Small football shoulder pads? Like the kind the placekicker wears.

That's a last resort, since the costume is actually transparent at that point.

I know I'm overstickling for someone who's not wearing actual chainmail. Seems to be a character flaw.

could you cut up an old underwire bra in half

I hadn't even thought of pokey ouchey.

but you could make two circles that go around your shoulders, joined by an axle across your back, with the facric draped over it.

Up over my shoulders? I guess I can make one or two loops that attach to the axle and sit on my shoulders, for support, and then have the Sydney Opera House high-flying buttresses come off it too.

I'll need more wire, but that's a small price to pay.

Went to a Halloween store for the wig today, but they only did 80s rocker in black. Tomorrow or the weekend I'll give the nearby wig store a try, and if not there, it's Melrose or Hollywood.

I think the jewellery is all sorted, which is cool.

What about making a stiff frame that connects to the gown at the back?

My concern here is that the gown will be whisper light and constructed like shit. Because I will have done it, and sans machine.

Hopefully the shoulder pieces will be very light. I just don't want them swaying. My fairy wings last year looked great at the start, and then tore off under their own weight as the night went on.

Hmm. I have some of that modellable mesh left over from last year--framework heaven! Now it's just about attaching the axle so the shoulders are stable.

Triple threat!

The wing construction research is fascinating, and I should have done it last year. This looks so much more durable than what I ended up with.

Chickenwire? I still like the slinky idea. But I kinda like slinkies.

OH! What about going to a Home Despot and getting pipe insulation? You know those foam tubes? They could be duck taped.

OK, I'm not entirely clear on how this actually works, but could something like this be the base for your wire loops? [link]

That could, Jesse. I'd just have to do something so that it doesn't interfere with the neckline of the top.

I think I now have to stare in the mirror a lot.

Oh, I was thinking something more like a very narrow piece of PVC pipe; that'll hold them steadier than wire, and it's lightweight. But it still has to be attached to something else eventually.

Maybe you could use that idea as the basis for something with ace bandages or something? You just need some kind of sturdy base around your shoulders, I think.

Remember I am the person who thought "head on a platter" involving an enormous table (cardboard box side) was a good costume for taking on the subway and thence into huge crowds, so it's possible I just have no sense.

I've seen that sort of gear attached to the body with elastic loops for the arms. They have a sturdy part in the back for the shoulder gear to attach to.