[Washu Takahashi]

Just wondering what people's opinions are on this, since I feel like I'm in the minority xD

So I have a personal rule of mine where I refuse to wear the same cosplay to the same convention more than once. It's perfectly fine to wear that cosplay to a different convention though. I also don't like wearing the same cosplay more than 1 day at a con. This year I broke both of these rules xD I wore the same cosplay Friday and Saturday due to 1) only being in the cosplay for first half of the day Friday and the 2nd half Saturday and 2) I simply didn't have time to make another cosplay (since I made one for a friend this year). I wore the same cosplay as last year Friday night only because is was a dress made of duct tape that was the only cosplay I had that qualified for the Crystal Ball. I'm debating bringing back some of my older cosplays that I haven't worn in years since no one is likely to remember them. It also annoys me a little when I go to photoshoots and see the same people in the same costume year after year. (And no, this isn't a big irritant and it's not something I'd ever be rude enough to point out to someone, I just wish I got to see some more diversity and originality lol)

So wondering if there's anyone else out there who feels this way or similar xD And please don't shoot me for saying it slightly annoys me when people wear the same cosplay year after year. It's just a personal quirk of mine and it's not meant as an attack on anyone in here. I completely understand that not everyone has the time/money/skills to make a new cosplay every year.

This post has been edited by Washu Takahashi: 07 May 2012 - 02:22 PM

[Dark Spellmaster]

For me, the rule is one new and one old. I usually wear a costume for about three years then I trade it out for another one. This year two new costumes...well one cosplay the other was a halloween costume that I got and I'm going to probably bring it next year because it will be warmer. But it doesn't bother me if someone wears the same cosplay, might be the only one they have or the only one they feel like bringing. What does get to me is when some of the more elaborate cosplayers don't reuse their costmes and sell them. While I applaud the idea of selling them to fund a new project, to me it seems like a waste to not wear it at least another time...unless it will fall apar.

[myrla]

I'll recosplay any character I feel like. I don't spend (in some cases) years researching exactly what I want to wear it once or twice.

Nor do I care. If I love a character enough to cosplay it, it means something to me.

[Mullenkamp]

For me, one new costume per convention is the usual, and I re-wear old costumes the rest of the time. Not out of laziness by any means, but because:

1 - If I put all that effort into making the costume, I don't want to wear it once.
2 - I only cosplay characters I like. And I tend to like characters for life. If I haven't worn a costume for a while, I just wind up missing it.

I do try to shake it up a little and not wear the same costume to the same convention two years in a row (though I have made exceptions in the case of photoshoots I really want to attend). I wore Prince Edward to ACen this year, after debuting him for a skit at ACen... 2008, I think. Since then, I've also worn him to Youmacon and Katsucon. I also wore college!Phoenix to ACen this year, after debuting him at Youmacon in I think 2009, and also wearing him once to Ohayocon. That gives some time and space in between so it doesn't seem repetitive.

(...On the other hand, everyone's always so happy to see Kotetsu even in his regular street clothes that in the last 9 months I've worn him to all 5 cons I've attended, and will be bringing him to Otakon again this year to make it two years in a row - but he's now my "downtime" costume rather than a "shiny new arrival" costume, and I've met a lot of great people in Tiger & Bunny fandom who know my Kotetsu and want to take pics again next time we're at a convention together. And really, this hobby for me has a lot to do with making other people happy, so if they want me to be so-and-so, I will absolutely be so-and-so.)

[Gwydion]

As much as I love having new costumes, I simply can't afford it. I used to be kind of sad when I had to wear the same costume at the same con, but I got over it pretty quick because, hey, I like the costume/character, so why should I care? This year my sis and I wore our Ranma costumes... that we first wore to ACen back in '07. I didn't even realize it until after the con.

