Do’s and Don’ts of Cosplaying a Zombie

Countless movies, a “Thrilling” music video, and a remarkably powerful TV show have made zombies an iconic image in our culture. While zombies are as popular as ever, there are some people who go a little overboard attire. We all want to experiment with new things to make our costume look more realistic but in the end safe is better than sorry. Some people have tried using chemicals on their skin or clothes that shouldn't be there or dressed too heavily and hurt themselves in the act. Here is a list of do’s and don’ts for enjoying your time portraying one of the “walking dead”.

Clothing

·        Do get comfortable and creative with your threads. Everyone is always impressed to see a new themed zombie. Try something people rarely do like a Monk zombie, anything that’s not the cliche mail man, suit, or cheerleader.

·        Don’t try and be a superhero turned zombie. It’s trying a little too much and only going to take away from whatever side of the costume you want to portray most.

Makeup and Props

·        Do use the fake blood, the full face of makeup or black and white face paint. Give yourself a few nasty wounds to enhance the flavor of the image.

·        Don’t ever use real blood or led-based paint on yourself. The last thing you want is to use substances that give off a completely repulsive smell, make people sick, or damage your skin. Remember there are certain types of paint that are harmful to your skin, know exactly what you are getting on you first. Some people try so hard to pull the zombie act off that they actually try to smell like one by using vinegar or some other fowl substitute for disgustingness, don’t do that.  Rub some dirt and water based paint on your clothes and skin and call it good.

Hair

·        Do make your hair look the part. Use some pomade or other type of gel to give yourself a more outlandish look. A small bit of dirt is ok but as I’m about to explain, be careful what you put in your hair.

·        Don’t rub anything in your hair that could mold or die. Have you ever picked up poison oak and made it sit in your hair or rubbed some dirt in up there that had a spider in it. Remember you’re trying to make other people scream, they’ll on laugh if you’re the one screaming because poison oak got on your scalp or bugs are crawling down your face.

Marie Sumner enjoys writing about entertainment and art. She owns more anime than she thinks appropriate to reveal to polite society. Recently, she started writing for Costume Super Center, which gives her an excuse to talk about cosplay costumes, comic books and zombies all day.

How to Be a Gothic Lolita

Lolita is one of Japan's many popular street fashions that is growing in popularity in the Western world, meant to make the wearer look elegant and innocent. Here's how to emulate Gothic Lolita fashion, as well as embrace the lifestyle.

Steps


1. Throw away your prejudices. Lolita style has nothing to do with pedophilia. The fashion and the lifestyle do not contain sexual connotations. Instead, most adherents present themselves as young Victorian, Edwardian, or Rococo children and strive to look modest and reserved. Gothic Lolita, or gothloli, style in particular values a sober and elegant presentation.


2. Explore Lolita types. There are many different styles of Lolita. There's Sweet Lolita, which uses bright pastels, lace, and overall sweet and "kawaii" themes; Gothic Lolita, which uses more blacks and whites and tends to be a darker, more elegant style of Lolita; and other less common subsets such as Classic Lolita, which favors a more refined and subtle fashion, or Punk Lolita, which might include accessories such as spikes and chains. Some Lolitas like to blend more than one style in their looks; however, this article will focus primarily on achieving straightforward Gothic Lolita dress and attitude.


Fashion


1. Know how to build a Lolita outfit. A Gothic Lolita look has many parts you can vary or alter as you like, but there are a few basic rules. One of them is that Gothic Lolitas favor dark colors, with the exception of white or cream accents - you probably won't find one wearing pink or other bright colors prominently. Here's what else you need to know, arranged in the order in which you'd get dressed.


Start with undergarments. The most identifiable part of a Lolita look is the bell-shaped skirt that falls two inches above the kneecap or lower. Buying a petticoat, or pannier, built specifically to fill out Lolita skirts is essential. In order to maintain modesty in case the petticoat blows up in the breeze, Lolitas wear bloomers underneath the petticoat and over their regular underwear. Gothic Lolitas can also wear a corset, provided it's laced or buttoned properly. (Wearing a corset or bustier alone as a top falls into the Ero Lolita category.) Bloomers and petticoats should never be readily visible in the finished look.


Wear a refined, well-made blouse. Gothic Lolita blouses often feature fine tailoring, such as pintucks, embroidered details, and embellished cuffs or necklines. A slim, close fit is ideal; the blouse should never be baggy or saggy.


Put on an embellished skirt, JSK, or one-piece dress. Gothic Lolita skirts commonly include ruffles, elegant patterns or bustles. They should sit at the natural waist and no lower, as well as almost covering your knees when standing. A JSK, or jumper skirt, is one you "jump" into, applied from the feet up. It usually includes some part that will cover part of the blouse. A black JSK over a white blouse is a typical Gothic Lolita look. For fancy events, Gothic Lolitas will sometimes wear one-piece dresses without a blouse. These garments are designed to fit closely through the torso and flare appropriately to accommodate the petticoat.


Wear modest stockings or tights. Some Lolitas wear socks or tights that hit below the kneecap, but Gothic Lolitas tend to prefer those that go over the knee. Wear garters under your bloomers to hold them up, if necessary. In general, Gothic Lolitas eschew sheer nylon or tights, favoring an opaque look instead.


