There are several ways to make your own Captain America costume and without the need to be a DIY genius or have a lot of money to spend. For a more modern-looking Captain America costume, opt for military-style alternatives like actual bodices or helmets. For a costume that is more in line with the look of the first comics you can use more common items such as t-shirts and rubber gloves.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part 1: The Suit
Step 1. Get a long-sleeved shirt
This garment will be the basis of the costume. There is no need for it to be an elaborate garment, on the contrary, it should be as simple as possible. It just doesn't have to be too tight or too big. Best of all, it's a snug but comfortable shirt.
Step 2. Paint an American football vest with blue spray
A football bodice is the ideal length to make the top of the costume and makes for the latest Captain America look.
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Use a bright blue color spray specifically for fabrics. Do not use pale or dark blue tints. You can give it a first coat of color, let it dry, and then make sure of the result. If the shade is not intense enough, give it another coat of color.
If you have limited availability (money or time), it may be worth making the top of the costume with a blue shirt. The shirt should be loose enough to be worn over the white shirt but not so loose that it moves or puffs up in the wind. Cut the lower part of the shirt starting from the middle of the torso and then make the hem with a needle and thread or with glue or fabric tape. (Captain America's abs are red and white; for this reason you only need half a shirt.)
Step 3. Cut out red lines for the underside of the shirt
Measure the distance between the lower end of the blue shirt (or football shirt) and the underside of the white shirt. Cut out a few strips of red felt or duct tape. Each strip should be approximately 5cm wide.
According to the illustrations, Captain America should have, vertically raised, between three and five stripes. Based on the size of your abdomen to determine how many strips you need and what width they should be
Step 4. Attach the red strips to the bottom of the white shirt
The stripes should start from the hem of the white shirt and reach the bottom of the blue bodice or shirt. Space the strips about 5 cm apart (but always based on the size of your abdomen).
By using the tape you will not need any adhesive. If you're using felt instead, use fabric glue or sew the strips onto the shirt using a needle and thread
Step 5. Get or create a white star
The white star can be made from a common piece of felt or cloth and should be 6 inches in height and width.
- You could also make the star out of a thin piece of construction paper or a sheet of silver-colored laminate. If you don't want to create it yourself, you can always buy a star-shaped patch, one that can be applied with an iron.
- Attach the star to the front of the blue shirt. It should be placed centrally, on the breastbone, and not overlap the white part. Glue or sew (and in the case of the patch, iron it) the star onto the blue shirt or football bodice.
Step 6. Find blue pants in the same shade as your football shirt (or football shirt)
The colors should match perfectly or almost, otherwise the costume will not be homogeneous. You can use blue football pants, but if you can't get them, use the pants (possibly tight) of a tracksuit or tights.
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If you can't find a pair of pants in the right color, get a fabric dye. Items of this kind are not particularly expensive and are readily available in fabric stores.
If possible, get some elastane fabrics; it would be ideal
Step 7. Wear a belt around your waist
A common black or brown belt will work, but you could also opt for a military belt, which comes with various pockets and purses. However, a belt is essential to complete the costume and to cover the elastic band of the pants.
Captain America doesn't always wear purses on his belt. That said, the belt should cover the point where the two parts, top and bottom, of the costume meet (the hardest point to make believably)
Method 2 of 3: Part 2: The Shield
Step 1. Choose the right material to build the shield
To simplify things, consider the idea of using a round snow sled, the lid of a large pot or the metal lid of a waste bin. If none of these alternatives are available, you can always cut out a large circular shape from a piece of cardboard.
Step 2. Color the shield
Start by dyeing the shield with a white spray. The white color will act as a base and will come in handy for one of the shield strips.
- Color the center blue. In the center of the shield should be a medium-sized blue circle. The circle should occupy approximately one third of the diameter of the shield.
- Add two red stripes. Each of them should be about 5 cm wide. The first should surround the central blue circle. The second should border the end of the shield. Between the two strips there should be a wider white one. You may need to widen the red stripes if the white part is twice the size of the two red ones. The red stripes can be made with paint or with duct tape (but the latter is more difficult to arrange circularly).
Step 3. Put a white star in the center of the shield
The star should entirely cover the central blue area but should not invade the red part. The star can be made with white paint, a decal or duct tape. Make the image of the star match the one used previously for the top of the costume.
Method 3 of 3: Part 3: Helmet, Boots and Gloves
Step 1. Use a proper helmet
While the Captain America from the old comics wore a mask, the newer version wears an authentic helmet. A simple military-style helmet will do just fine, but if you really want to be meticulous, look for one similar to the M-1 paratrooper model used in the 1940s by the US military. Color the helmet in the same shade of blue used for the bodice or t-shirt.
If you are in the Carnival period, then you are in luck; otherwise, look for a military or vintage-style replica store. When in doubt, buying online is always the most viable way
Step 2. Put on a face mask
The Captain America costume includes a mask in addition to the helmet. Choose an eye mask and dye it the same shade of blue as the helmet. A simple night mask or a cloth headband can also work. Nothing fancy is needed.
Alternatively, use a balaclava or swimming cap. For a simplified and cheaper version of the mask, you can use a balaclava that leaves the nose free, which will make the use of the mask superfluous. You can also use a swimming cap combined with goggles, always for swimming
Step 3. Stick an "A" on the helmet
You can cut an "A" out of a piece of felt or make one out of silver or white duct tape. You may also find a ready-made "A" in the form of a sticker or patch. Attach the "A" on the front of the helmet (balaclava or swimming cap), in the center. Use glue or a needle and thread.
The "A" should be quite square, with no rounding. It should resemble roughly the eight of a digital watch, but with a wider base
Step 4. Put on your gloves
You can use normal rubber gloves or, for a more modern and sophisticated look, leather gloves. In both cases, the gloves should generously cover half of the forearm.
Step 5. Wear high boots
If you've used leather gloves, a pair of military boots are the ideal choice. If you used rubber gloves, they might work better than red rain boots or tennis shoes paired with a pair of long red socks.
