Costumes at cons, more acceptable?

[Terman8er]

I am of a mind set that if I don't fit the scheme I won't dress up as it.

But that is my opinion. I have seen my fair share of odd combinations (been going to Dragon*Con for 8 years now) though and have no problem with people being whomever they want to be.

As one of those 300+ pound guys I tend to avoid the Spider-Man outfits but I think I do a good Bane (see picture) and will be doing Mr Incredible (first time this coming Boston Comic Con) soon.

 

[Jinyo]

Gender-bending, or "crossplay," is very common in anime cosplay, especially for women dressing as men or boys. So much so that I (a man) have received occasional expressions of shock and amazement for dressing as certain male characters, because those characters are so often cosplayed by girls. I would guess that this is because anime cosplay is a newer scene and attracts younger costumers who are less socially conservative.

I can't stand it when costumers are dicks to other costumers, especially when it's for things unrelated to the costume itself, such as race, gender, or body type.

However, I am all for constructive criticism.
I would actually like to see more of it here on the RPF. I am surprised and disappointed when the legendary RPF, which is known for its ability to endlessly discuss the minutiae of the nearly-imperceptible paintjob of your Vader helmet, the neck of your lightsaber being a millimeter too wide, or the recommended measurements of your Rocketeer jetpack, lets clearly-inaccurate costumes slide by with nary a critique.

Costumers work just as hard on their costumes as prop makers work on their props, and often are happy to make improvements if they are required. There is a nice way to tell people that they look great in their costume, but that their boots are inaccurate.

 

[CelticRuins]

However, I am all for constructive criticism.
I would actually like to see more of it here on the RPF. I am surprised and disappointed when the legendary RPF, which is known for its ability to endlessly discuss the minutiae of the nearly-imperceptible paintjob of your Vader helmet, the neck of your lightsaber being a millimeter too wide, or the recommended measurements of your Rocketeer jetpack, lets clearly-inaccurate costumes slide by with nary a critique.

Costumers work just as hard on their costumes as prop makers work on their props, and often are happy to make improvements if they are required. There is a nice way to tell people that they look great in their costume, but that their boots are inaccurate.

Constructive criticism is fine, but sometimes the overly dramatic detailing can be a pinch too much.

I understand dedication, believe me, I've had it. But some people might not be able to afford those $300 accurate boots, or $50 a yard fabric. They get as close as they can, and they're happy with it. You can still pull off a costume if it looks pretty screen accurate, even if you didn't buy those boots, but maybe picked up a pair for $20 and made boot wraps, painted them or modded them to look closer to it.

Saying something is a millimeter off is a little extreme -_-. That can be a total headache, especially for someone who just wants a costume to wear to a con.

Then again, it's a matter of personal opinion when it comes down to it.

 

[IndyFanChuck]

The LAST thing we need here on the RPF is criticism. I'm just saying.....:lol

 

[mdb]

As a side note, nothing makes me laugh in derision like those articles and posts on "easy" costumes to make. Although some costumes are undeniably easier than others, in my experience any costume is "easy" if you don't give a damn, and no costume is "easy" if you really care about doing a good job (unless you have to money to spend on a screen-used costume... you can't get much more accurate than that).

Quoted for truth!

I am really really open about the fact that I have a degenerative disease and that costuming is physically difficult for me. Making and wearing. Unfortunately a lot of people take that to mean "oh if you can do it so can I" actually no. I have spent a few decades learning and honing my craft. The fact that I have an additional limitation that I work around does not mean anyone can do what I do
It doesn't mean they can't but they should be prepared to spend as much time on it as I do it's also not magic.

And speaking as an "ugly" Leia with an uber accurate Slave Leia I totally get that I am not going to get the same sort of attention as a pretty girl in a Rubies. That said I haven't seen any Slave Leia here get hoarded by people wanting photos. And there have been four of us at at least four different cons.
I also haven't seen them lambasted online like I have but che sera sera. I got to geek with people who did look at my costume (not just me) and had a nice debate on how Leia was actually a spy that whole time and didn't mess up and get caught

I have meet nifty industry folk at events, so it's those sorts of interactions I focus on Well try to

And as to the title: yep. Costuming is far more accepted here now than it was a few years ago even And thankfully the entire gamut of costuming has a place. The media are definitely picking up on the better quality stuff too rather than only "here's a freak, there's a freak."
I head the only regular cosplay contest here in NZ (with a team of permanent and casual volunteers) and we have really striven to make sure the quality stuff gets recognised and appreciated. I'm glad to say the contestants and audience have really embraced it If they didn't I would have left a long time ago as it is a really unglamorous job and I spend half the convention buried away unable to show my own work!