Choose dark shoes. Lolita style overall usually demands Mary Jane shoes, with perhaps a "Lolita heel" at the back. For Gothic Lolita, your shoes should be black or otherwise dark. If you choose to wear boots or another embellishment on Mary Janes, make sure they keep to a slim, natural leg silhouette - chunky combat boots would be out of place on a Gothic Lolita.
Use hair accessories. An iconic Gothic Lolita accessory is a dark, large Alice bow, modeled after that of the heroine of Alice in Wonderland. You can also wear embellished headbands, combs or clips, as well as fascinators, period-appropriate hats or tiny top hats.
Find a jacket. During colder months, Gothic Lolitas bundle up in well-tailored jackets. Choose black or another dark color, such as burgundy, navy, dark purple or hunter green.


Finish up with other accessories. Some Gothic Lolitas carry parasols to shield themselves from the sun; others wear jewelry focused on elaborate crosses or carry purses in the shape of a coffin. Be creative with your accessories to make the Gothic Lolita look uniquely yours.




2. Build your wardrobe. A well-made Gothic Lolita piece can last you a long time, but it will probably also be more expensive than your casual clothing. Invest in your wardrobe carefully, purchasing items you adore and that are constructed from quality materials. Start with bloomers and a petticoat, and build from there.
Pay attention to fabrics. Gothic Lolita culture favors cotton, wool, organdy, lace and other generally high-quality textiles. Satin and crushed velvet are regarded as costume-like, and frowned on for everyday use. Additionally, cheap lace that features heavy netting is also disdained, as it can look gray and ratty from a distance.


3. Wear naturally appealing makeup. One point at which Gothic Lolita culture diverges from American Gothic culture is makeup - Gothic Lolitas don't use whiteface or particularly dark eye and lip colors. A slightly smoky eye or red lip is acceptable, but generally Gothic Lolitas strive to wear natural-looking makeup.


4. Dress to impress. Wearing a Gothic Lolita look should be an event. Make sure everything is cleaned and ironed appropriately, and put effort into your hair and makeup - looking half-done while wearing such beautiful clothing would be tragic. Plan ahead.


5. Incorporate Lolita into your everyday clothing and environment. If you can't wear full Lolita outfits everyday incorporate details that you like and go with your usual clothing: maybe that lace chocker will go well with your business suit, or that cute purse is nice for a trip to the mall. Things like that that make you unique and identify you as a Lolita, even if you can't wear your outfits everyday.


Lifestyle


1. Practice good posture. Gothic Lolita clothing is shown off to the best advantage when your posture is erect, with straight shoulders and a high head. Try walking in light, measured steps instead of shuffling or dragging your feet.


2. Mind your manners. Because Lolita style harkens back to the 19th century, try emulating the socially acceptable manners of the time period. Speak politely and crisply, without relying on contractions or slang. Be courteous to everyone, and acknowledge strangers or new acquaintances with a slight tip of your head or a small smile. Be confident without being rude, and courteous without being a doormat.


3. Indulge in decadent hobbies. Bring some old-fashioned beauty into your life by learning Victorian arts or skills, such as sewing and/or embroidering (it will help you with your clothing if you are on a budget or don't want to buy off Japan), cooking, calligraphy, painting or sketching, and collecting things like antiques or stamps.


4. Look for sources of beauty or inspiration in everyday life. A Lolita lifestyle is, to a certain extent, about maintaining a childlike sense of innocence and wonder. Try seeing your life through fresh, less-jaded eyes and watch your attitude improve!


Tips


You don't have to buy from Japanese retailers to wear Gothic Lolita fashion.
The Gothic & Lolita Bible is a quarterly magazine published in English and Japanese, and can be a great source of information and inspiration for decor and clothing. Look for back issues on eBay.


Start slowly. If you are having trouble being confident in full Gothic Lolita dress, try building up the confidence one garment at a time or by wearing Casual Lolita.


Thrift stores are a good source for clothing, but you might want to alter it a bit.


A Lolita lifestyle is not required to wear Lolita fashion. Remember - this movement is about being creative and unique. You can (and should) always maintain your individuality, even when following any style.


Source: wikiHow

How to Be a Sweet Lolita

Lolita fashion is a subculture that began in Japan that is primarily influenced by Victorian children’s clothing as well as fashion from the Rococo period.


Sweet Lolita fashion places its focus on the child-like aspects of Lolita design. It uses colorful prints, lace, and ribbons to emphasize the cuteness in the design.

Steps


1. Look for lightly-colored accessories, such as purses, head dresses, and socks with designs like flowers, music notes, candy or anything sweet printed on them (knee-highs or over the knee socks).


2. Go for frilly and sweet. You can still wear dark colors, but it should definitely be toned down. Popular colors are mostly pastels: pink, sax blue, white/cream, pale yellow, mint green, & lavender.


3. Decide on your hair. It must be a style suited to Lolita, such as pigtails or curls. If you think you would like to wear a wig for Lolita, make sure it does not look fake; get a high-quality one from eBay. Also important: make sure you have a fringe, and that it does not go over your eyes. For headbands, try bows, bonnets, headdresses and flowers.


4. Shirts/Dresses shouldn't show any cleavage, or shoulders. If you're wearing a jumperskirt (Like a lolita dress, but sleeveless), wear a blouse underneath. Lolita fashion aims to be cute and modest and is not supposed to be a sexy style! Your skirt should go 1" above the knee usually.


