Cosplays that make you question your ability to cosplay

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  • Agreed with all of the above
    I felt the exact same way when I started my CJS costume (actually I still feel that way, even worse now actually because I met up with some of the impersonators and realized how much I need to step up my game). But now I know, and I use their awesomeness as motivation to be a better CJS

    Just do your best to not compare yourself to the other cosplayers. Focus on your cosplay and use the awesome cosplayers as motivation for your own cosplay. Also, you're going to be nervous your first time in full cosplay, but I'm sure after going to a con in full cosplay the first time will make you want to cosplay at all the cons you go to. It helps the nervousness if you go with friends.
    Even now it takes me a good hour or so to feel totally comfortable in my environment (i.e I won't walk anywhere in the con without being next to a friend of mine, I just feel awkward walking off alone while in costume lol), but the uncomfortable awkward feeling goes away shortly and you will become comfortable in the con environment among other cosplayers very quickly.

  • Apart from my first *real* cosplay, I prefer picking rarely cosplayed characters for that reason alone. Anything popular is done so much and with very high quality usually.

    It's easier to get away with being average when you're the only one cosplaying that char/series (or close to be).

  • [QUOTE=Relius Clover;4529145]Oh really? I'm looking for people to do Resident Evil cosplays with.

    Also thank you everyone, for your support and wisdom. I think after I go to the con I'll feel good about myself even more.[/QUOTE]

    cool, i'll be in a B.S.A.A. uniform this time around.

  • From a fellow cosplay newbie, I understand exactly what you mean! I just had my first cosplay experience less than 2 weeks ago, (at a very small con, mind you) and for about a month leading up to the event, I was excited but terrified. Turns out I'd just been too hard on myself and there was really nothing to worry about. I think what mattered was not the intricacy of my costume (because, really, it was a very simple costume), but the fact that I undertook my first cosplay extremely wholeheartedly and did the best I could, and I believe that came across to other cosplayers. Maybe I just got lucky and only met really nice people, but the vibe I got was that cosplayers are delighted to see new people enthusiastically enter the world of cosplay.

    All the advice that's already been stated here is perfect, and I wish I'd heard it before going to the con so I could've calmed down in advance. ;)
    I saw some amazing cosplay at the con, but to me it was inspiring. As someone else said, there's nowhere to go but up! Plus, if you get better down the road, you can always come back and improve old costumes, right?

    The only thing I'd add is not so much advice as it is my own plan as I take on new projects. Take from it what you will. :) I've prioritized my "cosplay to-do list" in order of difficulty level, and will gradually take on more and more challenging costumes. The idea is to simultaneously learn new techniques, gain experience, and gain confidence in my abilities as I go along, rather than getting completely overwhelmed with really challenging projects right away and risk becoming disenchanted with making my own costumes.

    Sorry for the long post, but I sincerely hope you have a blast at your upcoming convention, and I hope you enjoy the experience of making all your future costumes!

  • : ) Yes, I agree to what everyone had stated/posted. : 3 Everyone gets nervous and compare themselves to others. But don't let that discourage you in any way! Cosplay is about fun and not competition. And as long you did your best, be proud and wear it! If it's not your best work, then there is always the future to fix it up and make it one of your best cosplays. :3

  • All of them LOL. Mostly because I'm a closet and buying cosplayer and thus don't make anything. But I've started to take it in stride as I have other strengths in cosplaying.

  • I have to agree with everybody saying it doesn't matter, but it really doesn't start getting better until you've been cosplaying a while and have some visible progress to look at. The first year I just did it casually and didn't pay much attention to anyone besides the 'famous' cosplayers, but I never let them put me down. Then, beginning of the second year, I saw how good I looked at one costume...and from there on I just compared myself to..myself. Even though there are the occasional crappy-looking screw-ups, overall, I always notice how much I improve the longer I take on this hobby :D
    Just bear through, and once you get to the point you can, compare to no one but your past self if you can't use really good cosplays as motivation (and that isn't a bad thing- few people can unless they've been cosplaying for a lengthy time!)

  • Another thing to keep in mind is that a lot of folks like myself do not sew our costumes, we purchase or commission them. I've had people ask where I got my Alice cosplay at and I've shared the link with around half a dozen folks, so if you see a costume that you are really impressed by it isn't going to be offensive to ask the cosplayer if it was purchased so you can find it yourself.

    Regardless, at the end of the day you are just another random person wearing a silly get up and walking around a hotel. There is no greater equalizer then spandex jumpsuits.

  • [QUOTE=Lithium Flower;4529709]Another thing to keep in mind is that a lot of folks like myself do not sew our costumes, we purchase or commission them. I've had people ask where I got my Alice cosplay at and I've shared the link with around half a dozen folks, so if you see a costume that you are really impressed by it isn't going to be offensive to ask the cosplayer if it was purchased so you can find it yourself.

    Regardless, at the end of the day you are just another random person wearing a silly get up and walking around a hotel. There is no greater equalizer then spandex jumpsuits.[/QUOTE]

    You are very right about both some people wearing commissioned or purchase works as well a not being afraid to ask people about their costumes. I've had a lot of questions that I gladly answered for people about the techniques I've used to make my costumes. And I do commissions and sew for all my friends, so I've been near them when people ask them about their costumes and I see them point to me and go "She made it." and then they start asking questions about fabrics and sewing techniques and patterns. It's really a cool feeling honestly to see someone that is genuinely interested in what you've made.

  • I admit I have felt that way, too. Seeing all those amazing outfits sometimes makes you feel like you couldn't live up to that. But the thing is, it's not a contest. We cosplay out of fun and we do the best we can on our budget. I think what matters is the heart and soul you put into your costume, whether you just bought all the pieces from far and wide to build it up (with slight modifications, if needed), you buy the official, or you commission somebody. Just have fun and don't worry. As long as you're dressed up, you really do feel less out of place at a convention ^.^

    It really is fun. Take it from someone who only got one solo shot at AX in her cosplay. I did get more pictures taken, but that wasn't until I found a couple more from the same show, and then of course the gathering. I just enjoyed the fact that I was Mayuri Shiina and was cosplaying for reals for the first time~