[Bagpipe cosplay] Arknights: Starting Up the Tractor, Heading to the Comicup convention

Driving a tractor to the Comicup convention is such a fun concept, so I decided to take out my gear for this Bagpipe cosplay from Arknights. Preparing for this look took quite a while. First was the wig: the long orange-red braided ponytail required patient combing to ensure zero knots. The front bangs were trimmed to an ideal thickness to cover part of the forehead, slimming the face and fitting Bagpipe's cute persona. The horn accessories on my head are plastic with a silver finish and dark textures, needing bobby pins to clip them firmly into the roots of the wig so they wouldn't tilt during shooting.

For the Cosplay costume, the white ruffled shirt was a core highlight. The stitching along the neckline ruffles was intricate; to let it fold naturally, stiff interfacing lining was added inside. Breathable chiffon fabric was selected so it wasn't stifling and allowed easy movement. The dark-blue denim overall dress worn over it is fairly thick and sturdy, accented with metal buckles and a brown leather belt that brought out a vintage vibe. This fabric is durable and catches indoor lighting just right without looking cheap.

As for makeup, creating a 2D anime feel made the eye makeup crucial. The purple colored contacts had a slightly larger diameter to enhance the manga-eye effect, which, paired with long lashes and eyeliner, made the eyes look exceptionally spirited. The base makeup was applied fair and seamless, set with oil-control loose powder so it wouldn't easily melt off after a full day. Tilting the corners of my mouth slightly into a natural smile faithfully captured Bagpipe's optimistic and cheerful personality.

Props were indispensable during shooting; the straw hat with tassels beside me brought a pastoral rustic feel, creating a lively lifestyle background alongside the picture frame. I tested multiple angles in front of the mirror at home, finding that a low-angle upward perspective worked best—extending my left arm gave strong camera presence, looking like I was taking a break from farm chores to gaze into the lens. This wide-angle perspective effect made the face look more refined and flattered body proportions.

However, wearing this outfit was actually quite tiring, especially with the considerable weight of the horns and long braid. To maintain a great look, frequent breaks were needed to tidy my hair during the shoot. Yet to present the best results, all this effort was worthwhile.

Once the styling and makeup were all set, heading out to the Comicup convention felt truly special. Passersby noticed this Arknights Bagpipe outfit, and fellow fans often recognized and greeted me, bringing immense joy and shared connection. The weather for this Anime convention was great, and the on-site atmosphere was fantastic. This Bagpipe shooting experience was wonderful, with every step from prep to shooting running smoothly. Although this costume lacks overtly alluring elements like stockings or long exposed legs, it exudes a lively pastoral charm. This style can be demanding to pull off, but thankfully it captured the intended vibe. Sharing these two photos today serves as a memento of this look.

A few words on washing and ironing: the white shirt gets dirty easily after shooting, and ironing requires extra care around the ruffles so as not to flatten them out. Also, this denim pinafore dress is quite unforgiving with body types—straps must be adjusted properly to accentuate the waist. The straw hat was a ready-made prop, slightly distressed after purchase with frayed edges to look more natural. I'm very satisfied with these two photos, especially the overall palette—the orange hair paired with the blue denim dress creates strong visual contrast. I kept adjusting poses throughout; taking phone selfies is actually harder than using a camera since controlling distance and angle is tricky, where a slight slip causes blur or odd proportions. The angle you see was chosen after dozens of attempts. Pairing this look with the concept of driving a tractor to the Comicup convention brought out delightful contrast. Though this look is relatively grounded compared to many formidable operators in Arknights, her unique personality and charm paired with this outfit are undeniably captivating. I hope to bring an even better version of this Bagpipe cosplay next time.