Costuming help wanted

I want to make one of two costumes.

1. Ranma Saotome
This is the first.


The pants, I have, The shoes, I can find used or borrow. The wig, I have a lead on.

But the jacket? A basic garment from the largest ethnic group in the world in a common colour; short or long sleeved? It turns out that I will have to sew the damn thing myself. Not just because I'm picky about labour standards, but also because every single jacket has something embroidered on it: coins; dragons; flowers.

So I need a pattern, but I do not know where to get one. Advice?




2. Starship Crewmember

This is both for halowe'en and Other Events.

In 2006, while dressed as "Integral Calculus"  (horrifying!) I was inspired by a woman at Out on Campus who had a silvery jumpsuity thing on. She said she was "a starship mechanic."

I was also inspired by the bodysuits in Mass effect.


I want something smooth and taught and slick, that just fits together. It needs to look confident, sexy and capable. I don't know where to start. Again, I seek your advice. Components? Materials?

On that note, I feel it is only appropriate to link in solidarity with to someone who lost her heart to a starship trooper.