City of Amnesia

I thought I would post a short thread discussing Roger Smith's clothing and style. I will first comment on his clothes and second suggest how fans can assemble a plausible costume for conventions, cosplay, etc. without breaking the bank.

NOTE: I originally started this thread on the earlier Paradigm City forum, but it was closed before I could complete the thread. So here we go, for another kick at the can. :)

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Roger wears a double-breasted jacket with 8 large silver buttons known (in some circles) as a "polo jacket" due to associations with royal and military polo in the Britain. Although most people will refer to a jacket with metal buttons as a blazer, there is evidence to suggest the term polo jacket is more appropriate. Roger also wears dark pants, which most of the time appear to match his jacket in colour, but in a few episodes appear to be a slightly lighter shade. His shoes are black, his shirt is always white, and his tie is has a unique stripe running lengthways.

The photos below show Prince Charles wearing a polo jacket with 8 gold buttons and dark grey flannel pants.

(http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/3608/94176531wa1.jpg)

The photo below shows a man wearing a polo jacket unbuttoned with 8 silver buttons while attending a polo match.

(http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/2366/52113435armandhammerjy8.jpg)

These photos not only illustrate the same sort of jacket worn by Roger, but also how some conservative British officers & aristocrats have a tendency to wear very dark pants with blue or black polo jackets. Although a jacket and pants of matching colour would normally be described as a "suit", the shiny metal buttons take Roger's outfit into a different sartorial area.

So far I have not found any photos of a necktie resembling Roger's, but there is no doubt in my mind they exist (or could be made easily).

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Next post: how to assemble a Roger Smith costume!

TV

Um... Kay. Shouldn't this be in a different subforum, then? Whatever, still looks interesting.
War.

If anyone has concerns about the location of this thread, then please let the mods know so they can move it. Those who are not interested in this thread I recommend avert their gaze.

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So how does one assemble a Roger Smith costume that looks decent and won't cost much? Can it be done? How?

Let's break it down piece by piece, from top to bottom.


Tie: Roger's tie is very modern and I have never seen a real-world equivalent...yet. This is something that you would probably have to make from scratch. Go to a thrift store and buy a decent silk tie in a pattern you don't like. Carefully dismantle it and use it as a template for a new one. Get some black and white cloth (probably sateen...silk is too expensive!) and fire up your sewing machine. Or get a sympathetic aunt or local seamstress to run something up.

Shirt: Roger's shirt is a white dress shirt with a plain collar (i.e. no button-downs, or spread-collars). Everyone has at least one of these in their closet for Sunday best, or funerals, etc. Wash it and iron it carefully.

Jacket: As noted in my original post for this thread, Roger wears what is technically called a polo jacket. Ideally, this should be tailor made, but that would run many hundreds of dollars, which is simply not reasonable for most people, assuming you could even find a tailor who could do it well. The best approach is to start visiting thrift shops to search for a reasonable alternative that can be modified. Select a black blazer or suit jacket (these have often separated from their pants in such stores) which is double-breasted and has buttons which button as low as possible around your beltline or lower. I have been in many thrift stores and they always have appropriate blazers and jackets, although you may have to check back a few times to get your size. Get it dry-cleaned. Then hunt around for some buttons or order them from a store like M. J. Trimmings (http://www.mjtrim.com/). You will want some large silver-coloured buttons for the front and some small ones for the sleeves (for more info on buttons see the bottom of this post). Take the jacket and the buttons to a seamstress and she will sew them on, adding an extra row at the top to fit all eight buttons on the front (this is why you need to find a jacket with low buttons. To see how this is done, please refer to the visual reference at the bottom of this post.

Pants: In most episodes, Roger's pants appear to match his jacket in colour. This means getting a pair of black dress pants. I don't recommend thrift stores for this as they will never have your size and the pants would have been worn next to the skin (yuk!). Go visit a uniform or workwear store and talk to the staff. Most hotels and customer service businesses have uniforms for their workers and these stores will usually have cheap but decent looking dress pants. Get the hems properly done by a seamstress (or your aunt) so they aren't too long and don't pile up on your shoes (most men wear their pants too long...ask for a "slight break" and you'll be fine). If you can't find pants in black, get a pair of really dark grey pants; except in bright daylight and bright lights, the difference won't be obvious.

Shoes: Roger's shoes are completely black, so virtually any shoes will do. As Roger is a rich urban gent, however, I imagine his preference would be for sleek black loafers without decoration (i.e. no tassels, buckles, etc.). Most shoe brands, both expensive and affordable, offer loafers so look around and choose a pair with slim soles (so they don't look clunky) and no decorations (nothing to catch the eye or ruin the sleek lines). A good alternative would be a pair of black lace-up dress shoes, but not brogues.


