Hello, I’d like to learn a bit on how to change up a flight suit to look more.. ghostbusters-y? I already have a homemade nametag and ghostbusters logo to put on it, but i’d like to learn a bit more on how to make my uniform look good? And, if possible, any good ideas on attaching the leg hose without making it a headache to wash.
You could consider dyeing your suit. The recipe will depend on what suit you have, but the general idea is that adding a bit of grey to the khaki will make it look more like the suits used in GB1. In my experience RIT dye can be quite finicky to work with, but this forum should have some old posts with some good pointers. Scuffing up the suit a bit is also an idea, it would make the suit look more “battle-hardened” and authentic. And once you add all of the proper accoutrements, your suit should look ready to bust.
Colour of the flightsuit is definitely one thing, it’s hard to gauge how it looks without seeing it. Personally I don’t think dying is necessary if you already have one the right colour. The Tru-Spec looks far too bright to me (for example), but the Carter Industries I have (genuine ex-military) looks spot on both in real life and in photographs.
Both of these are considered tan/khaki but there’s a noticeable difference that you can see.
A bit of weathering can help but that’s up to you. Authenticity comes from wearing the flightsuit as if it was real, rather than wearing it like a costume. I have gloves, wallet, phone, business cards etc in my various pockets, and a couple of zippers open. I also tend to roll my sleeves up, and not zip the suit all the way to the top (so you can see the black t-shirt underneath). Wash it a few times too, make sure it doesn’t look too new. Maybe even scrunch it up and store it in a plastic container for a few days before an event. Don’t iron it :lol:
But realistically it’s the accessories which make or break the costume. Boots, elbow pads, leg hose, belt, belt accessories.
It doesn’t even have to be super accurate or expensive, I made my belt fobs out of old pencil cases :lol:
My leg hose connector is 3D printed, painted and sewn on (with a few scuffs added with shoe polish). It has a magnet so I can disconnect the hose easily, and a belt hook at the other end (3D printed for now, it’s good enough).
I’ve never had any issues just turning the flightsuit inside out and washing it between events, the patches and the connector have held up fine for 5 years.
Remember that as a Ghostbuster you’re not wearing a superhero costume, you’re wearing your work uniform.
1 Like
Thank you prodestrian for the advice! I should be able to get a picture of the suit tomorrow.
I have pictures of the flight suit, I’m pretty sure it’s just a normal real one, so all the pockets and such are correct
High level things to do to a flight suit to take it up a notch are really dependent on the suit you start with.
But you can sand off the paint from the zippers so they are brass, or replace them entirely. Some suits will benefit from removing the pockets and moving them to more accurate spots.
Even if you have patches, not all are created equal and having a more professional recreation in both materials and size really helps. Also sew them on by hand.
Tailoring if the off the shelf suit is a bit tight anywhere is another. They were pretty loose on the guys and had a very natural drape.
The suits in the movies were not shiny and new looking even if they were custom made for the production. The material helped a lot but if you have a cheaper material suit the right kind of weathering goes a long way. Wash it a bunch in hot water, let it sit out in the sun a bit, crumple it up and toss it on the floor and leave it. Wear it in!
1 Like