Hey Players
You do not need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to get “the look”. Cosplay is more than clothes play. It is a means to express your passion for a character, franchise, or a style. At the beginning of your cosplaying journey, all you need, at this moment is, to understand the basics of the look and recreate it, to the best of your ability and budget. With time, you will be able to invest more time, stuff and money into your outfits. What I like to use for my cosplay is, the 3R system (Research, Resource and Result). I find with this method; you will discover more opinions and find alternatives to achieve what you want. We all have to start somewhere, so let’s start at the beginning.
Research – Back to Basics
Research is a great starting point. Look at what you want to recreate and write everything you do notice down (or take up close photos or screenshots). You can do both if you wanted to. Focus on the basics, like colours, a common print or a common motif, time period (this will give you lots of options and ideas to play with), basic pieces and season (time of year). Examples of these are below. With this information, you will be able to find ways on how to achieve the look and what will be okay for now. You do not need to create the “perfect” or “A+++” grade outfit first time. Even with the “perfect” outfit, you do need to have some alternatives, just in case things do not work out, the way they were supposed to, or if things get broken. It will change as you go deeper into this craft.
- Colours:
Camouflage (all patterns), olive green and black (for all military games)
Black, white and red (Hitman)
Yellow and Black (Pac-man) - Print or motif:
Triangles (Deus Ex, and Detroit: Become Human)
Hexagons (Horizon Zero Dawn)
Crescent moon (Bayonetta)
- Time Period:
L.A. Noire in 1920’s
Mafia 3 in early 1960’s
A Way Out in early 1970’s
Dragon Age series in Medieval times - Basic pieces:
Jackets (dressy, casual or sporty)
Shoes (dressy casual or sporty)
Shirt/trousers/pants
Socks, no socks, stockings
An one piece suit (like a wet suit, jump suit, overalls, a dress and so on)
Top (blouse, shirt, T-shirt and so on)
Accessories (watch, tie/scarf, hat, mask, glasses, earrings, necklace, bracelet, gloves, gear, budges or pins, belt and so on). - Season
There are some outfits which are best suited for a time of the year. It would be an idea to have more than one outfit at your arsenal. That way, you can cosplay all year round. In a reference YouTube video (see below for the link), there is an example of military cosplay for Summer and Winter. Being overheated and getting a cold is not pleasant.
Resource – Build it
After you made a list of the basics of the look, you will need to find resources to make it. You have lots to choose from. You can reuse, borrow, buy or make it. Below are some examples on where you can get resources to build it.
Have a look in your closet (wardrobe), your dresser, chest of drawers, storage; anywhere you store your clothing and accessories. Look at the item and think on how you can reuse it. If you are lucky enough, you could borrow some stuff from family and friends.
Dollar stores, secondhand shops and online shop sales are great for cheap things. Some things would cost a few dollars even cents. It will depend on the shop and the item. You will never know what you might find. Another place is a clothes swap event, where people donate their clothes for free and you pay for it. Some clothes swaps are free and others for fundraising.
If you are a creative and artistic person with basic equipment, you can create anything on your own, whatever by hand, by computer or by machine (like a 3D printer or a sewing machine). You could also ask someone to make items or garments for you. You will need to check them about pricing and the time required in making it, plus refitting.
Result – How do I look?
After you build the outfit, you will need to test it to see how it looks. Does it create the feeling and the essence you wanted? Do you need to add, take away or change something? Over time, you will be able to evolve your outfit (like Spiderman, and Batman to name a couple). Cosplay is a journey of exploration, inspiration and fun. If it is not the result you want or want to take it to the next level, have a look at your research and begin the cycle again (Research, Resource and Result).
If you would like to see the 3R system in motion, please see the YouTube video here:
Proof is in the pudding
I remember years ago (before mobile phones had cameras) at a comic-con like event in my city, there was a guy cosplaying as Sonic the Hedgehog. I am pretty sure he was. He painted himself from head to toe and cardboard spikes in blue paint. He also wore a sandwich board saying, “Not Sonic”. It was a clever and well thought out costume. He said hello to everyone and was nice to everyone who encountered him. When it came to the cosplay contest, he entered it. There were some impressive entries, and it was up to the audience to vote. The audience (including myself) voted him for the best cosplay that year.
End Game?
Cosplay is a representation of what you love, whatever it is. Like everything, your outfits will evolve over time due to having more money to invest, developing a deeper understanding and life changes. Whatever you are in to, there will be ways to achieve your dream outfit. Is there an End Game? The End Game is what you decide it to be.
How do you cosplay on a budget and what is your ultimate outfit?
Please consider sharing your thoughts. Love to hear from you and you could help others with theirs.
Signing off for now
Bex
MyGamerWear.com