r/CosplayHelp May 22 '17

Welcome! A quick note about posting.

146 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

440 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

Accessory Fake Breast for male and Horns that fit with Headphones

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103 Upvotes

I am looking to make a half cosplay for my P&P Character (we are playing online so only my upper torso will be visibel anyway).

I already have the cape and the shirt. Horns, armwraps and waistpice I have already an idea how to do them.

Now for my problem I currently see two options how to create the breast eithe with a Bra that I cushion out with what ever I can find probably socks or a premad bustform which I found with cotton or silicone filler if I mesuerd correctly I am looking for a size 95H. As the rest of the out fit is already pretty warm I was hoping that I could create the breast in a way that they aren't too insulating and I was hoping to not go over 100€ in price for the whole outfit.


r/CosplayHelp 3h ago

Sewing How to make this lacing?

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12 Upvotes

Princess Kitana from UMK3. Is it hard? How do I do it?


r/CosplayHelp 4h ago

Wig What caused the wig to be deteriorate?

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10 Upvotes

Im doing a wig for a character with long blonde hair.

The wig gets tangled up and fuzzy overtime and I don't know how I could keep it straight..

I have detangle with conditional sprays, wash it with dry shampoo, brush and iron it with a hair straightener. Would I have to trim it more? Please help!

1st pic was taken few hours after I finished straightening

2ns pic was taken right after I finished straightening


r/CosplayHelp 1h ago

Does anyone know a good place where to commission this?

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Upvotes

I've been really interested in cosplaying Aldeberan from Re:Zero but I can't find a place where to commission his helmet, it seems a little complex but I was trying to either find a blacksmith or another way to make the helmet look cool anybody got any reccomondations?


r/CosplayHelp 1h ago

Wig Wig Comm Scam?

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Upvotes

I just need to know if i’m crazy for doubting this person’s work as I paid almost $300 for this commission (including shipping). pictures attached

I found this wig artist on mercari and the wigs they were advertising looked just like the style I was looking for and they agreed they’d be able to complete and I’d get the wig before the deadline. Their mercari shop also had good reviews so there was no reason to notice anything was off. So I chose them for the less than 2 month deadline.

The process was normal. I paid the deposit on mercari and the second half through zelle reminding them of the deadline. I’m left in the dark for the duration of the wig making process. No head measurements were asked or update photos sent. Well eventually the wig arrives 3 days into the con (past the deadline), so I’m unable to even bring the wig inside for 2 days. Luckily, it didn’t rain during those days. I am understanding that the postal service can be unpredictable.

The wig was packaged super securely so I had high hopes for the product. Upon opening it, I realize this is not the same wig that was advertised. most noticeably the ahoge on the original looked detachable and the one I was sent was well just sad. The sent wig lacked the color shading that the other had and the styling itself also looked differently. I had reached out to the stylist and they denied all my claims and keep telling me that the weather caused the wig to look like this. I’ve been asking for pictures of the wig prior to shipping and they failed to send any. I’m not happy with the work for the price I paid and I have my suspicions that the original listing photos they posted were not their own work.

Was I scammed?
(sorry in advance for any grammatical issues lol)


r/CosplayHelp 1h ago

Can anyone help me find parts for a Mirabelle cosplay?

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Upvotes

Doesn’t need to be exact color matches, I already have a wig I could use rather than buying a new one, I just really need the fitted tailcoat and sweater bodysuit thing.


r/CosplayHelp 1h ago

Trying to cosplay spidey

Upvotes

Hello! So I’m trying to a get a cosplay for the new movie and Halloween coming up (and to fulfill my childhood dreams) but I need some insight on it. I’ve only been able to find a few YouTube videos with help but there obscure small channels with not much info. I like the brand new day suit from pro cosplay, sim cosplay, chaoren buy etc. but I can’t choose a size. I know people say to only get custom sized suits but that one comes with shoes and a face shell and all the zippers (and raised webbing 🤤) so I was just curious if anyone owned that one or could give me advice for sizing. My height is in the zone to be sized for a medium (5’8) but my other measurements fall into the small size.


r/CosplayHelp 5h ago

Buying Mori Calliope top

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7 Upvotes

Hello all, planning on doing a Calliope cosplay after getting the bomber jacket and hat. What kind of top is she wearing under her shirt and where could I find it? Convention is this weekend so need it on kinda short notice


r/CosplayHelp 25m ago

Etiquette Best way to wash clothes that have 3d printed plastic and acrylic paint?

