Cosplaying, short for “costume playing”, is the act of dressing up and roleplaying as a fictional character from movies, TV shows, video games, anime, manga, and more. It’s a popular hobby that allows fans to embody their favorite characters and be part of the fan community. Cosplaying can be done for fun or entered into contests at conventions. It’s a creative outlet that knows no age limits or boundaries. In this article we talk about Best Cosplaying Tips For Beginners.
For beginners interested in getting into cosplay, it can feel intimidating at first. But with the right guidance and tips, you’ll be on your way to creating awesome costumes and having a great time. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know as a cosplay newcomer, from choosing your first character to cosplay conventions 101.
Choosing Your First Character
When deciding who you want to cosplay as for the first time, it’s best to start with a character you absolutely love. This will make the process more enjoyable and meaningful. Consider characters from franchises you’re deeply passionate about, especially if you want to interact with those fan communities at conventions.
Here are some beginner-friendly suggestions:
- Disney princesses and characters are easy, recognizable options with simple costumes. Going as Belle, Snow White or Mickey Mouse is a classic way to ease into cosplaying.
- Comic book superheroes tend to have simple, iconic costumes that are easy to recreate. Spiderman, Captain America, and Wonder Woman make great first-time superhero cosplays.
- Anime characters like Sailor Moon or popular Pokémon are good starter anime cosplays before tackling more complex outfits from intricate shows like Bleach.
It’s also a smart idea to pick characters that share similarities with your body type, skin color, face shape, hair color, etc. This will make putting the costume together much simpler.
Cosplay on a Budget
You don’t need to spend a fortune on buying or making your first costume. Lots of everyday items around your home can be repurposed, and dollar stores are treasure troves for finishing touches.
Here are frugal tips for affording cosplay on a budget:
- Check your own closet first when piecing together costume items. You likely already own usable pieces.
- Thrift stores and garage sales are ideal for finding second-hand items to use in costumes.
- Simple makeup effects like scars and bruises can be done with household items like lipstick, eyeshadow, etc.
- Purchase a good base wig, then customize it to match a character vs. buying expensive styled wigs. Using temporary hair dye and styling products saves money too.
- Dollar stores, discount shops, craft stores like JoAnn Fabrics, and even Walmart carry lots of generic costume pieces, fabric, and decorations for cheap.
- DIY what you can rather than buying expensive finished costume pieces online. Accessories like weapons and jewelry can usually be easily handmade.
Putting The Costume Together
Once you’ve decided on a character and have budgeted accordingly, it’s time to assemble your cosplay outfit. Plan out everything you’ll require well in advance of when you want to debut the costume. Give yourself ample lead time in case items need to be altered, remade, or ordered online.
A few key steps:
- Reference official art, screenshots, merchandise models, and fan art to view the character from multiple angles and take note of important costume details.
- Craft a list of each visible item that makes up the costume like shirts, pants, armor, weapons, symbols, jewelry, etc.
- Decide which items you already own vs. what will need to be purchased or homemade. Set a timeline for obtaining or making these pieces.
- Don’t forget smaller touches like the right shoes, hair accessories, and makeup that bring the look together.
- Check in handmade costume pieces as you make them against reference images to ensure accuracy.
- Do test runs wearing the full costume and posing for photos to catch any issues and improve before wearing it in public.
Attending Your First Convention
If you plan to debut your beginner cosplay at a local comic or anime convention, these tips will help make the experience fun and memorable:
- Connect with the convention’s official cosplay guests online and ask if they hold meetups for first-time cosplayers to get acquainted.
- Pack essentials like extra costume repair supplies, water, snacks, chargers, makeup for touch-ups, comfortable shoes for long convention center walks, etc.
- Take business cards with your cosplay name, social media handles, etc. to conveniently share with new friends.
- Act in-character when posing for photos and engaging with attendees. Stay true to who the character is even through mannerisms and speech.
- Attend panels led by expert cosplayers to learn new skills about sewing, armor-making, special FX makeup, and cosplay competitions.
- Use the opportunity to join group cosplays where beginning cosplayers team up to represent ensembles from the same fandom.
- Talk to experienced cosplayers for advice and stories. The community is very welcoming!
Staying Safe When Cosplaying
While cosplay should be fun, it’s also important to keep safety in mind, especially for beginners. Conventions draw massive crowds which unfortunately also means greater risks. Follow these tips:
- Always attend with friends who will look out for you, especially if you are a minor.
- Avoid wearing restrictive costumes that limit vision or movement and present tripping hazards.
- Never wear anything that completely obscures your vision. At minimum, make eye holes in masks and helmets.
- Watch out for contact lenses designed to change your eye color/shape. These present health risks if worn improperly or for too long.
- Use common sense when posing for photos alone or with strangers. Pay attention to surroundings and exit politely from uncomfortable situations.
- Check convention rules before wearing anything potentially dangerous as part of a costume like prop weapons. Peace-bonding is required at most cons.
- Report any incidents of harassment immediately to convention staff. Offensive behavior is not tolerated.
Enjoy the Cosplay Journey!
The most important tip for beginners is simply to have fun with cosplay! It’s about expressing your passion for characters you love. Don’t let small mistakes or details ruin the experience. Share your cosplay adventures online to connect with the community. And never stop learning new techniques to improve. The joy is in the creative journey. Soon you won’t be a rookie anymore but a confident cosplayer ready to tackle more complex costumes and conventions. I sincerely hope you find this “Best Cosplaying Tips For Beginners” article helpful.