How to Cosplay for Beginners: Tips to Get You Started!

Unleash Your Inner Superhero: Who are the Cosplayers?

Cosplay involves dressing up as characters and concepts. Cosplayers are those who regularly participate in cosplay. Cosplayers can not only copy their characters' outfits but also "role-play", imitating their mannerisms and gestures. This includes anime characters as well as live-action shows. It has grown in popularity over the last 15 to 20 years.

This once quaint hobby has become a vibrant community. Cosplay is becoming a lucrative career. Cosplaying has made a name for itself with top-tier players like Hana Bunny, Jessica Nigri, and Enji Night. They are paid to wear costumes, go to conventions and advertise for specific brands.

How Old is the Average Cosplayer?

Cosplayers come of all ages. While many people start cosplaying as children, there are also adults who participate in cosplay events. It is possible to say that cosplayers are of all ages.

Are There Gender Barriers in Cosplay?

Cosplay can be enjoyed by people of all genders and orientations. You may even see cosplayers who cross-dress or gender-swap, dressing up as characters of the opposite sex. Cosplay is open to both men and women.

Is Cosplay Misogynistic?

Some cosplayers are being criticized for taking cosplay to an excessively sexualized level. These cosplayers are accused of "objectifying" themselves by dressing up as the 'hot version' of a character to attract attention. It is important to remember that cosplay does not automatically make you misogynistic. You might be uncomfortable with cosplay that is sexually explicit. It may be better to choose more traditional, less-sexualized characters.

Is Cosplay Colorblind?

Cosplay is frequently engulfed in the debate about cosplaying characters from different races. People of all races are encouraged to cosplay their favorite characters regardless of their ethnicity. It is important to respect the character's culture and avoid black/brownface. Cosplaying characters of different skin colors or nationalities are allowed as long as you follow these guidelines.

Jump Into the World of Cosplay: A Beginner's Guide

Nobody is born with the ability to make perfect costumes. Everyone starts small and makes mistakes. Fewer mistakes mean more learning. This is important to remember! It should be fun, not a competition. Don't compare yourself with others. Only compare yourself to what you are today.

Cosplay is easy for beginners. First, choose a character that you are passionate about and wish to make come to life. You can choose from anime, manga, or a TV series, but it doesn't have to be from a comic, videogame, or movie. Cosplay doesn't discriminate based on gender, age, body type, or skin color.

Although it may seem the most difficult part, it is actually the most fun. You must decide who you want cosplay to be before you can begin. You don't have to make it complicated. Just pick some characters you can see yourself cosplaying.

Are you a fan of a particular character? Even if you are a pleasant person, would it be fun to dress up as an evil character? Do you prefer to be unique and cosplay a creative or original character? You don't need to worry about whether or not your character is well-known. Obscure characters also have loyal fans, so you will likely win someone's affection at the con because they cosplay from their favorite fandom. Both ways have brought me, friends!

I keep a photo album with characters I want to cosplay in the future. It's a great way for you to save future ideas and get inspired and motivated to create a cosplay.

A list of characters you are interested in cosplaying can be made. You can draw inspiration from many media outlets. Choose 1 to 2 characters from different entertainment categories, and then narrow down your options to the one you feel is most appropriate or the most enjoyable to create.

After you have decided on the character you want to portray, think about the costume design you prefer. There are many options for costumes. Many characters have multiple looks or outfits.

Also, you should carefully examine images of your character. You should examine every aspect of your character's appearance, including their hairstyle and clothing, as well as secondary features such as weapons, armor, and tattoos. To create a complete and accurate costume, you will need to take a picture of all these details.

There is no limit to the number of costumes you can make, but some costumes are easier to create than others. Let's take a look at what cosplay accessories you might need.

Gear Up for the Con: Essential Cosplay Items

Cosplayers take great care when crafting costumes. They often reference images of their characters to ensure accuracy. A cosplayer's skill can be measured by how difficult the outfit is to make and how accurately they were reproduced. These costumes are meticulously designed and created with great care.

Many cosplayers take initiative to learn how to make special items, such as sculptures, face paints, fiberglass, fashion design, and woodworking. This allows them to accurately replicate the details and materials of costumes. Although this can seem daunting, cosplayers take the time to learn the skills necessary to create costumes that look and feel authentic.

