How to Create the Perfect Mr Bobinsky Costume: A Coraline Character Guide
Aug 01,2025 | Coleyes
Creating a Mr. Bobinsky costume is a chance to tackle an exciting cosplay challenge with this distinctive blue-skinned character from Coraline. The sky-blue gymnast from the 2009 stop-motion film makes an amazing cosplay choice because of his theatrical style and eccentric appearance.
The sort of thing I love about this character is how his blue skin tone actually comes from his past work as a liquidator at Chernobyl, where chemical exposure changed his skin color. Getting the right colored contacts is crucial to complete your Mr. Bobinsky cosplay. These contacts should blend naturally with the blue skin tone to create an authentic look. Coleyes has sold more than 1 million pairs of contact lenses to over 120,000 satisfied customers worldwide. This gives you plenty of options to perfect your Bobinsky look.
This piece will show you everything in creating a complete Mr. Bobinsky costume. You'll discover how to achieve that perfect blue skin tone and put together the iconic ringmaster outfit. The guide includes tips about choosing the best contact lenses, recreating his unique facial features, and gathering all the props needed to bring this beloved Coraline character to life at your next cosplay event.
Understanding Mr. Bobinsky’s Unique Look
Mr. Bobinsky's distinctive appearance makes his costume recreation a fascinating challenge. This unique character from Coraline has features that fans can spot right away.
His blue skin and eccentric style
The character's vibrant blue skin stands out without doubt as his most eye-catching feature. This blue coloring tells a story - it comes from his past as a Chernobyl liquidator where chemicals changed his skin color. His tall, lanky body and protruding belly create a shape that's vital to get right in your costume.
Mr. Bobinsky rocks a bald head with blue hair tufts on the sides. His face features bushy eyebrows, a big nose, and a dramatic handlebar mustache with curled ends. These details blend into a quirky, cartoon-like look that makes him unforgettable in Coraline's world.
His movements tell another story. He moves with surprising grace despite his strange body shape. You might want to add some of his gymnast-like moves to lift your costume game.
The ringmaster outfit and mouse circus theme
The character's clothes match his role as the mouse circus ringmaster. Here's what makes up his outfit:
- A weathered blue and red ringmaster coat with gold buttons and trim
- High-waisted striped pants
- A small black hat that looks like a ringmaster's top hat
- Black boots that seem too big for his feet
His outfit has that old circus feel to it. The worn-out look adds personality to his appearance. Deep blues, reds, and golds make up his color scheme. These colors work well with his blue skin and highlight his showman role.
On top of that, his mouse circus always shows up in some way. He carries cheese for his performing mice, and sometimes you'll spot a mouse or two on his shoulder. Adding these small touches will make people recognize your costume right away.
Differences between real and Other Mr. Bobinsky
The Other World version of Mr. Bobinsky looks like in the ground version at first glance, but with vital changes. The button eyes stand out as the biggest difference - they're a trademark of all "Other" characters. These buttons are black with four holes and bigger than normal eyes.
The Other Mr. Bobinsky keeps the blue skin and mustache but looks more polished than his ground counterpart. He moves with more flair, and his outfit looks brighter and newer.
The whole ordeal takes a dark turn when we learn that the Other Mr. Bobinsky is just a costume filled with rats. This reveal ranks among the film's creepiest moments and gives you a chance to add a dramatic twist to your advanced cosplay.
Then, you'll need to choose between portraying the ground Mr. Bobinsky or his Other World version. This choice changes how you'll handle the eyes and the condition of your costume pieces.
Choosing the Right Color Contacts
The right contact lenses are a vital part of creating an authentic Mr. Bobinsky costume. Your choice of colored contacts can reshape the scene and help you bring this eccentric Coraline character to life.
Why blue skin tone matters for lens choice
The connection between Mr. Bobinsky's blue skin and your contact lens choice goes beyond matching colors. Your blue contacts need to blend naturally with your blue makeup to create a unified look. Color theory plays a big role here. People with warm skin tones and yellow undertones look best in blue contacts with green hints, like aqua or turquoise shades that create eye-catching contrast.
People with cool skin tones and pink or blue undertones look better in blue contacts with gray or silver touches (like ice blue or steel blue varieties). Since Mr. Bobinsky has blue-toned skin, you'll need contacts that pop against this background instead of fading away. The goal is a bold yet balanced look that captures his unique personality.
