You've spent weeks, maybe months, working on your new costume for a convention. The last thing you want is a small problem like a fallen hem, broken zipper, or broken prop to get in the way of you wearing it.
Every cosplayer should pack a "Cosplay Repair Kit" when going to a con. Don't depend on your hotel roommates or friends to have what you may need. You can also be a hero to your not-as-prepared friends by having these things on hand. If you're flying, be sure this is in your checked baggage, not your carry on. Some of these things might not be okay to bring in a carry on bag.
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
This is the best thing to bring in your repair kit, as it can fix a lot of things and it can do it fast. You might make a lot of new friends if they find out you have one of these with you at the con. - Scissors
A definite must need, in case you find unclipped threads or need to do a last minute wig trim. You definitely don't want to be without a pair. - Safety pins
These can be used in a pinch to keep costume pieces in place that otherwise won't. Keep some in your bag or pinned inside your sleeve for problems that develop on the con floor. - Fabric glue
There are different types of fabric glue, so pay attention to what you pack. For quick fixes, use a quick drying glue, but the hold may not be as strong as a glue that can take several hours to dry. - Fabric tape
An alternative to fabric glue. Good in quick and simple fixes, but don't rely on it to be super strong. - Fashion tape
This is different than fabric tape, and is a must need if you are wearing a revealing costume. Use this to keep your costume in place on your body. - Velcro
If you need something removable, use Velcro instead of glue or tape. Be sure to give it time to adhere to the fabric before using it. You can buy it in strips and small circles and squares. - Needle and thread
If you have the time to make a more secure fix than fabric glue and fabric tape, use the needle and thread to make repairs. Pack colors that are in your costumes, as well as basic black and white. - Hooks and eyes, sew on snaps
Similarly to needle and thread, if you have time to make a more secure fix, use these notions instead of Velcro. - Wrinkle releaser
Ironing is best, but if you need to get a wrinkle out quickly, use this. Just follow the directions on the bottle. - Stain remover
Stains unfortunately happen. These likely won't get the whole stain out, but they might help enough to make it wearable. Follow the directions on the bottle. - Hairspray
Keep a travel sized bottle of aerosol hairspray in case your wig needs some last minute styling. It can also help with static cling. - Extra wig cap and hair pins
In addition to the ones you pack with your wig or wig supplies, keep extras in your repair kit in case you or a friend forget them.
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The convention season will be upon you before you know it. We wanted to share some helpful tips for getting through any convention visits you may have planned with minimal harm to your mind, body, and wallet.
10) Follow the 5-2-1 Rule
The 5-2-1 Rule is a time-tested rule that you should follow at every convention. It means:
- A minimum of 5 hours of sleep per night... (This means horizontal in a bed, not in a video room)
- At least 2 good meals per day... (Pocky is not a meal. Any good convention program guide provides a list of nearby dining options.)
- And 1 mandatory shower (with soap) each day. (Hotels provide soap for free. Use it on your entire body!)
9) Convince Your Friends to Join You
Conventions, by their nature, are social events. You will enjoy the convention more if you have someone to enjoy it with. Also, hotels, gas, and parking can get expensive, so it helps to have a few friends who can split the cost with you. ...but in order to make sure you don't get stuck with the bill, make sure they know you won't give them a hotel key until they pay their share of the bill up front.
8) Set a Budget for the Convention
After you know how many friends can join you and how much you'll be paying for the hotel, you should have a fairly good idea of how much it will cost you to attend the convention. Set a budget for things like registration, food, travel, and how much you can spend on any sweet deals in the dealers' room. You may even want to make a list of specific volumes of manga you are looking to get. Plan ahead and you won't find yourself stranded.
7) Pre-Register
Pre-registration goes hand-in-hand with the budget. For most conventions, the earlier you register, the less expensive it is to attend. However, not only do you save money, but you can save time as well because pre-registration lines almost always move faster than at-con registration. If a convention is nearing its attendance cap, pre-registration also guarantees your admission.
6) Make a Packing List
We've all gone on trips and realized too late that we've forgotten something at home. This can easily be avoided by making a detailed packing list for things like clothes, toiletries, phone, chargers, and snacks. If your list says "toothpaste" and you refer to the list as you're packing, you will be sure not to forget to pack it. If you cosplay, you may want to make lists for each of your costumes with all the parts listed out so that you'll never forget to bring things like your costume's gloves, shoes, or belt.
5) Never Line Up for the Dealers' Room
People have been known to wait in line for hours just to get into the dealers' room as soon as it's open. There's no reason for this. Go to some panels or events instead while you wait until the initial line clears out. Often, in less than an hour after the dealers' room is scheduled to open, you will be able to walk in without any wait at all and there will still be plenty of merchandise waiting for your wallet.