So as you can see, it's quite easy to assemble a good Roger Smith costume that will impress your friends and fellow fans at conventions or Halloween. Hopefully this has been helpful to those out there who are keen on costuming, cosplay, etc.

Good luck!

TV

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Buttons:
Buttons are usually sized using the "Ligne" system. Basically, 40 Ligne (or 40L) is equivalent to 1 inch in diameter. For a jacket like Roger's, I recommend using 35L buttons on the chest and 25L for the sleeves.

Jackets:
Here is the visual reference for Roger's jacket. On the left is a thrifted blazer with low-set buttons. On the right is a photoshop job showing how the extra buttons are sewn on to give the full eight-button front. It's a cheap but impressive difference. (Note that the blazer in the photos is dark blue and the buttons gold, but you get the point...)

(http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/6020/burberry1aco0.jpg)

The benefit of altering a blazer or jacket in this way is you could wear it in normal life as a snappy blazer, not just as a once-a-year costume. I guarantee you will be the only person in your town with a jacket like that and it will look impressive.

I'd be happy to. Good thread, by the way.

Wow, I read through the second post and I can say honestly colour me impressed, my friend. You know your stuff and you certainly have great ideas for costuming on a budget.
War.

Wow, this is diffrent. Good guide though. And interesting Idea. Roger Smith being British. And good clothing guide. If only Big-O had an Annual metting for the fans like what Rocky Horror and Godzilla (the only thing that can rival my love for Big-O) got. With Episodes played in theatres. Interesting.

He's not British, he just happens to dress that way.

I'm glad you guys got something out of it.  ;D

I recognize this topic is a bit off-the-wall for an anime forum, but Roger has a unique style (compared to most anime characters) so I thought it worthwhile to take a closer look. Maybe my use of the word "cosplay" is wrong, but I don't travel in anime circles generally.

TV

Well, I always liked suits, they just look sharp in general. And Roger's suit especially suited him. While I personally prefer a single breasted suit with a double breasted waistcoat, I can see the appeal of a double breasted polo jacket or blazer. I should look around the local Men's Wearhouse and see if they have anything like that.
War.

Tony Ventresca, can you tell me what clothes that Rosewater and Alan wear?
                                            

If I put on my P-Coat, I can Cosplay Roger. There. Outfit done. That was the hard part.

Were you trying to be sarcastic?

Very impressive TV! You seem to know a thing or two about mens' attire.  Of course, no Roger Smith costume can be complete without his signature wristwatch. ;D  Though I know that Big O fans the world over have been searching for an existing watch model that closely resembles Roger's with no success that I've heard of.  I would gladly forfeit a few paychecks if a watch manufacturer were to release a Roger Smith piece, especially if it would light up in the proper fashion.  ;)

The Watch...I think I have seen a familiar looking watch to Roger's Brefore.  But I said simular, not exactly. It was a real watch. More on this soon.

Alan's whole 'costume' reminds me of old Zoot suits from the 30s and 40s: not in shape, since old Zoot suits were huge and baggy, but the way Alan combines large pinstripes, gloves, red shirt, white tie, and fancy 'pimp' hat remind me of that era. A quick Google search should come up with images.

I've never seen anything like Alex.

That would be great if you've seen something similar.

TV

ZOOT SUIT RIOT! RIOT!

Also, yosh. Any suggestions for just getting new life out of old suits in general, there, Tony?
War.

Thanks for the infomation! ;D

Has anyone ever seen a cosplay of roger smith?

Yes, I have.
War.

Here are a couple of them I found on line:

http://www.efanzines.com/BackNumbers/Cosplay05.pdf (http://www.efanzines.com/BackNumbers/Cosplay05.pdf)

http://members.cosplay.com/costume/3665/ (http://members.cosplay.com/costume/3665/)

I've done a cosplay of Roger Smith.

take no offense, but i think most cosplayers are rather dissillusioning. but that one girl from bleach, the blackhaired on, and the initial gara, were nice representations. i don't mean to be the bad critic... *goes eats dinner*

Oh, there ok. But what does the main black beaded guy from electric city wear? What he wears looks intersting.

I'd like to see someone cosplay Angel's pink body suit.  ;D  I don't think I've ever seen that done.

I don't think that will ever be done. Her costume is not a real one, so someone has to take a course of Home Economics to just try to recreate her pink body siut.

I'll wear it if you want me to. I'll even post pictures if I can.
War.

 :o :o :o Good Luck with that...Just hope your female. :X

I am very not. I am male, through and through.
War.

