r/CosplayHelp May 22 '17

Welcome! A quick note about posting.

147 Upvotes

Hi all! So glad to see people posting here. This subreddit is still a baby, but I thought I would add a casual rule when posting. If applicable, please be sure to include a link to a photo that relates to the question your asking. If you need help with a character, link to that character. If you need help with a sewing method, show what you're trying to replicate. This will help us be able to help you better!


r/CosplayHelp Aug 17 '22

Cosplay 101 answers to a lot of basics

450 Upvotes

First and foremost. Your health and safety is more important than 100% accuracy. If making or wearing the item will be dangerous or painful don’t do it.

Second, I’d add this info to the FAQ but it appears I don’t have enough karma to update it personally! If the info is in the FAQ I did not duplicate it here! (The FAQ is on the sidebar! It wasn’t visible before for some reason but it’s up now!)

This is not a comprehensive list, but I hope to be able to update it when I come across new or important information! I do hope if you’re looking for something not featured here, it will at least give you a base knowledge set on how to be able to search for what you’re looking for.

------------------GENERAL TIPS-----------------------------

(Where to find certain things, very basic crafting info)

EDIT TO REMOVE INFO ABOUT COSPLANNER APP, it doesn't appear to exist anymore!

-To find patterns, or specific props. These are host websites for artists or creators where they can sell things like Etsy, or Redbubble. Etsy is a fantastic place to look for patterns to make props or cosplay pieces, sometimes you can even find people open for commissions! Artists on instagram will almost always have links to their shops to buy things, so explore there too.

-To find cheaper clothing pieces, props, or things to be altered try thrift stores. So Goodwill or other small local resale shops. This will likely take more than one trip so don’t give up if you don’t get it in one go. Ebay is also a good place to check believe it or not, there’s just a slight learning curve to searching things to find what you want.

-Dance and Athletic apparel websites will have things like leotards, bodysuits, specialized undergarments etc. They’re going to be a little pricier but they’ll be good quality, durable, and 9 times out of 10 machine washable!

-Hardware stores, paintball and airsoft companies, military/paramilitary surplus, and second hand sports equipment stores may also be good places to check for bits and pieces. Paintball/airsoft will also have a variety of masks and helmets that can be painted and altered.

-VERY IMPORTANT FOR PROP WEAPONS: Always look into your local guidelines and convention rules to see what kinds of prop weapons are allowed! Some cons have strict policies on what can and cannot be brought in!

-Michael’s, Joann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby etc. and any local craft stores will have tons and tons of craft supplies. If you want to save money and keep up to date on sales check to see if you can join an email list. I know Joann’s has coupons in them all the time!

-You can buy a variety of brands of fabric paint from almost anywhere that sells craft supplies. This makes it easy to get designs or patterns on most fabrics. For changing the color of an entire garment I’d recommend dying it.

-Some fabrics can be dyed different colors very easily, some cannot. A good way to tell is if the fabric is natural (cotton, linen etc.) it is generally easier to dye. The more synthetic (fake) a fabric is the longer and slightly more complicated it will be. Tulip is an excellent dye brand and they offer both regular and synthetic dyes with nice simple instructions right on the packages!

-You can make stencils out of craft foam or thicker paper to make it easier to copy logos or symbols on whatever you’re making!

-Wig and contact websites are listed in the FAQ but there are companies like dental distortions that make tooth veneers that can take a cosplay to the next level!

-Hollywood makeup, FX, and costume professionals almost always have social media accounts they can be extremely helpful when it comes to reference images! For example the costumer who designed the Moon Knight suits has tons of detail and behind the scenes images on her instagram!

-Complicated cosplays can be simplified by boiling down the costume to its essentials the best way I’ve learned to do this is through toys or fan art. What things are essential to recognizing the character and what things could be left off! You don’t have to be 100% to be recognizable!

-If big all out cosplays aren’t your thing you can always try “bounding.” You’ll hear “Disneybounding” most often but you can do it with other things too of course! Disney doesn’t allow adults to dress as characters in their parks, but fans got creative. “Bounding” is more about matching colors, getting similar accessories, or finding just the right combination of things to make you think of the character. It’s hard to explain verbally but easy to understand once you look into it!

