/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

If this gets lengthy I apologise.
I really want to cosplay Pic related (notice it's the first version of Senketsu, not Godrobe Senketsu so slightly less work) but I have absolutely no idea where to start.

Just some info:
>I'm a shit tier sewer, but I can get help if something is too difficult.
>I have an -okay- budget. Not too expensive but not dirt poor either.

Okay my questions:

>What fabric could I use?
I think this outfit works very well with shiny fabric from seeing other people's attempts, but I don't know a) which to use or b) which would be suitable to use based on my abilities.

>The breast plate....thing. Senketsu's eyes.
What material should I make this? I've never made a prop or anything remotely similar before so I'm at a complete odds with this one. I don't want it to look like paper mache. I want this part to look fairly professional so I am prepared to sink more money into this part of the costume.

>Keeping my nipples concealed.
How would I make the straps stay in place?

>Should I make fake boobs?
I'm a C cup. Ryuko herself isn't all that well endowed herself (maybe like a D?) so I don't know if making these would be necessary.

>The skirt part.

This has always confused me. Should I make the underwear separate and have the skirt part an attachable belt-type thing or sew it all together?

Sorry this was really lengthy.