You are fan enough to acualy want to dress up in a female piece of clothing?  :o
All  can say is good luck trying to find the msterieals to make up the costume. ;D

I'm not a fan to that extent. I just like doing weird stuff to prove I can.
War.

Ok. Hey do you know what will be funny? Someone costplay that Santa Clause like figure from Daemonseed, or someone from Electric City...have to go without sleep to have that many bags under your eyes! 8)

i perfer crazy cosplayers who r to far into the act or not enough. and i've seen angel cosplayers. just type big o cosplay in google.

Wish I could, hon, but I ain't got the bazongas for it.

That's what bra stuffing is for, Baker hon. Am I going to have to cosplay it myself to show you how it's done? You should know I'm not going to shave my beard just to wear it, so I'll, like... be wearing it and having a thick manbeard and whatnot.
War.

Watch out, world. Vegeta's bring sexy back.

I could wear the white tux instead, yeah. Certainly looks more comfortable than a giant bodyglove.
War.

It would be pretty sick if you made Saiyan armor out of pieces of kevlar.

I love this idea. Ceramic plates and kevlar? How do I do the ribbing?
War.

Use an old-fashioned catcher's chest protector and cut it up to get the strips of padding.

I'm beginning to see where this is going... the blue jumpsuit? It has to be slightly loose, too, it can't be ultra skintight.
War.

It doesn't HAVE to be a jumpsuit. It could be fairly-tight sweatpants and a longsleeve T-shirt. The armor will cover up the fact that it isn't a jumpsuit.

Gotcha. And you could probably use some kind of different coloured nylon weave over the kevlar to make different colour Saiyan armour.
War.

How expensive is Kevlar anyway? You probably wouldn't need real Kevlar if it's a lot, you could use anything that would hold its shape for the shoulder pads.

I'd have to think on that, but real kevlar probably could be affordable if I find the right source.
War.

i could do both dorothy and angel. i already got the dorothy dress but not the jumpsuit.

So, how are those pictures comming???

Not well, considering I haven't worn it yet. Give me time for my cross dressing on a dare.
War.

Been away for a while and have not kept up with the forums. I'll try to post some inspirational photos soon.

TV

Here are two men which have put together good costumes (although of course Roger doesn't use guns!).

(http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/4373/933390jv7.jpg) (http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/9706/263358sh7.jpg)

This is what I enjoy about Halloween... Even if it's alot of work, it's worth it.  8)

Boo!
.The Final Negotiator.

P.S. Only at a Halloween party can you hang out and drink with The Burger King. Yeah, THAT Burger King...

wow that gun is ssssssssssoooooooooooooo fake. he looks more like the man in black.

Why the feck does he even have a gun?!? D:

Oh, gee, maybe it was the orange cap on the end that gave it away!?
War.

that and you cant have auto-rifles in public unless your a S.W.A.T. anyway.

We're honestly arguing whether his rifle is fake or not? Is it really even worth pointing out? XD

That aside, that's one nice suit.

Who's arguing? I just like to point out inane observations.


Congratulations. Your comment made my brain spontaneously combust.
War.

Yeah, I'm not sure where the rifle fits in. Anyway, it makes me a bit sad that I don't dress up anymore for All Hallow's Eve, nor does anyone I know attend (or hold) and such parties.

Welcome to adulthood, so boring...

TV

Trust me, I know. I completely spaced even getting Halloween candy for Trick or Treaters today. Ah, well, there's still time.
War.

Micheal Caine, in the 1960s.

(http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/7852/caine06bz8.jpg)

I always thought there were some British television/humor references in Big O... Even Dorothy's dress seems a little more ornate than American 60's fashion...

The following suit was worn by the Duke of Windsor, during his long "retirement". It is apparently called a blazer-suit and they were briefly popular in the 1960s for evening dress, when a tux was too formal. Obviously, it doesn't resemble Roger's suit, but it does provide a historical precedent (not that one is necessary) for wearing white/gold buttons on a two-piece suit.

(http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/8127/01gducaxb5.jpg)

it reminds me of herbert hoover...

Double breasted suits are nice in general. I have one myself, and I am quite fond of it. The style is similar that of the one in that picture of the Duke of Windsor's suit, save with a necktie, not a bow tie.
War.

Some guy posted this on AskAndyAboutClothes and it captures the super-slim Roger Smith look quite well. He's missing a few buttons, but it shows how possible it is to achieve a great costume (quite by accident, in this case!).

(http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/1466/dsc02862tv6.jpg)

No, I do not know why he took the photo in his bathroom, other than it obviously has a large mirror.

TV

That tie isn't black! It can't possibly be Roger.

Ha ha, true!

What I meant was the general silhouette is very Roger: slim pants, long narrow shoes, and highly shaped jacket.