I’ve just been down about mental health stuff lately and cosplay has helped get my mind of of it. I’ve been cosplaying for about 4-5 years now. So here are a few things I wish I knew before I started cosplaying.
1) You don’t own anyone anything! - This is dumb I know and you probably hear it all the time but I’m sure there is someone who needs it. I needed it. I was (an am) bullied for things like this and my mother make fun of me for it all the time. You don’t have to be anything for those people. You don’t have to make them happy, as long as you are happy that’s all that matters.
2) You won’t be good right away, sorry - I had WAY to high of expectations for my first costume, which was handmade and sucked! I was proud of it still but I didn’t quiet love how it came together and I was made fun of a little. Now I still hand make or thrift costumes and I’m much better at doing it. Time is really your friend so don’t worry. It gets better.
3) If you want to buy a costume, that’s perfectly fine. - I had the idea when I first started cosplaying that buying my costumes would be considered “fake.” That was dumb (and led to some very sucky cosplays). If something is out of your skill range, literally impossible, or you just want to buy a costume because why not that’s okay. I promise you it makes you no less of a cosplayer than if you make a costume.
4) Don’t be too afraid to branch out - Now obviously this is a personal thing but when I started I was scared of cosplaying opposite gender characters (haha now im enby but whatevs.) The key is to just remember that that as long as you feel confident and happy with a character it is always okay to try new things. Now masculine characters are actually my favorite characters to cosplay and I only have a few feminine ones.
5) Cons and photoshoots are more fun in groups - Cosplaying with others is literally one of the best things ever. I was scared at first because explaining this idea to others risks being bullied but my friends and I are now doing group things and it is a wonderful way to bond with people.
Okay so sorry this is long but I wanted to get into technique stuff.
1) Wig caps! buy them. - If you see a wig cap on sale you better buy like ten of them! Those things are great but they do break and its hard to use when they do.
2) Weather is important - I did my first cosplay in October and thought it would be fine to wear a very thin very short costume. No, I was miserable. I pushed through, FOR ART, but I was dying so, plan accordingly.
3) Bring extra equipment - I literally cannot stress this enough. Bring a bag, even a ziplock is fine, and fill it with all the things you might need. BobbyPins, extra makeup, tape, glue, saftey pins, a needle and thread, water, snacks, the whole thing. Trust me, when stuff goes wrong it can make life really hard.
4) Just Stay Safe!!!! - Cons are fun but there are some creeps and I know you know who I’m talking about. Remember that groups are best and don’t be afraid to ask another cos player for help. Everyone has had some kind of creepy experience and they will totally get it. Just take a breather for a minute and don’t forget you are there for yourself and no one else.
I hope this helps some beginners. Love you all and stay safe out there. You are perfect and I’m sure all your costumes will look beautiful!!! <3
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