Cosplay Positivity

This blog is dedicated to positive, critical feedback for cosplayers! Purely submission and ask based, we only critique and advise those who ask for it. We strive to use a positive tone and balance constructive criticism with compliments. Cosplayers of all skill levels put immense work into their costumes and we appreciate the dedication of every copsplayer!

[cosplaypositivity]

Hi! I'm going as a genderbent Nagisa from Free! and my friend's being Rei and she's dying her hair. I have dark hair, but Nagisa has blonde. I'm not dying my hair since I'd have to bleach it, so I'm ordering a wig. Should I get a Nagisa wig, so it'll be the same shade? Or should i get a long blonde wig so i would match my friend and be more obviously genderbent? Also, I hate how shiny most wigs are, so do you know any ways to dull it so it looks more natural and doesn't alter the color? Thanks!

I’m personally a fan of group costumes being as cohesive as possible, so I’d go for the longer blonde wig, but it’s really a personal design decision! Consider how feminine you’re making the costumes and think about how recognizably genderbent it would be with the different hairstyles. (I find that sketching ideas out really helps me make design decisions like this. Sketch both of your costumes together with the different wigs and see which you like better.)

As far as wig shininess, powder the heck out of it! Baby powder is great for dulling a shiny wig. But also, give your wig a gentle comb out and stick some product in it (I love beeswax for smoothing stray hairs) before powdering. Part of the reason lots of wigs look fake is because people don’t do anything to them at all styling wise. Just some basic effort with a wig can go a long way. 

~Sara

[cosplaypositivity]

Hello! I wanted some advice on how to do armor and such since it would be my first time using a costume with armor for my next con. The character is Effie from Fire Emblem Fates so any advice and tips would be great! Please and thanks! ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

Well the first thing to do is decide what material you want to use and make a supply list. I would go with Worbla or some other thermoplastic (you’ll need quite a bit for Effie). Next make patterns out of paper on a form of yourself so the fit is right. 

For the rest you should be able to follow the usual process of making cosplay armor (sealing, painting, and fitting).

Sorry if this isn’t super helpful but I would need more specific questions to help better.

~Sola 

[cosplaypositivity]

Hello! I'm making a flannel costume that I plan to lay down in a lot. Do you think Scotchgard would be a good way to keep the costume a bit cleaner? I've never used scotchgard or flannel before so I am pretty lost. Thanks !

I’ve never used Scotchgard but after some research I wouldn’t recommend it. It seems to be more for waterproofing and will change the finish of the flannel. 

Just invest in a good stain remover (I personally like Oxiclean laundry stain remover spray) and remember all clothes get dirty eventually

~Sola

[cosplaypositivity]

I'm looking to cosplay Elias Ainsworth (the Ancient Magus Bride) and I think I have most of it hashed out, but do you have any tips on making the mask? It's basically a dog skull with antlers, and my current plan is chicken wire, cardboard, papier mache, clay, and paint, in that order, on a polystyrene mannequin head I've got hold of.

You could do all that but I think it would get heavy. With the right shapes I think you could make it from foam. 

There are fursuiters that make those sort of skulls from sculpting clay and casting it.

 But I found one that carved it from expanding foam on a plastic face mask so that could be another option

~Sola

[cosplaypositivity]

Hi! I`m planning to cosplay Bakugou Katsuki (My Hero Academia), in his hero costume. I`ve looked up other cosplayers but still have no clue on how to construct the grenades-looking arm parts so that they would stay attached on my arms. Any advice you could give would be appreciated :) thank you!

I would create an outer form that looks like grenades out of cardboard or thermoplastic but attach it to an inner form that fits snugly on my forearm. Or you could just make the holes at the top and bottom fit your forearm and wrist well, although the art makes the bottom look like it is open. 

~Sola

[cosplaypositivity]

((hi there! don’t mind my goofy main blog, I tried to IM you but tumblr wasn’t cooperating. anyway, apologies if I’m doing this wrong! but here’s my dilemma:

I’m going to be making a cosplay of my Queen Sectonia gijinka soon, and for the life of me I just cannot figure out what to do about the giant heart container she’s wearing on her chest. Here’s what she looks like - I’m not actually making this version of her outfit, but it’s a more accurate representation of the jewel in shape and size, so that’s what we should work with: http://electrosa.deviantart.com/art/Moonstruck-Blossom-567828444

do you have any advice? I just can’t think of how to make it without it being either obscenely heavy or just flat-out bad looking! thank you so much for your time!!))