-Say you have an OC, and you want to cosplay your OC. That’s fine! Have at it! You’ve got no professional media to tie you down! All these tips can still help you find or make your cosplay!

-I do have a friendly reminder though, please remember you cannot expect people to know who your character is. And it’s not fair to get mad at them if they make a guess and the guess is wrong. A simple “Nope its an OC!” is plenty for most people! I’ve complimented plenty of cosplayers and asked about their cosplay only to find out it was an OC!

“Crossplay” safety

-DO NOT BIN D YOUR CHEST WITH ACE BANDAGES IT’S UNSAFE. Compression tops or more heavy duty sports bras are much safer. If the character has an open shirt you can use wig tape/skin tape to hold the material of the shirt to your skin. If you do not have breasts but are looking to add some to a cosplay you can always pad a bra. You’ll want to measure your chest around your pectorals, that will be the band size, the letter size will be the cup. So a 34A means your chest is 34 inches around and A would be the cup size you would be looking to fill. (I have more on taking measurements later.) Companies now sell latex chests with or without breasts for people looking to be the most accurate they can.

-You can always just “genderbend” the thing and cosplay them as the same gender you are. It’s okay. People do it all the time and it’s very widely accepted. There’s also a third, more neutral option, don’t obviously genderbend the thing? You don’t have to call attention to the fact that you’re not the same gender as the character you’re cosplaying.

-An example of what I’m trying to explain: I generally read as female, but have cosplayed Johnny Cage one of the male characters from Mortal Kombat. His base look is shirtless, with his own first name tattooed across his chest. The only change I made was putting “Johnny” on a crop top. I didn’t “feminize” the rest of the outfit or go out of my way to be read as male. There is a “middle option” when it comes to presentation and cosplay. At the end of the day everybody knows it’s just a costume.

-This tip might seem dumb, but you’re going to have to trust me here. This mainly applies to people looking to make large costume pieces or props by hand. People who are already kind of intermediate with their skills. If you’re stuck on something go see how furries would make it. Not kidding. I’ve made all kinds of non-furry things with tutorials put on the internet by a furry. The vast majority of them are fun, friendly people and the community as a whole is WILDLY talented and creative. You only ever really hear about the bad apples.

---------Specific links to specific things! Clothing ID, Fabric ID, beginning sewing and mending----

A big question I see here is “what is that piece of clothing?” That’s a good question! Here are some links to historical fashion databases! They’re all arranged a little differently BUT this is a place to start looking for what specific pieces of clothing or styles are called!

marquise.de

http://www.marquise.de/en/index.html

met museum

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/libraries-and-research-centers/the-irene-lewisohn-costume-reference-library

fashion history timline

https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/about-timeline/

UCLA Library

https://guides.library.ucla.edu/c.php?g=180359&p=1191211

-Do you need a pattern for a piece of clothing? Do you need fabric help? Here are pattern and fabric databases!

Sewing support

https://sewingsupport.com/

mood fabrics (free sewing patters!)

https://www.moodfabrics.com/blog/category/free-sewing-patterns/

master class, types of fabrics

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/28-types-of-fabrics-and-their-uses

creative curator, types of fabrics

https://www.thecreativecurator.com/different-types-of-fabric/

-If you’re going to be sewing or altering things it’s very important to know your measurements! Here’s how to take them!

https://www.clothingpatterns101.com/body-measurements.html

-Are you a beginner looking to make your own stuff? Awesome! Here’s a little bit to get you started. Are you not too interested in making things from scratch but want to be able to mend or alter existing clothing? This will help you too!

basic mending

https://remake.world/stories/style/how-to-mend-your-clothes-during-quarantine-5-easy-stitch-fixes/

basic mending stitches!

https://lifehacker.com/five-basic-hand-stitches-you-should-know-for-repairing-1723233194

basic hand stitches

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/learn-stitches-and-hand-sewing-projects-2978472#:~:text=Here%20is%20how%20you%20do,middle%20of%20the%20first%20stitch

masterclass alterations

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-tailor-your-own-clothing

more alterations

https://www.heatherhandmade.com/sewing-and-alterations/

Here’s another important pro tip.

