How to Nail Your Dabi Cosplay Without Losing Your Mind

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How to Nail Your Dabi Cosplay Without Losing Your Mind

Dabi cosplay is one of those characters that really tests how much effort you’re willing to put into a costume.

I’m not gonna lie to you.

When I first tried to piece together a Dabi look, I thought it’d be simple since he’s basically wearing a coat and pants.

Boy was I wrong.

The details matter SO much with this character, and if you skip even one element, the whole thing falls apart.

But don’t worry, I’ve spent way too much time figuring this out so you don’t have to.

Let me walk you through everything you need to know about pulling off a killer Dabi cosplay from My Hero Academia.

Why Dabi Is Actually Harder Than He Looks

Most people see Dabi and think “oh cool, a guy in black.”

And yeah, that’s part of it.

But what makes him stand out is all the scarring, the staples, the specific shade of his hair, and that super edgy vibe he gives off.

If you miss any of those details, you just look like someone who forgot to finish their costume.

I learned this the hard way at my first con when someone asked if I was supposed to be “emo guy number 3.”

Ouch.

So let’s break down exactly what you need to get this right.

The Main Costume Pieces You Actually Need

Here’s the deal with Dabi’s outfit.

It’s deceptively simple but you gotta get the right pieces or it won’t read as him.

The coat is everything.

It’s got that long, tattered look with those specific details around the collar and sleeves.

You can find officially licensed Dabi cosplay costumes on Amazon that include the coat, pants, and belt all together.

These usually run between $50-$120 depending on quality.

I’d say go mid-range on this one because the cheap ones look plasticky and the expensive ones aren’t always worth the extra cash.

What you’ll need for the base costume:

Long black coat with distressed edges
Black pants (regular black jeans work fine honestly)
Belt with silver hardware
Black boots or combat-style shoes
White t-shirt or tank top underneath

The pants don’t have to be anything fancy.

Seriously, I’ve seen people stress about finding the “perfect” pants when regular black jeans from your closet work just fine.

Save your money for the wig and makeup because that’s where it counts.

Getting the Hair Right (Because It’s Half the Look)

Okay so Dabi’s hair is that platinum white-blonde color with a messy, spiky style.

This is NOT the place to skimp.

A bad wig will ruin your whole cosplay faster than anything else.

I made the mistake of buying a $15 wig my first time and it looked like I glued cotton candy to my head.

Not cute.

Look for a Dabi cosplay wig that’s specifically styled for him or at least in that platinum shade with enough length and texture.

You’re looking at around $25-$40 for a decent one.

Wig tips that actually matter:

Get one with a wig cap included (or buy one separate)
The color should be white-blonde, NOT pure white or yellow blonde
Spiky/messy texture is key
If it’s not pre-styled, you’ll need to style it with got2b glued spray (trust me on this)

Some people try to use their natural hair if it’s already light.

That can work if your hair is the right length and texture, but most of us aren’t that lucky.

The Makeup and Scars (This Is Where It Gets Real)

Alright, this is the part that separates okay Dabi cosplays from really good ones.

His facial scars and staples are his most recognizable feature.

You cannot skip this.

I don’t care how tired you are or how early the con starts.

Here’s what you need for the makeup:

Purple or dark violet eyeshadow
Black eyeliner (liquid works best)
White or very pale foundation
Liquid latex for texture (optional but awesome)
Setting spray so it doesn’t melt off your face

The scars run under his eyes, across his face, down his neck, and on his arms.

They’re connected by those silver staples which you can draw on with eyeliner or buy little craft staples to attach with eyelash glue.

Step by step for the face:

Start with a pale foundation base that’s lighter than your natural skin tone.

Then use the purple eyeshadow around your eyes and where the “scars” would be.

It gives that bruised, damaged look.

Draw the scar lines with black eyeliner, making them jagged and uneven.

Add the staples along the scar lines.

You can find tutorials on YouTube that show exactly where everything goes, but honestly once you have the basic placement down you can improvate a bit.

His scars aren’t perfectly symmetrical anyway.

Set everything with spray or powder so it lasts.

Nobody wants their face melting off halfway through the day.