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| This Article is part of the Cosplay Safety Project |
Sometimes
design changes must be made for a matter of logistical safety. Most
often these are cases of very large aspects that would be difficult
to handle at full scale. For example, were someone to create a full
scale replica of, say, Sephiroth's wing it would first take a great
deal of strength to balance, second not likely fit through doorways,
and third cause a hazard for those walking around nearby. That is not
to say seeing a full scale wing wouldn't be impressive, but we need
to remember that convention halls are not a controlled environment.
We have no idea what will be going on around us or how crowded the
space will be, though I usually assume the worst case scenario of
hyperactive teenagers running around in a densely packed crowd. If
you are really dead set on creating a full scale replica of something
large, I would suggest using it in a private photoshoot somewhere
other than a convention where you have more control of the
surroundings, and if you wish to wear the costume at a con simply
make a smaller version of the large part that will be easier to
manage.
Another
area you want to look at, besides large parts of your costume, are
the shoes. Some of the more intricate or ornate footwear found in
cosplay source material is incredibly impractical. Remember that
anything worn on your feet will need to bear not only your weight but
that of your costume as well. Take care with any sort of platforms or
high heals that the weight is distributed such that you can balance
well, or you could run the risk of twisting or even breaking your
ankle. You also want to avoid anything that will cause serious
blisters, or else add padding to limit irritation. Don't forget to
include comfortable soles if at all possible, as this will help
against fatigue if you are on your feet the whole day as many of us
are apt to be at conventions.
Equally
as important as any design choices is your choice of materials. This
will be partially informed by the source art, but you also need to
consider the environment you will be wearing the costume in and what
effect it's comprising materials will have on your body. For things
like armor or prop weapons you should should choose based on weight
and durability, finding the lightest material you can possibly go
with without hindering structural stability. After
all, what's the point in having a replica of InuYasha's Tetsusaiga if
you can't even lift it? Just remember that any materials layered atop
each other in large quantities will increase in weight; consider
making things hollow if possible.
You
also need to take local temperature into consideration. This comes
into play both in terms of what costumes to bring to which events, as
well as what materials to make any new costumes of if you have a
specific event in mind to debut them at. If you are wearing a costume
at, say, Otakon, which is held in Baltimore, MD in the middle of
summer, you probably don't want to wear anything made of heavy wool
or non-breathable pleather or anything else that will insulate your
body heat. Contrastingly, at Katsucon in Washington, DC in February
(often nicknamed Katsnocon in the occurrence of snowstorms) you
probably wouldn't be too comfortable in a bathing suit or silk dress.
Granted most convention venues usually have good temperature control,
but you don't always have the luxury of staying inside, particularly
when it comes to finding the best photo backdrops.
Once
you know what you want your finished product to look like, and what
materials you will be using, you need to figure out what methods and
tools you will use to put your costume together. There are countless
options that differ more or less depending on what materials you use
– far more than I can go through here. Whatever you choose to do,
however, be sure to research anything new to you and make sure you
follow any suggested safety guidelines.
