**Costumes**Profile**Tips**Events**Media**Gifts**Links**Email**
**Top Page**
Cosplay Tips and Advice
Rule #1: Choose a character you identify with
"Oh, wow, what a cute outfit!" doesn't always count. If you don't know why a character does what she (or he) does then how can you expect to be able to wear the costume properly? If you're all wrong with the character, therefore the outfit, how can you accomplish Rule #2??
Rule #2: Don't forget to BE the character
It is one of the main things about Cosplay.
Come on. Isn't one of the reasons you put so much effort into your costume is because for a short bit you would like to be that character? You're not "so and so dressed up as so and so". You are "so and so". It may seem a little freaky, but if you're sane (or atleast in the entertainment biz) you know how it goes.
See why Rule #1 is so important??
Rule #3: Do not make your costume look like a "costume"
Let's get the facts straight. You may be dressing up in clothes you wouldn't wear every day, but remember the character would. To them it is "normal". So try to avoid the last minute plastic Halloween costume off the rack look
Rule #4: Accessorize Correctly
Hats are hats, bows are bows, gloves are gloves. Simple. One shouldn't be replaced by another. As the fashion magazines have been saying for years...accessories can make or break an outfit
Rule #5: Learn To Sew or
Get To Know Someone Who Does
This may seem rather obvious, but...atleast there are two options here. If you're sewing atleast you know (basically) when the outfit will be done (any delays are yours) and it'll feel great that you made it. Although if you can't sew, never plan to sew, or you creations aren't up to the standards you place it's time to find someone who does. Seamstresses are a good idea (but be aware you will be paying for the materials and their time and you have to be willing to pay their price), but friends are good too and sometimes may do an exchange - I'll make you this costume if you give me this. That kind of thing. This rule is rather important or you won't have a costume. Of course you can also opt for the "buy pre-fab costumes"...
Rule #6: Wigs Are Not Always Necessary
A lot of people have this on their mind. Truth be told one of the main reasons for a wig is hair length. It's not really convincing if you have cropped hair to be cosplaying a character with floor length hair (although do not expect to find a wig that long...) or vice versa. A lot of people are very convincing without the blue or green hair, but if you *really* want to go for it! It can be fun, but does take extra time to get ready. And please take the time to do it right. A wig falling off your head looks worse than no wig at all.
Rule #7: Accuracy Is Important
Afterall the main goal is rule #2 so you want to have the costume as close as possible (if not exactly) to the picture you are looking at. The point is also to respect the artist. They drew these characters a certain way for a reason. It helps to understand the character...makes the character who they are. If there are too many changes to the costume (little or big) it's no longer the character. Rather defeats the purpose of cosplaying as that character.
Rule #8: Wear Shoes That Match
I'm not saying go out and spend hundreds of dollars on the "exact" type of footwear the character is wearing, but try to get something appropriate. Tennis Shoes with a Gundam or Yuna do not work. And neither do flip flop sandals with Sakura from Cardcaptors. Nice dress shoes work for hundreds of characters and either white or black non-descript boots as well. Also learn to make bootcovers. They are not that hard and add to the costume.
Rule #9: Have Fun!!!