How to Make a Gladiator Costume

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Things You'll Need

  • 2 T-shirts

  • Scissors

  • Measuring tape

  • 2 yards crushed velvet

  • Sewing machine

  • Thread

  • 2 alligator clips

  • 15-inch gold-colored chain

  • Brown faux leather

  • Grommets

  • Leather hole punch pliers

  • Leather cord

Image Credit: ajr_images/iStock/GettyImages

Chances are you won't be fighting in the Colosseum, but you may just hear the crowd chanting your name when you walk in the room wearing your very own gladiator costume. Transport yourself back to a time when only the bravest and strongest were champions with this simple-to-make Roman gladiator costume, and pair it up with period weaponry and sandals.

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Easy Gladiator Tunic

Cut the First T-shirt

Cut one T-shirt from the bottom of one armhole to the bottom of the other. Set the top of the T-shirt aside, and turn the cut-off bottom portion of the T-shirt inside out.

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Trim and Sew the Shirts

Turn the intact T-shirt inside out. Pin the cut-off bottom portion to the bottom of the whole T-shirt. Sew the pieces together to create the tunic body.

Complete the Roman Gladiator Costume Tunic

Remove the sleeves from the top of the tunic. Cut around the seam. Cut the neckband off of the tunic.

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Easy Gladiator Cape

Measure and Cut the Crushed Velvet

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Image Credit: slavazyryanov/iStock/GettyImages

Cut a section of crushed velvet so that measures 1 1/2 yards by 45 inches.

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Fold, Cut and Hem

Fold the fabric in half lengthwise. Cut the corners off of one end of the fabric. Hem on all sides.

Add the Gold Chains

Attach an alligator clip to each end of the gold-colored chain. Clip the chain to the top edge of the gladiator cape. Clip the other end to the other top edge of the cape to give your Roman gladiator costume an authentic touch of elegance.

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Gladiator War Skirt

Take Your Measurements

Take a measurement of your waist. Also measure from the center of your waist to the knee. Record the measurements.

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Measure and Cut the Faux Leather

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Make the belt portion of the war skirt first. Cut a length of brown faux leather fabric that is 2 inches shorter than your waist measurement in length and measures 7 inches wide.

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Create the Belt

Punch six vertical holes in both ends of the belt. Add grommets. The belt will be laced up the back with leather cord when worn.

Cut the Faux Leather Straps

Cut eight straps from brown faux leather. Make sure that the pieces are the same length as the measurement from the waist to the knee. These pieces should be 3 inches across, with a flat top edge and a pointed bottom edge.

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Sew and Finish the War Skirt

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Sew the straps to the belt. Pin one strap to the center of the belt piece at the underside bottom. Add an additional piece every 1/2 inch. There should be four straps in the front and four straps in the back of the war skirt. Sew the straps in place to complete the gladiator skirt.

Tip

Add self-adhesive knobs or spikes to the front section of the war skirt. You can find these online or in craft stores. They might be available in the crafting sections of your local department stores.

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