To better portray the characters they are playing, cosplayers often include wigs in their costumes. This is especially true for anime, manga, and video-game characters who often have different hairstyles and colors. Simpler outfits can be made more complex by focusing on the quality and materials used.

CosplayShopper has a super-large range of cosplay wigs, just check out!

Some cosplayers will alter their appearance to better portray the characters they play. You might use makeup to change the color of your skin in order to closely match the character's race. Cosplaying is not complete without makeup. It is an art form in its own right, which allows cosplayers to transform their faces to look like the graphic styles in Borderlands and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

Contact lenses are often used by cosplayers to match the eyes of their characters. This is especially true when characters have distinctive, signature looks. Some cosplayers also wear contact lenses to make their pupils larger, similar in appearance to manga and anime characters with large eyes. Cosplayers can also copy any tattoos or other special markings their characters may have.

For example, EzCosplay has a very interesting range of lenses, you will be surprised!

Many cosplayers use a variety of techniques to achieve the look they desire, including permanent markers, temporary tattoos, body paint, and, in some cases permanent tattoos.

There are even pre-made temporary tattoos for each character to make the cosplay process easier, just check out what EzCosplay has to offer!

To achieve their desired hairstyle, cosplayers use a variety of hair coloring and styling products. These include permanent and temporary dyes and spray-in colors. Some cosplayers will even shave their eyebrows for a more precise look.

Many cosplayers use a variety of techniques to obtain the items they need for their costumes. This includes making their own clothes, buying character jewelry from a maker, or customizing off-the-rack footwear. This is especially true when anime or video game characters have difficult weapons or other accessories. These weapons are also covered by strict convention rules.

You can find a wide range of accessories at CosFun.

It is worth the effort and time it takes to cosplay - regardless of whether you commission, make or purchase your costume. The first step is to research and put together the costume. Next, you will need to apply the hair and make-up. Knowing how to act in certain poses is a good idea. Cosplaying can be a rewarding and fun experience.

Crafting Your Own Cosplay Costume

Cosplay is a costly hobby because you have to buy costumes and wigs. You can save money by being creative and resourceful and making your own costumes and props. Closet cosplay is also possible. This involves wearing clothes that you already own to create a character's costume or a casual version.

You can make costumes with inexpensive materials, thrifted fabric, and luck finds from the internet if you're willing to take the time to learn how to do it yourself. You can also get inspiration from cosplayers in other parts of the globe who might not have access to or the resources to make your costumes.

You have many options for creating a costume. There are many options available, with some being more accessible for beginners than others. There is no single way (TM) of making something. You can choose the option that suits you best and ask your peers for help if you have questions.

It is best, to begin with, something small and easy when you are trying new things. Make a dagger for your first prop weapon instead of a huge sword. This will enable you to quickly test the material or technique, identify problems, and then use your learnings for your next larger project. It's likely that you will be faster next time. Practice makes perfect.

Be confident in your abilities but don't expect too many from yourself. Be realistic about the complexity of a costume and listen to experienced craftspeople when they say that it will take more time or cost more than you expected. You can always switch to a simpler project if you feel you are unable to handle the task. You can make a "casual" version of your character's costume for the next convention. This is a suit that doesn't have any armor or school uniform.

It doesn't mean you have to be perfect. Breaking news: Nobody is! As long as you try your best and take the learning from your mistakes each step of the way, it's okay to fail. When you finally complete your dream costume, you will be proud!

We'll move on to the next point if you don’t want to make your costume.

Where to Find the Perfect Cosplay Outfit

I have three categories for cosplay shops based on their price:

• Budget: Websites like Taobao and eBay offer the best value for money, but may not be the highest quality.

• The middle tier: Most cosplay shops have costumes that range from $100 to $300 and are usually of good quality.

• High prices: Etsy and independent commissioners of cosplay provide the best quality cosplays but also have the highest price tags.

It's best to choose a less expensive costume if you are just getting started in cosplay. If you don't have a clear vision of what you want, spending too much on your first costume can prove to be a waste. You'll be able to identify the type of costume you prefer or dislike after you try it on for the first time. Maybe you don't like cosplays that are too elaborate or prefer something more casual. Or maybe you prefer something simpler. If you don't like wearing armor, don't spend a lot on Worbla cosplay.

