Work With What You've Got

As a newcomer to cosplay, you can't expect perfection. Even professional cosplayers encounter problems from time to time. Sometimes even the best planned cosplays can still go wrong. People can gain or lose weight right before a big event, items can get lost or destroyed in the mail, pieces can tear and props can break, and sometimes designs can just fail to work out the way you plan.

Unfortunately, the pads of my Judge Anderson costume didn't dry in time, so I

had to make do with just my badges and green utility pouches (not pictured).

 



There is nothing wrong with reusing or repurposing old costumes. Sometimes, you will find inspiration well after the first time you wear a costume. Instead of thinking about what you could have done differently, think about what you still can do to make it the costume you were dreaming of.

This cosplayer decided to modify her steampunk Ariel costume.

 

If you plan to attend cosplaying events regularly but you don't have the time or funds to create a variety of diverse and complicated costumes, you can get away with reusing certain basic pieces. You can also piece together your ensemble using a generic store-bought costume or items from your closet. As long as you make it your own, it doesn't really matter where each of the elements come from.

With a few accessories and some theatrical accents, you could easily transform a number of costumes for very little money and still look great. Plus, cosplayers love to discuss the creative process and explore new ideas!  Here are just a few:
 

A generic Cleopatra or Greek goddess costume can

easily be transformed into a Queen Gorgo (300) costume.

 

 

 A basic cotton nurse costume can be dyed and

distressed to look like a nurse from Silent Hill.

 

 

The same dress could be used for both a Wednesday Addams and Moira O'Hara

(American Horror Story) costume with a little tweaking as well. 

 

 

Even men can modify everyday costumes like turning a gangster

 costume into Jack Skellington (Nightmare Before Christmas).

 

 

If all else fails, you can turn just about any regular costume into a zombie.  The possibilities are endless!  What ideas can you think of?

 





From One Beginner to Another

Planning your first cosplay can be both an exciting and a nerve-wracking experience. However, it can be much more rewarding if you follow a few basic suggestions.

First of all, choose a simple costume, and have it completed well in advance of the event you plan to wear it to. Don't plan an advanced costume for your first cosplay or wait until the last minute to complete it. Allow time for things to go wrong, and consider having a back-up costume on stand by in case your first choice doesn't turn out.

Always try your costume out ahead of time. Make sure each piece fits properly and that your shoes are comfortable. (Nothing is worse than suffering in an uncomfortable costume all day instead of enjoying your con.) Whether it is a body suit, temporary veneers, contacts, fake lashes, makeup, etc., you should test out every element of your costume so you don't make a mess the day of your event or suffer an allergic reaction to dyes, adhesives, etc.

Proper undergarments are also extremely important. Not only will they improve the overall shape of your costume, but they will also determine how easily you can take bathroom breaks throughout the day. Don't sacrifice hydration for an overly complicated costume. One way to avoid getting overheated is to choose a character with hair similar to yours and avoid wearing a wig. Try to leave outerwear at home as well since there is no guarantee that your event will have a coat check.

Also, decide what you are willing to carry and leave any unnecessary items at home. If your cosplay can incorporate pockets, pouches, or some kind of satchel, take full advantage of it. You will want to find a place for a wallet and your phone/camera (and make sure it is fully charged). You may also want to bring an emergency kit for simple fixes. On the other hand, if your cosplay calls for a prop, consider your options and choose the least heavy or cumbersome. Cons are crowded, and although props make for better photo ops, they can also get in the way and may get damaged accidentally.

Lastly, if you have questions, ask an experienced friend for help, or go to any number of websites for advice. Don't let yourself get discouraged if things don't turn out exactly how you plan the first time. After all, practice makes perfect!

Cosplay 101

Welcome to cosplay!

"Cosplay" is short for costume play. This term originated in 1983, but the culture of cosplay has steadily increased since 1990. Cosplayers generally reserve their hobby for various fan conventions held throughout the year all over the country. The first US fan convention, or "con", was held in 1942. The largest American con, San Diego Comic Con International was first held in 1970.

Cons feature celebrity appearances, expert panels, various vendors, costume contests, photo ops, etc. They generally attract fans of comic books, video games, sci-fi and fantasy movies and TV shows, Japanese animation, and cult fandoms. A "fandom" is a culture of fans with common interests (i.e. Trekkies, Whovians, Twihards, etc.).

How cosplay differs from wearing a costume on Halloween is in the "play". Cosplayers emulate their characters' personalities. Cosplaying can range from signature expressions and poses to full blown monologues and skits. (This is not the same as LARPing, or Live Action Role Playing.)

Another important aspect of cosplay is craftsmanship. Cosplaying can be very expensive, but while some cosplayers can afford to buy elaborate costumes, others choose to piece their costumes together, make their own costumes from scratch, or even repurpose items they already own.

This cosplayer chose to purchase her Catwoman costume.

Chelsea Murphy made this steampunk Cinderella costume.

Rob Playter pieced together his 11th Doctor costume (from Dr. Who).

Most cosplayers choose mainstream characters that are easy to identify, however others prefer to pick more unique costumes to stand out from the masses. If done well, many people can still identify even the most obscure character.

A growing trend among cosplayers is the creation of mashup costumes. This is done by combining 2 genres of fandom such as steampunk, super heroes, Disney characters, etc. Others combine 2 or more versions of the same character from literature and/or film versions. Some cosplayers even design their own characters.

The best characters to cosplay are those you feel a personal connection to, whether you already relate to them or you aspire to be more like them. Whatever franchise you consider yourself a fan of, there are countless opportunities to display your fandom proudly.