Naoe’s hunt for the elusive Golden Teppo takes an unexpected turn in Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ “Dress for Success” mission, where assassination skills alone won’t cut it-she must infiltrate a high-stakes tea ceremony by securing the perfect disguise. To earn her seat at the table, players must brave pirate-infested waters, outwit silk thieves, and choose a kosode that could make or break her undercover operation. Will your fashion sense be sharp enough to blend in-and survive?
In this Assassin’s Creed Shadows guide, we’ll give you a full “Dress for Success” walkthrough, including showing you where to find the silk and explaining whether or not you should choose the red or black silk.
Where to get a kosode in ’Dress for Success’
To get a kosode in the “Dress for Success” quest in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, head to the southwestern docks of Sakai, just south of the Money Changer District. Look for a merchant’s stall near the water, easily identified by purple cloth and banners, and a merchant working outside by a large pot. When you speak with her, she’ll explain that pirates have stolen her silk, making it impossible to craft a kosode until the material is recovered. Your next step is to retrieve the stolen silk from the westernmost pirate ship in the port. Once you bring the silk back, the merchant will offer you a choice between a red Chinese silk kosode or a black Portuguese silk kosode, allowing you to continue the quest and prepare for the tea ceremony.
In “Dress for Success,” your first goal will be to acquire a kosode, and you’ll get a hint that you can pick one up in southwest Sakai. The merchant your looking for is south of the Money Changer District, overlooking the bay near the southern part of the city, right next to the wooden tower.
As you get close to the merchant, you’ll see a little blue dot start to pulse if you hold in the Observe button.
Speak to the merchant and Naoe will say she needs a special kasode as soon as possible, which the merchant can’t manage as all of her silk has been stolen by pirates. Guess whose job it is to deal with those pirates now?
How to get the silk back in ’Dress for Success’
To get the silk back in the “Dress for Success” quest, first speak with the kosode vendor in southwestern Sakai, who explains that pirates have stolen her silk, making it impossible to craft the special garment you need. Your next objective is to retrieve the stolen silk by infiltrating a pirate ship or guarded warehouse near the docks-look for a large wooden structure or ship west of Sakai, often marked by a red lantern or situated near the coastline. Use stealth to bypass or eliminate the guards, then locate and open the crate containing the silk, which is typically found at the center of the ship’s deck or on the western side of the storage room. Once you have the silk, return it to the vendor, who will then allow you to choose the color of your kosode and complete the quest.
Once you have your mission to steal the silk back from the pirates (is it stealing if they’re pirates?), turn around from the merchant and you’ll be face-to-face with the Port of Sakai. Run up to the water and grab one of the small boats. Hop onto it and look out into the bay. You’ll see two large ships (also represented and marked on the map above). Start heading in that direction.
The silk you’re looking for is on the ship to the left (see the annotated image above), but while you’re at it, it’s worth making a quick stop at the ship on the right for a small treasure chest and a synchronization point.
Dock your boat on the leftmost ship’s side and climb up. You’ll need to deal with some pirate enemies here before you can progress.
Once you’ve taken the pirates out, look for the chest in the center of the ship, which is tucked in-between some explosive items. Blow them up from a safe distance to kill the nearby enemies, grab the chest, and head back to the merchant.
Should you choose the red or black silk in ’Dress for Success?’
In the “Dress for Success” mission of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you must choose between two silk colors for Naoe’s kosode: the traditional red Chinese silk or the bold black Portuguese silk. This choice is purely cosmetic and does not affect the story or gameplay outcomes. The black silk is seen as a bolder, shinobi-appropriate option and earns some compliments during the tea ceremony, while the red silk is more classic and low-key but also draws some criticism. Ultimately, you should pick the color you prefer, as the silk appears only occasionally and has no impact on quest progression or character interactions.
When you return the silk to the merchant, she’ll thank you and offer to make you a special kasode with either Portuguese black silk or Chinese red silk. You’ll then be given a dialogue wheel and told to pick.
While most AELGAMES staffers testing this quest went with black (I mean, she’s an aspiring ninja, come on), we have confirmed that this decision doesn’t seem to have any bearing on quest outcome. The women at the tea ceremony will be rude to you regardless of the silk you choose, although their justifications for their rudeness might change.
But before you can attend the tea ceremony, you’ll need to find a tea merchant to teach you decorum in the “Perfect Gift” quest. However, if you’ve completed both that and “Dress for Success,” you can proceed to “The Tea Ceremony.”
How does dressing in a kosode influence Naoe’s stealth in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Influence of the Kosode on Naoe’s Stealth
Story Kosode and Stealth Mechanics
During the “Dress for Success” mission, Naoe must acquire and wear a kosode to blend in at a formal tea ceremony. The kosode, in this context, functions as a disguise, allowing her to participate in the event and get close to her target without arousing suspicion. This narrative-driven use of the kosode is about social stealth-enabling Naoe to infiltrate spaces where her usual shinobi attire would attract attention.
Gameplay Kosode and Stealth Perks
Beyond the story mission, certain kosodes and light armor pieces in Assassin’s Creed Shadows directly impact Naoe’s stealth abilities. For example, some kosode variants, like the Cerulean Guise Kosode, grant perks that enhance stealth gameplay-such as improving Eagle Vision for tagging enemies and loot, increasing movement speed while crouched, or reducing noise from high jumps. These perks make it easier for Naoe to remain undetected, move swiftly, and utilize her tools more effectively.
Summary Table: Kosode Effects on Stealth
| Kosode Type | Influence on Stealth |
|---|---|
| Story/Disguise Kosode | Enables social stealth, blending in during missions |
| Gameplay/Perk Kosode | Grants bonuses (e.g., better Eagle Vision, quieter movement) |
Key Takeaway:
Wearing a kosode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows can either serve as a narrative disguise for social infiltration or, if equipped as a gameplay item, provide tangible stealth benefits that enhance Naoe’s ability to avoid detection and operate as a shinobi.
How does wearing a kosode improve Naoe’s stealth abilities in the game
Wearing a kosode significantly enhances Naoe’s stealth abilities in Assassin’s Creed Shadows by providing both narrative and gameplay advantages. Certain kosode variants, such as the Hidden Servant Kosode, increase the amount of Adrenaline Naoe gains in restricted zones by 25%. This allows her to use powerful skills more frequently, making it easier to eliminate enemies swiftly and remain undetected during infiltrations. Additionally, kosode armor like the Cerulean Guise Kosode grants perks that improve Eagle Vision, enabling Naoe to quickly tag enemies and loot, which is crucial for planning stealthy approaches and avoiding detection.
Some kosode armors also boost tool damage and critical damage, further empowering Naoe to dispatch targets quietly and efficiently. Overall, equipping the right kosode not only helps Naoe blend in during specific missions but also directly improves her stealth performance through enhanced abilities and tactical advantages.
