[Ravenway]

Hi, I need your help so I can start working on my first costume.

So this isn't really for an anime. It's still cosplay though? It's for the X-men Storm. You don't have to know about comic books to help me with this, just need google/bing/whatever else you're using. I'm going to a comic convention this upcoming November and I really want to do one of her costumes from the comic. My problem is that although I'm 20, old enough to wear tight black PVC and potentially look attractive doing it...I often get mistaken for a 16 year old.

I wanted to do this costume: Ultimate X-men Storm; Picture 2; Picture 3

However, can you imagine someone who looks like they're 16 doing this costume?...yeah.

What do I look like?
I'm 5"1, Storm is 5"8 in this series so I plan on using heels in my boot cover.
I have a similar skin-tone to Storm, possibly a shade lighter.
I'm pretty much in shape and plan to stay that way.

I think one of the reasons I get mistaken for being young is I do occasionally have mild acne, my hair isn't always super tidy and I'm short. If that's all it is then do you think I could still pull this off? If I have too I'll post a photo but, that requires me to find my camera.

So what do I really want from you?
1. What would you think if you saw someone between the ages of 16-20 years of age wearing this costume?
2. Using google/whatever can you find any other costumes you like and would be more appropriate?
3. Thoughts? Opinions?

I know I shouldn't care what other people think etc. but, really I just don't want to look stupid. I didn't pick this costume because I wanted to wear tight PVC and show mid drift. I just love the Storm in this comic. She has attitude, she's funny and I love her. So I really wanted to do this. I mean I could wait until I'm 22-24 but...I could be dead before then, who knows! Or I just might not have the money then since I'll be repaying back my college loans, black PVC is like $12.00/yd...expensive.

Oh and I'm making the costume.

Other notes:
I was thinking that I would modify it a little bit. If you notice the second two pictures, there are big "holes" for lack of a better word on the sides of the legs. The artist was really inconsistent so, in some scenes, usually when they're out on the town eating or something those are covered. So if that would make it less risque I'd probably leave those out of my costume. I know a lot of people use just plane spandex for their Storm costume's but, in the comic they specifically say they're made of black latex(which looks to me exactly like black PVC) so, that's what I want to use even though that alone would probably tone it down a bit.

This post has been edited by Ravenway: 31 May 2011 - 09:09 PM

[HiroEcks]

Personally I don't think there is anything wrong with that costume. Storm is sweet, but I was always a fan of her white costume with the cape thingies under each arm.

Some slightly darker skinned character I can think of off the bat is Yuko from Persona 3. She is darker, in high school and short!

Yuko Nishiwaki

[Ravenway]

Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it. The white costume is pretty popular and I like the design, I just hate wearing white myself T_T but maybe I'll force myself to do it anyway since it is a nice design. The Persona 3 costume might be doable but I'd have to get a copy of the game etc. Since it'd be kind of weird to cosplay someone I don't know. I do think the character looks cool though.

Anyone else?

This post has been edited by Ravenway: 31 May 2011 - 09:14 PM

[Aiko☆Noble]

Honestly I've gotta say I was expecting a costume that was far worse than what you have shown. :3
I don't think it's too revealing at all, I have seen MUCH less clothing on cosplayers before.

If it's something that you really want to do, go for it! I'm sure people will love it!

[Griffith]

The white costume would enhance your complexion and look well. If you are having troubles making yourself appear older, you should try various poses (doesn't have to be erotic XD) to portray a more adult like character.
I also think if you try enough you'll do an excellent job of pulling it off. Go for it

This post has been edited by Griffith: 31 May 2011 - 10:32 PM

[OtakuAngelD]

I think that if you are comfortable enough with your own body to wear it, then nothing should stop you. Storm is an amazingly fun character and like others who have posted before, I have seen people in muuuuch less at ACen. So I say go for it.

[Vinja Ryou]

If you want to wear it, then by all means go for it! As the others have said before me, there are people in much less clothing for some of their cosplays - I think my Poison outfit is probably just as "mature" as the Storm one, lol.