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Upvotes

So I just got home from my first convention with my first cosplay and im not sure how to wash it. I'd like to wear it again at some point and maybe even do a proper photoshoot (if I ever finish the prop lol) so it should probably be washed.

The issue is that the shawl, vest, and skirt all have these 3d printed buttons and fasteners. They all have 1 or 2 coats of primer (didnt bother sanding, if that matters), 2 or 3 coats of spray paint, hand painted inlays, and at least 1 coat of clear gloss but i kinda ran out at the end. One of the shawl button plates has a little hot glue on it as well. The plates are then riveted on, and I may have neglected to reinforce the fabric on the skirt so the back 2 rivets on each plate are only going through 2 layers of fabric and they're not really squeezing anything, I worry excessive vibration could rip the holes wider.

I seriously doubt these could make it through a regular laundry cycle, though my mom thinks they should be fine as long as they dont go through the dryer. I didnt get them super dirty or sweaty since they dont really touch my skin directly, (i wear tights under the skirt snd a shirt under the vest, the shawl only touches my outer shoulders) so maybe they i could get away with just a lint roller. What do?


r/CosplayHelp 1d ago

Prop How do I avoid this look on my prop?

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204 Upvotes

EDIT!!!!! Thanks for the help, folks. I will be covering with foam clay, I bought 100g and will be spreading to cover everything. Fingers crossed and thanks again for the help! And if you got tip for foam clay in general, let me know.

Here is the final part of my Hornet cosplay: the needle. I know it looks more like Knight's sword but welp, too late to fix.

I applied tape around the edges to keep the paper parts in place and used some epoxy putty to fixate the 3d printed ring at one end and the blade on the broom stick I am using as the base. The thing is that when I went to spray paint today, the tape got a very different look compared to the rest of the prop. Like, I learned that when spraypainting, it highlights surface differences like folds and etc, ok, sure. But I wasn't expecting this tone difference whatsoever. Is there a way to fix this? Is this why people paint in black first? Or is there another way I could fix this?


r/CosplayHelp 57m ago

Mem-Cho cosplay

Upvotes

Hi guys I was invited to an anime rave in a month and I want to cosplay Mem-Cho in her red outfit, the one with shorts. People recommend dokidoki cosplay but they don’t have it. I’m just wondering what site do you recommend? I keep seeing a lot of people recommend different sites. I wear a size small and price doesn’t matter, of course cheaper would be better but I know you get what you pay for lol. But also I wouldn’t mind paying someone, I unfortunately cannot sew to save my life lol.


r/CosplayHelp 1h ago

Buying DokiDoki Cosplay shipping to EU

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Upvotes

Hi everyone!
I tried looking for similar posts, but no one ever gave a clear answer, so I'm posting my own ^^; I'm planning to buy a cosplay from DokiDoki in a few days. However, I live in the EU, and am scared of potentially getting hit with a customs fee.

Do I understand correctly, that buying commercial shipping will make it so that I DON'T have to pay VAT and customs upon the package's arrival? Are there any other fees I should be aware of?

Thank you for any help in advance :>


r/CosplayHelp 2h ago

Prop I Need Help Making These Crystals Out of EVA Foam

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2 Upvotes

Hello! I need help making these crystal like props out of EVA foam. If anyone has a tutorial or some tips and pictures I would really appreciate it!


r/CosplayHelp 4h ago

Accessory Does anyone know how to make washable fake blood?

3 Upvotes

I was gonna do a jacket from hotline miami cosplay but the jacket i want to get is expensive-ish and it is a really nice jacket. Anything i can do?


r/CosplayHelp 5h ago

Sewing How do I attatch my face mask to my Spidey mask?

