Summoner AF Armor - What's It Made Out Of?

[Pride]

Hey guys!

I have a quick question, what's the Summoner AF armor made of? I'm hoping to start cosplaying a little on the side and wanted to get this costume started, but I can't tell what the green part of the robe is. Clearly the detail work and the boots are made from leather, the green almost looks like felt? The red arm wraps look to be made from cotton I think?

Just hoping to get some input, maybe even a community manager could pop-in and throw down the list of ingredients used in fabricating the Summoner AF garb.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any thoughts on the matter!

[DoctaruRavenbe]

It's ancient allagan secret! :3

Seriously you can probably use either felt or maybe other type of durable cloth.

[Wolfandre]

From someone who has toed into the wacky world of cosplay and LARPing, try to find fabrics that look good or work well with real-world physics, rather than trying to match the lore. I've seen too many projects fail utterly because the people creating them tried to get too hardcore.

Remember also that Allagan summoners wore, essentially, armored clothing. That stuff was probably meant to hold up fairly well, and that sort of mentality probably won't transfer well to the con floor when you're stopping every few minutes to take a picture or adjust your wire-attached Garuda-Egi plush. Keep personal comfort in mind (especially when it comes to bathroom breaks).

[Catapult]

Well, let's take a look and decompose the costume, shall we?





The coat's base is definitely a heavy cloth, something that drapes well. In a perfect world, I'd go with a wool or wool blend. Failing that a velvet (but not a fake/panne/crush velvet - eww).
The shoulders and upper-arm strappings is clearly leather. Though something of medium thickness - you don't want it too thick as to be unworkable, but too thin as to be too flimsy. Same material as the boots. The wings should be bound in leather, not made entirely from it, or you won't get the support you're looking for.
The inner shirt and coat lining (I would be tempted to make this as two pieces, but that may not be functional) should be linen rather than cotton.
The glove is strapping. Strips of red linen would be perfect - get someone who knows how to wrap a bandage to help you out. Consider it a conspiracy theory, but I suspect that "glove" is designed to stabilise the hand and help avoid RSI (repetitive strain injury) associated with holding those heavy books.

If my hunch is correct, the intent of the gilding on the cuffs and hems is to articulate and flow of aether around the summoner, much like the ornamentation on the Veil of Wiyu. A fabric using metallic thread would be optimal, but a shiny brocade would probably work as well.

[Altimis]

Well, let's take a look and decompose the costume, shall we?





The coat's base is definitely a heavy cloth, something that drapes well. In a perfect world, I'd go with a wool or wool blend. Failing that a velvet (but not a fake/panne/crush velvet - eww).
The shoulders and upper-arm strappings is clearly leather. Though something of medium thickness - you don't want it too thick as to be unworkable, but too thin as to be too flimsy. Same material as the boots. The wings should be bound in leather, not made entirely from it, or you won't get the support you're looking for.
The inner shirt and coat lining (I would be tempted to make this as two pieces, but that may not be functional) should be linen rather than cotton.
The glove is strapping. Strips of red linen would be perfect - get someone who knows how to wrap a bandage to help you out. Consider it a conspiracy theory, but I suspect that "glove" is designed to stabilise the hand and help avoid RSI (repetitive strain injury) associated with holding those heavy books.

If my hunch is correct, the intent of the gilding on the cuffs and hems is to articulate and flow of aether around the summoner, much like the ornamentation on the Veil of Wiyu. A fabric using metallic thread would be optimal, but a shiny brocade would probably work as well.

I loved 1st pic!!! where you get that from? there any larger pic? I never seen those before

[Catapult]

where you get that from?

I have employed the secret and most noble art of google-foo.

Right-click, open in new window/tab => see full sized picture.

[Pence]

Your mums chest hair!

[Malrend]

Is it just me.. Or do the small clothes beneath the coat look a lot like Agnés' (from Bravely Default) vestal garb?

Beyond that.. I can't say that I have much experience with textiles, but I'll echo some others and say that the coat does seem rather heavy, whether that comes from a mix of different materials, or the attached leather.. I'm not quite sure.

[Rennah]

My two cents say that for a coat THAT heavy, I'd definitely reinforce the entire thing, whether with making it multiple layers, or putting a lightweight interfacing on the whole thing. Either way, it's going to be heavy, and quite hot. Gabardine or a HEAVY twill as the outer layer would potentially look nice; velvet is a good weight, as Catapult suggested, but I don't think I'm a fan of the texture for that coat (at least not from those small screenshots; I'm not logged in right now to check my summoner af close-up, it may work better than I'm picturing). I'd recommend taking hi-res screenshots in multiple angles with you to a fabric store and seeing what matches the best, while checking weight and drape. Get the heaviest fabric you can find, in the closest texture and color. If you find something that would be perfect but is the wrong color, see if it can be dyed, or if you can buy the right color online. Good luck, post pictures if you finish this!

Reminds me that I need to get to work drafting my bard AF and spring dress patterns...

[Catapult]

The more I think about it, the more I think that a heavy wool would be perfect. No interfacing would then be necessary, though you'd still want to line it in a white cloth.
(Remember, interfacing provides stiffness, not weight. The heavier this is, the better it will look and feel.)

If you can't afford to purchase good wool cloth (it can be quite expensive), then have a hunt through your local op-shops for some woolen blankets to, as Rennah rightly suggests, dye and cut up.

Time, money & enthusiasm - pick two. :P