So it is possible, but it takes a heck of a lot of time and dedication to promote others to get the general public to appreciate the top end stuff.

 

[Jinyo]

I head the only regular cosplay contest here in NZ (with a team of permanent and casual volunteers) and we have really striven to make sure the quality stuff gets recognised and appreciated. I'm glad to say the contestants and audience have really embraced it If they didn't I would have left a long time ago as it is a really unglamorous job and I spend half the convention buried away unable to show my own work!

So it is possible, but it takes a heck of a lot of time and dedication to promote others to get the general public to appreciate the top end stuff.

Kudos to you for all of your hard work!
It must be working, because I keep being really, really impressed with the quality of cosplay that I see being produced in NZ! I was, coincidentally, just having a conversation this evening about how amazing the NZ cosplay scene appears to be, especially given the size and remoteness of your country. It seems like I never heard of costumers in NZ prior to watching the behind-the-scenes featurettes on my Lord Of The Rings DVDs, and now I feel like I'm constantly seeing pictures of great fan costumers from NZ.

Keep up the great work!

 

[Aeronnz]

Yes, I think they're more acceptable now. The costumes are better looking, and it seems as if more and more people are wearing them...

 

[wondersquid]

Having been both the butt of the joke on a grand scale and the man that took over 1000 photos, I know both sides of this. I know that I'm over weight, but I try to hide it when I can and I always wear masks or helmets to hide who I am, thank god I did in this case. (I'm the iron man in this article, not the blue guy)

http://gizmodo.com/#!5029737/diy-iron-man-suit-is-beer-belly-ready-wrong

But I wear costumes because I love doing it, I am not ashamed of my fetish, it is a shamless grab for attention and I know it. But I also use it to show my skills as a costume maker and I can't tell you how many times I have gotten jobs from these little public jaunts to comic con.

In the end though, you should take pride in what you are doing, make your own costume, make it so it fits well, and wear it like you own it. They may laugh at you, but you can always say - "hey, where's your costume? I have the balls to put myself out there, do you?"

 

[KristinaLeigh]

Thank you, Eclipse!

Wondersquid, I agree. We do this to have fun and show our craftsmanship. People that write articles or blogs in a way that cuts people down are just people who are insecure in their own lives.

 

[TONKA1675]

Personally, I only do costumes that fit my looks or build. I almost always pick the character from the series I look like, as opposed to my favorite one. I enjoy trying to recreate the costume as accurately as possible for my skill level, and to me part of recreating it is what the costume is "hanging on". Perfect example is that Superman has been my favorite superhero since I was a child, but I'm leaning more towards Spiderman as a costume this year since I'm very lean, but not massive in size. Or that I costume as Cedric Diggory, even though I like the death eaters much more. I just feel more comfortable with characters I fit.

On the other side though, I absolutely would not fault or criticize anyone else for costuming a character they don't look like. It's a hobby, open to anyone regardless of skill or looks, and should be enjoyed by everyone as such.

 

[muttmo]

I know this is an old thread but I feel it after coming back from my first dragoncon.
I saw so many costumes that over whelmed me. MOst were done well with great craftsmanship.

I saw many characters that fit exactly like I remember from a particular movie or tv show. What I liked, if the person in the costume could carry the attitude of the character. I did not notice if they were to tall or to skinny to play the part. It as more how they carried them selves.

I also saw people that had great bodies and did not know how to play their part. Or their egos got in the way. If it was not right the attitude for the character, it ruined it.

I also met many people in costume who did not want to get their photo taken. If that was the case. YOU should get out of costume and blend into the weirdly dressed tourist garb of the gawkers.

 

[Captainjaze]

Heck if i could, id dress up too!! lol

 

[Kommissar]

I also saw people that had great bodies and did not know how to play their part. Or their egos got in the way. If it was not right the attitude for the character, it ruined it.

i have to disagree with you there,
that's your expectation you are putting on someone, not their responsibility to 'act' like the character.

costumers dress up and want to look accurate, okay cool, i'm all for that, but roleplaying? that's optional, and not everyone's cup of tea.