# Help with a Rorschach costume (especially the mask) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 27, 2007, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713 "2007-09-27T18:47:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2007, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713/21 "2007-09-27T20:35:26Z")
Color the rims of the balaclava, probably with paint, or if you can sew a bit, there is time to take black thread to the edges of the openings to make them the shapes you need. Using white paint on the black pantyhose to make the gap at the mouth would fix that problem. ETA: The biggest thing with using black under white would be ensuring how dark the hose would look worn and matching the embroidery/paint. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2007, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713/22 "2007-09-27T20:46:28Z")
[QUOTE=Lord Il Palazzo] I actually saw and considered that very auction. The problems I found were these: The black rings around the eyes. I’d have to white them out or black over the lenses and that could be a problem. Rorschach’s mask extends a little down the neck. I couldn’t be sure if the masks black parts might show through the marker I use. [/QUOTE] I’d use the black marker on the white lenses. Should just soak right in to the fabric and not affect vision at all. Then I’d use black fabric paint on the other areas where vision isn’t an issue. You might also email the seller and ask if he has any like that in solid black. The do the artwork with white paint. re: the neck, a black or white strip of cloth choker would be perfect. Another thought, if you know someone handy with sewing gear you have plenty of time to pick up some fabric and have them whip you something together. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Il_Palazzo)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2007, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713/23 "2007-09-27T21:00:57Z")
[QUOTE=Projammer] I’d use the black marker on the white lenses. Should just soak right in to the fabric and not affect vision at all. Then I’d use black fabric paint on the other areas where vision isn’t an issue. You might also email the seller and ask if he has any like that in solid black. The do the artwork with white paint. re: the neck, a black or white strip of cloth choker would be perfect. Another thought, if you know someone handy with sewing gear you have plenty of time to pick up some fabric and have them whip you something together. [/QUOTE] An interesting idea. Is there any reason to go black instead of white? Remember that Rorschach’s mask is mostly white. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2007, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713/24 "2007-09-27T21:15:07Z")
[QUOTE=Lord Il Palazzo] Any thoughts or advice you could offer would be much appreciated. [/QUOTE] I did a Rorschach costume when I was in high school, so it’s been about 20 years, but IIRC my mask was made from a white pillowcase, on which I used a fabric marker to draw in the black spots. Obviously, the spots did not move. No holes for eating or breathing (I just breathed through the fabric), and the material was just sheer enough to see fuzzy shapes so I didn’t walk into anything. It was not the most pleasant costume of all time, but I like to suffer for my art. 😛 Despite the non-moving, clearly drawn-on spots, you’d be surprised at how effective a mask that has no holes is. It disturbs people to look at a face and not be able to see the features. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2007, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713/25 "2007-09-27T21:56:24Z")
[QUOTE=Lord Il Palazzo] An interesting idea. Is there any reason to go black instead of white? Remember that Rorschach’s mask is mostly white. [/QUOTE] Because if the mask is solid black you don’t need to figure out how to make the eye area black while still being able to see through it. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2007, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713/26 "2007-09-27T22:00:41Z")
[QUOTE=muldoonthief] Don’t forget body odor, and eating cold beans from a can. You should probably forego breaking another party guest’s fingers however. [/QUOTE] But if anyone hits on you, don’t forget to drop them down an elevator shaft. {Couldn’t you just strip off, paint yourself blue and go with your willy hanging out as Doctor Manhattan?} ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713/27 "2007-09-28T01:48:50Z")
[Put one of these over your face instead of over your hair. Don’t ask me how I know, but you can see through them fine and they’ll cover your face.](http://headcovers.com/moreinfo.php?id=735) Get it in white and then do the design in black. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713/28 "2007-09-28T02:13:30Z")
[QUOTE=Lord Il Palazzo] An interesting idea. Is there any reason to go black instead of white? Remember that Rorschach’s mask is mostly white. [/QUOTE] What **Otto** said. I believe it would be easier to fill out the mask with an opaque white fabric paint than trying to darken the sheer eye panels. You couldn’t use a paint for that because it would make the fabric opaque. ---