Hmmm, I think that while resin would look cool, you’re right and that kind of approach would be too heavy. You could just shape it out of thermoplastic with a very glossy topcoat, but that still wouldn’t be quite as gem-like. Another option would be to construct it kind of in the style of fake gems, in more of a plastic. It could be hollow plastic, dyed/tinted and with a solid colored flat backing. It’s not a technique I’ve tried before (I’ve done limited work with clear plastics, all PETG, but you can look into acrylic sheets as well), so if that’s the direction you want to go, looking into plastic work might be an answer? It’d definitely be much lighter than a resin cast and could still look more like a gem than a solid piece of plastic or foam would. 

~Sara

[cosplaypositivity]

I've arranged with some friends to have cosplays of our Dragon Age DnD characters ready for an event at the end of April. They're all pretty experienced cosplayers, and for me it'll be the first time sewing. I do have most of my fabric and such by now, but I'm kind of overwhelmed on where to go with the project? I should probably cut out my paper pattern pieces, alter them (bust, waist and hip need to be bigger), make a muslin and then get to work on the actual cosplay, but I just can't (1/2)

find the right way to actually get started? It seems so much, and at the same time I know it shouldn't be that much work... I realise the problem is mainly in my head, but I have no idea how to move forward right now? Sorry if this isn't anything you can help with, but I'm just... I don't even know... sorry... (2/2)

This is totally a problem not unique to you! Projects, especially large ones or things new to you, can be really intimidating. I find that a thing that helps is to write out all the steps, make a kind of to do list. Like: draft/alter pattern, wash fabric, cut mockup, stitch mockup, alter pattern, cut fabric, etc. Personally, I find that breaking things down into little pieces can help make it more approachable and easier to get started. I also love crossing things off of lists, so it feels like you’re actually getting somewhere with your project. 

Also, don’t be afraid to ask your more experienced friends for help getting started or some encouragement! I know I tend to be a pretty big cheerleader for my less experienced cosplay friends, and I’m sure they’ll be happy to help. Good luck with your cosplay! <3 

[cosplaypositivity]

Hello, I'm planning to cosplay Madoka in her magical girl outfit, I've managed my way through the skirt and petticoat but I'm stuck on the top and the petal skirt. Mostly I was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to sew the petal skirt but any general advice you can give on the top would be helpful as well! Thank you in advance ♥

Paper will be your best friend. You can draft your own pattern by making several petals taping them together and cutting a circle out the will fit your wait. Like these people did [X,X]

~Sola

[cosplaypositivity]

Um, hi. I have no idea if this is a good place to ask this or if this is really possible, but do you (guys?) have any advice as to how to cosplay as the suspicious shadow enemy from Dark Souls 2? I have absolutely no idea how I would do something like this, as I just now have really wanted to try out cosplaying and therefore have literally no experience with it, but it just seems so interesting! So, yea, any help would be greatly appreciated :)

You could take long strips of linen and wrap them around your body while you a shirt and pants and stitch down the ends or you could follow this tutorial but use a shirt and pants pattern instead of one for an arm wrap.

You could make the mask, hand armor, and knifes from craft foam and there are tons of resource on how to do so. Just give a quick google search.

Good luck

~Sola

[cosplaypositivity]

Hello there! I'm going to be cosplaying Samurai Jack, but I'm really struggling with the wig. I think the odango method might be my best bet, but I'm not sure what kind of base wig I should use. Either that, or maybe just style a wig to have a messy back bun. What do you think is the best choice? And would you happen to know of any tutorials that might help too? Any information you can give would be great! Thank you!

For something like Jack you would need a ponytail wig like Arda’s Jasmine or Epic Cosplay’s Phoebe

You could also take any long wig, remove the wefts and sew them in upside down to be able to pull the hair up into a top knot. 

Good luck

~Sola

[cosplaypositivity]

Hello again! Confused fabric anon here! Thanks to your help I think I got it narrowed down to a few options, but would like another opinion if that's alright. I'm planning on doing a member of the Blade of Marmora from Voltron Legendary Defender. (Aka Antok, Kolivan, or Ulaz) but I'm not sure what kind of fabric to use. I'm thinking spandex or something similar, but I'm not certain. Thanks again for all your help!

I think that spandex would be a good choice, at least for the base bodysuit! They seem to have armory bits, which I wouldn’t use spandex for unless I was covering some sort of structure in the spandex.

