Cosplay, shortened from “costume play,” is the practice of dressing up in costumes to role-play real or fictional characters from manga, anime, video games, films, comic books and other popular media. A form of performance art, this pastime is gaining popularity worldwide. Cosplay fans devote considerable time and effort to creating detailed, high-quality costumes to wear at various science-fiction and fantasy conventions, cosplay competitions and other social events. Most cosplayers create their own outfits, striving for skill and accuracy. Participants can also buy manufactured outfits or commission a cosplay artist to make part or all of their costumes and props. This article provides a guide for newcomers yearning to get started with cosplay costumes.
Cosplay costumes range from very simple to complicated and highly detailed. For your first cosplay costume, choose a character with a costume complexity level that matches your crafting skills. Allow plenty of time to complete your outfit before your first event, since costume creation can prove time-consuming. The first step in creating a good costume is to find several full-color reference drawings that show your character from every angle. Based on the drawings, make a list of the various costume elements you will need, such as clothes, hair, shoes, accessories and props. Next, decide which parts of the outfit you will make from scratch, have commissioned, or buy and modify.
If you choose to sew the clothing yourself, look for garment patterns that match your character’s outfit as closely as possible. A variety of patterns can be found online or in fabric stores. If necessary, you can combine parts of different patterns, such as the collar of one blouse and the sleeves of another, to duplicate the outfit more exactly. Bring your reference drawings along while shopping to accurately match the colors to the available fabrics. Alternatively, you can purchase thrift-store garments that closely resemble your character’s outfit and modify them accordingly. Finally, you can also find a variety of ready-made costumes on eBay.
To duplicate your character’s hair, you can style and dye your own hair or visit a hairdresser in some cases. However, since many anime and manga characters sport hair in unusual styles and colors, a wig may yield better results. Buy a wig that is the correct color but longer than the hairstyle you wish to recreate. Using a mannequin head, hair pins, hairspray and wig-cutting scissors, place the wig on the mannequin head and pin all the hair back except the section you are cutting. You can either start at the bottom and work up or begin in the front and work back. Cut each section to the proper length and use plenty of hairspray to create the required hair shapes. For more detailed instructions, you can find numerous cosplay wig-styling tutorials online. For a simpler approach, you can also buy ready-made wigs on eBay for specific characters.
To create your character’s shoes, accessories and props, use your creativity to select appropriate materials. You can also find numerous tutorials online for making different costume parts for specific characters. Materials commonly used for props include cardboard, foam, various types of clay, wood, papier-mâché and a plastic called WonderflexTM that bends when heated. Prime the assembled props with gesso and paint them with acrylic paint. Finally, coat the props with varnish to protect them from scratches.
For fans who are eager to get started with cosplay, resources abound for creating or obtaining first-rate costumes. For crafting your own outfits, you can find numerous materials and tutorials online and in arts-and-crafts stores. The Internet also provides numerous cosplay forums where you can gain knowledge, ask questions, and form friendships. In addition, you can browse or purchase cosplay costumes and materials through several online venues or from cosplay artists. Whether you choose to create, commission, or buy your first cosplay costume, the possibilities are limitless.