I do like to change things up if and when possible, and I do try to have one or two new costumes a year, but now that I have so many, I actually really enjoy rewearing costumes, whether it's to the same con or one in a completely different area. I love the character/outfit/series, and I love sharing my love for that character/outfit/series. Not to mention a lot of hard work went into (most of XD) my cosplays, so it's nice to get more use out of it. I will definitely be wearing Jacuzzi again, for example - I loved how it came out, Jacuzzi's a great character, and it was SO COMFY. And since I generally don't go to a lot of cons, hey, it could be next ACen, lol.

And on a similar note, I don't mind when I see the same people in the same costume. If everyone only wore a different costume every time, I'd never have seen some of the awesome costumes I've had the pleasure of seeing in person. I know certain people wore certain costumes to "insert con here", but I wasn't able to go or I simply didn't see them, so when I go the next year and see them, I'm excited about it because I can now see it for myself. ...that sounded really vague and confusing, but I hope it makes sense. XD (That and some costumes are so awesome I love getting to see them every year, like Crono from Chrono Trigger. <3)

[The Fujoshi]

Gwydion-san! I am two heads about this:

Some people can't make and or afford the same cosplay and they might of had fun in said cosplay (or they are the only person who does said cosplay to gatherings/etc.) so they usually bring the same one year after year. It's not because of a lack of being diverse, it's simply due to being lazy and broke.

But it's good being diverse too. It's a pet peeve of mine seeing people wear one cosplay all three days, for three years, as well as said cosplay to other conventions, but they can put down 300 dollars for drinks/anime goods.

I don't normally wear the same cosplay each year; the only exception was Rock lee/Maito Gai and America. The former was due to the fact that Rock Lee/Gai were not cosplayed a lot when Naruto was popular; it was mostly Team seven. The latter was due to the fact that I was the only black America in character ._.

There is also the issue of doing a character that is popular. Like let's say a girl wants to do Red from Pokemon, America from Hetalia, or Ed from FMA. Now you paid a lot of money for said cosplay or you made it yourself and spent a bit and it's really good, but at the gathering there is like tons of the same character! >_< So it's hard to be diverse in certain series. But also in the same retrospect, people don't want to cosplay anything that you wouldn't know about. Like if I did Schezo from Puyo Puyo, nobody would know who I was!

So for some people it's a matter of attention; cosplaying the same popular characters gets you more pictures rather than cosplaying someone new but unknown.

[emileighmorgan]

myrla, on 07 May 2012 - 02:42 PM, said:

I'll recosplay any character I feel like. I don't spend (in some cases) years researching exactly what I want to wear it once or twice.

Nor do I care. If I love a character enough to cosplay it, it means something to me.

I agree, why would you put that much money into a costume to only wear it once.
Especially if you love it.
Why would you bother to cosplay it if you don't love it.

[Not Alice]

I don't mind reusing cosplays. If you spend time and money making it, why not? Plus it never hurts to make upgrades to it, or use a different prop, for the next time you wear it.

[GITS SAC Motoko]

I've reused the same cosplay for years for ACEN now, and I haven't changed, and I wear it for multiple days (I make sure to stay clean and wash my costume of course :3) but I don't take offense to what you say though. I wish I could create more cosplays but my situation of school and work and lack of money to make them get in my way. Actually, whenever I go to a con I feel like sometimes I'm the only one who reuses their costume year after year. XD

However, I think that reusing cosplays is totally fine. I'm one of those people "who like to get their moneys worth" so I like to get EVERYTHING out of my stuff--and I feel when I do one day have multiple costumes I will reuse them since I know I put tons of time, blood and sweat into the cosplay I wanna raze it to the ground and get my use of it. XD. I think it mostly depends on the situation thoug--some people can reuse, some people don't like to (which is fine) but if you can reuse it and if it fits your situation, cool!

[XenoBlade]

It doesn't matter to me. I feel it's a waste to only use a cosplay once tho. I only reworn a cosplay twice (of the ones I reworn), but both times it wasn't complete. I'm aiming to have it complete next acen, and i'll probably retire that one then. It's hard to want to part with cosplay. lol

[chompzie]

This is my first year of really cosplaying (now I am addicted... curse you, expensive hobby!!!) but I will be wearing my Lacus Clyne cosplay again next year. Me and my mom put so much effort into it, and it's such a beautiful piece, I feel bad depriving everyone of its magnificence next year Also I didn't get a chance to go to the photoshoot like I wanted.

