Airsoft Hawaii
would like to thank
for their support of the
2007 ASH BASH
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By Lisa-Lisa
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So you think you can take home that Costume prize at the 2007 Ash Bash for
dressing up as Naruto? Before you rush off to Toys ‘N Joys to buy that kids
costume, here are some tips for putting together a real costume. · Store-bought costumes never impress people and there’s always a chance of someone getting the same thing as you. Although they’re quick and easy to get, they’re not the greatest quality. These ill-fitting costumes are usually made of cheap slick polyester and it shows. Don’t waste your money. · Research online for pictures that show all angles and every detail of the costume and any accessories. Some websites have instructions/tips for putting costumes together and shows what you’ll need. · “Official” or “licensed” items for your costume are costly and you can get the same look for a smaller budget if you shop around. Some of those are frauds and manufactured just to get rich cosplayers to buy it, so beware! · If you’re making your costume from scratch, here are a few things to consider: o Cotton will let you breathe and absorbs moisture. Although it is comfortable, it will show if you sweat. This could damage your look and should be considered if you’re planning on playing games in your costume. Maybe a lightweight tank/undershirt can protect the costume. o Polyester can wick away moisture from your body, keeping you cool. It is affordable and comes in many qualities of softness, letting it drape against the body better for a nice fit. There are different finishes (matte, shiny, textured), fabric weights, and some poly blends have elasticity so they can stretch and move with your body. o Heavier fabrics (leather, denim, wool, etc.) will make you hotter faster if they are used in the bulk of your costume. They may also be expensive. Choose lighter-weight alternatives made of cheaper fabrics that can look and feel similar. · When fabrics just won’t do, there’s always foam, plastic, and cardboard alternatives. City Mill, Craft Supply or office supply stores may have some useful materials. Just remember that you’ll have to be able to MOVE in this costume, especially if you plan on playing games in it. A hidden fan or an easy way off/on would be helpful to avoid baking in the heat. · If you’re not lucky enough to have someone sew up your costume, using other garments and altering them yourself can be simple and fun. Thrift stores or clearance racks can turn up some cheap treasures you won’t mind cutting up to turn into something unique. · ORIGINALITY is key. Don’t be limited to anime characters or military garb. There’s tons of movies, tv shows, video games, historic figures, non-human characters, etc. to reference. Think outside the box for your character and also for materials for your costume. Just be sure you get the costume as close to the look as possible. And most of all with the cosplay contest, HAVE FUN! Lisa-Lisa has a degree in Fashion from the University of Hawaii and has worked for companies such as Local Motion, Villa Roma and is currently in the research and development department of Crazy Shirts. |