Love the character? Love the outfit? Think you can pull it off and have fun? Then by all means, I say do it. Storm is awesome.

[Ravenway]

Wow thanks for all the support guys! My main issue wasn't "wearing less" I just didn't want to I walk around all day having people whisper or think: "Why is that kid trying to be sexy?" lol. I would die of embarrassment. I'm comfortable wearing it. Just wearing it and having people look at me like I'm trying to be something I'm not is what bothers me...T_T I'm probably over thinking it. But I worry a lot about irrational things...and what people think for some odd reason. I know I can't really control what they think but...at least if I wear this I don't want to look ridiculous. But, I guess I'll just have to get over it and do it because it's what I want to do...and we only live once right? I'll just start experimenting with makeup while it's in it's production state.

Seriously thanks guys! I really appreciate it.

[sango659]

Ravenway, on 31 May 2011 - 11:31 PM, said:

Wow thanks for all the support guys! My main issue wasn't "wearing less" I just didn't want to I walk around all day having people whisper or think: "Why is that kid trying to be sexy?" lol. I would die of embarrassment. I'm comfortable wearing it. Just wearing it and having people look at me like I'm trying to be something I'm not is what bothers me...T_T I'm probably over thinking it. But I worry a lot about irrational things...and what people think for some odd reason. I know I can't really control what they think but...at least if I wear this I don't want to look ridiculous. But, I guess I'll just have to get over it and do it because it's what I want to do...and we only live once right? I'll just start experimenting with makeup while it's in it's production state.

Seriously thanks guys! I really appreciate it.

I look like I'm about 15 years old and I'm 20. xD I cosplayed this year as a kid who basically wears a half shirt and biker shorts.

If you can pull it off, go for it! I think as long as you feel confident and comfortable in the costume you'll be fine. If you went this year there was a lady cosplaying as Lili from Tekken 6 in this costume http://sdtekken.com/...stume-revealed/ And she looked very comfortable and happy in this costume. And cosplaying is basically being someone you're not while being comfortable doing it. So just go for it! Like you said, we only live once

[Kasin]

thats not bad at all...

[Ashori]

I'm 22 and told on a consistent basis I look like I'm 12. =P Trust me, I know how that is.

But if you're confident and comfortable to wear her costume, then by all means go for it. ^^ Have fun with it!

[Keans]

Yep, your just over thinking it. Really if your gonna worry about what other people think then you wouldnt be cosplaying at all in the first place.

People are always gonna talk, just like haters are gonna hate. Dont let it get to you just have fun, if you do a good job lots of people will praise you and want to take your picture.

To be honest few people will look into every detail of your costume, specially at big events like ACen, as long as your costume looks relatively accurate there shouldnt be any worrys. So you can just use which ever black material looks good on you or is cost effective for the feel you want to have.

For the holes, if you decide to do them I recommend makeing them slightly norrower than shown in the picture because they might not stick to your legs properly otherwise. And in the end that might make you feel more comfortable in this costume.

Oh and trust us, there will probably so many half-naked cosplayers that you wont stand out in the crowd.

[The Fujoshi]

I say do it anyway. I seen worse on younger people and it's actually a respectable costume.

It's not too revealing and it's actually more mature than some of the outfits *coughYokocough* that I have seen.

So go ahead and have fun at the Comic con!

[GITS SAC Motoko]

I say like everyone else here has said, go for it! It's not revealing at all--I have seen waaaaaaay more revealing, and if you want to do it, then seriously, go for it! You have 200% support from me! I'd love to see the costume when it's done...and I think it's awesome you're making everything from scratch and I know you'll make it look great!

And don't mind what other people think of you. I totally understand, you're afraid they're thinking that you "don't look right or are too young looking" like you said, but it doesn't matter what other people think! If you like the costume, and want to make it, then you really need to do it! And if anything, people will be probably thinking "HECK YEAH IT'S STOOOOORM!!!!!!" Because Storm is awesome and is a super cool character. Don't mind what other people think! I know it's easier said than done (I do it ALLL the time myself, hehe) but you just have to sit back and say "hey I'm doing this no matter what. And if people don't like it then heck with them!"

