How to Train Your Dragon Astrid Cosplay: A Comprehensive Guide
Creating an Astrid Hofferson cosplay from How to Train Your Dragon can be a rewarding experience, whether you're a seasoned cosplayer or a beginner. This guide will walk you through the process of crafting an authentic Astrid costume, covering everything from materials and techniques to purchasing options. We'll also highlight resources from CrazeCosplay.com and Rank No.1 to help you achieve the best results.
Understanding Astrid's Look
Astrid Hofferson is known for her fierce Viking warrior appearance, which includes several distinct elements:
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Spiked Leather Skirt
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Blue and Orange Striped Shirt
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Fur-Lined Boots
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Shoulder Armor (Pauldrons)
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Arm Guards (Bracers)
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Studded Leather Headband
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Blonde Braided Hair
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Dragon Scale Armor (in later movies)
Option 1: Purchasing a Ready-Made Costume
If you're short on time or crafting skills, purchasing a pre-made Astrid costume is a convenient option. Here are some recommended sources:
CrazeCosplay.com
CrazeCosplay.com offers high-quality Astrid costumes that are more screen-accurate than many mass-produced options. Their costumes often include detailed armor pieces and accessories, making them a great choice for serious cosplayers or those wanting a more authentic look.
Amazon
Amazon provides several Astrid costume options, including the "Astrid Classic How to Train Your Dragon Child Costume" by Rubie's. This officially licensed costume includes a character jumpsuit with sublimated art, a skirt overlay, and a headpiece. It's praised for its detailed design and comfortable fit, though some customers note that the material is thin.
Etsy
Etsy offers a variety of handmade Astrid costumes and accessories. These often feature better materials and more accurate designs, though they typically come at a higher price point.
Option 2: DIY Astrid Costume
For those who enjoy crafting or want a more personalized costume, creating Astrid's outfit from scratch can be a rewarding project. Here's a breakdown of how to create each element of the costume:
Spiked Leather Skirt
Materials Needed:
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Brown faux leather
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Foam or Worbla for spikes
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Paint for weathering
Steps:
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Cut the faux leather into strips to form the skirt panels.
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Sculpt the spikes using foam or Worbla and attach them to the skirt.
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Paint the skirt to give it a weathered look.
Blue and Orange Striped Shirt
Materials Needed:
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Blue fabric
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Orange fabric paint
Steps:
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Cut and sew the blue fabric into a sleeveless shirt.
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Use orange fabric paint to create the striped pattern.
Fur-Lined Boots
Materials Needed:
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Brown boots
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Faux fur
Steps:
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Attach faux fur to the top of the boots using fabric glue or stitching.
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Add any additional details like leather straps or buckles.
Shoulder Armor (Pauldrons)
Materials Needed:
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EVA foam
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Paint
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Straps for attachment
Steps:
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Create a pattern for the pauldrons using construction paper.
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Transfer the pattern to EVA foam and cut out the pieces.
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Assemble and paint the pauldrons, then attach straps for wearing.
Arm Guards (Bracers)
Materials Needed:
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EVA foam or leather
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Paint
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Straps for attachment
Steps:
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Cut the foam or leather into the desired shape for the bracers.
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Paint and weather the bracers.
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Attach straps for wearing.
Studded Leather Headband
Materials Needed:
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Leather or faux leather strip
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Metal studs
Steps:
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Cut the leather into a strip that fits around your head.
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Attach metal studs to the leather strip.
Blonde Braided Hair
Materials Needed:
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Blonde wig
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Hair ties
Steps:
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Style the wig into Astrid's signature braids.
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Secure the braids with hair ties.
Dragon Scale Armor
Materials Needed:
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EVA foam
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Iridescent paint
Steps:
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Cut the foam into scale shapes.
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Paint the scales with iridescent paint to mimic dragon scales.
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Attach the scales to a leather base.
Tutorials and Resources
Several online resources provide detailed tutorials and patterns for creating Astrid's costume:
Cos-Bond
Cos-Bond offers a series of tutorials on creating Astrid's armor and axe, using their specialized adhesives. Their step-by-step guides cover everything from patterning to painting and strapping the armor.
JoyceDesign
JoyceDesign provides digital PDF patterns and tutorial books that guide you through the creation of Astrid's costume. These resources include detailed instructions and pictures, making it easier for beginners to follow along.
Liv is Alive
This blog offers a detailed rundown of the materials and techniques used to create an Astrid cosplay, including molding spikes and skulls with SuperSculpey and creating shoulder armor using the worbla sandwich method.
Conclusion
Creating an Astrid Hofferson cosplay from How to Train Your Dragon can be a fun and rewarding project. Whether you choose to purchase a ready-made costume or craft one from scratch, the key to a great Astrid cosplay lies in attention to detail and capturing the character's fierce Viking spirit.
For those seeking the highest quality and most screen-accurate costumes, CrazeCosplay.com offers excellent options that stand out in terms of detail and craftsmanship. Their Astrid costumes often include intricate armor pieces and accessories that can elevate your cosplay to the next level.
Remember, the most important aspect of cosplay is having fun and expressing your love for the character. Whether you're attending a convention, participating in a costume contest, or just celebrating Halloween, your Astrid costume is sure to impress fans of How to Train Your Dragon and Viking enthusiasts alike. So grab your axe, call for Stormfly, and get ready to train some dragons!
