What You’ll Need
Squid Hat in Blue or Orange
Aviator Goggles
World of Nintendo Splatoon Splattershot Ink Blaster Toy
Backpack Water Gun
Zink T-Shirt
Splatoon T-Shirt
Black Long-Sleeve Shirt
Adidas Shorts in Black with Super Blue Stripes
Under Armor Running Shorts in Black with Neo Pulse Pink Stripes
Skullcandy Hesh 2.0 Headphones in White
Nike Zoom Basketball Sneakers in Purple Venom and University Gold
Fila Escalight Running Sneakers in Pink Glo and Atomic Blue
Are you ready to make a massive splash at your next anime convention? Splatoon Inklings are the perfect choice for a fun, colorful cosplay project.
Creating a customized DIY Inkling costume is surprisingly easy and very beginner-friendly. You do not need complex sewing skills or advanced crafting experience to pull this off.
The game features countless fashion options, allowing you to customize your character’s appearance. You can easily match this colorful gaming gear to your own personal style.
This DIY guide will show you how to assemble a complete, high-quality outfit. Let us get started on building your fresh new ink-splatting look today!
Complete Costume Breakdown
Clothing & Core Pieces
The clothing for an Inkling is all about athletic, modern streetwear style. You want to look sporty, comfortable, and ready for a turf battle.
Start your outfit planning with a classic and colorful graphic t-shirt. A Zink t-shirt or a standard Splatoon shirt captures the aesthetic perfectly.
Layer your graphic t-shirt over a black long-sleeve shirt for skin coverage. This simple layer represents the Inkling’s dark, rubbery skin tones on their arms.
For your bottoms, choose sporty athletic shorts with bright, colored stripes. Black Adidas shorts with blue stripes work great for blue themed Inklings.
If you prefer a pink theme, go with Under Armor running shorts. Make sure the stripes match your chosen ink color for visual consistency.
Inklings are known for their high-end footwear and trendy athletic sneakers. Complete the clothing base with a pair of vibrant, eye-catching running shoes.
Look for Nike Zoom basketball shoes or bright Fila running sneakers. These bright options will make your cosplay stand out in the crowd.
Accessories & Details
No Inkling is complete without their signature squid tentacles on their head. A bright squid hat is the most important accessory for this look.
Place a pair of aviator goggles over your squid hat for details. This setup matches the classic, iconic in-game gear configuration very well.
Add white Skullcandy Hesh headphones to your head for extra style. This accessory instantly boosts your character’s cool, street-smart gaming aesthetic.
For your primary weapon, carry a Splattershot blaster toy to events. This iconic prop immediately identifies you as a Splatoon character to onlookers.
Alternatively, wear a backpack water gun to simulate a heavy ink tank. It is lightweight, fun, and perfect for walking around crowded convention halls.
You can fill the water tank with colorful paper instead of water. This trick keeps the prop lightweight and safe for any convention space.
Cosplay Tips
Match your accessories to one specific ink color for a clean look. If you choose blue, make sure your hat, shorts, and shoes align.
Keep your props lightweight and easy to carry throughout the entire day. Walking around a convention center all day with heavy items is exhausting.
Focus on comfort first when selecting your clothing and footwear options. Since Inklings wear streetwear, you can easily walk around for hours comfortably.
Practice your poses in front of a mirror before the event starts. Inklings are known for their energetic, stylized victory poses and squid movements.
Take care of your squid hat during travel to the convention center. Stuff the hat with clean socks or paper to preserve its shape.
Character Vibe & Styling Notes
Inklings always exude a high-energy, mischievous attitude during turf wars. Keep your expressions playful, confident, and full of youthful gaming energy.
Use bright makeup to enhance the character’s facial features and eyes. Black eyeliner is essential to recreate the thick, black mask around eyes.
Stand tall, bend your knees slightly, and bring plenty of attitude. The right posture makes even a simple DIY cosplay look highly professional.
Consider temporary hair dye or colorful face paint for your eyebrows. Matching your eyebrows to your squid hat adds an extra level detail.
Final Thoughts
Putting together a Splatoon Inkling cosplay is a rewarding and creative project. You can mix and match gear pieces easily to create unique looks.
Gather your gaming friends together for a fun group cosplay experience. Running around a convention as a full Splatoon team is highly memorable.
Focus on having fun and expressing your love for the franchise. The cosplay community will love your colorful, creative, and athletic outfit.
Get your gear ready, find your favorite ink color, and start. Prepare to claim your turf at the next big convention event.
