T-Pose's: Outfit Of The Month - April 2021

It’s that time of the season where April showers us in more than just bouts of rain and temperamental temperatures - but also a flurry of new videogames! And with new titles comes new trends in fashion to admire, critique, and take inspiration from; perhaps even inspiring us to play said games we would have not considered beforehand.

Every month, the T-Pose team riffles through the catalogue of new releases, remakes, cosmetic additions, and ports that have caught our eye (for better or for worse) - all in pursuit to highlight the beauty, intricates, and diversity of costume designs in gaming!

As always, we’d love to hear any honourable mentions and suggestions for OOTM and other T-Pose articles for the future! Without further ado, let’s talk fashion!

Hokuto - Fighting EX Layer: Another Dash

1st of April on Switch [in Japan only, with a worldwide release coming on the 27th of May]

When in a street fight, one’s style choices must both be functional and fashionable, allowing them to kick butt while also leaving a lasting impression. Hokuto’s garb is no exception, as she can demonstrate with ease. It certainly doesn’t hurt that she also wields a naginata, but it never hurts to accessorise.

Hokuto’s outfit is primarily blue, with her hakama and simple breastplate making up the bulk of the set. This, alongside the black glove facing us, hints at her detached, cool, and calm personality. This is contrasted with the white of her tabi, headband, hairclip, kimono, and its separated sleeves, as well as portions of the stunning mountain and flower design on her hakama. Both the blue and the white are completed with her red accents on her glove, the hoops on her hakama, and the trim of her kimono, all of which are located around the center of her frame, possibly symbolizing her “Bloody” alter ego.

Overall, the white, her secondary colour, is for the most part, hidden. Her headband and hairclip are underneath the fringe of her hair, her kimono is disguised by her breastplate and the position of her arm, and the tabi are drenched in the shadows of her hakama, furthering the idea of Hokuto being more closed-off and guarded. This makes the choice to put the passionate red and elegant flower designs front-and-center all the more interesting, presenting this fighter as one with a lot going on under the surface. - Erin

Nier (ACT II) - NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…

23rd of April 2021 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

Great costume design has the ability to convey a characters personality, their place in the world, and the environment they inhabit - all the while looking aesthetically pleasing. Functionality isn’t usually in the forefront of most character designer’s minds (let’s pour one out for all the cosplayers); but ideally, the symbolism tethered to their creations should justify their artistic expression to enrich the story… (keyword being should).

Luckily, Nier’s “ACT II” ensemble manages to hit all the marks of great character design. His outfit is complex, layered, and steeped in its expansive futuristic and historical influences - as though it were a reflection of the NieR series itself!

Buried by the ashes of an unavoidable and unforeseen cataclysm; Nier only knows of this high fantasy apocalypse as his reality. As such, the amount of various textures he’s clad in gives us some perspective into what kind of life Nier must lead in this dystopia. Be it thick fur, fortified metal, or thin fabric, the choice of armaments and regalia (though looking dainty and intricate) feel plausibly utilitarian, battle-worn, and weathered.

The outfit seems to be inspired by fencing gear; which inherently conveys the connotation of wealth, nobility, and in Nier’s case: youth. A sturdy, cosy fur-trimmed fencing jacket (also known as a “Lamé”) and long detached sleeves protects his upper half, with thick fly-stitch and cross-stitches brazionly binding the piece together. Tucked underneath his sleeves are a set of metal gauntlets, and a chest guard over his lamé (which is used in archery, but also has its fencing counterpart called a “Plastron”, though that is worn underneath the jacket).

For Nier’s lower half, He sports a pair of dense thigh high black fur socks which are accented with a fine chain harness, securing Nier’s canvas knee guard that folds over his sleek iron greaves and sabaton footwear. He dons a white top and breeches for his base layer, offering some much needed protection underneath and adding to the fencing theme of his look.

Though all of these individual pieces fit together relatively cohesively, the drastic variance of materials utilized and how they are layered make the outfit feel tailored out of necessity with the resources available. The attention to detail is remarkable, and it’s little wonder why this outfit has been featured and referenced throughout the other games in the series - namely as the “Destroyer Outfit” in NieR: Automata & “Nier’s Garb” in Drakengard 3. - Danielle

Rosaria – Genshin Impact

6th April 2021 on PC, PlayStation 4, and mobile

Though you would not know it from her outfit, Rosaria is a sister of the Church of Favonius in the nation of Mondstadt. An unorthodox sister, she is known for a cold manner and often sharp, piercing words. Unpredictable in many ways, she often disappears without notifying anyone and acts on her own. Though few know it, Rosaria works in the night to protect Mondstadt from many unseen dangers and threats thanks to her skill with a polearm.

Inspired by the classic attire of a nun but with the flair that you would expect for a character of Genshin Impact, Rosaria’s outfit is as sharp as her personality and combat ability. Starting at the top, Rosaria wears a form-fitting habit with a long white and black coif that is finished with red lining. To add to this, Rosaria also has a silver tiara on top of her coif. Moving down, she has a white sleeveless turtleneck top and long white gloves, which have a black lining. Her skirt is a long black and red one that is slit to partially reveal her right leg while completely revealing her left leg. As a polearm user that jumps around the battlefield, having that room to move makes sense.

Of course, not wanting to just show off her skin, Rosaria wears black fishnet tights and silver high heels. Across her whole outfit are multiple silver and white gold accessories with many details with red gems. She also has black belts around her left thigh and some red and gold cloth wraps along her arms and torso. Finally, several of her fingers have claw-like jewellery on them which finish off her look and add to that sharp image. All of this is complemented by her dark red hair and pale magenta eyes.

Though Rosaria is a sister of the Church of Favonius, that does not stop her from defining her own look that makes her stand out from the rest of the church. While many will not see her due to her nightly work, her efforts ensure that they can sleep soundly at night. Cold and sharp in nature her outfit matches and it might very well be the most extra nun outfit to date. - Judgemental Waifu

Selene - Returnal

30th April on PlayStation 5

Making it into the April deadline by the skin of her teeth is Selene from Returnal. Selene’s get up is practical and resourceful, a reflection on the character residing within the suit.

The ASTRA scout suit is mainly bright white and yellow, with little accents of grey, orange and black thrown in. Apparently it was designed this way to be in stark contrast to the dark and dangerous world of Atropos that she finds herself in. She certainly stands out this way, which is great for us, the player, but maybe not so great for hiding from the aliens?

It’s obviously not the most fashion forward of outfits, but it’s perfect for a badass heroine boldly going where no one has gone before. She’s completely covered by the fabric of the suit which keeps her fragile skin safe from the environment, but allows enough movement for her to run and fight.

The exoskeleton-like equipment attached to her softer suit adds an element of intimidation; Selene is not here to mess around. It changes the shape of her normal silhouette making her look, ironically a little more alien too. - Emsey

OUTFIT OF THE MONTH

So many great games, so many great looks in April - though one reigns supreme! It was close, but our choice of Outfit of the Month goes to Nier's "ACT II" regalia from NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…, available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows platforms now!

Thought there were any great looks we missed, or perhaps have any ideas of who to cover in next months issue? Leave any and all hot takes in the comments section below!