In Dragon Quest XI, some pieces of equipment will change the appearance of your characters, effectively counting as costumes for those characters. In the original version of the game, you will need to actually wear the piece(s) of equipment in order to change your appearance. In the Definitive Edition, though, there is a separate slot that allows you to change your characters’ appearances without needing to don the equipment, although you will still need to have found the items.

The Trodain¶

This costume is a nod to the Hero of Dragon Quest VIII. In the original version of the game, you will automatically have this in your inventory at the beginning. However, in the Definitive Edition, you will need to Claim Special Rewards in order to get it. Go to Misc, then Settings, and you will see that option towards the bottom of the list. Note that in the Switch version, you will need to download the Champion’s Pack first before claiming. The PS4/Xbox/PC versions of the Definitive Edition have the special rewards already built into the game, so you don’t need to download anything extra.

Also, in the original version of the game, you get a recipe to upgrade the Trodain set to the Artisanal Trodain Bandana/Togs. In order to do this, you will need a Pep Pop and Kaleidocloth for each piece. These are items you won’t really be able to get until the final part of the game. To reiterate, the Artisanal stuff is not found in the Definitive Edition at all.

The Fugitive¶

You will automatically have this costume during the main story, but it gets removed at a certain point. Once you make it to Gallopolis, head inside the church there to find an item called the Traveller’s Hood, which re-enables this costume to be worn again.

The Saviour of the Sands¶

In order to gain this costume, you will need to obtain the Gallopolitan Garb piece of armor. Once you have access to the horse race in Gallopolis, compete in them until you have access to the Silver Cup. Do this race on Easy and finish in 1st place to get the Gallopolitan Garb.

The Drasilian¶

This costume requires two pieces of armor, the Drasilian Helm and the Drasilian Armour. Thankfully, both pieces are part of a recipe, the Dress Like a Drasilian, which is found in the Ruins of Dundrasil area. It’s in a chest south of the one gravestone, past where you have to crawl underneath a fallen pillar. You will need Platinum Ore (x3), Gold Ore (x3), Glass Frit (x2), and a Celestial Skein in order to craft both pieces.

The Parade Participant¶

As you go through the story in the middle part of the fame, you will come across an event in the Champs Sauvage region, where you meet up with one of your party members. It is during this event that you will unlock this costume.

Hotto Stuff¶

This costume is exclusive to the Definitive Edition and can be bought in Hotto after completing the story events there in the middle part of the game. Once you do, go to the armor shop and purchase the Wolf Dragon Armour for 15,000G.

Daddy’s Boy¶

During the final part of the game, you will do a story event at the Ruins of Dundrasil. Complete these events to have some chests spawn, where you can loot Irwin’s Helm and Irwin’s Armour, the two pieces needed for this costume. This costume looks the same as The Drasilian, except for in the Definitive Edition, where the former’s color was changed. The armor for Daddy’s Boy is silver, with a blue cape.

Cobblestone’s Finest¶

Whenever you are in the final part of the game head to Cobblestone to start a side story that involves doing some other side stories throughout the world. Once you complete all of the events, return to Cobblestone and speak with Gemma to complete the Cobblestone event. Head back to your home and search the wardrobe on the ground floor to find the Cobblestone Clobber piece of equipment, which is all that’s needed for the costume.

The Luminary of Legend¶

In order to unlock this costume, you will need to find two pieces of equipment, both of which are found in separate chests in the Citadel of Spite in the Luminary’s Trial. Erdwin’s Coronet is found on Level 3, while Erdwin’s Tunic is found on Level 1.