes without the armor. The biggest changes are you need to set on somewhat loose sleeves, make the skirts more A-line than straight, and have them somewhat open in front so it can be worn over another darker wrapped skirt. I'd make the bracers as a separate item that laces/velcros/whatever on top of the loose sleeve -- notice how in the screencaps there's a little ruffled edge of what looks like the sleeve fabric sticking out under the wrist-edge of the bracers. The shape of the armor is very reminiscent of Japanese armor, so I'd say you definitely want something that's somewhat flexible rather than a solid-metal-breastplate sort of feel -- most of the Kyoshi and Suki cosplayers I've seen just went for green vinyl with stitching lines to match the lines on the costume.
No idea on (a), mine's long gone! (b) is all so so variable, I don't know what your sewing skill levels are like and I've been sewing so long, taught it for a while even, that my ideas of what is and isn't easy are kind of warped? If you're starting with the chupa as a base, though, you'll need to be able to sew darts, set in sleeves, and otherwise make some large alterations, so we're definitely not talking rank-beginner level here; if you go for vinyl or pleather for the armor that can also be a little tricky to handle if you're not used to the stuff. Costs are so variable depending on what fabrics you're using and where you shop that I'd be reluctant to venture a guess. Arm bracers, at least, I could give you a pattern for easily, I've got some leather ones that could be used as a base; for other ideas, try taking a look at