Big Trouble in Little China - Storm Costume - Lightning 2016

[Thodin]

I always wanted to make a Storm Costume based on Big Trouble in Little China. I really love the Lightning Spirit and those awesome exaggerated Ronin Gasa Japanese Straw Hats. I did some research and found several Japanese suppliers offer an authentic Ronin Gasa hat for $350 + shipping...waay to expensive and they did not look close enough to the movie straw hats. So I decided to build my own along with the rest of the costume for under $50.00....

 

[Thodin]

For the Straw Hat:
Laundry Basket = $1.25 from Dollartree
Wired 30" Wreath from Michaels = $8.00 with 40% discount coupon
one Bag of 2 bundled Raffla straw = $1.25 from Dollartree
one twine ball = $1.25 from Dollartree
Tan Krylon Spray Paint = $5.80 from Can Tire
I will most likely have to purchase at least 10 more bags of the straw and I will have to figure out how to find and attach a small helmet inside...
1 bolt of black cloth = $8.00 from Value Village (for the black long sleeve shirt and pants and the tunic)
I have seen some silver from car window screening that I can use for the diamond patter on the front tunic for $1.25

 

[Thodin]

This is the original movie hat which measured 30" for the large rim and 14" high...I definitely got the 30" measure out right but I am a little short for the 14" high but I can make up for that with the straw bunch top knot....

 

[19narvik40]

Most wicked !! Can't wait to see your progress on this. Have you decided on Lightning?

 

[bookworm]

I always enjoyed that movie. I can't wait to see more pics of your progress

 

[Thodin]

I finished weaving the top and now I am starting the sides, the front was rather loose and the sides and back were tight in the straw weave.....I recall the real Wind Hat prop sold for $3500.00....

 

[Thodin]

Geting there......

 

[Apollo]

Loving your progress!

 

[Thodin]

Working on it....

 

[Lvbolts]

Looks great so far.

 

[Thodin]

Finished Lightning's Hat....final cost was under $30.00 CAN....now I need to work on the rest of the outfit.....

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[19narvik40]

Certainly looks the part, well done !! At $30 CAN, especially considering what the Loonie is at, it was one hell of a deal.

 

[Thodin]

Some more build pics.

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I have say the two hardest parts were the sewing and the Ronin Gasa (Basket weaving to create the hat)...!

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I entered a local convention competition and won Best Re-Creation .....

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The lightning was a last minute ditch effort with EL wiring from Ebay from China and a garden wire for vine plants....for the quick effect it worked...at least I thought so...I also had an amp speaker with a USB plugged in playing clips from Big Trouble in Little China and had some Thunder sounds also.....that was fun walking the vendor aisles...

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The scales were made for Woblia and the belt buckle was hand drawn and made from Super Sculpty clay and held on with a cloth belt and some Velcro...

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I did not realize the scales were too heavy and of course my beer belly made the scales move in weird positions.....not like the fit actor who played the role.... LOL...

 

[mugatu]

I love this! So awesome!

 

[19narvik40]

"The lightning was a last minute ditch effort with EL wiring from Ebay from China and a garden wire for vine plants....for the quick effect it worked...at least I thought so...I also had an amp speaker with a USB plugged in playing clips from Big Trouble in Little China and had some Thunder sounds also.....that was fun walking the vendor aisles..."

You should try it as a night time shot.