4) Actually Read the Program Guide
Everyone will get a copy of the convention's program guide when they pick up their badge, but far too many people don't actually read it until they get home. By then, it's far too late to realize a guest was in your favorite show or there was a panel on a topic you enjoy. After you get the program guide, look through it and let that show you what to do at the convention.
3) Highlight the Events You Want to Attend on the Schedule
When you get your program guide, you'll also be given a schedule of events that is hopefully fairly up-to-date. Take your first opportunity to sit down with a highlighter and select what panels and events you want to see. Next time you want to see what's next, you'll be able to see what you wanted to do next at a glance instead of having to re-examine the schedule every time.
Better still, if the convention uses the Guidebook app and you have a smartphone, you can reference that and mark all the events you want to attend in there. You won't have to carry around a dead tree all weekend and can just refer to your phone.
2) Follow the Convention on Twitter for the Latest Updates
Almost every convention out there has a Twitter account and many of them will post updates to Twitter at the convention. Follow the convention on Twitter so you'll know about any last-minute changes. Even if you don't post to Twitter yourself, it's still worth it to get an account to follow the updates. If the con uses the Guidebook app, schedule updates can be made there as well.
1) Print ALL your Confirmations and Directions
Imagine arriving at the convention only to discover that they have no record of your pre-registration, the hotel has lost your reservation, or your masquerade confirmation is missing. Print everything as proof that you've registered, reserved, and confirmed everything. It may be missing from their system, but having a printed receipt with you is undeniable proof that you're supposed to be there.
If you follow these tips, you'll be better prepared to have a great convention experience! As a bonus, here's one more tip for you...
Use AnimeCons to Track Your Conventions
When you've decided to attend a convention, you can add it to your Personal Convention Log on AnimeCons to keep track of where you've been and where you're going. After the convention is over, you can rate any conventions you've attended and an average rating of attendees will be displayed on the convention's information page for all to see.
Patrick Delahanty is the creator of AnimeCons.com and has attended over 100 fan conventions. His parents still don't get it.
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Cosplaying is a huge part of anime, comic, and sci-fi conventions. Costuming at conventions first started earlier than you may think. In 1939 at the first World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), Forrest J Ackerman wore the first "futuristicostume" and the is history. The term cosplay came about when a Japanese reporter saw costumes being worn at Worldcon 1984. There has been a convention devoted to just costuming, Costume-Con, that has been running since 1983.
After seeing cosplayers at in the halls, on stage, and online, maybe you want to be a part of all the fun. But the big question is, where do you begin? The world of costuming and cosplay can seem overwhelming and daunting, but the best place to start is at the beginning.
Who Should I Be?
The first question you want to ask is, who do I want to cosplay? The best characters to cosplay are the ones that you love. Think about your favorite series and video games. Once you have a few characters picked out, look at the designs of their clothing. Since you are just starting out, find something that is simple, maybe even something that can be made with clothes you can find in your closet or buy at a store.
Buying vs. Making Yourself
If you don't plan on entering your costume in any craftsmanship competitions, there's absolutely nothing wrong with buying your costume from an eBay seller, a commissioner, having a friend or family member make it, or using all store bought items if they work for the costume. It doesn't make you any less of a cosplayer. Don't let anyone tell you any differently. However, there is a sense of pride that comes with making your costume yourself and telling others how you created it. If you're entering it in a craftsmanship competition, you will definitely need to make it, or have the person who made it for you with you during your judging (and if the costume wins a craftsmanship award, it is theirs, not yours).
Breaking It Down
After you have picked out a costume that you want to make, break down all the components. Make a list of the different parts: tops, bottoms, accessories, shoes, hair, props, etc. Look at each part individually and see how you can construct it. Can you modify an existing sewing pattern, or do you have to create one? Can you buy things in the store to be used as is, or change them? What types of fabrics would work best? How are you going to get the pieces on and off? How will they stay on?
Learning to Sew
It is definitely possible to cosplay without sewing at all. However, if you want to be able to cosplay any character and make the costume yourself, you will need to learn.
First, find out if any of your friends or family members know how to sew and would be willing to teach you. If that does not work out, see if there are any classes in the area, either at schools or craft stores. You can also see if there are any costuming, crafting, or sewing groups in the area that provide lessons as well. Search online for tutorials, both written and on YouTube. See if your local library has any books on sewing to help you learn.
Start out with things other than costumes to get a feel for how the sewing machine works. Try making a pillow out of inexpensive fabric or an old T-shirt. Find a book on simple sewing projects or sewing patterns marked "easy" for more practice.