It is recommended that you don't spend more than $100 when starting cosplay. Even if your goal is to make your own costumes, there are some aspects of costume-wearing you will need to master before you spend a lot of money.

You might find that cosplay pants can be too uncomfortable and you would prefer to wear your own pants or shirt. You can save money by buying only the parts that are made, rather than buying an entire costume.

It is best to avoid Halloween party shops when it comes to cosplay. While there are many good Halloween shops, the quality of cosplay costumes in them is often poor. It's best to only shop at reputable cosplay sites to ensure the highest quality.

My Personal Top of Cosplay Stores

1. CosplayShopper, an online shop that sells replicas of movie, anime, and game costumes and accessories, is known for its unique range of products. They have a large selection of costumes, all made with high-quality materials and skilled craftsmanship.

2. EzCosplay offers a wide range of accessories and costumes, making it a one-stop store for all things cosplay. You can also have custom-made costumes made to your specifications.

3. CCosplay, a professional online store for cosplay, offers a variety of beautiful costumes at very reasonable prices. A great customer service team is available to answer any questions customers may have.

4. RoleCosplay specializes in high quality cosplay costumes for children and adults. The costumes are meticulously made and have intricate details.

5. CosFun offers a variety of accessories and costumes for cosplay, suitable for all ages and skill levels. You can also have custom-made costumes made to your specifications.

Check out my Review section to find out more information about these stores, as well as find many others with my rating!✌

Get in Character: Easy Cosplay Ideas

Cosplay does not have to be costly or time-consuming. You can choose from many iconic and simple characters that don't need complex designs.

This list contains the top cosplay ideas for beginners. They don't require any sewing (unless they want to), and most don't require too much shopping.

1. The Defenders from Marvel

Jessica Jones and Luke Cage make the easiest characters to cosplay. Jessica wears a leather jacket and jeans with a gray scarf while Luke chooses jeans with a yellow tee and silver armbands. These characters are well-known for their streetwear look rather than their elaborate costumes. This makes them perfect for beginners in cosplay.

But if you want to make a top-notch cosplay of Marvel characters, there is a wide range of perfect costumes for you at EzCosplay.

2. Harley Quinn from DC

There are many options to create a Harley Quinn cosplay. Harley Quinn has worn many different looks throughout the years. For the casual look in Birds of Prey, wear black and red clothing with pigtails. You can add some pizzazz to your look by using red lipstick and dark eyeliner.

By the way, there are a lot of impressive costumes for Harley Quinn character at CosplayShopper.

3. Velma Dinkley from Scooby-Doo

Velma Dinkley, a key member of Mystery Incorporated, is indispensable. Without her, the group could not solve any case. Her signature orange turtleneck, thick-rimmed glasses, and brown hair are all trademarks of the iconic character. You'll need some Mary Janes, orange knee socks, and a red short skirt with pleated hems to complete the look. The longer the sleeves on the turtleneck the better.

To make it even more easier, you can purchase the wig for Velma cosplay.

4. L from Death Note

It is essential to start with the "lazy" option of cosplay, L. You will need a white shirt, jeans and a black wig (or your hair). It's great to be a well-known character but it also means you won't always be the only one in the room.

You can find the full L costume here.

5. Jedi from Star Wars

You don't have to spend a lot if you want to look like a Jedi but you are tight on budget. A simple brown or cream bathrobe can be worn with a belt and a basic lightsaber. Don't forget to put a sexy lean in every entrance! There are many Star Wars cosplay options, but you can get the look even if you don’t have the money.

If you want to take the easiest way, you can get the best Jedi suit here.

Summary

This is it! A complete guide for cosplayers. This guide has been a great help for anyone new to cosplay.

Keep in mind, just because you're new to cosplay doesn't mean you have to do it all by yourself. Ask for help and don't be afraid of asking. We all need to start somewhere.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to cosplay. There are many ways to make money if you're passionate about cosplay. There are many options for making money as a professional customer, cosplayer, or prop-maker. Conventions are a great way for cosplayers to get together and showcase the work they put into their costumes.

Be glamorous, be wicked, and be a superhero! This moment is yours for all time, and it will never be taken away from you!