Could I Have Some Cosplay Advice

How do I cosplay?

As said before, it depends on who you want to be. However, here are some basic tips for beginner cosplayers on the process.Figure out who you want to cosplay. Cosplay can come from anywhere; books, movies, tv shows, anime, manga, video games, comics, etc. Think of a media that you really enjoy and then find a character that you like from it, whether it be that you like the outfit or their personality. (Or both!)Figure out whether you want to make the costume yourself or buy one. There is no shame in buying a costume, no matter what anyone thinks. Some people enjoy the work of making their costumes and some people just enjoy wearing them. It's up to you. You can find pre made ones online, or even commission another cosplayer.Figure out your skill level. Do you have basic sewing skills down? Do you know how to make props? Can you style a wig? Take these into consideration of what you can accomplish. A ball gown,full armor, or a complex wig for example might not be the best for a beginner.Gather your resources. The internet is a wonderful place to go to find cosplay resources. Cosplayers are always posting tutorials on how they made their pieces and you might be able to find exactly what you're looking for, if not something you can tweak for your purposes. You can look at other cosplayers who have done the character you're making too and ask them what they did. You can also find books and guides for specific techniques. Pinterest, tumblr, and instructables are great places to start.Get it done! Whatever you do, make sure you have it done before your due date and try to avoid sleepless nights. Make sure if you buy the costume it gets there with some wiggle room before.Find a convention near you if you even want to go to one. Some people just like to wear their costumes for fun at home too. Googling your location and “anime convention” or “"sci-fi comvention” can give you results as well as animecons.com’s extensive Convention Schedule.Make sure you're enjoying yourself. Don't let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do because of your weight, height, skin color, gender, nationality, age, abilities, etcetra. The community is a place for people to come together and share an interest in what they love as well as this art form. Show off your cosplay with confidence! Have tons of fun! Meet new people! That's what it's all about.I hope this helps even a little bit. Good luck and happy cosplaying!

What advice would you give for a first time cosplayer?

Do a costume that you love and don’t be scared to start off small.Once your have you first cosplay experience and feel comfortable, then maybe move on to something bigger.Cosplay can be uncomfortable, keep hydrated, take plasters in case something rubs etc.Things break. Take a cosplay emergency kit with you when in costume, things like super glue, a needle and thread, always come in handy.There are loads of great cosplay resources out there Artyfakes, Punisher Props, Evil Ted; they will all give you ideas/advice and teach you how to make things along the way.Enjoy! Never put yourself in a situation that you feel uncomfortable in. People will ask for photos, if you don’t want to be in one, just politely decline.

What is your best advice on making cosplay and props for broke people?

Keep an eye on the local big box craft stores. Joann’s and Michaels have sales and coupons all the time. (I just ordered some stuff yesterday for 30–40% off). If you’re already there check their website on your phone, you can scan coupons from the screen and Joann’s at least (maybe Michaels as well, I don’t go there as much) offers wi-fi.Scavenge for materials, and buy second hand. While this doesn’t work for some things like craft foam, it does work for others. If you need a small amount of fabric maybe look for a used shirt you can cut apart rather than buying a full yard. Bed sheets can give you a good amount of fabric to work with, and sometimes you can luck out and find just plain fabric. You can also get cheap accessories second hand, either to use as is or build on.If you sew, keep an eye out for patterns at cheap prices. I’ve got a ton here that I got for dirt cheap (a dollar each or less), unused. Some were clearance at a store, others I found at a garage sale event. I’ll admit I haven’t used many of them, but I have them just in case and the financial outlay was quite low.

What advice would you give someone just getting into cosplay that you wish someone else had given you?

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. In fact, prepare for them and take them into account when planning your costume budget.I accidentally lopped a good three inches off the hem of my TARDIS gown because I wasn’t being careful where I was cutting. I trimmed it shorter and moved on.The first Time Lord collar I made was much too small and pointy. The second one was the perfect size and shape, but the material didn’t work. I’m going to use it to make the third.My mother, however, is the epitome of this. She’s built an entire Iron Man suit out of foam and had to scrap it because despite all her prepping, she couldn’t get it to accept the paint without cracking. She built four helmets before she got the size right. Three chestpieces. Two codpieces. A lot of trial and error before she got the perfect suit.If something goes wrong on a piece you’ve been working your ass off for, it’s okay to be upset. Take a moment to yell at the wall, then take another moment to assess your mistake. Figure out what went wrong, figure out if you can correct it, and if not, figure out what you can do to make it work on your next attempt.Especially in cases where you’re custom-making your own pieces, a lot of cosplay is just trial and error. It’ll be frustrating as hell at times, but once you get it right, you’ll think to yourself, “That was totally worth it. I’m still never, ever doing that again.”

How do I improve at cosplaying?

Have you ever wondered why those same kids are always at the basketball court? What are they trying to prove? The same thing that you need to do, practice. The more you practice your cosplay creating the better you get at it. There are several methods and techniques for cosplaying and there is always room for improvement in all of them, so practice, practice, practice.Sites like YouTube are full of video tutorials, and Facebook has groups that will share information and help. Amazon has books that have step-by-step instructions that will help in making certain types of clothing.Find a local Cosplayer that you look-up to and ask them if you could learn from them. Having a mentor can be helpful for showing you how something is done, especially if you are struggling to accomplish something.As Nike says, Just Do It. The more you do it the easier it gets to do, and the more you can see your faults and improve on them.