A Lolita dress for £200 will probably be worth it. Brands like Angelic Pretty and Baby The Stars Shine Bright will never let you down. Love them and look after anything you purchase from there. If you want cheaper brands with an effect that almost matches, look at Anna House and Metamorphose. 


Socks are very important at the moment; in Lolita it is fashionable to have pretty, high socks. Prints on socks always look cute! Find prints with gingham, cakes/sweets, animals, bows, hearts, musical notes, etc.


Try going to a thrift store! They have some things that could be modified with a little extra lace or ribbon that may turn out very nice. =]


5. Have Lolita-style makeup. Facial stickers are adorable, light pink blusher is a must-have! Eyelash extensions, if worn, must not be too long or else they will look bad.


6. Have a toy with you. This is optional. Hello Kitty or other cute stuffed animals are a good way to go.


7.If you have a boyfriend, get them to dress elegantly with you if you can convince them.


8. Remember to be yourself, don't lose your personality in the fashion!


9. Smile in your pictures! Take Purikura pictures with your friends if you can! It's a great, fun activity.


10. Go out in groups with other Sweet Lolitas


Tips


Popular hairstyles are pigtails, curls, or straight hair with blunted bangs. To find high-quality Lolita clothing, try BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT or Angelic Pretty; both have online stores. (Keep in mind, both are very expensive) Bodyline.com is less expensive and can have good quality clothing if you shop carefully. Avoid anything with "costume" in the label.


If people tease you, just ignore them. If you're feeling particularly charitable, try to explain about the style. Do not get mad or insult them back!


If you're on a budget, try buying from less expensive brands like Bodyline and Anna House. However, cheaper brands can be low quality, so make sure to check the details of the dress as much as you can, looking at the lace, design, and fabric. The best thing to do is save your money until you can afford a brand dress (like Baby, Angelic Pretty, Innocent World, Victorian Maiden, etc.). You can also look for cheap deals or try to bargain at the egl_comm_sales on Live Journal. Or you could try your hand at sewing! The Gothic and Lolita Bible usually includes sewing patterns from designer brands, and the magazine itself is about $20 (you can order it online or through Borders/Barnes and Noble).


To get more tips on Lolita fashion, pick up an issue of The Gothic and Lolita Bible, it can be found at Borders for $20 and includes sewing patterns, pictures, interviews, and tutorials!


For fabric and lace, do not buy anything shiny! Use cotton and polyester only! Other fabrics are usually cheap, costume-like and scratchy, which ruins the Lolita look.


Remember that your attitude is also an important part of your style. Lolita fashion emphasizes elegance, modesty, and cuteness, so if you wear it, be polite, friendly and courteous. This is especially important if you plan to attend Lolita meet-ups or conventions.


Warnings


WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T TRY TO LOOK SEXY! It ruins the look and other Lolitas will look down on you.


Don't use cheap materials; they will tear easily and ruin the look.


Do not use cheap lace, it irritates the skin...
Lolita online communities are usually very drama filled! It's best to avoid these communities if you don't want to be involved in drama.


Some lolitas may look down on you if you don't have all brand clothing, this does not mean you SHOULD have all brand clothing however, as it is very expensive and most lolitas will not look down on you for not having brand. If they do though, then they are probably not the kind of people you want to spend time with in the first place, so don't let it bother you, you are not any less of a lolita for not having brand.


Lolita can attract unwanted attention from certain people if you go out in public. Follow general safety precautions while going out into public.


Source: wikiHow

Buying vs. Making a Cosplay

A question that pops up a lot on cosplay forums is “should I make or buy this costume?” and the answers are really divided. The truth is, there is no one answer for this question. It’s not always cheaper to make your own costume, and it isn’t always easier to buy it! Whether you should make or buy a costume really depends on a bunch of factors including time, budget and sewing ability. So I’m going to compare buying a costume to making one, hopefully I’ll be able to dispel some myths and help people decide.

Buying A Costume

Intro

Buying a costume has been the savior of those who can’t sew. You go online and find a commissioner or a store and they do all the work. However there is always a risk when buying online, you never know what you are going to get or if you will even get it. There are a lot of positives and negatives of online buying, and I’m going to go through them.

Price

The price of a bought costume is generally calculated with this formula:

Labor/Time costs + Fabric/Material Costs + Shipping Costs + Bonus*

(*Sometimes a small bonus is added, this could be to prevent against the seller loosing out on what they make from material prices going up, or they may add it in because of special situations like rush orders. This all depends on the seller)

People argue that buying a costume costs more than making because you are paying for their labor and time. I disagree. I believe shipping is what makes it cost more since it is something you would not experience when making the outfit yourself.

► Cosplay Stores

Cosplay stores generally mass produce costumes and sell them at a lower price. They usually have a set group of costumes they will make, but have a variety of sizes. These stores have a set price for their outfits, and it comes as is – they won’t make any specific modifications (ex. changing the type of fabric.) Buying from a cosplay store is usually cheaper than buying from a commissioner because they buy fabric in bulk (therefore fabric/material costs are lower) and mass produce costumes (so labor/time costs are lower). Costumes tend to start around $80 but can go above $300 depending on the costume’s details.

You should be careful about pricing when buying from a cosplay store, because sometimes the prices are much higher than something may be worth.It is always good to compare prices with other sites before committing.The price may also reflect the quality, so if it is a very detailed costume but is much lower than other websites, then it is most likely made with poor quality fabrics.