I'll probably end up with a two old cosplays, one new cosplay thing every year once I've been doing this long enough to have built up a closet of costumes. My new costume will be worn all day Saturday and the other two/one/whatever I decide on Friday and Sunday (or to the respective photoshoots).

[Washu Takahashi]

To everyone saying it's a waste to only wear it once, even with my own silly "rule" I DO wear my cosplays more than once. I just only wear them once to each particular con. For example, I've worn my Pachirisu, which is easily my biggest "fan-favorite" cosplay to Acen, Wizard World/Chicago Comic Con, and Kollision (which, until very recently, were the only cons I'd ever been to). I agree that it's a waste to only wear a cosplay once if you really like how it turned out. Out of my 10 or so cosplays, I've reworn at least 5 of them to different cons, and the ones I haven't reworn I didn't like as much or only needed them for one specific thing.

In terms of improving your cosplay then wearing it the next year, I think that's a wonderful idea! So many people just wear the same cosplays over without making any changes though (and maybe yours is perfect and doesn't need changes!) But if you do manage to make your cosplay better, you totally deserve to show it off again.

[XenoBlade]

Washu Takahashi, on 08 May 2012 - 06:21 AM, said:

To everyone saying it's a waste to only wear it once, even with my own silly "rule" I DO wear my cosplays more than once. I just only wear them once to each particular con. For example, I've worn my Pachirisu, which is easily my biggest "fan-favorite" cosplay to Acen, Wizard World/Chicago Comic Con, and Kollision (which, until very recently, were the only cons I'd ever been to). I agree that it's a waste to only wear a cosplay once if you really like how it turned out. Out of my 10 or so cosplays, I've reworn at least 5 of them to different cons, and the ones I haven't reworn I didn't like as much or only needed them for one specific thing.

In terms of improving your cosplay then wearing it the next year, I think that's a wonderful idea! So many people just wear the same cosplays over without making any changes though (and maybe yours is perfect and doesn't need changes!) But if you do manage to make your cosplay better, you totally deserve to show it off again.

I feel this is like 70% at me due to my reply. Lol xD

Tho i wouldn't call anyone wasteful if they choose another option. Everyone is different, so i sure dont knock it. If you had a lot of fun with it, and you feel done, then you have your moneys worth.

And with the improving, i think its always good to improve. If you don't, thats fine, but if you do, then it gives people stuff to look forward to.

Tho i also noticed, this topic depends on how you view cosplay. the more cosplay serious i see tend to use once.(tho i know some who reuse, but they always have new) but casual cosplayers (like me) tend to reuse. There is no good or bad in this issue, just pure mindset.

[Washu Takahashi]

XenoBlade, on 08 May 2012 - 08:24 AM, said:

I feel this is like 70% at me due to my reply. Lol xD

Tho i wouldn't call anyone wasteful if they choose another option. Everyone is different, so i sure dont knock it. If you had a lot of fun with it, and you feel done, then you have your moneys worth.

And with the improving, i think its always good to improve. If you don't, thats fine, but if you do, then it gives people stuff to look forward to.

Tho i also noticed, this topic depends on how you view cosplay. the more cosplay serious i see tend to use once.(tho i know some who reuse, but they always have new) but casual cosplayers (like me) tend to reuse. There is no good or bad in this issue, just pure mindset.

Whoops, I guess it was, but not intentionally xD A lot of people mentioned it being a waste haha.

And I completely agree on mindset. I know a bunch of people who are well known for cosplaying a certain character most frequently. But then there are also those known for always busting out something new and awesome. I'm not particularly against those who are known for that one cosplay (even those like a friend of mine who's known for the basic version of Sakura from Naruto and rarely cosplays anything else haha) but I prefer cosplays that are always showing new stuff so I have something new and exciting to look forward to ^^

[myrla]

I usually try to fix things that aren't 100% right in my costume if i'm rewearing it. Oftentimes mine are "close" but not "perfect". like I can tell you one thing about every cosplay I had this year that I need to fix.