[cosplaypositivity]

I've been altering one piece over and over again and I would really appreciate y'alls advice since I can't get it to work. I'm working on comics-classic Starfire and I just can't figure out how to do that extreme-push-up-bra-effect for what's effectively two strips of fabric/a very revealing bikini. Any suggestions or tips would be very appreciated, thank you so much for taking the time to help other cosplayers!

If you’re looking to add volume, you can choose to add structure to the costume (bra cups with cutlets stuffed in the sides to push your boobs inwards, stealthily stitched into the costume or just straight up adhered to your skin). If you’re looking for more of a lift effect, check out some burlesque resources! Lots of burlesque performers do this thing with their pasties that’s a weird lift/tuck thing for a perkier bust. You could do that discreetly under your costume if you can’t find a way you like to work in more traditional support. 

[cosplaypositivity]

Hello! I just have a quick question. How do you determine what fabric to use for a cosplay when the character is from a cartoon? Especially when it shows no obvious texture or pattern?

If it doesn’t seem very obvious, I’ll often go by the type of garment it is. Is it a ballgown? Consider looking at satin, taffeta, silks, etc. Suit? Wools! Sundress? Cottons and linens. If you’re not sure what type of fabric a certain kind of garment is usually made of, a quick google search can generally solve that!

If it’s more of a non traditional garment (aka lots of weird anime things), think about what you want the weight and drape to be for it to look nice. Do you need a really stiff fabric or do you need something that will drape really pretty? Do you want it to be a little sheer or very thick? Do you want it to have any sheen or be a bit rougher/matte? 

And if you’re getting a bit more advanced and doing dye work, fiber content can become very important, so keep that in mind too if it’s a thing that’s necessary for a costume! 

Also, we’re happy to give specific advice if you have a certain costume in mind! <3 

[cosplaypositivity]

Hello, I saw your blog on a list of cosplay blogs that I could ask for help and I'm a bit stuck. I'm planning on making a cosplay of Skull Kid from Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess and I don't know where to find good contacts that are prescription since I normally have to wear glasses. It would be a huge help. Thank you in advance!

First you need to know your prescription. If you have minus power, there are tons of sites that sell special contacts. If you have plus power (like me) its much harder. As far as I know sites don't sell this type.Its also a really good idea to talk to your eye doctor before buying any online.~Sola

[cosplaypositivity]

Hey I'm trying to cosplay Teruki Hanazawa from Mon Psycho 100, but the version where he wear a super tall wig. My question is how can I make a wig tall and not fall over?

For something like that you'll need a sturdy frame to put the wefts on. You could attach a cylinder of cardboard or thermoplastics to a base wig and then wrap rows of wefts around it.~Sola

[cosplaypositivity]

Hey! I've seen a post about how to make Papyrus' (Undertale) pants some months ago, so I thought you could maybe help me too. Well, I'm stuck on the upper part. I want to make it more armor-like too, but I can't figure out how to build the round shoulder things and attaching them to the chest piece so that you can still move around your arms like a normal human being.. Do you have any recommendations on what material I could use and how I could probably attach the shoulder pieces to the rest??

If you want it to have the stiffness of armor, your mobility will be limited, but you can probably find little tricks to increase your mobility. I would do something like make the sleeves a separate piece and just have them attached to the chest piece with a few strips of elastic (shorter pieces at the top so they don’t fall down but some longer ones at the bottom to act as a sort of underarm gusset). I’d probably have the elastic snap on the inside with giant snaps so that the sleeves would be removable and you could just slip them on after you get the chest piece on and that way you won’t have to try to maneuver your arms through that weird angle. 

~Sara

[cosplaypositivity]

I've been attempting to style a wig with basically just a center part and then tucked behind the ears. Problem is, it's not really /staying/ tucked, even with a lot of hairspray (and I'm wearing elf ears too so there's a lot going on). I thought about just holding it in place with pins and disguising them somehow to fit the cosplay, but I'm already wearing a flower crown so it'd be a lot of stuff on my head. Is there any other good way to get the hair to stay styled, beyond pins and hairspray?

My advice would be to pin the hair and hide the pins behind the ears. Just like two bobby pins behind each ear, cross pinned for security, should hold the hair there as long as it’s long enough to actually reach behind the ears. If there are some shorter hairs in front that won’t be held by that, I would combine those pins with a few more bobby pins along the front, not necessarily with the whole pin visible, but sort of slid into the hair so most of the pin us hidden but it’s still holding some of the hair. Combined with hairspray, that should help keep it secure.

~Sara