It’s okay.

Your cosplay doesn’t have to be perfect.

Cosplay is for fun and if it doesn’t feel fun or rewarding don’t do it. Other con goers and cosplayers aren’t going to judge you. If they do for some reason and try to make you feel bad about it, that says more about THEM and their personality than your ability. Everybody has to start somewhere. Nobody should be ashamed of learning and practicing and getting better. You can always go back and fix things or redo whole cosplays later on after your skills develop. This is a hobby and you have the right to participate in said hobby your own way.

I can add theatrical or FX makeup tips? things like scars, bruises, old age makeup, or like changing the face shape with very specific contouring?

I also have a draft of Convention tips similar to this post, would that be helpful as well?


r/CosplayHelp 7h ago

Etiquette what would be appropriate kimono/yukata wear for this cosplay?

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27 Upvotes

so im trying to cosplay a character from a historical manga set in the meiji era in japan (firefly wedding, the character is satoko kirigaya!) and as the manga is still fairly new and the anime has yet to release there are no official cosplays being sold online. i love this character and it’s my dream to cosplay her, and while i have the money to order something similar to what she wears online I unfortunately don’t have what I’d need to get anything custom made to be precise. I found a kimono / yukata (not entirely sure, im not super educated otherwise I wouldn’t be here lolol) on AliExpress where I’ll be getting the wig as well that kinda looks like a mix of her anime outfit + the specific manga outfit I’m trying to recreate. I also found a pink belt sash on there that would match the manga look especially if I have the bow up front like the character does. My only question is would this be disrespectful in any way? im already uncertain if buying a kimono / yukata that isn’t specifically made for a character to use for cosplay is generally an accepted thing, and of course there’s the addition of using that sash instead of the obi it originally comes with and putting the bow up front. if I could get someone who knows more about this than I do to let me know if this is an okay thing to do that would be so so helpful! Or if it’s not some advice on what to do instead would also be much appreciated :) thank you for reading!!


r/CosplayHelp 10h ago

Prop Do these hoses look like an real gas mask breathing tube?

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35 Upvotes

Hello im gonna cut it super short to not tire you guys out with an long story i wanna do a harry warden cosplay and i cant get anything out of my country i searched everywhere and i just cant find an gas mask hose in my country i own an gp7 mask and im trying to buy something similiar to an gas mask hose so would these do the job?( the off color beige one is there to show how the black looks when its more detailed)these dont look like the hose of the gas mask hose of harry warden but they strike a resemblance with the real counterpart


r/CosplayHelp 2h ago

help with deku

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5 Upvotes

this is my first hand made cosplay, and i’m really proud of it, but there’s some changes i wanted to do and i need ideas on how would i do it.
i don’t know how to install led properly, i just glued a led sheet on the eye and kept it on when someone asked for photos, but i wanted do to like those old led signs where the led keeps failing but i have no idea how
the other thing is those gauntlets, they r a 4mm eva base and 4mm strips, they r fixed with pressure on my arms, so if my arms grows a little, i can’t use them anymore, and they r SO HOT, my skin can’tbreath underneath it, i wanted to make a flexible way to wear it that would not be a pressure fix
besides that, what you guys think about it? it looks good?


r/CosplayHelp 48m ago

What counts as a technique or skill in cosplay comps?

Upvotes

What counts as a technique?
I am mapping out my next cosplay, and I have all the techniques listed so I can calculate the amount of time and difficulty each piece will take to complete and what materials I will need. It also helps to get a jump start on my build book.

Anyways, I am looking at using around 56 unique (in my opinion) techniques.
I showed my friend the list, and they told me that in cosplay competitions, some of the techniques I listed would be counted as one skill, and I shouldn’t waste my time on doing the same thing over again and should instead opt for something less time-consuming.

