Ryu Costume Guide

Transform yourself into the legendary Ryu with these DIY costume tips! His simple yet powerful attire is instantly recognizable – a tattered white gi, a red headband, and bare feet. If you have our shopping list for his premade costume pieces, amazing! But if you're on a budget or crave the satisfaction of crafting, let's make your Ryu look unique and authentic.

Gi (Martial Arts Uniform)

What You Need:

• White karate gi (or similar, loose-fitting white pants and top)
• Scissors
• Sandpaper or pumice stone
• Coffee or tea (optional, for staining)

How To Do It:

1. The Tattered Look: To emulate Ryu's battle-worn aesthetic, carefully fray the edges of the sleeves and pant legs. Use scissors for small cuts and a combination of scissors and sandpaper/pumice stone for a more weathered effect.
2. (Optional) Age It: If you want a dirtier, off-white gi, brew a strong pot of coffee or black tea and soak your garment. Let it dry thoroughly to set the stain.

Bonus Tips:

• I've found that linen or thicker cotton gis create the best worn-in look after fraying.
• Ryu's gi constantly evolves throughout the games. Use reference images from your favorite era of Street Fighter to guide the level of wear and tear you want to achieve.

Red Headband

What You Need:

• Red fabric (cotton or similar, at least 2 feet long and 4-5 inches wide)
• Scissors

How To Do It:

1. Cut and Finish: Cut a strip of red fabric to the desired length. Leave enough to tie the headband securely at the back of your head, allowing the ends to hang. For a more authentic look, you can leave the edges raw.
2. The Perfect Tie: Look up tutorials for tying a Japanese Hachimaki headband for the right technique. This will create the distinct knot at the front.

Bonus Tips:

• Consider adding a white symbol or kanji to the center of your headband for an extra touch, a stylistic nod to Ryu's Fūrinkazan.
• If you can't find the perfect shade of red, fabric dye is your friend!

Black Belt

What You Need:

• Black fabric (sturdy, like canvas or twill, about 6 feet long and 4 inches wide)
• Scissors

How To Do It:

1. Measure and Cut: Determine your waist size and add plenty of extra length to allow for the tie and hanging ends. Cut your black fabric accordingly.
2. Simple and Secure: Tie the belt firmly around your waist, just above the hips, ensuring that the ends hang down in an uneven, natural manner.

Bonus Tips:

• Black belts naturally fade over time. Wash your belt a few times to soften the fabric and achieve a less stark black tone.
• Feel free to further distress the belt with sandpaper to create a more worn-in feel.

Red Gloves

What You Need:

• Red athletic gloves (fingerless are ideal, any red gloves will work)
• White fabric strips (old t-shirt, athletic tape, etc.)
• Safety pins or fabric glue (optional)

How To Do It:

1. Wrist Wraps: Cut strips of white fabric and wrap them around the wrist section of your gloves, mimicking a hand-wrap look beneath the glove.
2. Secure: For extra hold, use safety pins or fabric glue to secure the wraps in place.

Bonus Tips:

• Make those knuckles pop! If your gloves don't have padding, consider stuffing them lightly with cotton balls for a more combat-ready look.
• Use a slightly off-white fabric for the wraps and smudge a little dirt around them for a gritty, lived-in feel.

Now, the core elements of Ryu's iconic look are complete! Next, we'll tackle embodying his fighting spirit and the subtle details that elevate your costume to the next level.