[Gwydion]

Washu Takahashi, on 08 May 2012 - 06:21 AM, said:

To everyone saying it's a waste to only wear it once, even with my own silly "rule" I DO wear my cosplays more than once. I just only wear them once to each particular con. For example, I've worn my Pachirisu, which is easily my biggest "fan-favorite" cosplay to Acen, Wizard World/Chicago Comic Con, and Kollision (which, until very recently, were the only cons I'd ever been to). I agree that it's a waste to only wear a cosplay once if you really like how it turned out. Out of my 10 or so cosplays, I've reworn at least 5 of them to different cons, and the ones I haven't reworn I didn't like as much or only needed them for one specific thing.

I'm going to preface all this by saying that whether people believe they should or should not rewear costumes doesn't bother me either way, so I'm really just playing devil's advocate! XD So what if a certain person can only afford two cons a year and one new costume - if they attend more than one day of the con, they'll have to only cosplay one day. And let's say they were happier with the costume they made the first year than the one they made the second year - by these standards, they would be stuck with wearing the second costume to the second convention of the year no matter what, whether they could afford to update/fix it or not. Would you think differently in this situation?

Again, I'm not trying to pick on you or anyone else! Just being curious if knowing a person's situation might help you not to get as annoyed or if it's simply the act and has nothing to do with circumstances surrounding it. Not having strong feelings about the subject either way, I'm genuinely curious!

@The Fujoshi - My my, so formal! XD

[❤Mokyu❤]

I find it interesting so many people fuss over whether they should "reuse" a cosplay. Many if not most cosplays can cost hundreds of dollars, if not THOUSANDS, once you've got the costume, shoes, all the accessories, weapons... Of COURSE I'm going to reuse it. And I'm going to reuse it a lot! I'm leaving lolita (keeping one dress, that's it) to begin cosplaying, and I honestly don't think I'll ever have more than 4-6 cosplays since I only go to 2-3 conventions per year at the moment. I'm not the type of person who thinks I can't wear the same costume from year to year... That mindset is kinda foreign to me. If it's a character I like, why not?

Personally, I find it neurotic that anyone would be bothered by someone else's reuse of a costume.

This post has been edited by ❤Mokyu❤: 08 May 2012 - 11:53 AM

[Ashori]

Personally, I see no issue. I plan on reusing my Maya Kitajima cosplay the next time I go to A-Cen, although with a few modifications. I love the character; why only go as her once? As long as the costume is kept in great condition and taken care of properly, I don't see why it can't be used more than once.

[Washu Takahashi]

Gwydion, on 08 May 2012 - 11:32 AM, said:

I'm going to preface all this by saying that whether people believe they should or should not rewear costumes doesn't bother me either way, so I'm really just playing devil's advocate! XD So what if a certain person can only afford two cons a year and one new costume - if they attend more than one day of the con, they'll have to only cosplay one day. And let's say they were happier with the costume they made the first year than the one they made the second year - by these standards, they would be stuck with wearing the second costume to the second convention of the year no matter what, whether they could afford to update/fix it or not. Would you think differently in this situation?

Again, I'm not trying to pick on you or anyone else! Just being curious if knowing a person's situation might help you not to get as annoyed or if it's simply the act and has nothing to do with circumstances surrounding it. Not having strong feelings about the subject either way, I'm genuinely curious!

Like I stated in my opening post, I totally get people not having the time/money/skills for multiple cosplays. And I also get if you only go to 1 or 2 cons a year. But even back when Acen was the only con I went to, I made a new cosplay every year xD Until this year I actually made a new cosplay for every DAY of Acen... Course I've only gone all three days the last 3 or 4 years lol. For me it's because I want to push myself to make something new and think creatively. I'll sacrifice a little money here and there on other things I want just to get a cosplay done xD And I usually only have one major cosplay that I spent the majority of my time on, and the other one or two will be rather simple. But yes, I totally understand that there are situation where you CAN'T pull together another cosplay.

