Cosplay (‘costume play’) is the art of dressing up and acting like your favorite TV show or comic book character, and it’s growing in popularity thanks to the plethora of new movies and programs available. It means now that more and more people can find a character they relate to, and new conventions are springing up across the country, and even around the world. Dressing up is expected at these events, so here are some tips to get your cosplay costume just right.
It Doesn’t Matter Who You Choose
You don’t have to look like the character you want to dress up as to cosplay them. Cosplay is not about matching perfectly; it’s about showing how much you love that character and the show you see them in. Focus on behaving like them, not trying to capture their clothing spot on. This way you don’t have to be so concerned with finding exactly the right fabric or color – get close enough and let your personality do the rest. Cosplay is your interpretation.
Look Online
Once you have chosen your character, it’s a great idea to look online to see how other people have cosplayed them in the past. You can get some great ideas about how to make certain aspects of their costume, and how others have gotten to grips with the character’s quirks. You may even be able to contact fellow cosplayers to ask questions. Look online for makeup tips too, and check out my new hairstyles for ways to get your character’s hair just so.
Be Comfortable
It’s all very well making a costume that looks incredible, but if you can hardly move, barely breathe, and you won’t be able to enjoy the day because you’re uncomfortable, then it’s not worth it. Make your costume with comfort in mind, and even if it’s not identical to the original, you’ll be able to have a lot more fun.
Don’t Spend A Fortune
You may only wear your cosplay outfit once, so it’s not a good idea to spend a huge amount of money on it. Visit thrift stores with a list of the items you need, and be prepared to compromise. It’s unlikely you are going to find a coat that looks exactly like the one you need, for example, but what if you dyed it and sewed different buttons on? Could you create the right look for next to nothing? The key is not to buy a ready-made outfit unless there really is no option; cosplay is about showing how much you love the character by working on the outfit yourself. That’s why it doesn’t have to be perfect.
Don’t Forget The Props And Minor Details
Once you have completed the main cosplay outfit, don’t forget to add the all-important minor details and props. These are the things that will make your costume stand out, and let people know for sure who you are. Read the books, watch the TV show, put that movie on one more time… Make sure you have all the details correct.