(Below) Namine has a very simple dress made of relatively cheap material, I really think $135.00 is a ridiculous price for it. The second is far more reasonable, but may be lacking in quality

► Commissioners

Commissioners are usually cosplayers themselves, looking to make some extra money (or even support themselves) with their hobby. Costumes are custom-made for the person who orders and so you can request specific changes, such as a longer skirt or different colored ribbon. While they may be more accurate, the process takes longer and generally costs more because fabric is bought for the project – not in bulk.

Prices from commissioners tend to range depending on their skill, how many other projects they have, how fast they can work, how cheap they can get the material. To find out how much a costume costs you need to ask for a quote from the commissioner. Just like with cosplay stores, you should shop around and ask multiple commissioners to compare prices.

Time

When buying a costume you save yourself a lot of time since you don’t have to sit there making it. Even if a costume is simple and might only take a day to do, that is still a lot of time that some people don’t have! The only time you invest is searching around for a good place to buy from.

However if you need a costume quickly, then it may not arrive on time. Since costumes may take awhile to make if they are being custom-made, and they also take a while to ship (while some places it takes 5-10 business days it may take 10-20 days when shipping overseas!) unless you pay for faster shipping. So if you are planning to buy, make sure you do it early so that your costume can be made, shipped and arrive on time! Always check a seller’s shipping times, and if you have a specific date when you need it – let your commissioner know.

Ability

Can’t sew, cast, use tools? No problem! Buying a costume means you can cosplay without any ability to make a costume whatsoever, since you are essentially paying someone to make it for you. So no ability is required.

Please note, that many cons have costume contests based on craftmanship. So if you buy your costume, then you won’t be able to enter these contests. If you make a certain percent of your costume (it varies, so check you con’s website for details) and commission the rest (such as make the costume, commission a wig) then you may still be able to compete.

Accuracy / Quality

The accuracy and quality of a costume varies from store to store and commissioner to commissioner. Usually lower priced costumes are less accurate and lower quality, but this is not always the case.

► Cosplay Stores

Cosplay stores are a hit and miss, they may sell amazing, detailed, good quality costumes but at the same time have a low quality, inaccurate costume in the same store. Remember these are mass-produced for the most part, so they want to make as much as possible, quickly and cheaply.

Cosplay stores usually have these low quality costumes because people will buy them just because of the low price, and usually the buyer does not know much about good material or is quick to act and doesn’t think about accuracy.

Satin (below) is a huge offender when it comes to poor quality costumes. It looks good in some lighting but generally looks cheap. It is also easy to fray and the seams tend to bunch up. Generally it’s referred to as “satin = satan” because of how bad it is.

There are good costume sold by stores, you just need to do some searching for them. When looking for a good quality costume from a store you should always have a reference picture of the costume available to compare. You should also look at up close views of the outfit if possible, to see what the fabric and stitches look like. If it looks sloppy – such as hanging threads, inaccurate, or it just looks bad overall then do some searching for a different costume.

► Commissioners

Commissioners are making the costume from scratch so you can tell them how accurate you want the costume to be. Since they are usually cosplayers themselves they usually know what fabric to avoid and how to do all the little details. This is not always the case! Always check through a commissioner’s portfolio or photo gallery to see what other stuff they have made for themselves and others. I have seen commissioners who make stuff with satin and paint, with messy sewing and hanging threads.

Accuracy and quality is a gamble, unless you are able to see and feel it in person (such as buying a costume at a con) but since most commissions and stores are online, you usually have to risk it. If you are uncertain you can always ask for additional photos from a store, or information on the fabric used. You can ask a commissioner for progress pictures and information on the fabric they use. Remember, you are the one who ends up with the result, so if you have questions … ask them!

Risks

Buying online always has its risks since you can’t see the actual item until it arrives. Sometimes eBay sellers steal cosplayer photos and use them to advertise their costumes, so what you see is not always what you get. Commissioners may have a great gallery but may not put in the same effort on your costume. There is also the risk that it will get lost in the mail, arrive late, or never arrive at all.

Before buying from a seller you should do some research to determine if they are good. I suggest checking out these threads: The commissioner review thread and The merchant review thread. A quick google search of a seller’s name might bring up reviews as well, specifically if they have been a bad seller.

Buying: Positives and Negatives

Positives

• Can find good prices
• Great if you can’t sew
• Great for if you have no time to work on a costume
• Usually good quality (Many costumes sewn with a serger!)
• Can be found online (eBay, commissioners) and offline (cons, anime stores, costume shops)
• Commissioners allow for you to request variations
• Less stress! (Making costume can be stressful)
• Less mess! (Making a costume can be messy)

Positives

• May not arrive on time for con
• High Risk (no control over result)
• Price may be higher than reasonable
• Possibly poor quality
• Possibly inaccurate
• May be hard to keep in contact with seller (ex. not responding to emails)
• May not always fit properly

Who should buy?

People who can’t sew (or make the costume/prop), don’t have a lot of time, or don’t want to make their own costume should commission or buy a costume. While you may not be able to enter craftsmanship contests, you can still look good and enjoy the convention!

And just a side tip, if you buy your costume then give it a quick iron before wearing it to the con. Costumes usually end up with folds because of how it is shipped, and that never looks good!

