When wearing this Arknights Exusiai the New Covenant cosplay outfit, the first hurdle I encountered was the rings of the Leg garter around my thighs. Because my thighs are naturally on the curvier side, buckling on those non-elastic leather straps and the Leg garter left several deep indentations directly on my skin. When standing up and walking around, the compression from the top elastic of the over-the-knee White stockings and the Leg garter caused the thigh flesh to bulge slightly, which is why I poked fun at myself in the post for looking like the Michelin Man. This ultra-tight sensation felt like a form of physical discipline in itself.
The overall colorway of the costume is exceptionally striking, boasting a classic black, red, and white palette. The fabric of the outer black jacket feels wonderful to the touch—a leather-like reflective material that is smooth yet wears very structured and crisp. The red ribbons dangling in front of the chest echo the red trim along the wrists, breaking the monotony of the black and white. In particular, the white front placket on the chest features a 3D silver embroidered pattern—the character's signature emblem—which is crafted with exquisite detail and crystal-clear texture up close.
The lower half of the styling is the highlight of this entire look. The over-the-knee White stockings are made of a semi-sheer material that flatters the leg silhouette on its own. Layered with the thigh straps—especially the tactical mini pouch and metallic buckles on the right thigh—it takes effort to put on and take off, but once equipped, the tactical and techwear aesthetic really comes to life.
This shoot was a mirror selfie session without a dedicated photographer, so all poses and angles were figured out on my own. To capture flattering photos, I held my phone quite low to elongate the leg lines. However, because thigh flesh is tricky to tuck in tightly, I had to inspect after each photo whether the indentations looked awkward or if the Leg garter had shifted out of place.
For the wig and makeup, everything was aligned with character lore. The hairstyle sweeps generally upward, requiring considerable effort to secure the hair accessories properly. For makeup, I applied a lively blush, as this character is designed to be vibrant and playful. The gloves are fingerless, leaving fingers bare for a sleek, agile look. Although wearing this complete set was physically tiring, the sense of ceremony upon putting it on was undeniable. When taking it off after the shoot, shedding the over-the-knee White stockings revealed deep red marks across my thighs. While it sounds a bit painful, it was a unique experience of wearing this cosplay with a fuller figure. Overall, I'm very happy with how it turned out—especially the black-and-red tones paired with White stockings, radiating rich texture and making the hours of effort totally worthwhile.