
Not only were these heroines and villains granted super powers — they were also given a haute wardrobe!
Have you ever wondered where manga artists come up with all the characters, plot lines, and costumes that appear in their stories? Sure, there are manga material websites for budding new artists now, but that wasn’t necessarily the case 25 years ago when Naoko Takeuchi was drawing what would become her best-selling comic, Sailor Moon.
When it came to a number of major character and villain designs, Takeuchi turned to the 1992 designs of luxury fashion brands she admired like Chanel and Dior for inspiration.
Here are some of the outfits that the internet has been able to trace back to haute couture:
▼ Princess Serenity – Dior
▼ Catzi (Negamoon Sister) – Mugler
▼ Dark Lady – Yves Saint Laurent
▼ Hotaru/Sailor Saturn – Mugler
▼ Setsuna/Sailor Pluto – Chanel
▼ Calaveras – Christian Lacroix
Luckily for cosplayers, this means that you can put together any one of these characters without having to thread a needle — as long as you have the cash and the patience to hunt these vintage pieces down!
Source: Tumblr/silvermoon424, Tumblr/prynette
Feature/insert images: Tumblr/silvermoon424, Tumblr/prynette






Brand-new Sailor Moon anime movies bring back original ‘90s anime character designer【Video】
Free Sailor Moon condoms to be given out by Japanese government
Uniqlo’s new line of Sailor Moon T-shirts to go on sale soon, and we can’t wait to buy them
New character designs revealed for Sailor Moon Crystal, including Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn
Sailor Moon and J-pop mega-star Ayumi Hamasaki team up for collaboration, pre-defeat scalpers
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
Japan moves to enforce language requirements for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
Japan to get new high-speed train connecting Haneda and Narita airports, ease overtourism
Famous sweets store in Ameyoko fills a bag with sweets and a show, but is it still worth it?
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Sailor Moon creator illustrates new marriage registration form in Japan, can be ordered now
Fly-through video of Sailor Moon Museum exhibit shows what’s waiting for fans in Tokyo【Video】
Sailor Moon on ice! Skater Evgenia Medvedeva appears in costume for first official ice show【Pics】
Sailor Moon Wedding Dress Collection lets you dress like Usagi, Tuxedo Mask as you say I do【Pics】