Gold Armor Wonder Woman (looking for advice)

[AzurasStar]

Let's start things off with a couple of reference pictures.






Now that that's out of the way: I've been throwing around the idea of starting an armor project for a while, and since I don't have any cons coming up soon, it's probably the best time to start one. Keep in mind, I've never really done anything like this, so I hope I'm not being too optimistic picking a costume like this one.

I'm thinking Sintra with worbla accents (the W on the chest, the feathers on the helmet, the detailing on the shinguard) and perhaps a clamshell type chest piece? I only worry that it might not be strong enough to hold me in. Perhaps I should harden it with something? I'm definitely open to better suggestions to materials.

I'm also not sure how all armor is really supposed to be attached to the body. I'm thinking buckles and straps like Svetlana of Kamui Cosplay would be the most hardy way to do it.

Anyways, I'm really just looking for suggestions on how to go about this project and I hope that's okay here (since I feel I'm probably the least experienced person on the boards at this moment)

Thanks!

 

[springsteel]

Hey Missouri! I'm actually in Columbia building my own Wonder Woman armor.

I don't know if you're still active on here, but I thought I could chime in. I'm currently building my armor from Worbla (a la Kamui) and will say it's a fantastic material. Strong, malleable, forgiving, easy to work with, and all the little scraps can be worked like clay - but expensive. I'm using one jumbo sheet Worbla and one XL Wonderflex and barely squeaked by. That was the bare minimum for my costume and it cost me nearly $140 in thermoplastics alone. Maybe that's fine, but it was certainly at the top of my budget. So, alternatives!


There is sintra, which you mentioned, but from everything I've read and researched, it can be a bit tricky to work with and doesn't allow for a lot of detail. As well, it's tough to cut and once you shape it, there's no going back. But, it's budget friendly. I have never worked with it myself, however - these are simply the reasons I chose not to go with sintra when I was researching for my own project.


Wonderflex is a little cheaper than Worbla (55 vs 80 for comparable sizes), but it wasn't my bag. It has a plastic mesh in it for strength (akin to duct tape) which precludes any compound curves (rounded forms, like the breastplate). It also get's a little flexy and warpy with larger pieces - my hip and leg armor incorporated Wonderflex and I got a lot of "wrinkling;" this turned out fine as those parts are painted to look almost leather-like. Everyone else makes it look beautiful, though!


What I think I will work more with next time is EVA foam. Yoga mats, craft foam, rubber puzzle mats: all made of EVA and very economical. Evil Ted has amazing video tutorials on working with EVA floor mats to make armor, helmets, etc. and they look fantastic (he has a YouTube channel and a good tutorial on female armor - watch it!). It's inexpensive, makes great compound curves, and is much more comfortable then my Worbla armor. You can also sand it with an orbital or dremel to make beveled edges and designs. Definitely the route I'll take next time.


I hope this was helpful, and good luck with your project! You should post progress when you get started

 

[Hermes]

I made one of those armors some time ago, and I could offer you girls some ideas... the first of them would be indeed to get a hard material for the breastplate/backplate, and yes, I would suggest them both one piece, if at all possible, or with very sturdy shoulder straps. Allow me to show you three pictures that may help you....



As you can see, I placed two buckles on each side of the breastplate, but only one side was operational, so she could get in and out. Before making the actual armor, I found a stretchy golden fabric and made a skintight long shirt out of it, which doubles as the belly armor, which Alex Ross drew, but let´s face it, it is impossible for anyone to move with such an armor, so I had a choice - fidelity to the look or to the armor aspect, and looks won. If you guys need any help, respond, I will subscribe to this thread.