Making a Cosplay:

Intro

Making a costume can be stressful at times and it can become pretty difficult to make props, style wigs, and sew a costume (or build a costume) by yourself! It is also very rewarding, you can say you made it if people ask and you can enter the craftsmanship contests. If you have the ability and time to make your own costume I highly sugguest it, it’s great to have complete control over your costume’s outcome.

Price

Price varies depending on the costume you make, how cheap you can get the materials, and how many mistakes you make (if you make many mistakes you might have to get more fabric and re-do the whole thing!). It also depends on what the costume is too, a simple costume could easily be under $100 where a full-out mech suit is definitely over $100. I’ve seen people make costumes for as low as $10 and as high as over $2000 (in fact, Volpin’s Big Daddy Bioshock Cosplay sold for $2,000 USD on eBay). My personal range has been between $50 CND and $500 CND.

So is it cheaper to make it yourself? Most of the time it is, just because you don’t have to pay for additional costs like shipping, or pay for the labor since you provide it yourself. However, unlike when buying from a commissioner or a store, you don’t get an up front price. You can estimate it at being a cost of $100 but the little things add up along the way, it might be $100 to start but you could easily spend more because you needed more of a certain thing, forgot about a piece, or something failed.

However, since these costs are over time it is less strain on your wallet. If you plan ahead you could put $10 a week toward a cosplay and within a couple months have enough for everything! This is one of the reasons it is good to plan ahead!

Time

Making a costume is definately a time waster! You should plan ahead for every costume because you have to go out and buy the materials, take the time to cut, pin, sew, paint, style, build, etc. While it is possible to make a costume in a day depending on how simple it is, some costumes may take months to put together! For someone with a busy schedule and a want for a detailed costume, making the cosplay might not be an option because of the amount of time it takes.

Ability

Making a costume requires you to have some ability sewing, building, or crafting. Most costumes can be made by altering sewing patterns, which give you instructions on how to make it, but some patterns are difficult and might be difficult for an inexperienced sewer with nobody to help them. Additionally, some things are much more difficult than just sewing and may require additional tools to do. For example, working with wood for a prop usually requires tools and the ability to use those tools. These skills all can be learned, you can take sewing or construction classes, or you can read tutorials on using fiberglass and wig styling.

If you have no costume making abilities and want to cosplay right away, it is probably better to commission it. But if you have the time and want to make your costume then the resources are out there and many cosplayers are willing to share tips!

Risks

There are risks in making a cosplay, even if you don’t think it is dangerous. For one, some materials are hazardous to your health (resin, spray paint) but there are also dangers of burning yourself with an iron or stabbing yourself with a pin. Though, it isn’t likely that any of these injuries will be severe! Just remember to read safety information when trying new things, and be cautious around tools and hot irons.

Making: Postives and Negatives

Positives

• Can enter contests and say you made it
• Learn many new skills
• Possibly a lower price than buying
• It can fit you exactly
• Can be higher quality than bought costumes
• Can be altered however you wish (ex. different length of skirt)
• No added shipping costs, or waiting time
• Low/No risk of getting scammed

Positives

• If you can’t sew, then it may turn out poor quality
• High stress
• May be disappointed with results
• Much more work involved then buying
• Can take a long time to make
• Possibly get injured (sewing pricks, small burns)

Who should make their costume?

Anyone who is interested in making their own costume! You can always learn the skills required, just make sure you have the time to do so. 

Source: cosplaytutorial.com

Cosplay Dos and Don'ts

The Dos and Don'ts:

*Do cosplay characters you relate to and/or enjoy.

*Do study the character's mannerisms-pay close attention to how the character carries himself/herself.

*Do have at least 3 different poses. This is where the studying comes in. Find poses that you feel expresses the character best.

*Do try to bring the character to life. You never know-you might make someone's day.

*Do try to have a reference image of every angle. If this isn't possible (like in the case of an artbook image), use your better judgement of the other angles. Add your own flare to the costume, but keep it as close to character as you can.

*Do accept constructive critizism. You have to realize that there is always room for improvement, even in those who have been costuming for years. Besides, some cosplayers out there

*Do have fun!

*Do save the drama for the stage. Please.

*Don't cosplay for the sake of entering contests and winning. Cosplay is suppose to be a fun hobby for everyone, not a competition.

*Don't treat others inferior to you just because the quality of their isn't at its peak. Cosplayers are all equal.

*Don't think you are the only one that cosplays that character or the "best" at the character. There are others that cosplay the same character, believe it or not, and no one is better than anyone else. Again, we are all equal.

*Don't criticize others because you think their costume isn't good. They might have worked hard and could have been proud of their work. Constructive criticism is okay, as long as you don't go overboard. Ex: "You know, if you try this technique that may not be so fragile. That way you can wear the costume again!"

*Don't overuse the glue gun. Yes, this fabulous invention is great in a jam or for some construction, but it does start to look messy and unprofessional if you use too much.

*Don't make a sign to carry around. These can be quite tacky and they just get in the way. Save them for your cosplay skits!

Tips to Surviving Your First Convention:

*Bring a repair kit! Make sure to include items like needles, thread, safety pins, glue gun, extra buttons, etc. That way if anything was to go wrong, God forbid, you won't have to panic.

