DIY COSTUME ITEMS
Hey fellow RWBY fans! Today I’m super excited to share my costume guide for Penny Polendina’s gorgeous prom dress from RWBY! As an cosplayer who absolutely adores Penny, I’ve put together this detailed breakdown to help you recreate her elegant green formal look.
Who is Penny Polendina?
For those who might not know, Penny is the adorable, quirky character from RWBY who happens to be an android with a soul. She’s known for her sweet personality, combat abilities, and her iconic orange bob haircut with a pink bow. This particular look is her beautiful prom dress outfit that shows her more elegant side!
The Essential Components
Here’s everything you’ll need to create a perfect Penny prom cosplay:
1. Bright Orange Bob Wig
The foundation of any Penny cosplay is her distinctive bright orange hair. Look for a straight bob cut with blunt bangs that hit just above the eyebrows. The length should fall right at chin level for accuracy. If the wig is too long, don’t be afraid to give it a trim!
2. Pink Hair Bow
A cute pink bow is essential for capturing Penny’s sweet style. You’ll want to position it slightly off-center on the top of your head. Look for a cheerleader-style bow with two loops and a knot in the middle. The shade should be a soft, light pink to match her character design.
3. Light Green Flowy Dress
The centerpiece of this cosplay is the beautiful mint/light green dress with spaghetti straps. Look for something with a V-neckline, fitted bodice, and a flowy skirt that falls just above the knee. The material should be lightweight and airy – chiffon works perfectly to get that elegant movement when you walk.
4. Black Bow Belt
Around the waist, Penny wears a thin black belt with a small bow detail at the front. This adds definition to the waistline and breaks up the green of the dress. Look for an elastic belt that’s about 1-inch wide with a bow or bow-shaped buckle.
5. Green Pointed Heels
To complete the look, you’ll need matching green pumps with a pointed toe. The heel doesn’t need to be too high – around 2-3 inches is perfect for comfort while staying accurate to the character. The shade should match your dress as closely as possible.
Optional Extras for Accuracy
- White tights or knee-high socks: In the reference image, Penny appears to be wearing white tights or socks
- Cat ear clips: If you look closely at the original character art, Penny has subtle cat ear clips in her hair
- Green eye contacts: For that perfect Penny look, bright green contacts really make the cosplay pop!
- Freckles: Adding some light freckles with makeup can enhance the costume’s authenticity
DIY Tips & Tricks
- If you can’t find the perfect green dress, consider dyeing a white one. Just make sure to test your dye first!
- The belt can easily be made from black ribbon with a small bow sewn or glued on
- If green heels are hard to find, buy plain white or cream ones and use fabric dye or paint made specifically for shoes
- For the bow, you can make your own from pink ribbon if you can’t find one the right size or shade
Bringing Penny to Life
Remember that Penny has a very specific personality – she’s curious, sweet, and sometimes a bit awkward in social situations. When posing for photos, try to capture her innocence with gentle smiles and maybe a peace sign or two!
The prom dress version of Penny is perfect for formal cosplay events, RWBY meetups, or anytime you want to represent your favorite android without going for her more complex combat outfit.
Have you cosplayed as Penny before? I’d love to see your takes on this adorable character! Let me know if you have any questions about putting this costume together – I’m happy to help fellow RWBY fans bring Penny to life!
Salutations, friends! 💚
