What Are Good Fantasy Costume Inspirations for My Character?

When you’re shaping a fantasy character, the costume isn’t just decoration - it’s shorthand for their history, worldview, and place in the story. Even a simple accessory can suggest more about a character than a paragraph of backstory. And in online sessions, your visual choices matter even more because the camera becomes the window players use to understand who they’re speaking to.

If you’re searching for inspiration that feels grounded and not like a generic Pinterest mashup, here are the best starting points.

Look at Practical Clothing First, Not Iconic Pieces

Most fantasy costumes that feel authentic borrow their foundations from real, practical garments. Before adding magical flair or dramatic silhouettes, think about what your character would actually wear day to day.

For example:

• Travellers favor layers, weathered fabrics, reinforced boots.

• Nobles prefer structured shapes, tailored lines, materials that hold form.

• Mages and scholars wear looser cuts, robes, draping fabrics that imply thoughtfulness rather than mobility.

• Rangers and druids choose lightweight gear, browns, greens, greys - fabrics that blend rather than shout.

Once the practical base feels right, you can add the “fantasy” elements without making the overall look feel like a costume.

Pull From Historical Eras That Match Your World

Fantasy doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Most settings borrow from real-world history without naming it.

Strong inspirations usually come from these periods:

• Early Medieval Europe: Layered tunics, leather fastenings, wool cloaks

• Byzantine Empire: Rich embroidery, iconography, vibrant dyes

• Norse and Scandinavian cultures: Furs, braids, earth tones, utility-driven gear

• Japanese Heian & Sengoku periods: Structured robes, layered silhouettes, natural textures

• Middle Eastern Abbasid era: Flowing fabrics, geometric patterns, wrapped headwear

You don’t need to copy an era outright - just absorb its logic and blend it with the fantasy flavor of your setting.

Use Color Intentionally to Reflect Personality

Color is one of the strongest narrative cues you have.

Try matching tones to emotional or thematic traits:

• Warm golds, ochres, and browns > grounded, reliable characters

• Deep blues and purples > arcane, mysterious, thoughtful roles

• Reds and crimsons > passionate, impulsive, or authoritative characters

• Greens and greys > stealth, wilderness, pragmatism

• White and pale tones > ceremonial, spiritual, restorative roles

Color guides expectation before the character even speaks.

Add One Element That Ties Back to Backstory

This is where the costume stops being “generic fantasy” and becomes your character’s aesthetic.

A few examples:

• A scrap of cloth from a fallen comrade

• A ring that marks membership in an old guild

• A cloak clasp shaped like a family crest

• A charm from a place they never want to forget

• A weapon sheath with carved initials or symbols

It doesn’t have to be dramatic - just meaningful.

Think About Texture, Not Just Design

Realistic fantasy costumes rely heavily on texture.The difference between cheap-looking and grounded-looking usually comes from materials, not shape.

Textures that read strongly on camera:

• Weathered leather

• Worn metal

• Heavy dyes and woven patterns

• Natural fibers (hemp, wool, linen)

• Hand-stitched edges

• Layered fabrics with depth

These textures give your character weight, history, and context - even in a simple silhouette.

Use AR Visual Layers to Complete the Look

In online play, recreating all these elements physically is difficult. Even if you had access to a full costume closet, webcams rarely capture subtle details well.

This is why so many players use Faes AR - the overlays let you pull from a full library of fantasy textures, shapes, and atmospheric effects that match your class, background, and personality without needing actual costumes.

You can explore inspiration and test looks through the Faes AR Portal, or browse/purchase the app at store.faes.ar.

If you’re curious about the philosophy behind authentic fantasy aesthetics, the team shares more here:About Faes

Let the Costume Support the Character, Not Define Them

The best fantasy looks aren’t flashy - they’re consistent.Pick one anchor (a color palette, a silhouette, a material, or a symbolic accessory), then build gently around it. Your character will feel more believable because every visual choice ties back to who they are, not just what looks cool.