For those whose posts sound like they're offended, like I said in my original post, I don't mean this to be an attack on anyone. And when I said it annoys me I don't mean it like "OMG UR SOOOOOOOO ANNOYING! How DARE you wear that cosplay AGAIN!?!/131,1?!?!" I mean it like, meh, I've seen it before. Wish they could show something else. But again, I totally get not having the resources to do that.

And for those saying they want to reuse because they love the character, why not make a different version of the character? Most anime characters have more than 1 outfit that they wear all the time. (Just as a simple example, for magical girls, you've got daily wear, magical girl outfit, and then later in the series there's sometimes an upgraded outfit)

And reading these I've realized my slight problem with re-use isn't even really for re-use, it's for over-use xD I like my cosplays to seem fresh and new, which is why I only take them to different cons. But now that it's been like 6 years since my first Acen, I feel like I'm probably going to start re-using some cosplays because no one will remember them xD

[❤Mokyu❤]

Washu Takahashi, on 08 May 2012 - 01:35 PM, said:

And for those saying they want to reuse because they love the character, why not make a different version of the character? Most anime characters have more than 1 outfit that they wear all the time. (Just as a simple example, for magical girls, you've got daily wear, magical girl outfit, and then later in the series there's sometimes an upgraded outfit)

Some people are happy with just 1-3 good cosplays and feel absolutely zero desire to spend more money on redoing a costume. You say why not, but I think for many people, they'd just respond with, "...why?"

Honestly, there are over 20,000 people who go to Acen. I don't understand how anyone could repeatedly see someone day after day, Fri-Sun, and make note of the fact that they're wearing the same costume. Even at smaller cons, I find it interesting that anyone would take note of a repeat costume. I dunno. Just not something that registers with me, I guess, because I couldn't give a hoot.

[Kii]

OP, I don't know how well off you are or how much you spend on cosplays, but for most of us...it's a little financially unsound to only wear a cosplay once for one day.I know that for a good cosplay made from scratch, it's going to cost anywhere from 100-200+ dollars. Hell, there's one girl on here who wears her Dante cosplay every year to ACen because she had her MOTORCYCLE made to look like his.
Maybe if all of your cosplays are mega cheap or you can recycle them it's no big deal....but a lot of people put a lot of time and effort and money into their cosplays. So to wear them only once or only for one year seems silly. If it's a really good cosplay and you really enjoy doing it, why not wear it all three days? And the next year? Until you make something you enjoy more?
To be blunt, I think your personal rule is a bit frivolous.
EDIT: Oh, and Washu....I guarantee that nobody would have noticed you wearing the same cosplays had you worn them even a week after the convention you debuted them at, let alone the next year. So uh....feel free to wear them again if that's what you're worried about. Especially since it's been years.

This post has been edited by Kii: 08 May 2012 - 02:45 PM

[The Fujoshi]

Washu Takahashi said:

And for those saying they want to reuse because they love the character, why not make a different version of the character? Most anime characters have more than 1 outfit that they wear all the time. (Just as a simple example, for magical girls, you've got daily wear, magical girl outfit, and then later in the series there's sometimes an upgraded outfit)

And reading these I've realized my slight problem with re-use isn't even really for re-use, it's for over-use xD I like my cosplays to seem fresh and new, which is why I only take them to different cons. But now that it's been like 6 years since my first Acen, I feel like I'm probably going to start re-using some cosplays because no one will remember them xD

I know you, somewhat, here on the forums so I understand your point.

I actually thought about doing this with my old cosplays, especially my Blazblue one that's collecting dush, but depending on the series it's really hard or really easy. If you were doing let's say Gary Oak/Green, then yeah you can switch it around by using a black shirt and khaki pants instead of a black and white hoodie and be a completely different version, but something like Hetalia or Drrrr is high end, since the alt outfits are like an another cosplay in itself, (CD America is really different than say regular America and pilot America.)

