Butterfly Fae
Soft butterfly wings from Great Pretenders
This one is and isn't cosplay, really - Ragz asked me to be part of his wedding party in 2024, and while we were given a colour palette, the actual outfits were completely up to us. Since I love the soft fabric butterfly wings from Great Pretenders and didn't have anything really fantasy-ish in my collection, I used the wings as a starting point to make an outfit which was both appropriate for the wedding and would be fun to take to cons and events afterwards. Fortunately I found a pattern in my stash with the right aesthetic I was looking for (fantasy fairy), and Fabricland came through with the perfect colours.
What I ended up with is a floor-length skirt in a cotton-linen blend, a top made from a lovely lightweight rayon with two sets of those wings stitched in as a middle skirt layer, and a bodice in embroidered cotton gauze. Despite intentionally choosing natural fibres, there's so many layers to this thing that it's still pretty hot to wear. I added the matching Great Pretenders butterfly headband and used more of the butterflies from a second headband to decorate the bodice. Another two sets of the wings were used for my actual wings - I left them soft like a cape for the wedding, but afterwards added wire so they could stand on their own.
As I've worn the costume a few times now, I don't love how the wired wings look so I'm sure the costume will keep evolving. I can see a world where I remove the wire and convert the wings back into a "cape"; but it's also a possibility that I'll remove the butterfly stuff from the dress and upcycle it into something else entirely. "Watch this space" I guess!
What I ended up with is a floor-length skirt in a cotton-linen blend, a top made from a lovely lightweight rayon with two sets of those wings stitched in as a middle skirt layer, and a bodice in embroidered cotton gauze. Despite intentionally choosing natural fibres, there's so many layers to this thing that it's still pretty hot to wear. I added the matching Great Pretenders butterfly headband and used more of the butterflies from a second headband to decorate the bodice. Another two sets of the wings were used for my actual wings - I left them soft like a cape for the wedding, but afterwards added wire so they could stand on their own.
As I've worn the costume a few times now, I don't love how the wired wings look so I'm sure the costume will keep evolving. I can see a world where I remove the wire and convert the wings back into a "cape"; but it's also a possibility that I'll remove the butterfly stuff from the dress and upcycle it into something else entirely. "Watch this space" I guess!
Events:
2024 Ragz's Wedding!, Halloween
2025 Sarnia Pop Culture Show, Oxford Renaissance Festival
2024 Ragz's Wedding!, Halloween
2025 Sarnia Pop Culture Show, Oxford Renaissance Festival
Each photo in the gallery is labeled with its respective photographer; please visit their websites!
D. Groombridge Photography
Paul Hillier - A Little Wedding Story
All photos are property of their respective owners and may not be used without permission.
D. Groombridge Photography
Paul Hillier - A Little Wedding Story
All photos are property of their respective owners and may not be used without permission.