**Author:** ![Elysium](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3be4f8/32.png) [@Elysium](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elysium)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713/29 "2007-09-28T02:41:49Z")
A zentai suit mask is perfect. See the black version here: [http://cgi.ebay.com/Lycra-Zentai-black-hood-mask-over-all\_W0QQitemZ190155315492QQihZ009QQcategoryZ36306QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem](http://cgi.ebay.com/Lycra-Zentai-black-hood-mask-over-all_W0QQitemZ190155315492QQihZ009QQcategoryZ36306QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) Zentais are MADE for costumes like this, and I’m pretty sure with some searching you can find a white version and buy just the mask. They tend to be made as a full body suit and marketed for cosplayers or as fetish gear, so target your search with several applicable keywords. It’s going to be easier than pantyhose and they are made to be work on the face, so will likelier be more comfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Il_Palazzo)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713/30 "2007-09-28T03:31:13Z")
[QUOTE=Elysium] A zentai suit mask is perfect. See the black version here: [http://cgi.ebay.com/Lycra-Zentai-black-hood-mask-over-all\_W0QQitemZ190155315492QQihZ009QQcategoryZ36306QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem](http://cgi.ebay.com/Lycra-Zentai-black-hood-mask-over-all_W0QQitemZ190155315492QQihZ009QQcategoryZ36306QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) Zentais are MADE for costumes like this, and I’m pretty sure with some searching you can find a white version and buy just the mask. They tend to be made as a full body suit and marketed for cosplayers or as fetish gear, so target your search with several applicable keywords. It’s going to be easier than pantyhose and they are made to be work on the face, so will likelier be more comfortable. [/QUOTE] **Elysium** , while that looks like it would be perfect, if sounds from the question and reply [here](http://cgi.ebay.com/Lycra-Zentai-black-hood-mask-all-over_W0QQitemZ270150573297QQihZ017QQcategoryZ4844QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem) like vision is severely impared. I’ll keep this in mind but I really would like to be able to see as clearly as possible. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713/31 "2007-09-28T05:10:37Z")
[QUOTE=Askia] 3) A working grappling gun would be way cool, but if you just need something that just sorta / kinda looks like one, I’d suggest some combination of a broken hand-held hairdryer, with some sort of feeding rope attached to some sort of grappling hook. Here’s a thought: it’s not hard to find “Captain Hook hands” in kids’ costume packs at dollar stores around this time of year. I suggest epoxying three or four at the handles and attaching it to the front of the hairdryer. [/QUOTE] How big does the grapple need to be? Here is a [four prong cleaning hook](http://www.sstack.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=1119&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=133&iSubCat=137&iProductID=1119) horse fanciers use. It’s about a foot long. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713/32 "2007-09-28T12:42:30Z")
Why don’t you go as Walter Kovacs instead? Making a “the end is near” sign is easier than making the mask. Use red hair spray et voila. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713/33 "2007-09-28T13:46:51Z")
Here we go. Can you afford to pay $50 for it? [http://tinyurl.com/22ep4z](http://tinyurl.com/22ep4z) If not, why not just paint your face white and black. It would do. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713/34 "2007-09-28T14:04:34Z")
or, for a home made effort: [http://www.surlyrobot.com/?p=171#comments](http://www.surlyrobot.com/?p=171#comments) One final touch your costume needs - a dried rose. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Il_Palazzo)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713/35 "2007-09-28T14:07:02Z")
[QUOTE=Peter Morris] Here we go. Can you afford to pay $50 for it? [http://tinyurl.com/22ep4z](http://tinyurl.com/22ep4z) If not, why not just paint your face white and black. It would do. [/QUOTE] I don’t know. Buying a premade mask would feel like cheating after all the thought I’ve put into how to make one. Besides, I’d have a bit of trouble justifying $50 bucks for a mask. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Il_Palazzo)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713/36 "2007-09-28T14:15:56Z")
[QUOTE=Peter Morris] or, for a home made effort: [http://www.surlyrobot.com/?p=171#comments](http://www.surlyrobot.com/?p=171#comments) One final touch your costume needs - a dried rose. [/QUOTE] That sounds perfect. Thanks for the link. I’ll have to give it some looking into. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-rorschach-costume-especially-the-mask/420713.md?page=1)