How To Wear A Cosplay In Public: Tips For Staying Comfortable

It can be difficult to find a balance between being true to your fandom and appearing as non-threatening as possible. Cosplay is a hobby for many people, but that doesn’t mean they want to go outside of their house with a full-fledged superhero costume on. Here are some tips for wearing cosplay in public without going overboard.

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How to Wear a Cosplay in Public?

Start small.

If you’re not used to dressing up in public, start by wearing a smaller cosplay or something that’s less outrageous. This will help you get comfortable with the idea of dressing up and also help you gauge how people will react.

Choose an appropriate location.

If you’re going to a comic book convention or other cosplay-friendly events, then you’re already good to go. However, if you’re doing something like going out to dinner or looking for groceries, you’ll need to choose your location very carefully. Don’t wear your expensive replica leather armor into a busy shopping mall full of children.

Make it subtle.

If you do opt for revealing cosplay, you can always wear clothes over the top. Wearing a T-shirt and shorts with a hoodie can help tone down your cosplay and make it appropriate for everyday wear.

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Get a friend to dress up with you.

Nothing says “awesome” like matching cosplays! If you and your cosplaying buddy can coordinate outfits, then you’ll get double the attention. Team costumes are also a great way of getting fans together, and everyone will have an awesome time posing for photos.

Think carefully about accessories.

Make sure that your cosplay is as accurate as possible with the addition of some appropriate accessories. For example, if you’re going as an elf from Lord of the Rings, you can put on pointed ears and carry a crooked staff to complete the look.

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Watch your body language.

Cosplaying is very physical, so just how much of yourself do you want to reveal? If you’re cosplaying as a dystopian future character, don’t act like the dark and brooding type. Instead, be friendly and happy!

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Take good care of your costume.

This might seem obvious, but your clothing is an investment so take care of it accordingly! Make sure to use the right detergent for cleaning any spandex outfits, and don’t wear your cosplay when it’s raining.

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Don’t take it too seriously.

In the end, cosplay is just a hobby and one that shouldn’t define who you are as a person. If people tease you about being a nerd or ask you insulting questions, don’t feel bad for engaging them in conversation. You never know what new friends you might make if they realize how awesome your cosplay really is.

What To Wear

When it comes to cosplaying, you can’t go wrong with t-shirts. A t-shirt is the perfect middle ground between geeky and nerdy – it’s comfortable, casual, and most importantly, doesn’t make people think you’re trying too hard. Do some research before buying a t-shirt with your favorite character on it. Make sure the picture doesn’t come across as edgy or offensive, even if it’s a cartoon!

Where To Wear It

While you can never go wrong with wearing a t-shirt and jeans, you might want to change up your look every now and then. Try not to go overboard – aim for one or two geeky accessories, such as a book bag or an awesome hat. Never underestimate the power of subtlety. Cosplaying can be intimidating, especially when it comes to blending in with the non-nerdy world we live in every day.

Do Your Research

Try and keep your cosplay as simple as possible. If you’re going for a character that normally wears a full-body costume, purchase clothes that make it seem like an everyday outfit.

Don’t be afraid to show off your fandom! There’s nothing wrong with wearing your fandom on your sleeve (or, in this case, chest). Just be careful not to make anyone uncomfortable. Remember: you can never go wrong with a t-shirt and jeans!

Why It Matters

Wearing a cosplay might seem trivial at first glance, but it can mean more than you think:

• Cosplay creates a more accepting world for cosplayers. It’s tough being a nerd! People often treat you differently when they find out you’re into nerdy things, so wearing a simple cosplay can help your friends feel more accepted in society. When the people around you see that nerds are just regular people, it becomes easier to overcome the normal social barriers.
• It encourages more people to cosplay in public. Cosplay is a fun hobby, but when you live in an area where it isn’t accepted, it can be difficult to express yourself.

If you encourage others to show off their fandom by being open about your own, they’ll feel less pressure to stay hidden in their basements.

• It makes you think twice before mocking or making fun of cosplayers. When people see that there are nerds out in the world, they might feel more inclined to listen when someone is criticized for their nerdy interests.

If everyone can relax and express themselves without fear of ridicule, it’s easier for everyone to enjoy their hobbies.

• It gives people nerd pride. You might feel like you’re the only one in your friend group who likes nerdy things, but when everyone starts to express themselves, they will realize that there are more people out there just like them.

This is especially important for young adults; knowing that it’s okay to be yourself can give someone self-confidence, which can make a big difference in their lives.

The Bottom Line

Remember, you can love something while still being yourself. There’s nothing wrong with modifying your look every once in a while to express who you are. If you feel safe enough, there’s no harm in getting out of your comfort zone and cosplaying for the day. After all, it only takes one person to change the world.

Side Note: For collaboration on upcoming cosplay shoots, you can get in contact with SnowDragon via Instagram.