[Washu Takahashi]

Kii, on 08 May 2012 - 02:42 PM, said:

OP, I don't know how well off you are or how much you spend on cosplays, but for most of us...it's a little financially unsound to only wear a cosplay once for one day.I know that for a good cosplay made from scratch, it's going to cost anywhere from 100-200+ dollars. Hell, there's one girl on here who wears her Dante cosplay every year to ACen because she had her MOTORCYCLE made to look like his.
Maybe if all of your cosplays are mega cheap or you can recycle them it's no big deal....but a lot of people put a lot of time and effort and money into their cosplays. So to wear them only once or only for one year seems silly. If it's a really good cosplay and you really enjoy doing it, why not wear it all three days? And the next year? Until you make something you enjoy more?
To be blunt, I think your personal rule is a bit frivolous.
EDIT: Oh, and Washu....I guarantee that nobody would have noticed you wearing the same cosplays had you worn them even a week after the convention you debuted them at, let alone the next year. So uh....feel free to wear them again if that's what you're worried about. Especially since it's been years.

I'm not very well off at all. But I've got my priorities set on what I'm willing to spend where, and cosplay is up higher on that list for me then it probably is for other people. And I do tend to keep my cosplays on the cheap side. One of my cosplays is a duct tape ball gown. It looks great and like it'd cost a lot...but people overestimate the price of duct tape. Altogether, including the hoop skirt which was the most expensive piece, it probably cost me like 50 bucks. And I don't think any of my cosplays have gone over 150. One of my cosplays this Acen was probably close to 100, and the other was basically free. (Obtained bubblewrap from work and hot glued it into a dress. So if we want to get technical and include the wig and shoes I wore even though they weren't for that specifically, like $50, but in reality, free) And on a side note, that girl is pretty awesome for tricking out her motorcycle to match her cosplay. If I were her I'd reuse the same cosplay a million times, so long as it didn't wear out.

And not entirely true. A lot of people who saw me Friday saw me Saturday and commented on it. Not rude/angry "why are wearing that twice?" comments. But they did see me. And I like to keep things fresh and surprise people with new cosplays. Just a personal quirk of mine that I don't hold anyone else to. Though after 3 years of seeing someone wear the cosplay it's like...can't you bust out something else? (And as I've stated a bunch of time already, I understand not being able to, that's just what goes through my head at that moment)

And I'm not worried about what people think of me if I wear the same cosplay...it's more that I want to show them what else I can do and give them something new. And that's also a great opportunity to meet people interested in different things. I'll probably bring back a few "fan favorites" in the next couple years due to not having the time to make more than maybe 1 or 2 new cosplays every year.

And just wanted to throw out there that I completely understand everyone's point of view in here. I just wonder if anyone understands mine xD (Besides Fujoshi who said she kinda got it haha)

[myrla]

❤Mokyu❤, on 08 May 2012 - 02:16 PM, said:

Some people are happy with just 1-3 good cosplays and feel absolutely zero desire to spend more money on redoing a costume. You say why not, but I think for many people, they'd just respond with, "...why?"

Honestly, there are over 20,000 people who go to Acen. I don't understand how anyone could repeatedly see someone day after day, Fri-Sun, and make note of the fact that they're wearing the same costume. Even at smaller cons, I find it interesting that anyone would take note of a repeat costume. I dunno. Just not something that registers with me, I guess, because I couldn't give a hoot.

For example, Rose from Doctor Who. I have a 10th Doctor cosplay, but she was also a 9th companion. That's my next Dr Who related cosplay. I got plenty of compliments both this and last year on my Rose.

There's another aspect to this - I do modeling and photoshoots outside of cons. So a lot of my cosplays are used with that, so for me it's definitely more of an "investment" than an "expense".

I currently have.. uh... 7 or 8 cosplays I can reliably put my hands on. A lot of my cosplays are "normal" clothes - ie: stuff I keep in my wardrobe that I can wear for other things - Luna Lovegood's basic clothes come to mind - so that ameliorates a lot of my expense.

I have only worn 5 of these to ACen. If I come next year I'll probably have at least 2 that are new.

