argouru said:

Need some advice here. Want to make a 'clothed' version of my fursuit (gray and white wolf) that I can wear my head and feet with (the bodysuit I have is a sans-apparrel one). The idea is to make long-sleeved gloves that can be worn with any old t-shirt and a detatchable tail and legs I can fasten to a pair of thick fabric shorts (like cargo shorts).

 

Does anyone have any tips, pointers, etc. to offer on creating this effect?

I'm going to repeat a few things but hey!

For those type of suits look up partial suits or half suits on the web to get the general community.

You already have a general idea of what you want so that's a good start.   But for me when i do a partial i personally look for a longer sleeve shirt – short sleeves sometimes you have a problems keeping the paws sleeves up. Some people use clips on longer shirts if that happens.  

Most people in the last few years went to a longer fabric/fur around the neck.  This makes it easier to get in and out on a full body and does a different seem construction.  But on a partial look kind of weird.  Some put that fur undenieth the shirt line – but when you do that it makes a stronger seal on the suit for heat.  Or they do at least two layer with a lighter shirt under neith and put a light jacket/vest above that helps keep an illusion to it.

Cargo pants are wonderful for suits a lot of people do those so no comments.  To give more "illusion" to the look cover up the tail attachment or use something (if you use black pants) that the' same color.  If you are wearing a long shirt don't tuck it in there.

On a partial don't be surprise if it's actually warmer than a full body.  I've found because of the underarmor body wear I feel cooler in suit than some of my partial attempts.

One last note -

Partials for me are made usually looking around your house and/or hotel room saying "I don't want to wear a full suit – what will make the suit more theme/more different"  And trying different things over and over until you find a combination that just works.  I've done that at a convention where we wanted to suit but didn't want to take a chance of the body getting sweaty because of an upcoming plane flight.  So we quickly made a partial from clothes we made.  There was enough a of a response from that partial that it's still be used today.

Another way is pick a budget and go around a used clothing/discount store saying "i have this theme is there something here i can buy that works". For a western themed con I did that going to Goodwill buying a real leather vest and buying some chaps from another place. 

Anyways have fun!