#cosplay tips

I’ve bought a corset for this purpose, would it count against me in the build? I kinda see it fitting in with underwear/undergarments, but I can also see it being expected that I make it myself.

I do not want to make a corset myself. To be honest I’d call it 50% laziness and 50% health reasons as an ill-fitting corset would most certainly dislocate my ribs, and I’m not willing to put in the extra time to learn to make one that would not put me at risk.

The rest of the cosplay is pretty elaborate, includes prosthetics and a full muscle bodysuit and airbrushing, armor and whatnot, there’s a lot going into it.

I guess secondary, I’m going to be using a welovecolors bodysuit as a base but it will be painted and textured and attached overtop a muscle suit that’s hand made. I’m pretty sure that would count as being modified enough not to count against me, do you think so as well? I’m using that one instead of making one myself because I need it to be seamless which would be impossible to diy as far as I can tell.

I don’t know anyone who competes in masquerades/cosplay contests but came across your blog and you seem like a good source!

Thanks!

This comes down to a few things: Does the contest require you to make those items? If not, how does making or not making them potentially affect your score?

Most contests don't require every little thing to be handmade. For example, most contests don't expect cosplayers to cobble their own shoes or make a wig fully from scratch, so modifying them is sufficient. Check the rules of the contest(s) you're looking to enter to see where foundational or undergarments fall.

If I remember correctly, I did come across one contest that required any visible components like leotards and bodysuits to be handmade, but anything that was fully hidden, such as corsets, bras, binders, or underpants did not.

If you're not sure after reading the rules, I would try reaching out to the contest organizers and ask. Many contests will have an email address listed or a Contact Form you can use.

If the contest doesn't have any requirements about those items, then we get into the territory of how making or not making those items might affect your score.

Nearly all the contests I've encountered operate on the principle that everyone starts at zero points and earns points based on how well they made the items. In this model, the more items you make or modify that qualify for judging, the more opportunities you're giving the judges to evaluate your work and skills.

For example, if 2 people presented the same costume, but Person A made their corset and Person B bought theirs, then both could be evaluated on the decision to use a corset to help with the structure and fit of the costume, but Person A could ALSO be assessed on the craftsmanship and skills used to make the corset. That could give Person A an edge, especially at a large contest and/or in a Master-level division.

I won Best Journeyman with a costume that used a purchased corset. The judges asked if I had made it, I said no, but the rest of the work I did was enough for that contest, on that day, in that division, to win an award.

But making elements is also a double edged sword: if the component is messy, ill-fitting, or poorly constructed, then judges won't won't reward that as well as someone with clean execution. Many contests will prioritize a build that used fewer skills, but to a high caliber, over a build that used more skills in a sloppy way.

Take our example - Person A (made corset) and Person B (bought corset). Let's say they both scored the maximum or close to the maximum number of points. If both entries did everything cleanly, the judges might place Person A higher because more skills were used. But if Person A's corset is poorly made, the judges might place Person B higher because they demonstrated a more consistently cleaner/higher quality of skill.

My first Best In Show was for a build that was essentially a t-shirt, jeans, and a simple coat. The judges told me the costume won because it was so immaculately clean, despite being simpler than other builds in the contest. But on another day, it might not have been enough.

Ultimately, it comes down to what makes sense for you and your creative process.

I make my corsets because commercial corsets don't fit my short back, I have the skills now to make a corset cleanly, and I enjoy making corsets.

But I buy pre-made prosthetics like elf ears because that's just not a part of fabrication that sparks joy for me and I'm not inclined to prioritize getting better with those skills at the moment. I'm happy to be judged only on the painting and application of a prosthetic.

examples could be like: “I like when the wig is in a short bob VS a longer shaggy cut” “I like when people do makeup that would suit the character instead of wearing a mask and glasses” “I like when this character is cosplayed with looks of texture and accessories” “I dislike when this characters outfit has very tight fitting shorts, I’d prefer a puffy skirt or cargo shorts.” <- my own notes for my upcoming Uzi cosplay!

It turns out seat belts make a good alternative for leather belts.

One coat of wood varnish or wood stain on a seat belt then a wipe with some paper or cloth.

Repeat it if you want a deeper colour.

Need to style my Junko wig but I don’t have a mannequin head to set it on, if any1 has any tips they would be greatly appreciated