*Don't be afraid of the Camekos. A "cameko" is a cosplay photographer. Most of them aren't professional, but instead do this as a hobby. Some of them ask for a few different poses, so try to think of a few that fit the character beforehand. Some specify how they want you to pose. If they do anything you don't feel comfortable with, don't be afraid to tell them "no." Posing with friends is also a lot of fun. And do everyone a favor and have at least one picture of you smiling in it. It brightens the face and overall makes a better picture. And if you don't physically smile, smile with your eyes. Put some expression in the photos or you will just look like you don't want to be there.

*Don't go by yourself. Cons are large places with lots of things to do. It is better to do this with someone who has gone before, or a few other newbies. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Next thing you know you will be getting lost surrounded by Storm Troopers. Not my idea of a good time... ^^;

*Bring snacks and/or food money, and don't forget your water. Okay. Con food and hotel food is mad expensive. Bring snacks to last through your day. Also, don't skip meals. Go get a decent lunch and dinner. If you don't eat, you will feel weak and won't be able to continue to enjoy the experience. Also bring water. Some costumes are hot enough to begin with, but adding the thousands of con goers and you have a sauna. Just be sure to eat and drink water and you will be fine (Don't be like me and learn the hard way-be smart!~Julie).

*Demonstrate good hygeine. This can't be stressed enough. Shower. Wear deodorant. Be CLEAN! The "fan funk" (the horrid smell of lazy congoers) can be almost deadly in the game room, dealer room, and viewing rooms. Some cons even have a policy for this, ie: if you are not showing good hygiene you will be removed from the con until you shower.

*Be careful of drama. Drama is inevitable in the cosplay community. If people try to start drama with you, walk away. If someone comes to you with their drama, tell them you don't want to be involved and change the subject. Drama has ruined many con weekends for our friends, so don't let this happen to you.

*Bring a camera and film. Trust me. If you don't have this you will regret it. There are so many great costumes out there, and when you don't have a camera you end up slapping yourself for it. I usually bring about 5 rolls of film, and use about 3. Or a few disposable cameras, or a few flash cards. Video cameras work great, too. Asking for pictures is a great way to meet new people.

*Asking questions isn't a bad thing. Don't be afraid to ask questions. A lot of cosplayers are willing to help if you need it. If you don't know where the best Chinese place is or you don't know the best way to make a quick repair on your costume, SOMEONE is bound to know how to deal. Cosplayers and other con-goers are also pretty good to know where the best deals are at the dealer tables or whatnot. And if you are new to anime, Japanese music, whatever, don't be afraid to ask for opinions! If you want to buy a DVD ask around. Someone will have similiar enough interest to recommend a great product for you. You never know-you might just meet your best friend this way! =^.~=

Note: Original article is on cosmicgeminicosplay.tripod.com. We take no ownership of the article and related image/s.

Cosplay on a Budget

Cosplay is an expensive hobby, the costumes alone are usually pricey before you factor in wigs, shoes and accessories. Not to mention the con itself takes a bite out of your wallet! Though there are many tips for you to save yourself a bit of money when it comes to cosplaying, and this guide will go through some of them. 

Choosing a costume

The most important part of cosplaying is actually choosing the costume since there are so many characters to choose from. This is also the defining moment of price. You can generally figure out how much you will spend on a costume by looking at it: do you need to buy a wig? Is this very simple or are there tons of details? How much material is this going to take? Is the material you expect to use expensive? Just by looking you can tell a schoolgirl uniform will cost far less than one of clamp's extremely detailed dresses. So make sure you choose something within your budget.

Make! Don't buy (If Possible)

If you have the ability to sew, or have someone who can help you make it then you will usually save money. The cost of a pre-made or custom made costume is the price of material and supplies, the cost of shipping, and the time it took to make that cosplay piece. Combined, this can add up to more than if you just made it yourself!

There are also other benefits to making the costume, rather than buying. Commissioners don't always include every single detail you might include, they also might take up more time then you have (especially if they are busy), and there are situations where the costume doesn't fit. Commissioners are not bad to buy from, but you don't know exactly what you are getting until you receive it.

Though if you are not willing/able to sew then you can always try and make parts of the costume! You may buy the full outfit online, but you can always make an accessory. If you want to make, or already have, a larger part of the costume you can always see if you can exclude it when you buy or commission the outfit to save a bit there too.

Planning Ahead

Choosing your costume ahead of time is always a good thing, because it gives you more time to work on it and get things done. It also allows you to lessen the burden on your wallet! You can wait, and plan to buy your costume materials when the fabric store has a sale. You can also use the amount of time to save money and spend it slowly You can buy the wig the first month, buy material the next month and then buy anything needed during random intervals. You might end up spending $200 on the costume but it is easier to spend a bit here and there than the whole $200 at one time.

Cards, Sales & Discounts

Fabric stores often have sales, so always be on the lookout when it comes time to buy your fabric. Though there are many other ways you can get cosplay materials and supplies cheap. Be on the lookout for coupons or membership cards offered by your favourite fabric store. Fabricland offers a membership card that gives you 25% off on all products, even during sales! Some stores offer stamp cards, where you get $10 off a purchase if you spend so much money in the store. Looking for sales, using coupons and using membership cards can all save you money that can be put towards other aspects of the costume, or just to have some extra con money.

