By Amanda Shaw
Cosplay is not just a hobby. It’s an art that you improve at over time. Whether you’re a beginner like me or a veteran, it always helps to hear what other cosplayers have done and learn from their experiences. I hope reading about these four mistakes I’ve made will help you avoid some frustration and embarrassment.
1. Not Knowing My Measurements
For my first cosplay, Mew Ichigo from the anime “Tokyo Mew Mew”, I commissioned a male family friend. He asked his wife to take my measurements instead of doing it himself (for obvious reasons). I guess she didn’t measure me correctly because when the costume was finished, the dress was too loose in the bust. I had to wear body tape to hold it up.
After an uncomfortable four hours wearing the costume at an anime event at my workplace, I commissioned another family friend to make a better-fitting dress.
Advice: Learn how to take your own measurements, and always have them with you when you’re shopping for fabric or commissioning a costume.
2. Using The Wrong Materials
Two of my unfinished cosplays have helmets and giant robot feet. When I first tried to make them, I had no idea where to start since I’d never made armor before. All I knew was the material had to be sturdy, easy to paint and easy for a beginner like me to work with.
I ended up buying Plaster of Paris cloth designed for arts and crafts. You dip it in water, shape it and let it dry. It was simple, but it looked ugly, it left dust everywhere and it was hard to walk in.
Advice: Do your research before starting on a project. Learn which materials work best for it, and don’t just buy something cheap and easy.
3. Procrastinating
I also learned a lesson about the consequences of procrastinating while working on those two cosplays. On the first day of the convention where I planned to debut them, I was still working on them. My family ended up missing that day, leaving for the convention around 10 p.m., busting a tire around 1 a.m. in the middle of the highway and sleeping in our car to avoid paying for an extra hotel stay.
And my costumes still weren’t finished.
Advice: Don’t put off working on your cosplays. Start on them as early as you can, and work on them whenever you have the chance. You’ll thank yourself later.
4. Not Knowing How To Pose
Making a costume is just the first step to a successful cosplay. Just like an actor, you have to embody the character. One part of that is knowing how to pose like the character would.
I wish I’d remembered that when I cosplayed Leia Roland from the video game “Tales of Xillia”. Every time someone asked to take my picture, I couldn’t figure out how to do any of her poses, so I just did something cute. What should have been a fun experience become stressful. I kept thinking, “Would Leia make this pose? Do I look silly? Will the photo turn out well?”
Advice: Practice posing at home (or in your hotel room) in front of another person or in a mirror. That way, you’ll get used to how your body feels, looks, and moves in different positions. Try to master several poses. If you have a photoshoot and you’re still not sure how to pose well, don’t be afraid to ask your photographer. They want you to look your best, too.
For more tips on posing, check out our article “Pose Like A Pro: 4 Steps To Nail Your Next Cosplay Photoshoot”.
Those are some of my mistakes from past cosplays. My final piece of advice: don’t be afraid to make mistakes. As long as you learn from them, they’re just steps on your way to success. Happy cosplaying!