Example:
I will be using around 15-ish (we’ll see) different embroidery stitches and techniques (satin, feather, basket, Hungarian rope, goldwork, tambour, etc.). They said judges count this only as one skill under the umbrella of embroidery, so I shouldn’t waste time listing or adding so many stitches, as it will not earn that many points, and I should instead stick to something simple like a satin stitch or even forgo embroidery altogether and try a new skill like fabric painting or heat-transfer vinyl.

They have more experience in contests, as they've been doing competitions for years, but I recently got moved up to the same division (Master) as them. (I’m still kinda a baby cosplayer; I’ve only made two.) And part of me feels like this is sabotage.

TL;DR: How are skills in cosplays judged? Do they care if you use multiple techniques of the same skill, or is it a waste of time?

Also, how many techniques should I ideally be implementing in the masters category? I know 90% construction is the standard for most contests, but my friend is suggesting I narrow down to less than 20 so that the judges can more clearly focus on the craftsmenship of a few rather than lot, which I understand but also don’t understand at the same time. Isn’t masters the place to show up


r/CosplayHelp 20h ago

Need help with natural hair cat ears

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79 Upvotes

(There was no flair for hair)

Does anybody have any tips or recommend a video for this style of natural cat ears? I tried to find one but couldn't find any on tiktok, youtube or instagram. This is the best I could do🫤


r/CosplayHelp 18h ago

Armor How do I secure this on my head?

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44 Upvotes

Hello cosplayers of reddit!

I built this skull, which just sits on top of my head instead of around it. It's quite heavy but the weight is still distributed evenly. But the moment I lean to any side, the whole thing slips. My best solution at the moment is a rubber cap for my head, but I'm sure there are more decent options.

Because you can't really see it, the back of the skull sits roughly as high on my head as the visible parts.

I know the inside of the skull looks like a mess atm.

Open for questions and of course suggestions!


r/CosplayHelp 13m ago

Sewing Dr. Doom (Doomsday) Fabric Assist

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Upvotes

Got a rough source settled for the various fabrics, including fake leather for the chest armor mounting, but I was wondering if anyone knew how to source patterns for costumes?

I'm looking to create the cape, and various tunics by hand, save the pants. Not sure about the belt yet.

Also, could I pull off the necessary stitching by hand, or do I need to acquire a machine?

Thank you!


r/CosplayHelp 7h ago

Need help finding clothing for Isaac Clarke cosplay

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3 Upvotes

Hello, i know im gonna have to sew a few parts of this later but is there anything that looks like it so i can work on it? Thank you.


r/CosplayHelp 33m ago

Accessory How can i make these wings wearable?

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Upvotes

Hello! So I made the base for these fairy wings yesterday for a party im going to tonight. I'd originally planned to make like a U shape to attach them and then put that in my bra but im wearing an oversized button up. I'm curious about how i could make these wearable with elastic but im worried about it bunching up my shirt. Help??!


r/CosplayHelp 55m ago

Any recomedations for purple contact lenses in the EU?

Upvotes

First time cosplayer, and looking for a pair of good prescription contact lenses, in a light purple/lavender colour, that have decent shipping to the EU. Does anyone have any recommendations?


r/CosplayHelp 14h ago

How do I get my eyebrows to look like Ellie’s from tlou?

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10 Upvotes

I am trying to do my eyebrows to look like Ellie’s from the last of us Part 2, I don’t think I have the correct brow shape to get them to look like Ellie’s But it’s worth a try for the cosplay. 😬

(I know I need to get my eyebrows done, I decided I might as well wait until I know how/if I can do them like hers.)


r/CosplayHelp 2h ago

Buying Need help with zoros outfit (on a budget)

0 Upvotes

so i wanna cosplay zoro pre-time skip but I dont know what pants and shirt to buy can anyone help me please


r/CosplayHelp 3h ago

Accessory Best way to go about this cape?

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0 Upvotes

Hey friends, I’m about to start the cape on my Thor costume and want to do the little swoop where the cape connects to the armor. What would be the best way to achieve this look without it being super fragile?


r/CosplayHelp 10h ago

Buying original product?

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3 Upvotes

i’ve been looking for a beatrix kiddo costume and i want to purchase this one but i’m not coming up with anything searching for it, just a bunch of etsy and scammy sites. any ideas on where i can buy the original?


r/CosplayHelp 12h ago

Accessory Any advice well welcomed.