Using what is around the house

The biggest money drain is actually spending the money, so to keep costs low stick to what is available at home. Cardboard is up for grabs when someone finishes a box of cereal, old clothes you plan to throw out? Easily used for details on a costume. Even leftover spools of thread and broken Halloween decorations have potential uses. This is especially useful for props, because most of the time props just need a good base shape and then the paint makes the difference. So why pay for something you don't need for a prop that can be made with stuff from around the home? There are tons of items that are in your home that may be perfect for a cosplay so look around at home before you go looking at the stores.

Tsuki Sune-ku's progress on Wolfwood's Cross

Saving Material

You often have some leftover scraps of material after a costume is completed, and you might want to throw them away but don't! Keep any scraps that are a decent size, you never know what you can make with it. I've used leftover scraps to make plushies, add details to costumes, and even make entirely new outfits! You don't just have to save the material either, any leftover ribbon, bias tape, lace, elastic, interfacing or whatever else can be saved and re-used for something else.

Reusing patterns

Sewing patterns can come cheap but they can also get expensive, and they definitely add on to the price of the costume, so why use them once? Save old patterns and re-use them multiple times, because you can! McCall's 4745 is a favourite pattern of mine because it can be re-used so much. Military uniform, male school uniform, dress pants, jacket, collared tunic .... those make up tons of costumes already. A great pattern

Thrift stores

Not overly great at sewing, but still want to make it rather than buy? A lot of costumes have regular clothes at the base so you can usually buy part of your costume pre-made, and you can alter it as needed. Thrift stores are amazing for finding cheap clothes, especially if you plan to cut them up! It is also a really good place to buy cheap boots/shoes, beltsand hats if your costume requires some of those too.

Take from the old

Old costumes are a great resource because you probably won't wear them again, or at the very least you won't be wearing it at the same time as your new costume. Why is this good? Because you can save yourself the trouble of making a new piece of clothes if you already own a part .... already cosplayed a schoolgirl and you still have a dress shirt? Then you can use that dress shirt again in another cosplay! If you don't plan to wear that old costume again you can even go the extra mile and harvest material from it, or alter it to make something new. The best thing about old costumes are the wigs. Wigs can get pricey and might be one of the more expensive parts of a costume, so if you can re-use old wigs then you get more use out of it and can save a bundle!

Skimp Where Needed

Not every part of a cosplay has to be made yourself, and not every part has to be expensive. So I say: Skimp where needed. If there are 100 gems on a costume you don't need to shell out and make every last gem yourself since you can buy glass or plastic gems for cheap. If a character has normal eye colours then you don't need to pay for contacts because they wont really be noticed. Props don't have to be made of wonderflex or expensive materials since there are cheaper alternatives and you don't need the highest quality material, just something that looks good. Remember that cosplay is always about how it looks when it is finished and most people won't be judging what they can't see. Do a good job on your costume, but remember that there are parts that you can skimp on. 


Source: cosplaytutorial.com

How to prevent being scammed on the internet

It happens, you buy from a commissioner and something goes wrong. You don’t get your item, you get something that is horrible quality, or you are just unsure if they are trustworthy. Buying on the internet isn’t like real life because you can’t just pick it up at a store and observe the item, you can’t walk it up to the cash and make sure it goes into the bag and that you walk out the door with it. 

So there is always a risk with ordering online, but don’t let that scare you away from ordering! Personally I have never had a bad experience buying online, and I buy lots of things like clothes, cosplay accessories, books and yu-gi-oh cards. But I know it happens, I’ve seen the stories of people where a commission just went wrong and they don’t know what to do – so this guide is here to help.

Lets start with prevention

Before buying online you should take steps to prevent scams.

1) Do research on the seller.

If you are buying on Ebay read the customer feedback, if there is anything less than 100% positive feedback do a quick read through for the negative reviews, what was the issue? Sometimes it is just something silly but if it was that bad of a situation then people will leave a lengthy negative comment to help you avoid that seller.

Next you should do a quick search of the seller’s name or shop name with “reviews”. If you find nothing they may be a new seller of they typically have good service. If they are bad, then you will know. For example LimeBarb is a commissioner I have seen both good and bad reviews for so a quick google search of “LimeBarb Reviews” gives me an entire review on a Lulu costume that was commissioned from the seller.

It’s also worth checking out the Commissioner / Merchant Review Thread on cosplay.com, there are tons of reviews on a variety of sellers so you can see what other cosplayers have experienced with them. Make sure you leave your feedback there too, to help everyone else.

2) Use Secure Payment Methods

This is where I recommend PayPal. For one, it is most widely accepted and if a site refuses paypal then they are probably not worth trusting. What paypal does is act as a wall between you and the seller, preventing the seller from getting your credit card or other financial information, keeping you safe from fraud or identity theft. They also deal with other buyer protection in case you don’t receive the item or get something that was not as advertised.

It is also helpful to use your credit card, rather than cash, cheque or money order. A credit card allows you to dispute a payment with the credit card company should you not get your item.

Only buy on sites that are offering a safe web checkout process. Look for company logos like VeriSign and TrustE. Sites with encryption display a locked padlock on the bottom of the browser.

3) Read a Seller’s Full Description, Shipping and refund policies.

What is the description of the item? An honest seller will note things like that it was previously worn, or have a small hole or whatever issue there might be with the item. They might also list information about proper size measurements (since sizes differ from north america to europe to asia) and can prevent unhappy surprises. Sometimes shipping to other countries might take a long time, make sure to note where they ship and how long it takes. Also check their refund policies, some places offer no refunds, some offer exchanges, others will fully refund. Find out now before you run into issues.

