Okay, my wife oficially nixed my Tron Costume tonight, citing lack of funds, but I got her to come around if I came in under a price point. Okay then,
new plan. So here's the deal, and someone make sure and scream if I'm about to make a huge mistake (and not in terms of styling, but rather in terms of "it just won't work, Jay!"):
I'm not going to scratch-make my Vest Armor. Instead I found this Paintball armor called a Proto performance top:
I like that it has kind of the side swaths of color against black already in the top itself. I also like that alot of armor detailing has already been done for me. It's around $39.
I found some EL wire on Amazon for $12 for 9 Feet, and measuring my front and back Comes in at 4.5 feet, so if I double amount for looping as per Eddie's method, I should have enough for the stripes up the front plust half a foot leftover for extra shapes. I'd like to get 10-12 feet to be safe, but I can't find any that inexpensive that is pre-soldered. I'm gonna get the two 12 volt drivers, because they'll make the wire as bright as can be, which is a plus as I'm already not going to be anywhere near screen accurate. I might as well blind folks to it in the process. I'll then see if I can find a cheap alternative to the under-armor shirt, as well as gloves. I'll hopefully still be able to get forearm and shoulder armor, but that is going to have to be a last minute decision purchase.
For those decrying the use of something with such an obvious logo, don't worry: I'll be getting some of the Foamies sheets from Michaels, in black, which I will apply over the front of the Armor to block the logo as well as fill in the red with a black fabric pen (if I don't decide to integrate the red, which I might in the interest of time).
As for the pants I will still continue to wonder about them, and maybe make them last minute along with possible last minute ordering of any short EL to thread or glue to them to make them semi-illuminated.
I'm gonna go to the Garden store tomorrow and look at planters and planter holders for my IdentDisc for my back, as I've completely forgotten about that up until now.
Anyways, I know I seem like a lot of talk, but I needed to get this out, at least typed, so I know what my gameplan now is. I was (sufficed to say) more than a little pissed this evening when I was told the costume was a no go in my original $250 price point, but with this one coming in at hopefully only a little over $100 or so, That should make the wife happy. Especially since I'll be able to spread it out of 2 paychecks and hopefully a hefty bonus from work for the holidays.
Sorry to litter the board, and pardon the venting. As always, open to suggestion. Just remember that I live in an apartment, have very few power tools, and am not the master costume maker in the family (that would be my spouse).
Thanks again guys and keep up the good work!