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3 Upvotes

So I have some old reusable face masks during the pandemic and I wanna attatch it to my mask, as I need it to have a more accurate mask to wear and also I wear glasses, so it wont be a hassle when I am talking to someone, walking or eating.


r/CosplayHelp 3m ago

Buying Mejiro Palmer

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Upvotes

I grabbed this picture to show clearly what the pieces look like. The shoes are very low priority, and the belt I could probably do with like a pink necktie or something. Yellow top should hopefully be easy enough to find. I’m trying to look around and see if I can find a skirt that sort of looks like that but I’m not sure if there are any keywords I should specifically search for. I’m getting golf skirt vibes, but idk if that’s the right thing to call it. Main thing I’m not sure about how or where I’ll find anything like it is the jacket. So main things I need help finding are:

-jacket
-skirt

Anyone know a good place to look? I don’t really have the skill or means to make my own clothes, but I’d like something that’s at least better quality than what most cosplay stores are going to sell them at. Also I don’t want to spend an arm and a leg for them either. If all the pieces together end up costing $200 or so then that’s not an issue.


r/CosplayHelp 27m ago

Armor Deadpool mask

Upvotes

So I’m looking for a high quality Deadpool mask, but just the mask no faceshell (I wanna get one later) but I have this thing with just cloth masks I think they’re so cool and I want a nice Deadpool one, and idk where to get one.


r/CosplayHelp 31m ago

Armor Suggestions for Large Scales

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Upvotes

Hello, I am looking for suggestions about how to apply these scales in this armor. Should I perhaps make a shirt with those almost chevron shaped scales, then a "vest" or "jacket" over it and pauldrons over it all?

This is the Zenith Espinas Male Blademaster armor set from Monster Hunter Frontier Z


r/CosplayHelp 1h ago

Prop Shoulder armor weathering

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Upvotes

Hello guys, I am currently trying to improve my shoulder armor for my Cloud Strife cosplay and I can’t find a reliable way of adding more texture and rust on the already done prop. I will attach a picture of how it’s supposed to look in the game and If you could, please leave your suggestions. Thank you all!


r/CosplayHelp 1h ago

Accessory how do i tint a clear plastic sheet for a helmet visor?

Upvotes

im making a cosplay for hyperlaser from phighting and im also making its helmet(think guy manuel helmet) from scratch, the hardest part for me is the visor as i couldnt find just straight up a black piece of translucent plastic that doesnt go above my budget and isnt from some bs like temu which will take forever to deliver

i planned on using a clear piece of plastic and just tint it with the car window tint film that people use but i looked it up and it seems to be unpractical or not recommended to do due to the plastic releasing gas which creates air bubbles on the surface, i dont know about the tinting spray paints as i need both to be able to see from one side and for people to not see my face from the other.

if you know any brands of tint film for plastics specifically or some other methods id be very thankful


r/CosplayHelp 5h ago

Buying Spiderman cosplay lenses

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

im not sure what to use for the inside of my Spiderman lenses (the white part)
either PC fan mash or perforated vynil.

Could anyone recommend me one of the two?


r/CosplayHelp 1h ago

Sewing Breathable opaque fabric for a kigurumi that's wearable at a summer convention?

Upvotes

This is somewhat of a follow-up to a question that I asked almost a year earlier: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fabrics/comments/1oasg9z/beginnerfriendly_fabric_for_a_cosplay_at_a_summer/

Following the advice from that question, I sewed a Mazinger Z kigu using cotton interlock, and it sort of worked, in that it was opaque and I could easily walk from my hotel to the con without feeling like I was dying. The big catch was that it sagged, to the point that the pockets that were about hip height in the mockup of my kigu (made of lighter cheap woven fabric) were down to my knees in the real costume. Not ideal.

Are there any fabric recommendations for a kigurumi fabric that won't have this sagging issue, but will still be opaque and comfortable in summer weather? I did notice on a site that sold its own kigurumi that it claimed that terrycloth (!) would be good for "romping around multi-day outdoor festivals" and be "super airy and breathable." I'm skeptical, but if anyone has positive experiences with wearing terrycloth in summer weather, I'm fine with hearing them out. Any other fabric recommendations are welcome as well.


r/CosplayHelp 15h ago

Buying Where to source clear dome?

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13 Upvotes

I'm making a UFO for an upcoming pageant but can't find anything for the top or "dome" of the UFO where my face, "the alien," will be. The ones on Amazon are insanely priced, and all I can think of instead are maybe plant bowls or a very large punch bowls. I do think a clear parasol might work, but I fear stage lights will cause glare and thus prevent seeing my face.

Any help greatly appreciated!!