I have another at least 6 in planning (i'm including my original from scratch Lolita dress in this). It takes me roughly 1-5 years to completely do a costume. My Inara has been one I've wanted since about 2008, and I finally found the precise pieces I wanted this year.

Right now, Even out of my completed cosplays, I don't know that any of them are 100% done. 2 of them need new shoes (Inara/Miwako), my Rose needs a jumper skirt, not shorts, my Shilo needs a gas mask, a bug book... you get the idea.

[Mullenkamp]

Washu Takahashi, on 08 May 2012 - 01:35 PM, said:

And for those saying they want to reuse because they love the character, why not make a different version of the character? Most anime characters have more than 1 outfit that they wear all the time. (Just as a simple example, for magical girls, you've got daily wear, magical girl outfit, and then later in the series there's sometimes an upgraded outfit)

Many of us do. I've made eight different Kotetsu outfits so far just because I love the guy that much, and am planning two more by Otakon. But there are outfits that are favored or recognized more than others, due to being something other than one-shots, and those are the ones people want to take pictures with/of - which is why I bring those along as well as the new versions I've been making.

For instance, you mention magical girls. Suppose a Sailor Mars cosplayer has made a fabulous replica of the original Sailor Mars outfit, the shrine garb she often wears, her school uniform, and two perfect recreations of street-clothes outfits she wore in one episode each. Which ones do you think people will be excited to see and most want to take pictures of? If she runs into people cosplaying other Sailor Senshi, which outfits will be most likely to fit in with the rest of the group and make for an amazing photo op?

I have a lot of fun debuting new costumes, and rare costumes. But I also really enjoy making people happy. Now, the people who recognize the rare costumes are REALLY happy to see them - but you get more happy people and more potential for amazing group photos when you have a really fabulous replica of a fantasy costume or a well-known costume than a relatively obscure closet cosplay of the same character.

(Of course, I prefer the rare intersection between "well-known" and "I have never seen anyone else cosplay that because it's insane", when possible. )

[STVO]

Here's how I see it: Cosplay takes a lot of time and depending on what kind of quality it is, can be costly too! When I make one or more cosplays I try to use them at other conventions aside from ACen and Halloween. More than 1 day can get old but if the character is recognized well enough, I try to use it more than once. This year I did 3 different ones, IDK if I will repeat that next year. I do know I don't like to be the same character two years in a row though, lol. I like to debut at least one new character at ACen each year. It's just a personal goal of mine. I have one cosplay from a few years back that I would like to bring back though because I have most of the original materials soon. So I'm hoping for at least one (maybe two) new costume(s) next year and 1 old.

I totally understand those who can't afford to do multiple new costumes or don't have the time though. I like to see people switch it up but like I said not everyone can.

As for cosplaying as one character only, I can dig some people really like to do that, that's no big deal. But for me, I need to switch it up, lol. Even if it's a different version of a character.

This post has been edited by STVO: 08 May 2012 - 05:27 PM

[XenoBlade]

Washu Takahashi, on 08 May 2012 - 09:34 AM, said:

Whoops, I guess it was, but not intentionally xD A lot of people mentioned it being a waste haha.

And I completely agree on mindset. I know a bunch of people who are well known for cosplaying a certain character most frequently. But then there are also those known for always busting out something new and awesome. I'm not particularly against those who are known for that one cosplay (even those like a friend of mine who's known for the basic version of Sakura from Naruto and rarely cosplays anything else haha) but I prefer cosplays that are always showing new stuff so I have something new and exciting to look forward to ^^

Yeah I know. lol Just giving you a lil crap. lol (tho those were all things I mentioned haha)

And I understand you completely. I won't give you crap on how you view it. You aren't turning your nose up at people, just not like excited. You want a surprise. lol

btw STVO random, but I think I saw you at acen (actually up close, but since we didn't really talk much, I kept silent. It was Saturday night I believe, you had a (pokemon maybe?) cosplay (it was black with an R on it.) And it was when you was talking to YoungBirdcall and Hiroecks. I was the random black guy with them. lol XD

[Kii]

If you understand the mindset then there's no need for it to annoy you at all, even if it is just the tiniest bit.
I understand the desire to see new and exciting cosplays from awesome cosplayers whose work you admire (especially given how passionate you seem about cosplay in general), but just try to keep in mind that they're cosplaying for their own enjoyment and not for yours. And with that, also remember to cosplay whatever you feel like regardless of other people, even if it isn't "new and exciting" or you've already worn it a few times.

