I've been obsessed with Fallout 3 for the longest time (and I've played it more than is healthy), so when I was considering different Halloween costume ideas, I knew this would be a neat project.  About five months later, I don't have many regrets other than it took more time than I had expected.  However, it turned out much cooler than I expected.

I started scrounging around in garage sales probably in early June looking for bits and pieces that would work well for a plasma rifle and a Pip-Boy 3000.  Garage saling took a lot of patience, but I found a cool little TV for the basis of my Pip-Boy, not to mention the other great finds like a first aid pouch and the perfect boots.  I used a bunch of Model Magic for the Pip-Boy and a Nerf gun as the base for the plasma rifle and went to work, integrating some artistic license as well.  I had some difficulties was the jumpsuit since I had originally planned on a Vault suit, but ended up with a RobCo jumpsuit because of the color.  It does seem a bit more unique since I haven't seen any cosplayers wearing one.  It also fit in my theme of being a repairman (my husband was going to be my robot).

Halloween finally came around and I got to show off the suit and wander the wastes of downtown Stevens Point.  It was cool to strut around with the plasma rifle, and I was pretty excited when several people realized what I was.  I gave them a Nuka Cola cap as a reward.  There were some hitches and bumps and bruises, but the night was well worth the effort.

By far, the coolest part was a photo shoot we did on Halloween.  I was not the model since I'm the artistic force behind the photo shoot, but my husband gladly took the role of Wasteland Wanderer instead.  The jumpsuit fit him better, but the Pip-Boy was much too small, unfortunately.  He was a pretty good model, especially after he started getting into it a bit more.  We didn't have many options around our town for a photo shoot, but we did manage to find a yard where a construction company keeps their scrap.  Not quite as good as the Capital Wasteland, but it worked.  I'm currently in the process of editing the photos, and can't wait to put them up!

I'm also hoping to do a con one day in the outfit.  It needs a bit of repair work after the photo shoot, but it definitely has some life in it.  I've also never been to a con before, so it could be quite the adventure!