The afternoon was originally planned for shooting the final Touhou Project Alice Margatroid cosplay photos, but things rarely go strictly as planned. Having fussed over the wig and petticoat since morning, I only managed to finish about 80% of the overall styling by the afternoon. Trying it on in front of the mirror right now already feels quite natural.
This outfit has an immense amount of detail. First is the white lace headband and pale pink ribbons atop the head. The wig is a short blonde curly style that requires careful fluffing to prevent it from looking flat. The white top has multiple layers, stacked with generous lace and ruffles along the neckline and cuffs. While the puffy sleeves look gorgeous, they slightly restrict the arms' range of motion. A large light pink bow belt is fastened across the chest and waist; balancing its tightness is tricky—too tight and it pinches, too loose and the bow droops, requiring a perfect balance during this Cosplay fitting.
The layered skirt is another major highlight. It features a white lace base, a light blue mesh middle layer, and a deep navy bottom fabric, accented by long white lace streamers hanging vertically from the hem. This Lolita style 'cake skirt' structure carries considerable weight, and without a rigid petticoat underneath, the tiered silhouette easily collapses. Wearing it like this gives a full, plush look, though I might need to reinforce the petticoat for the formal shoot. To match the skirt length, I wore chunky platform leather shoes with white frilled ankle socks, which not only elongates the leg lines but also steadies the visual center of gravity.
The book in my hand is one of Alice's signature props, featuring a dark cover embossed with a golden cross. The book has noticeable thickness and weight, requiring the arm to hold it at a proper angle. Posing with a book genuinely tests arm endurance—holding it up for long periods makes arms sore, and holding it too rigidly looks stiff. In this test photo, I tilted the book slightly, which feels far more natural than holding it stiffly straight in front of my body.
As the renowned 'Seven-Colored Puppeteer' in Touhou Project, Alice does not require flashy battle poses like other combat-oriented characters, leaning instead toward elegance and poise. The blue, white, and pink palette of this costume largely resonates with this tranquil ambiance. In fact, the state presented during the Cosplay fitting phase often determines the quality of the final photoshoot. Practicing poses in front of the mirror clearly reveals what needs tweaking—such as curled lace edges, misaligned skirt pleats, or asymmetrical headpieces.
Trying on and adjusting the costume in the afternoon is truly a necessary ritual. Although some might joke about 'who on earth tries on outfits right before an afternoon shoot,' doing a complete dress rehearsal in advance effectively prevents mishaps at on-location or studio sets. Once this outfit is fully prepped and paired with suitable lighting and backdrops, I believe the finished photos will carry even more atmosphere. Documenting it now serves as both a Cosplay fitting record and an exciting warm-up for the upcoming shoot. After all, only by thoroughly testing the costume and props beforehand can one peacefully immerse into character.