Cosplay

[Feathers]

Kind of ties in with anime conventions, but I felt it should have its own topic. Anyway, I personally like to cosplay, however now find I prefer to take pictures of those who do some awesome cosplays. XD It's not that I prefer being/taking pictures of people I believe to be the characters, it's more for the art of it all. Anybody else the same way?

[Devil]

I love to cosplay no matter what. End of story. >: (
:3

[Yuki]

I love cosplaying, I would love to buy more cosplay outfits, but of course lack money to do so. Though buying my Yuki Cross cosplay was the best thing I ever did ^__^

[Feathers]

LOL Sis, care to elaborate?

And yay! Same here. I would love to have more, but I has nuh money~ Wah. And also my body type is not so good for cosplay(now sometimes it works) so I can't exactly cosplay ceratin characters. XD

[Yuki]

Yeah, I mean I also have an outfit for Amu Hinamori from Shugo Chara, not sure how my wig is at the moment. It got washed or something, I dunno. But I have like everything but a 'X' clip and the leg warmers, also I'd really love to have the set of all the Humpty Lock necklaces someday. I was gonna have a friend cosplay as one of her charas (Miki) but that never happened. Maybe one day it will.

[Devil]

I like to cosplay rare anime characters. I find then that there's no duplicates of you then. :3 Also, I think that making your cosplay is more fun then buying. However, I know some people don't know how to sew or make stuff and that's okay! Overall, cosplaying and cons are very fun for me.

[Feathers]

Rare cosplays are fun! :D Especially for my camera. I once saw a whole group of people cosplaying Saiyuki characters. I was so happy I ran over to them and took a few pics, leaving behind my own group. XD

Going off on what my sis said, I think making your cosplay can have a number of results. If you do it often though, you'll get much better and styling and sewing. The first cosplays we ever made were pretty horrible, but now we're working on making ones that are turning out really cool. Thankfully this year my sis got a sewing machine for her birthday so I'm really excited for what we can make.

Main question I have for the forum though is do you think its cheaper/better to make your own cosplays or to buy them? :O

Let the debate begin! X3

[Yuki]

Well depends I guess, the more elaborate the costume, the more costly it might be trying to make it yourself, I have a Jessie of Team Rocket outfit my dad made me for a Halloween costume when I was like in the 4th grade. So I guess I was sort of cosplaying at a young age. But yeah, my Halloween costumes have never really been much of the normal everyday ones. Anyway, again, depends on the cosplay, like if it's really simple, go for putting it together yourself. Me, I'm glad I bought the Yuki Cross cosplay because I really wanted it and it's been a good buy so far because I wear it at like every con. I want to put more cosplays together/buy more outfits though.

[Devil]

I agree. A little of both is always good. Currently I'm making a fairly easy cosplay, where you can find most of the stuff in everyday life. However, I'm not skilled enough to make beautiful dresses like in Servant of Evil(Vocaloid) or Madam Red(Black butler).

I might buy cosplays and then modify them to make it look better. I still have the structure I brought, but I might add more fabric or better tights, etc.

Either way, to conclude this, I think both ways are roughly the same cost when you add it all up.

[Feathers]

Excellent points, guys! I agree with you both. But I also think experiance and knowledge is the key to deciding whether to make or buy your cosplay.

Another question for debate. Do you think people without the "body type" should cosplay as long as they're having fun?

To elaborate on this, say a guy who is "not exactly anime thin and muscular" decides to cosplay, hmm IDK, Kaname from Vampire Knight at his local anime convention. And he's totally cool with getting the Xtra large size and is not self-consious at all. Do you think this would be okay?

[Rogo]

I personally say yes WITHIN REASON.

Your example is fine but... if you're 30st and decide your gonna cosplay as Faye Valentine - I'd say reconsider.

I'm all for people being proud of their bodies, but if someone was stick thin and said they were gonna cosplay as Gluttony, I'd say the same thing.

Which brings up a good point - if you told a thin person not to cosplay Gluttony, that's okay, but if you tell an overweight person not to cosplay as faye valentine - you're a pig making fun their weight?

Hmmmm....

[Feathers]

I'm not the type to tell anybody off if they decide to even cosplay a character they would not look well as. Which I guess I should otherwise since there are plenty of other people who would, so maybe I should start giving them the less-harsh reality check? XD

Anyway, I can see what you're going at for the "double standards" if you will. You met me. I'm not exactly stick skinny. XD But I really don't give a crap if people call me a fat cow. However, there are a lot of people similar to I who would punch the poor person who was simply trying to suggest a different cosplay. o.o I think it's because us poor overweight people really don't have much of a choice as to who we cosplay since most anime characters are all thin and muscular. Skinny people might not be able to cosplay Gluttony, but they got 100s of other cosplays they could pull off perfectly.

Not really making excuses for angry fat people, just pointing out stuff they might be angry for. :/ XD

[Devil]

I agree. It's harder for an overweight person to cosplay the "right" cosplay, then for a skinny person to cosplay more fat-like cosplays.

Definately, for overweight people, you need to be careful on what you're cosplaying. There's some anime characters that are like my favorite characters and I so badly wish to cosplay, but I won't because I know that it would not look good on me. o: That's why I take pictures of people who ARE cosplaying my favorite characters and it kind of evens it out.

I really don't care about body weight too much with cosplay. My thing is, "If it's not you cosplaying like that, then it's none of your business to ruin someone's fun."

[Rogo]

You bring up a good point about the lack variety for overweight people to dress as but I was mostly referring to the overweight people who cosplay as characters with revealing costume - like Faye Valentine.

If your cosplay isn't flattering to you, don't do it is my approach.

I'm not exactly skinny either but whilst I wouldn't cosplay as say, Kamina from Gurren Lagaan, I would say cosplay as Sebastian from Black Butler or Lelouch from Code Geass.

Tho not really a cosplayer so... XD

[Devil]

^Same :3