Mother War Cosplay

I will be cosplaying as Mother War this year, and I need help making the ensemble come together!

I only have minimal sewing skills, but can make do in a pinch. Please give me ideas on how to make this outfit myself! Please include links to things you found on the internet that are available to buy such as a suitable gas mask or a really long brown peasant skirt/black hoopskirt etc. I'm trying to stay on a budget, so keep that in mind! I live in the US and will not order things from out-of-country unless dire circumstances warrant such action.

So far I have:
1 blonde wig
old-fashioned boots
gas mask

I need:
hose for gas mask
bottom hoopskirt
brown skirt
overlaying hoopskirt
fishnet top
corset
puffed sleeves

...or alternatives.

For the hoopskirt, you could buy a really long skirt from a second hand store (cheap)
then make circular shapes out of wire going up the dress (on the inside to create the full shape) and sew them in.
You'll be able to get wire from any hardware store, and it's relatively cheap for the amount you get.
You could even start the bottom of the skirt off with a hula-hoop?

I'm not sure how you could achieve the metal on the outisde.
The only thing I could sugguest is cutting up a darker fabric really delicately and laying it over.

Corsets are quite expensive I believe, I've only ever seen them in lingire shops.
What she's wearing in this picture doesn't actually look like a corset
but more a tight top - you could try looking for a black and white striped singlet.
If you get the skirt puffed out enough and the shoulders too, it will create the illusion of a pulled in waist anyway.
I don't think you need the corset on top of that, but if you can find one for cheap, I'm sure it will look great.

I'd imagine you'd have to make the puffy sleeves yourself, but they might not be too hard, and you can always plump them up with tissues or cotton balls.
You'd sew them directly on to the singlet/corset straps - once you've overlayed some sheer fabric. I'm sure you could find a black sheer top for somewhere cheap.
Sorry I don't have any examples of stores, I don't actually live in the US. But I think what you're aiming for is definitley achievable with a bit of hard work.
Good luck, I hope this essay helps at least a bit!

Thanks!

I think you're right: I'll have to make the sleeves myself. It shouldn't be too hard, right? Even with my amateur sewing skills?

I actually found a cheap corset on Ebay, I just hope it will fit me when it comes in...

I found a great tutorial for creating hoopskirts cheap here

Any more thoughts? That post really did help!

Got my gas mask and wig! Woohoo! Pictures here:

tada!

Glad it helped (:
and I can't actually see the picture.
I don't have permission.

Oh dear. I forgot that was a protected forum. Oh well, here's the direct link: http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss235/assimilatedchaos/Brinn005.jpg

Ooh, that looks really good!

Thank you! I got my hoopskirt in the mail today, woot

Hi!!! Your cosplay looks awesome. I am URGENTLY seeking a mother war mask. Your mask looks so perfect it looks just like the real one!!! Can you please tell me how you made it / where you found it?!? Thank you so much!