Armor, Props, Accessories, and "Non-Sewing" Components
For many costumes, it's more than just sewing. Completing the look may involve using things other than fabric, such as plastic, foam, paint, tools, beads, wood, and much more. Just like sewing, these techniques are learned from others or learning on your own. There are tons of tutorials out there making all sorts of non-fabric creations.
For some people, creating these parts of the costume are easier and more enjoyable than using a sewing machine. If you find that you really like making props and armor, and your friend prefers to sew (or vice versa) offer your skills for theirs in exchange. If they need a cool sword to complete their costume, ask if in exchange they can make a jacket that you would otherwise be stuck on.
Get Help From Your Friends
Do you have friends who cosplay? They are your first source of information and help. Tell them you want to get into cosplay, and they will likely be very excited and eager to get you involved. Ask them how they got started and if they have advice for beginners. See if they have suggestions for characters they think you could be. Find out if they have any upcoming cosplay plans and see if there are any characters they may need to complete a group. They likely won't offer to make an entire costume for you, but if you ask for help they might be able to provide it. If they do help you make a costume, make sure to thank them and don't just sit around and tell them what they're doing wrong. Help out by cutting pattern pieces, painting props, ironing hems, sanding wood - whatever you are able to do with little or no instruction. This can be a great learning experience, so ask if they can show you how to fit the sleeves or sew the hem. At the con, buy them lunch or a drink as a thank you.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Look at the first costumes or sewing projects of any cosplayer and you will quickly see that everyone starts at the beginning. Being able to make impressive costumes comes from learning along the way, trial and error, and lots of patience and practice. There may be a point one day when you can create a new costume in just a few days. But if you're just starting out, give yourself several weeks to give yourself lots of time to learn along the way.
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If you want to achieve the perfect look for your costumes, you're going to need the right hair. Chances are you don't have the same hair as the character you are portraying. Luckily, there are many options for buying wigs online. The market is now full of many different colors and styles, much more than even a few years ago. Here are the steps to take to make sure you get the best wig for the best price.
Finding Wig Sellers
A Google search of "wig sellers" will bring up tons of companies, however these vendors sell mostly natural colors and styles. If that's what you need for your costume that's great, but a lot of anime and video game characters have crazy colors and styles. Also, these wigs can be very expensive. Sometimes these are referred to as "fashion wig" sellers.
You also want to avoid wigs that you can find very cheap around Halloween. Unless you want a wig that looks awful and photographs even worse, you will want to make sure you pay enough to get a good product. You should expect to spend $25-$35 for short wig, $30-$40 for medium wig, $40+ for long wig. If your character doesn't have a unique style, stay away from buying character specific wigs. You can usually find a generic style that works perfectly, while the character specific wig is more expensive.
A great place to start is in costuming communities to find brands that people recommend. Costumes definitely know how to spend as little as possible and still get a great product. If you're cosplaying from a certain source, see if there is a specific community for it so you can search more easily.
Finding the Right Color and Style
A great way to find the right wig is t go onto cosplay website and search to see if anyone else has already done the costume you are doing. Take a look to see what others have used for wigs, and if there is one you really like take a look in the costume description and see if they identify the wig. If not, send them a message and ask what wig they used. You can also look in costuming forums and communities to see if others have asked what wig works best for a certain character.
Usually a seller will only have one or two colors pictures on a specific style's page. The other colors that it is available in will be listed by name and/or number, so you will need to look at their color swatches to see what those colors are. Many wig websites have galleries where their customers send in pictures of them wearing the wigs they have purchased. This is a great way to see how the wig looks in action, not just in a studio. It's also a great way to see how a certain color looks if it's only visible as a color swatch.
ACParadise has an amazing database where members can identify wigs they have by brand, style, color, and character. Other users can do a search based on brand, series/character, or cosplayer to see how a specific wig looks.
Ordering your Wig
The last thing you want is your wig to not arrive in time for the convention. Start researching the wig you need early, even if you're not 100% sure that you will be making the costume. As soon as you know the costume will definitely be made and you have the money, order your wig. When you order your wig, be sure to check for any sales, promotional codes, or deals for free shipping to help you save money. Even if you don't need to order a wig right now, sign up for e-mail newsletters and follow the company on Facebook or Twitter. That way you can find out when they have sales and new products.
We recommend ordering your wig at least four weeks before the con. This may seem like too much time, but you want to leave time to replace it if needed. You could receive the wrong wig, or it could be completely wrong for the costume. Also, if it's out of stock it will take awhile to get it to you. You should give yourself even more time, at least six weeks, if ordering from overseas. Between processing, shipping, customs, and other things, it can take that long just to get the wig to you from somewhere like Hong Kong.
Sellers We Recommend
These are the sellers we recommend and often use ourselves.
