[Deleciel]

X-posted from the Cosplaying facebook fan page...pardon me for the wall o'text

It is just recently that I've gotten into the bi-annual hobby of cosplaying, thanks to a bunch of dear friends who've been begging me to join them in their con groups. I've originally had my mind set on going as Dr. Naomi (of No more heroes), Yuki Nagato (Day of Sagittarius captain outfit), and Yotsuba Koiwai (flower cupid outfit), which meant that I would have to put a lot of effort into portraying them as accurately as possible, but now that I've found out that a friend whom wanted to go with me as Travis Touchdown might be studying abroad during ACEN...and because I've been recently hired to a new job, I don't have much option except for cutting my cosplay/con weekend budget and changing characters (only 9 weeks left until acen T_T):

And so, I've decided that I could go as Konata Izumi (of Lucky Star) and/or her late-mom (while hopefully, another friend will go with me as Sojiro xD). Because pretty much every Konata cosplayer (at least on cosplay.com's gallery) is in the typical sailor fuku uniform or cheerleading outfit and I'm on a terribly tight budget (what a bad time to be a college student x_x), I'm thinking about going casual:

- a high quality wig from solgoo (has anyone else bought from them before?)
- a layered mmo/video game themed t-shirt
- prescription green contact lens (why do the characters I want to cosplay have green eyes?)
- new tennis shoes (I really need them)
- denim mini with leggings/shorts/or cropped jeans
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Another thing I'd like to add to the costume so it doesn't look all thrown together is a dry erase board or chalk board thought bubble over my head (I'm planning on drawing up internet meme references and emoticons....I can't really make this face irl---> :3)
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I figured that because Lucky Star is a slice of life anime there isn't really a specific look to the characters aside of their physical appearance (well, compared to if I were to be a video game character which involves a lot of emphasis on the costume itself), and so I thought that could probably get away with "closet cosplaying" as some folks call it (I don't think it's the same as the typical L cosplay). Basically speaking...as long as I get the main components of how a character looks like (in my case: wig, contact lens, mole, and something video game themed), could I get away with "closet cosplaying" as Konata?

Also, I just had to ask about closet cosplaying because I understand the concept, but I've never heard of the term until today...is it similar to the idea of lolita fashion, meaning that quality is involved? I just don't know if what I plan to put together would be fair to call it "closet cosplaying" unless I find a cheap wig and call myself Konata; I really don't want to be looked down upon veteran cosplayers because I have a huge admiration for those who put tons of effort into their costumes (kind of like how I feel about lolita) and I want to do justice for one of my favorite anime characters.

Again, my bad for the tl;dr, and thank you very much!

This post has been edited by Deleciel: 22 March 2010 - 01:43 PM

[simonsaz3]

Hi there. In my opinion, cosplaying is not required in order to attend ACen. It's more of a fun factor and shouldn't stress you out in any way. There is no pressure for how you cosplay, nor are there rules (except for the ones listed on this handy cheatsheet regarding size limits, types of props, and what not).

With that said, just have fun!
=)

[Millions_Knives]

~30%-40% people in cosplay

[Voxx]

There is NOTHING wrong with closet cosplay. It is only called such because you take clothes that you previously have and turn them into cosplay.

It is not negatively looked at in any way. What IS looked down upon is: pretending you made a cosplay that obviously was bought from ebay and just "throwing" stuff together to make a cosplay without any attention to detail for the character.

You can have a closet cosplay and have it be amazing but theres some that epic fail just like those that make their cosplays. Its all about how YOU decide to go about it. If you take the time to get details right then you are good to go.

Last year I put together a closet cosplay. I found/bought articles of clothing and shoes that would work for the characters and altered/made accessories and bought and styled the wigs and this is how it turned out:

Cosplay: http://kuropenginquierobeso.deviantart.com...-2009-157410391
Reference: http://m-27.com/wp-c...ogami-neuro.jpg

It isnt perfect but in my opinion its awesome and I am proud of it. Sure I didnt make the skirt and shirt but it totally works! So I hope this helps and reassures you that closet cosplay is GREAT and in most cases more affordable. =3 Have fun with it.

[Deleciel]

Thanks for your inputs. btw I wasn't implying that I ought to cosplay because I'm going to a con....I just wanted to try it again since it's been years. I guess closet cosplaying is a little similar to what new lolitas often do, throwing together whatever is lacy and pretty and calling it lolita when it doesn't look anything like the real thing.

This post has been edited by Deleciel: 23 March 2010 - 01:59 PM