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Captain Marvel Costume Guide (Carol Danvers)

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Captain Marvel Costume

Carol Danvers' Captain Marvel suit, as worn by Brie Larson in Captain Marvel (2019), Avengers: Endgame and The Marvels (2023), is a blue bodysuit with a red upper torso and shoulders, a gold eight-pointed Hala star on the chest, red gloves and boots and a gold sash tied at the hip. Her hair is blonde, shoulder-length in the first film and cropped short in Endgame.

Most people buy the suit as a single piece and then upgrade the accessories, which is the approach this guide takes. The sash, the gloves and the hair are what separate a good Captain Marvel from a generic superhero. The mohawk helmet is optional; it's a striking addition for photos but hot to wear for long.

At a glance

  • Difficulty: Easy with a bought suit; moderate to build the helmet
  • Rough budget: $60–$140
  • Time to put on: 15 minutes
  • What people recognise first: Red, blue and gold suit with the star + gold sash

What you need

  • Captain Marvel bodysuit (red, blue and gold) — Look for one with the red torso panel and a clear gold star. Printed suits are fine; matte fabric photographs better than shiny spandex.
  • Gold sash or wide ribbon — Tied on the left hip so it hangs to the knee. Many suits skip this; it's cheap to add and immediately improves the look.
  • Red gloves — Wrist- to forearm-length. Her gloves are a slightly darker red than the suit panel.
  • Red knee-high boots or boot covers — Flat or low heel. Red boot covers over your own boots are the comfortable option.
  • Short blonde wig — A chin-length wavy blonde wig for the 2019 film, or a short, slicked-back cut for Endgame.
  • Mohawk helmet (optional) — Her helmet forms from the suit and leaves a blonde mohawk on top. Buy a costume version or build one from craft foam with a strip of blonde hair glued along the crest.
  • Fingerless gloves and bomber jacket (for the 'Vers' look) — An alternative: in parts of the 2019 film Carol wears a Nine Inch Nails T-shirt, jeans and a brown leather jacket. Easy and still recognisable to fans.

How to put it together

Suit

  1. Put the bodysuit on over seamless underwear; thin lines show through tight suits.
  2. If the suit's star is faint, trace it with gold fabric paint and let it dry before wearing.
  3. Tie the gold sash around the hips with the knot on the left and the tails hanging down the leg.

Gloves, boots and hair

  1. Pull on the boots or boot covers, then the gloves.
  2. Pin your hair flat and fit the blonde wig. For the Endgame look, slick a short wig back with gel.
  3. Keep makeup simple: a natural look with defined brows matches the films.

Helmet and effects

  1. If wearing the helmet, put it on last and keep it for photos; take it off between.
  2. For 'binary' glow photos, hold a small battery-powered LED in each closed fist. Gold or warm white looks closest to the film.
  3. The pose: fists clenched at the sides, chin up, or one arm raised ready to fire.

About the character

Carol Danvers is a former U.S. Air Force pilot who gained energy-absorbing and projecting powers after an accident involving Kree technology. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe she first appears in Captain Marvel (2019), set in 1995, where she discovers her past while fighting alongside a young Nick Fury. She returns in Avengers: Endgame to help defeat Thanos and leads the team in The Marvels (2023) with Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan.

In the comics Carol has used several names, including Ms. Marvel and Binary, and took the Captain Marvel title in 2012. Her current red, blue and gold suit with the Hala star was designed for the comics by Jamie McKelvie in 2012 and adapted closely for the film, which is why it looks the same whether you're referencing the page or the screen.

Frequently asked questions

What colours is Captain Marvel's suit?

Blue with a red upper torso, shoulders, gloves and boots, a gold eight-pointed star on the chest, gold trim and a gold sash on the hip. In the 2019 film she also briefly wears a green and black Kree Starforce version of the same suit.

Does Captain Marvel have short or long hair?

Both, depending on the film. In Captain Marvel (2019) her hair is blonde and shoulder-length; in Avengers: Endgame it's cut short; in The Marvels it's shoulder-length again. Pick the version you prefer; the suit is the same.

How do I make the Captain Marvel mohawk helmet?

Shape a close-fitting helmet from craft foam or a cheap costume helmet, paint it red with gold trim around the face opening, and glue a strip of blonde hair wefts along the top in a mohawk. It's worth doing only if you'll pose for photos; most people skip it.

What's a good group costume with Captain Marvel?

The Marvels: Ms. Marvel (red and blue with a yellow lightning bolt) and Monica Rambeau (black and white suit). For an Avengers group, add Black Widow, Scarlet Witch or Thor.

Further reading

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