Different blue shades can completely change your appearance. These contacts range from subtle natural blues to vibrant eye-catching colors, giving you plenty of options for your cosplay. The lighting at your event might affect how your contacts look—convention halls usually need bolder colors than natural daylight.
Best contact lens types for Mr. Bobinsky cosplay
Your lens choice depends on whether you're going as the real Mr. Bobinsky or his Other World version. The standard version works well with these options:
- Opaque blue lenses - These cover even dark natural eye colors completely, giving you that vibrant blue pop against the character's skin
- Circle lenses with larger diameters - These make your eyes look bigger, perfect for a more expressive, animated appearance
- Royal or deep blue shades - These bold colors match the character's unique look
Experienced cosplayers might like multi-tonal blue lenses that blend several blue pigments for extra depth. These create more realistic and dynamic eyes under different lights.
Quality matters, especially for convention wear or long cosplay sessions. Good lenses from trusted brands are worth the extra cost since you'll wear them for hours. Coleyes comes highly recommended, having sold over 1 million pairs to more than 120,000 customers worldwide.
Where to find Coraline-inspired button contacts
Button-style contact lenses are now available for those creating the Other World version of Mr. Bobinsky. These special lenses show a dark, stitched 'X' pattern that looks like the film's iconic sewn button eyes. High-opacity pigments completely cover your natural eye color for maximum impact.
These unique lenses can limit vision because of their design. They work better for quick photoshoots than all-day convention wear. If you have sensitive eyes or want alternatives, button-eye props or novelty glasses can create similar effects without touching your eyes.
Some artists make handcrafted button eye effects using real materials for a 3D look—the perfect way to capture the Other World's creepy charm. Read product reviews carefully when shopping for these special contacts. Look for comfort, quality materials, and solid design since these items sit right on your eyes.
Make sure to check if you need a prescription before buying colored contacts for your Mr. Bobinsky costume. Many countries require prescriptions for costume lenses, even non-corrective ones, as a safety measure.
Makeup Tips to Recreate Mr. Bobinsky’s Face
Creating Mr. Bobinsky's face requires specific makeup techniques to capture his distinctive blue appearance. The right products and application methods will help you nail this character's unique look for your cosplay adventure.
Creating the blue skin effect safely
Start by preparing your skin with a good quality primer. This creates a smooth canvas and helps your makeup last longer. Professional water-activated theatrical makeup gives the most authentic results for the signature blue skin. Quality blue face paints from brands like Mehron, Kryolan, or Snazaroo won't crack throughout the day.
The blue base works best in thin layers instead of one thick coat. This prevents cracking and creates a natural-looking finish. A slightly damp makeup sponge helps with even application as you work outward from your face's center. Remember to extend the makeup down your neck and onto any exposed skin areas to keep everything consistent.
A patch test 24 hours before full application ensures you won't have an allergic reaction. A gentle makeup remover designed for theatrical cosmetics helps prevent skin irritation during removal.
Drawing the iconic mustache and facial features
Mr. Bobinsky's exaggerated handlebar mustache is his most recognizable facial feature. You'll need:
- Black cream makeup or eyeliner for precision
- A thin angled brush for detailed work
- Setting powder to prevent smudging
The mustache comes together in stages. First outline the shape, then fill it completely. The ends should curl upward with theatrical flair. The same black product will boost your eyebrows, making them bushier and more pronounced than normal.
His distinctive nose takes shape through contouring techniques. A slightly darker blue shade creates the appearance of a larger, more prominent nose structure. A small sponge or stippling brush blends this best.
Adding shadows and highlights for a 3D look
The magic of bringing your Mr. Bobinsky makeup to life lies in dimensional techniques. Create shadows under the cheekbones, around the temples, and beneath the jawline using a darker blue or purple-blue shade. Light blue or white cream on your face's high points - forehead, cheekbones, bridge of nose, and chin - adds perfect highlights.
Different shades of blue create texture that mimics skin. We used this technique on areas like the forehead and cheeks. A small stipple sponge with slightly darker or lighter blue than your base achieves this effect perfectly.
Your creation needs a good setting with translucent powder to prevent smudging. A setting spray designed for theatrical makeup helps everything last through photos, conventions, or Halloween parties.
Costume Essentials for Mr. Bobinsky Cosplay
A perfect Mr. Bobinsky costume needs several elements that bring his eccentric ringmaster character to life. After you become skilled at the makeup, these costume pieces will help you transform into this unique character.