Our Favorite Seller
Arda Wigs - Awesome products, awesome customer service. They keep adding new colors and new styles to fit the needs of cosplayers. They travel to a lot, so look for them in the dealers room at your next con!
Cosplay Specific Sellers
Amphigory - A long time wig seller, they have a great variety of wigs and colors. Make sure to give them plenty of time to ship.
Epic Cosplay - Great quality wigs with lots of great styles in tons of different colors.
Fashion Wig Sellers
International Wig - A huge catalog of wigs from dozens and dozens of brands. They have great prices, but it does take some time to ship. Free US shipping over $100 and they have great sales.
Wigs-US - Good variety of styles and colors. If the wig is in stock they ship super fast.
Karen's Wigs - Amazing customer service and fantastic products.
eBay Sellers
Cosplay Wig - Lots of character specific wigs and tons of colors and styles. They often have free shipping.
Wig Fashion - Great prices for a great product. They also often have free shipping.
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Do I need to buy a ticket to get in?
You will need to buy a badge, which grants you admission to the conventions. To get a badge you need to register for the convention, by either pre-registering before the event or when you arrive at the event. Badge prices range from free to over $100, but usually are between $30-$60 for the entire weekend, less if you only plan to attend one day. Be sure to check the convention's web site for pricing.
What does pre-registering mean?
Pre-registering means you register for a badge in advance for the convention, instead of at the door. There are many benefits to this. First, the badge is usually cheaper. Second, when you arrive to get your badge it's usually faster than getting your badge at the door. Third, if there is an attendance cap, this will guarantee that you will be able to attend and you don't have to worry about the event selling out. Definitely pre-register if you can. Check the convention's web site on how to pre-register for their con.
Where do I get my badge?
You get your badge at registration, which is where all attendees must go before they are able to go into the convention. Check the convention's web site beforehand to see where registration will be. There will likely be signs when you arrive to the location, pointing you in the right direction, or you can ask a staff member where to go.
Do I have to go to registration each day? Do I need a different badge or ticket for each day?
No, you only need to go to registration on your first day. You do not need a different badge or ticket for each day. Just make sure you don't lose your badge. If you do, chances are you'll have to buy a new one.
What time does it start? What time is _________ event? Where is the schedule?
Starting times for conventions can vary, so be sure to check the convention's web site for that information. Most conventions put up a preliminary schedule at least a week before the convention starts, so people can get an idea of when the many events are. Schedules often change, sometimes at the last minute, so be sure to find the most updated schedule each day of the convention. (Check the info desk for updates.)
How much money should I bring?
It depends on what con your going to, it's location, and how far away it is from you. The things you absolutely need money for are a badge, transportation, food, and lodging (unless you are commuting from home). Check out our How-To Guide for Making a Budget for a Convention for more information.
How old do I have to be to attend?
Unless otherwise stated by the con, it is open to all ages. If you are under 18, be sure to check the convention's rules about whether you can attend on your own or if you may need some kind of parental signature. If you are under the age of 13, you will likely need a parent with you. There is also programming that may be 18+ or 21+, which you will need a valid ID to get in.
How old do I have to be to get a hotel room?
Either 18 or 21, it depends on the hotel. You will also need a credit card to make the reservation. If you don't have one, call the hotel directly and see about putting down a cash deposit instead. For more information about hotels, see our How-To Guide for Booking a Hotel Room for an Anime Convention.
I'll be arriving before check-in and/or leaving after check-out and I don't have a car to put my stuff in - what do I do?
The hotel will have a bag check area near the front desk. Keep in mind there are likely many people doing this, so don't be surprised to find a long line or if it takes awhile to find your stuff. Remember to tip the hotel staff for this, around $1 per bag is the standard tip.
What is the best day to attend?
If you can only attend one day, make it Saturday. Typically, Saturday have the longest hours and the big events. However, Saturday tends to be the most crowded day.
Do I have to cosplay?
No, you can wear whatever you want, as long as it meets convention and common decency laws.
What is a masquerade?
A masquerade is a costume contest, and it's usually the biggest event at a convention. Participants will showcase their costumes on stage, either in a walk on or some type of skit or performance. They are judged based on things like craftsmanship, on-stage presentation, and performance. Rules for masquerades vary greatly from con to con and even year to year, so if you want to compete, be sure to check out the rules beforehand.
Can I have a weapon as part of my costume?
Depends. Conventions have rules and regulations for weapons, usually determined by laws at the local, state, and federal level, as well as the facility's rules. Generally, these include things such as, but not limited to, no live steel, no projectiles, no water guns, and no wooden practice swords. Chances are you will have to make a prop or buy something that's totally con-safe. Check out our podcast episodes from AnimeCons TV for more information about con safe weapons.
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