[Kamisets303]

Honestly, my only concern with that costume is where will you be wearing it? Since you said it's in November will it be cold there? If so then the white one would be a good idea (plus I loved that outfit on her next to when she was in her mohawk phase). Other than that you should seriously do the Ultimates version. I would love to see how it looks on an actual person. If you do the side holes that would be amazingly pretty and to get it to stick to your legs maybes this will help? It'll keep the fabric flush to your skin when you pose/walk.
To make it not cost as much, cuz we all know how that goes ~_~, see if the fabric stores near you have a mailing list like JoAnn's where they e/mail out coupons for things like 40%-50% off a cut by the yard fabric, or 10% off total purchase deals. Sometimes you can even straight up ask the employees if they know of any upcoming sales for the fabric you want. Or do what my friend did after I got her into cosplay and get a job at the fabric store ^_~
If you do makeup just right it can age your face enough that you don't look like some teenager that makes people go 'where ARE her parents?' lol Usually when someone thinks a person is younger than what they are it's because of their face or their height. So the heels would help in that department and then maybe the makeup will age you enough to looking like you're your actual age.

[shego]

how many people think twice about wearing a bikini to the beach? Thats about as revealing as it gets without being naked and wardrobe malfunctions abound. Nobody thinks too much about people going out in bikinis so I dont see why outfits like this are considered risque by some. I personally think the "hide the children" mentality that Ive seen displayed by people before when viewing young adults in skimpy outfits is hilarious because those same adults will let their kids frolic along the beach among speedo clad 60 year old men and women playing volleyball in their tie on thong bikinis without an overthought.

[tatterpillar]

You're an adult; do what you want. Carry your ID for proof if anyone gets up in arms about it, though I highly doubt they will.

[Valkyrie]

Meh, I highly doubt any random passerby is going to demand to see ID as proof of age. (That'd be a pretty stupid idea, really.) Although one should always have ID on them in case of emergency, they shouldn't pull it out if someone randomly contests their age. Plenty of people look younger than they are, but use that to their advantage. As an example, Vinja Ryou a few posts up is my age (and is one of my closest friends), but she's always looked several years younger. She's got the gift of youth.

Yet, this becomes an awesome advantage for her - she's able to pull off AWESOME cosplays because of it. She's cosplayed Ban Midou from GetBackers, Rena Ryuugu from Higurashi, and Poison from Final Fight at ACen, among a few other cons. She may look younger, but she pulls them off beautifully.

Don't overthink it. If you think you can pull it off, do it~ I'd be more concerned about the fabric if you planned on going outside a lot (November is one of those crazypsycho months like May tends to be), but I think spandex, black PVC or latex will suit you fine. If you want to be sure it'll keep you somewhat warm just in case, be sure to test the fabric for heat retention and "breathing." I've done this for a few cosplays I've made, particularly those made for cons during cold/warm weather.

This post has been edited by Valkyrie: 16 July 2011 - 03:44 PM

[The Forumcat]

pfft... I wish the girls at my SCHOOL would dress like that. Even the freshmen run around with the tops of their bras hanging out and cleavage everywhere, and seeing a buttcheek in the hall is not unusual. If it's ok for the 14 year olds to go to a private school like that (painted like hookers, to boot, usually) then it's fine for a 20 year old - even one who looks 16 - to show some midriff! (heck, my MEIKO cosplay showed just as much shoulder, cleavage, and midriff, and had the added bonus of an above-the-knee skirt!)

Plus, I'd just like to point out that if someone painted a skimpy swimsuit on, they would be legally clothed. So as long as you're at least wearing the equivalent of a body-paint bikini, you're safe!

[wenchman]

You're an adult; you can decide what you are and aren't comfortable wearing. Be prepared for negative attention on con-stalking though.

This post has been edited by wenchman: 23 August 2011 - 04:34 PM