4) Contact a Seller, make sure they can reach you and you can reach them

Generally I like to ask a simple question if I am unsure of the seller or product, if they respond you know they are there. Make sure you also offer a valid email so that they can contact you too. Especially for commissioners that aren’t on ebay, you want an easy way to keep in touch!

5) Save Stuff

Print a copy of the email saying it was shipped, have a copy of the contract, have all your conversations with the seller saved until you are complete and happy with your order. If the seller is unwilling to resolve an issue then you may need these later!

6) Order Early!

If you want something in time for a con then you will want to order early, that way if a situation occurs you can still receive your item on time.

It Happened, Now What?

Okay so you ordered from a seller and now you are unhappy,it happens. lets first target the issue:

1) It never arrived

Before jumping to conclusions, try to find out what happened. Check your invoice that says it was shipped. What day was it shipped and how long did it say it would take? Usually the mail doesn’t ship on weekends, so make sure you were counting business days. If there were any recent holidays that the mail would be stopped, then it may take an extra day to ship. Make sure you waited the full length of time it said it would take before freaking out. If you have tracking (which is worth paying for if you are buying something like a full costume) then you can also check it to see where your package is currently.

Have you waited the full-time and it still hasn’t arrived? First contact your post office, if it was sent in a package and nobody was home to sign for the delivery then it will be there. They usually leave a note on your door or mailbox but you may not have gotten it, so check first. Remember the delivery name will be under the shipping address’ name!

Still nothing? Contact the seller about the issue, they may be able to resolve the issue. Sometimes there are just mistakes, and what makes a great seller is their customer service. Try to resolve the issue with them and it can work out for the best for you. If they don’t respond to your emails or refuse to help with the situation then start the next steps:

If you paid through paypal you can report the situation through the Paypal Dispute Resolution Page

If you paid through your credit card you can contact your credit card company, most offer online protection.

If you bought through eBay then you can go to the Resolution Center and after reviewing your case you can be eligible for a full refund. Also, keep in mind there are deadlines for opening a case—usually within 45 days of making payment on an item

1b) It went to the wrong address!

First is this your fault or their fault? If you inputed the wrong address and it ships then you are the one who should be doing all the chasing and while the seller can help, if they have already shipped it then it can end up being your loss.

First send a message to the seller as soon as possible. If you can catch them before they ship the item then there shouldn’t be an issue. If the item has already been shipped then you should still talk to the seller so you can get them to track it down, if they go to the post office they can recall the package and it will be returned to them. If it was your mistake you may have to pay additional shipping fees for it to be resent. This method is more successful if you have a tracking number associated with your package.

If your seller will not help you or is not responding, contact the shipping service! If the issue is because you have recently moved you can set up mail forwarding so anything sent to your old address that is addressed to you will go to your new address. The united states postal service has this option online, and other postal services should have it available online as well. Otherwise your postal service may help redirecting the package to get to you, or your closest post office.

Otherwise, hope that the mail is sent to a non-existing address and is returned to sender, or that the person who receives the package returns to sender. If you are at fault for the mishap you may have to pay the delivery fee a second time.

2) It wasn’t as advertised

So you order your item and it isn’t as advertised, that sucks because you are not getting what you paid for! Lets start by observing the item. How bad is it? If it is something small and fixable (ex. a wig is a bit messy) than you are probably better off doing the touch up yourself. If it is not something you can fix, or is not something you want to fix (ex. size measurements off) then your first step should be to check the seller’s return policy. Some sellers will only take an item in its original packaging or unworn, you want to make sure that you don’t do anything that will prevent you from being able to return it!

Next, contact the seller. Make sure to include all the information about the issue and what you want the next steps to be. Lets say something came in the wrong size, explain the size issue and then say if you want a refund, if you want to exchange it for a proper size, or possibly a partial refund for you to take it to a tailor near you. Keep in mind their return policy, if they say absolutely no refunds in there then you should aim for an exchange.

So was the seller unreasonable, or they didn’t respond at all? If you bought the item through ebay then you can contact them about the situation and they should help you deal with the seller. If you bought through a different auction or store site (such as etsy.com) then you can contact the site for help.

After Steps

Okay so you did what you could and it was hopefully resolved well, but you may still be upset with the seller – especially if they decided to ignore your emails or just offer bad customer service after the mishap. So what can you do now?

Write a review! If you have a blog or website write a review there, or throw one in your deviantart journal or somewhere on cosplay.com, and definitely put one in the Commissioner / Merchant Review thread. This will help more reviews become available for other people looking to buy from that seller, and it may help the same situation from being repeated!

Leave Feedback. If you bought from ebay then you can leave it on the ebay feedback but you may also leave it on the commissioner/seller’s website or shop if they have a space for it. It might help the seller notice their bad ways and reform or avoid similar issues in the future.

And remember, just because you had an issue does not mean they are a bad place to buy from. Judge on how they react to the situation, customer service is everything! I bought from stagesupply.com and they messed up the order. (They sent a green cake instead of a black.)They caught the issue before it even arrived at my house, and they sent me an email to appologize and let me know that they have shipped the black, it should arrive at the same time as the rest of the makeup and that I could keep the green cake. There was an issue but they were excellent at solving the problem and I would definately buy from them again! 


Source: cosplaytutorial.com