Mira, the Train Operator: Cosplay Guide

Ever since we got our first anime mascots in the United States, BART’s anime mascots have been causing a buzz in the anime and cosplay community. These designs are endearing and charming, meant to promote public transit usage among young riders.

Mira is a diligent, hard-working train conductor, inspired by the actual BART train conductors. She studied to get this job, and her hard work got her there! Admittedly, I was torn by cosplaying Mira and Baylee, because Mira is already so close to me, what I look like, and what I behave like when it’s time to get to work! Who does not want to cheer her on and cosplay this?

BART and I have been excited to see these designs come to life in the cosplay community, and we hope this article gets more Miras out there!

Full disclosure: I decided to try Amazon Associates since I do use Amazon links. So, I get pennies if you click on the link! It’s my first time trying it, so I’m happy to get feedback on the usability of it!

Design Breakdown

This design is practical and professional, ready to help. The clothes here read business/business casual, enough to look official, but also ready to rescue pets here and there! What’s great about this outfit is that you can easily reuse it to work!

Please do consider the weather in any cosplay breakdown; the weather can encourage you to do gorgeous variations on the base outfit, such as swapping out a long-sleeved undershirt for a short sleeve shirt, or a knitted, warm, or fleeced vest.

Below is a breakdown in terms of fashion and costuming design that can help you in your designs:

Pulling it off

Image of a headband hair extension, to add pink undercolor to any hair and wig, for low cost. There are varieties with snaps as well with similar effects.

While working at costume shops, I learned about the term “pulling”, addressed to character designs that are modern, or can be purchased in thrift stores, storage, or accessible clothing stores like malls and Amazon. In university theater, we work with limited budgets and little time.

This design is a perfect introduction to cosplay; most of it is streetwear, and is quite “pullable”.

Unlike many other cosplays, this outfit is inspired by real employees wearing this. So, even if you may not find a perfect match of colors, if you find inspiration from train operators, you’d easily meet the essence of this design: a love letter to the hard working train operators.

You do not even need a wig for this one, if your hair is brown/dark enough! If you think it’ll match, you can purchase hair extensions for the pink part alone, and be comfortable with your own hair.

Here are quick set of resources for you to “pull” the pieces for this cosplay: