How to Cosplay

Cosplaying is hard, but well worth the effort when hanging out in your awesome outfit on the street or at a convention. Most people think cosplaying is just for anime conventions, but the truth is, you can cosplay anyone, even your favorite band member or celebrity.

Steps

1. First, firmly decide who you want to cosplay. Do you just want a costume to wear around town, for fun, or do you want to wear it to an Anime Convention or other big event? For the former you may want to choose a character with a simpler outfit, however, if you do not mind strange stares and/or possible harassment, then feel free to go all out. For the latter, any costume will work, although unique costumes are more likely to stand out.
2. Decide how you want to go about getting your costume. Consider your budget and time allowance. If you're short on time, making your costume from scratch may not be the best idea, and neither may a commission (see tips for information on commissions.) Buying your costume or making it from clothing that you have found will probably be a better choice.
3. Make your costume! Sew clothing, rummage through thrift stores, put in your commission order, whatever you need to do to make it! Try it on and model it regularly, to make sure that it fits, won't fall apart, and that it looks good! If you're not that handy with sewing then it would be best to ask a friend or family member to help you.
4. Let's not forget the ever important props. Does your character have a staff? A sword? An animal sidekick? Props are a very fun part of cosplaying, because you can really go crazy with them. There are many options of what props to use and how to make them. Of course, you can always buy props, but the options are much more limited, and isn't it always more fun to make it yourself?
5. Make your grand debut! Whether your walking around town, or a party, or a convention, make sure you're having fun with it!
6. Have fun with it! If you don't have fun, you're not cosplaying the right way! 

 

Shizuku Sangou of Kampfer

Icecat girl manga



Tips

• A commission is when you pay someone to make something custom for you. For example, if you pay Mary x amount of dollars for a cosplay costume, that's a commission. Different commissioners have different ways of having you order from them. Some commissioners will do any costume as long as you provide a reference picture(s) and give them your measurements. Other commissioners can only do certain costumes. There may even be some who can only do one costume, or just one type (school uniform, kimonos, etc.)
• If you can't find the fabric, use a substitute! Have fun with it. Just remember, if the costume is made of a cotton-type material, then don't substitute with satin or silk. This makes the costume look awkward to say the least.
• When cosplaying a character with an unusual hair style, make sure the wig is secure, so that it doesn't come apart in the middle of a convention.
• Keep in mind that props usually have to be carried around a long time, so even the lightest of props can be a major burden during the day.
• You shouldn't worry if you want to cosplay a character that you don't look exactly like, cosplay doesn't have to be perfect.
• Don't try so hard to look like that particular character.If your costume is not as good and people laugh,don't worry because you know you spent a lot of time, effort, and money on that costume, and you should be proud of it!
• If a charcter wears common clothing, such as a suit with an untied red tie, don't try to make a suit and tie(unless you want to), go to Marshalls and get a suit and tie for $30 and it takes no time at all. The less you have to make. the better.

Warnings

• Don't do a cosplay at the last minute or you'll regret it. Conventions are tiring enough already, the last thing you want to do is stay up late the morning of the convention finishing a costume.
• People will want to have their pictures taken with you, especially small children if you have a 'cute' or animal-like cosplay. This can be very startling for shy people, if your costume has a mask or covers the face this may help the shy cosplayer. Be ready for attention, remember your favorite part of the costume to point out, and always remember you have the right to say no when someone asks for a picture if you feel uncomfortable.
• If you want to cosplay, realize how much time and money goes into making a costume to be proud of. Many fans will assume a shoddy costume is an attack on the character, so do your homework for accuracy and practice your sewing skills.
• If you're making or buying a prop for cosplay at a convention, Be sure to carefully review all safety and security codes of the convention you plan to attend and be sure to follow them. For example, most ban props with "live steel", I.E. anything sharp that could jab or cut someone or prop guns with moving parts. When in doubt photograph the object in question and send it to the con for approval and always have things peacebonded by the security when you arrive at the con.
• Know your stuff! The last thing you want is someone coming up to you talking about your character only to find out you know nothing about it.
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Cosplay. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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