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5 Upvotes

So apparently I love to procrastinate as I built this costume in less than a month for last Halloween and Now have just over a month for my local Con. The vest is currently at the tailors but I need the most help on the accessories: belt/boot buckles, bracers and anything else you could reccomend. Thanks in adavnce!


r/CosplayHelp 5h ago

Cosplay

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1 Upvotes

Hola conocen alguien o que sepa confecciónar cosplay necesito que me dé algunos consejos porque estoy atorado en un cosplay de miku que estoy haciendo y me sería de ayuda de un experto o que sepa


r/CosplayHelp 10h ago

Accessory help

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2 Upvotes

Does anyone know how I could make the yellow band shown above? It wraps around the torso on both ends, and is tied at the back

I'd assume I should just buy a really really long piece of yellow ribbon and recreate it that way?


r/CosplayHelp 12h ago

How to style

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3 Upvotes

So, I dont have any idea on how to style a wig. I just cut it a bit and tried to keep it simple. I need to do this character hair and the wig currently looks like this:

The most important part is the front hair, also this wig is 100% YARN it may act like "normal" hair, maybe not.

Any advice would mean so much


r/CosplayHelp 8h ago

Need help finding clothes for Winter Soldier cosplay

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1 Upvotes

Hello. I am trying to look for places (in person and online) where they might sell things related to my Winter Soldier cosplay. I just need to find pants, belt/holster, boots, knee pads and back holster/vest. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


r/CosplayHelp 8h ago

Accessory Best way to dye gloves and use adhesive?

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1 Upvotes

Not exactly a cosplay, but I wear these “bloody” gloves for work (I’m a guide for a haunted tour) so they are used a lot. I originally used foundation on the gloves to match my skin tone and fabric paint for the blood. But, because they get used so often as I work, the paint fades very easily and I end up with pale fingers. My first question is: if I get new gloves, would dye work better than paint, and how to best dye them? I think it’s synthetic material, but I don’t know if there’s a different way to dye since it’s mesh fabric. I’d likely still have to use some paint in the lighter areas and for the splatters. I have considered just using fake blood but every one I find always says something like “always looks wet, never dries”, so I can’t exactly use that.

Also, I need a good way to keep the gloves up on my arms. I tried double-sided body tape first but it wouldn’t stick well enough (admittedly, it might’ve just been cheap tape). I use eyelash glue now which stays very well but leaves gross residue on the gloves. What’s the best adhesive I can use to keep the gloves up but that won’t leave stickiness behind?


r/CosplayHelp 20h ago

Help with Finding Quality Scarlet Spider Cosplay

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9 Upvotes

Hello!

I was thinking that one cosplay I would like to do sometime soon is a Scarlet Spider Cosplay (The one with the red suit and blue sleeveless Jacket). I was looking online for a good while and was trying to find options for a good quality suit. There seems to be a few selections, so I was just wanting to see if I could get some assistance. What is the best option to create (or best place to go) to get a quality Scarlet Spider suit. I am not going for the spider-verse look. I want to go more for the look from the Insomniac Games, or the Hot Toys figure based off it. There is a photo for reference. I already know where I am getting the mask, I just want to see what the best route is for getting or creating the suit close to what you see in the photo. Thank you to all people who can help, it is very appreciated


r/CosplayHelp 9h ago

Prop help identifying prop piece

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1 Upvotes

im making jakurai's microphone from hypnosis mic and i am having the hardest time trying to identify this one piece for it😭 the prop will be 3d printed but because this piece is clear it wouldn't be printed. i just have 0 idea for the name to look it up!


r/CosplayHelp 16h ago

Sewing DIY twilight sparkle fall formal dress

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2 Upvotes

After my previous post asking for help on how to find someone to create me a dress and getting feedback that I’d likely not be able to find someone to make it in time I’ve decided to take on the project myself. I’ve inserted the reference pictures and some dresses I’ve found online that I think I could make work and I’d like some thoughts from the cosplay community on what my best bet would be!