Ringmaster jacket and hat
Your Mr. Bobinsky costume's showpiece must be a military-style ringmaster jacket. A navy blue or deep purple coat with gold trim or braiding will match his theatrical look. Vintage military jackets can work well - just add gold ribbon trim and oversized buttons to make them look authentic. The jacket should look a bit worn to match Mr. B's lived-in style and eccentric character from Coraline.
The right headwear makes a big difference. A small-brimmed hat that looks like a traditional Russian kubanka works best. You could also use a pill box hat or modified beret in matching colors. Paint it to match your jacket's colors to create a unified look. Note that the Other Bobinsky sports a more polished navy blue ringmaster's suit with gold trimmings and his liquidator badge.
Padded belly or body suit
Mr. Bobinsky's body type stands out with his tall, skinny frame and distinctive potbelly. The source material states that "while he is tall and mostly skinny, he has a noticeably large stomach, which jiggles and bounces when he moves".
You can create this unique silhouette in several ways:
- Use foam or batting to create a padded belly under your clothes
- Invest in a body suit with built-in padding
- Layer clothes with strategic stuffing
The stomach should look prominent without going overboard, so you can move easily during your cosplay activities.
Mouse circus props and accessories
The right props will make your costume stand out by showcasing Mr. Bobinsky's mouse circus. White gloves with slight stains hint at your work with performing mice. Suspenders help keep the essential baggy pants in place.
Mouse circus elements can improve your costume. Paint small toy mice to match the film's style and place them on a tiny platform or circus ring. A small baton or conductor's stick shows off your ringmaster role. Specialty shops offer a "circus tent + cotton candy cannon" that adds an impressive touch.
Serious fans might want to include a tiny mouse plush with felt button eyes and baton, which matches the official merchandise at 7.5 inches tall.
How to Assemble and Wear the Full Look
Your Mr. Bobinsky costume needs the right assembly sequence that makes a big difference in how it looks and feels. The way you put everything together will affect your final appearance.
Step-by-step costume layering
Start with a moisture-wicking base layer under your costume - synthetic fabrics like Under Armor HeatGear work better than cotton blends. This base helps manage sweat quickly. Make sure to wash this layer before you wear it to avoid dye stains on other costume pieces or your skin.
The blue body makeup goes on exposed areas (face, neck, hands) next. Let it dry completely. Your padded bodysuit or belly padding comes after that. The main clothing should go on in this order:
- Pants with suspenders first
- Undershirt second
- Ringmaster jacket last
The jacket needs adjusting over your padding to create Bobinsky's authentic silhouette. Your hat and smaller accessories should be the final touches.
Attaching button eyes or glasses
Button eyes can be attached in different ways. Spirit gum creates a direct bond - put it where the button meets your face, wait until it gets tacky, then press the button down. Command strips cut into smaller pieces are a great way to remove them easily.
Button eye glasses feel more comfortable according to most cosplayers. Round frames can be modified by adding buttons or creating special lenses. These glasses can be lifted up when you need better visibility at crowded conventions.
Tips for comfort and mobility during cosplay
Your costume pieces should stay dry between uses because moisture makes them uncomfortable and ruins materials. Pack extra base layers at longer events - hotel sink washing with shampoo works in a pinch.
Sweatbands help keep perspiration from running into your eyes. Your head straps must be adjusted properly - all straps, hooks and closures need to stay secure while you wear the costume. Before the event, move around in your complete costume to make sure you can strike those signature Bobinsky acrobatic poses easily.
Conclusion
Becoming Mr. Bobinsky is a chance to create an exceptional cosplay experience. You can bring this beloved Coraline character to life at your next convention or Halloween event by paying attention to details - from the striking blue skin to the eccentric ringmaster outfit.
A successful Mr. Bobinsky cosplay needs all elements working together. The blue makeup is your base, and the right contacts will improve your character's gaze. The distinctive mustache, properly styled ringmaster jacket, and strategic padding create that silhouette fans recognize instantly.
You can portray the real Mr. Bobinsky or his sinister Other World version, but your preparation makes all the difference. Test your makeup application first, check your costume's comfort, and maybe even master some gymnastic poses to capture his theatrical personality.
Mr. Bobinsky's character lets you channel his eccentric energy naturally. His unusual backstory and quirky mannerisms are great material for character interpretation that will amaze other Coraline fans. This distinctive blue-skinned character needs more work than simpler costumes, but other fans' reactions will definitely make your efforts worth it.