If you’ve a passion for all things nerdy, you might be ready to take the next step: cosplay. For those of you that are new to the concept, or aren’t really sure what cosplay is, we’re here to provide you with everything you need to know to get started.

What is cosplay?

Before diving in, it’s a good idea to explain what’s actually meant by cosplay. Short for ‘Costume Play’, cosplay is the art of portraying fictional characters through costume – both handmade and store-bought. The hobby first originated in Japan, but is now loved across the world.

More than just fancy dress

To the untrained eye, there might not look like much difference between a cosplay and a costume. In reality, it’s the intricacy that defines cosplay as a craft, more than just a party idea. Cosplayers dedicate a huge amount of time and energy into perfecting their looks, with some even creating a career out of it!

That said, if you find yourself fully committing to creating an epic Halloween costume every year, this might be your first taster of the cosplay world.

Cosplay Myths Debunked

You have to be an incredible seamstress to make a cosplay

There are so many ordinary pieces that can be put together to create the perfect cosplay. After all, not all characters are aliens with spandex suits … Doctor Who for example, wears a classic trench coat that could easily be found in a thrift store.

Cosplay is more about having an imaginative mind and a creativity that allows you to take ordinary clothes and transform them into something new. Plus, if you do need to put two things together, you’ll be surprised how well a hot glue gun works.

It’s expensive

You can find cosplay supplies fit for any budget. As mentioned above, you can find a ton of good pieces in thrift stores or make your own with cheap materials. While it’s not the cheapest hobby you can have, when you commit to something, any hobby can become expensive. It all depends on how much you want to put into it.

Cosplay is only for young adults

People of all ages can enjoy Cosplay – you could even work on a family costume altogether. As with many hobbies, there’s no age limit to who can enjoy it.

How to get started

If you think cosplay might be for you, how do you actually get started? Well, you first need to find inspiration for your first project. If you’ve got a character in mind, how crafty are you? Are you ready to take on the challenge of working from scratch, or are you going to buy your first outfit?

To find likeminded people, you might also want to consider joining a forum or community like RPF. Here you’ll be able to get tips and tricks from other cosplayers and hear about events in your area.

Then it’s time to start. Head to the thrift shop, shop online for second-hand pieces or try your hand at sewing. You might even surprise yourself!

Shift Frequency © 2021 – A beginners guide to cosplay