Whether going to a comic convention, a cosplay event or a Halloween party everyone wants to choose an outfit that is distinctive, something that people will know while at the same time not necessarily something other people will choose. One example of this is a Sucker Punch Babydoll costume.

A lot of people want to copy this kind of look. It is ideal for cosplay or costume parties. You can simply buy a complete set online or in stores. However in many ways it is a lot more satisfying to make one for yourself. There is the additional benefit that you can add your own touches.

In the film Baby Doll is in an asylum and so escapes into a world of fantasy. It is therefore appropriate that the clothes most associated with her seem to be a mixture of a number of different fantasies. There seems to be a mixture of influences and each part of the costume seems to take on some kind of significance.

In simple terms the look is a variation on the Japanese schoolgirl look, often found in anime and manga. The main components are the blond pigtails, the navy headband, the uniform and thigh high stockings. With each element there is the opportunity to customize it to add your own take on the character.

The first element to consider in your design is the pigtails. You do not necessarily have to go all the way and dye your hair blond if you do not want to. You can simply do your hair in pigtails. Alternatively you may want to go with a temporary hair dye that will wash off so that you can look authentic but not be stuck with dyed hair for longer than you would like. The navy head bands are readily available from most high street stores, while you can usually buy navy schoolgirl uniforms online.

The next part is the Japanese style navy schoolgirl uniform. These are available from a number of different online stores and can be easily found by typing the term into a search engine. Alternatively it is possible to purchase the material and fashion them for yourself. You can buy a neck scarf to complete the look.

Finally there are two symbols that seem to be at odds with each other. First there is the sword and the gun, both easily purchasable from a number of different toy stores. The sword and gun combination may have been influenced by the Capcom video game Devil May Cry. It is a very literal symbol of empowerment. Seizing the sword is a key part of the Joseph Campbell book Hero Of A Thousand Faces. It suggests someone prepared to take control of their destiny. However Baby Doll also has a bandage on her arm, possibly a visual symbol of the mental wounds of her character.

A key aspect you must not forget when making Sucker Punch costumes is the weapons, the sword and the guns. Essentially this is where you can have the most fun. Some people may want to go for the authentic look and find replica weapons. Other people may want to have more fun and parody the look with deliberately cheap or overly gaudy toy grade weapons. Either way the key thing is to have fun and experiment with the look for yourself. Use an image search on a search engine to get pictures from the movie as a guide to create your own Babydoll look.