[Washu Takahashi]

Mullenkamp, on 08 May 2012 - 05:00 PM, said:

(Of course, I prefer the rare intersection between "well-known" and "I have never seen anyone else cosplay that because it's insane", when possible. )

I totally agree with this xD I love it when you manage that one cosplay that everyone (at least who knows the series) will instantly recognize it and love it, but no one else has ever dared to try it xD

STVO, on 08 May 2012 - 05:20 PM, said:

As for cosplaying as one character only, I can dig some people really like to do that, that's no big deal. But for me, I need to switch it up, lol. Even if it's a different version of a character.

This is my point exactly xD I just can't wear the same costume over and over. I NEED to show people something new, even if I only have the time/money for 1 new thing.

XenoBlade, on 08 May 2012 - 07:34 PM, said:

And I understand you completely. I won't give you crap on how you view it. You aren't turning your nose up at people, just not like excited. You want a surprise.

Glad you get what I'm trying to get at And pretty sure STVO was only Pee-Wee Herman all day Saturday...but I could be wrong! haha.

Kii, on 08 May 2012 - 11:06 PM, said:

but just try to keep in mind that they're cosplaying for their own enjoyment and not for yours. And with that, also remember to cosplay whatever you feel like regardless of other people, even if it isn't "new and exciting" or you've already worn it a few times.

I think this right here is where I have trouble. xD Like yes, I DO cosplay characters I love. But when I'm going through a list of what I want to cosplay, my first thoughts are "how can I pull this off and how much will people like it?" My goal is to please not only myself, but others who love the character/series. And I will admit I'm a bit of an attention promiscuous woman and like to get noticed for new cosplay that not many have attempted before haha.

(Ok...Acen forums are sneaking up on me xD That was supposed to say "attention Wh*r3", but apparently the forums like 'promiscuous' better haha)

This post has been edited by Washu Takahashi: 09 May 2012 - 06:41 AM

[STVO]

XenoBlade, on 08 May 2012 - 07:34 PM, said:

btw STVO random, but I think I saw you at acen (actually up close, but since we didn't really talk much, I kept silent. It was Saturday night I believe, you had a (pokemon maybe?) cosplay (it was black with an R on it.) And it was when you was talking to YoungBirdcall and Hiroecks. I was the random black guy with them. lol XD

No way! Haha! Yeah I was with those guys, I think I remember you! It's cool to meet you even though I didn't come across that it was you, haha. LOL, no I wasn't a Pokemon character nor a Power Ranger (someone at the karaoke room I went to briefly thought I was, lol) but I was Nickelodeon ghost hunter Danny Phantom! Well hey, it's a pleasure to meet you. I've been running across lots of forum and Facebook ACen page people at the con, some I feel guilty of them knowing me but me not knowing them, lol.

Washu Takahashi, on 09 May 2012 - 06:39 AM, said:

Glad you get what I'm trying to get at And pretty sure STVO was only Pee-Wee Herman all day Saturday...but I could be wrong! haha.

That would be wrong.... DEAD WRONG!!! LOL JK. No, I was only Pee-Wee Herman all day on Thursday and half of the day Friday. On Saturday I was Two Face from morning time until 5 PM (when the Batman Photoshoot took place) and then the rest of the night I was Danny Phantom. All-day on Sunday I was Danny Phantom, lol. Three cosplays can be overkill but very fun. Next year I'm going to "try" and do three but I'm going to have more expenses soon since I'm getting an apartment with a friend. My plan is to do one high quality budget costume, one that's a little less expensive (but good), and then digging one up from the past to bring back. I will at least do one new costume next year, mark my words. LOL