Everyone has different goals when it comes to cosplay. Some people want to look like they walked straight off a movie set – like my best friend who I wrote about in another article about cosplaying on a budget.
Me? I’m all about comfort.
Over the years, I’ve powered through sore feet from high heels, itchy scalps from sweaty wigs, and aching shoulders from too-tight costumes. To be fair, a little discomfort is part of the cosplay experience, especially when you’re dressing in a costume and standing on your feet all day.
But some of that discomfort is totally avoidable. Here are a few tips to help you look amazing while walking a con floor…and feel human while you do it.
Shoes
A chiropractor once told me: Spend a little extra on anything that goes between you and the ground. That means tires, mattresses, and – most importantly for us – shoes.
If you can, go for comfortable footwear that works with your costume. When I cosplayed Yuffie from Final Fantasy VII, I wore Converse. When I went as Beast Boy, I grabbed a pair of white tennis shoes and colored them with fabric markers to match his look.
But sometimes the look demands something less practical. If you’re rocking boots, heels, or anything more costume-y, I highly recommend gel inserts. I wore a pair inside my Squirrel Girl boots, and honestly? My feet have never been happier.
Hair
Some costumes leave you no choice: You have to wear a wig. But I’ll be honest…I don’t love wigs. No matter how nice they are, they always make my head itch.
That’s why I usually try to work with my own hair. I’ve grown it out, chopped it off, dyed it, and styled it to match different characters. I used my natural hair for Yuffie, Squirrel Girl, Red Arrow, and Nico from Runaways, and those were by far the most comfortable costumes to wear all day.
If you’re going to a stylist to get a cosplay-specific cut, bring lots of reference photos from different angles. And if you’re styling it yourself, I swear by Got2b Glued for gel and hairspray. It’s so strong, you can pull out every bobby pin at the end of the night and your hair will still stay in place. It’s magic in a can.
Outfit
When choosing a character to cosplay, look for a costume that allows for movement. Some outfits are built to be stationary, like a Transformers costume or a Weeping Angel from Doctor Who. But most are designed with mobility in mind… especially if you plan to explore the con floor as a shopper yourself!
If you’re not traveling with a non-cosplaying friend, make sure your costume includes pockets or pouches for essentials like your phone, keys, and wallet. Most bags can be tucked behind your legs or set aside for photos, and con-goers tend to be pretty forgiving. (No one’s going to judge Squirrel Girl for buying a Funko Pop!) Still, wearing a purse or off-theme backpack feels like breaking character to me, so I try to pick costumes that include built-in storage.
One last comfort tip: consider how revealing your costume is…and how you feel about that. When my best friend cosplayed Mystique, she wore nothing but blue bikini bottoms and some strategically placed silicone. She said it was incredibly freeing, but that’s way outside my own comfort zone.
In the end, it’s your call. Only you can decide how comfortable – or uncomfortable – you’re willing to be in the name of cosplay. Whatever you choose, make it an informed decision you can live in, walk in, and wear – at least until the con is over and you can finally rest your aching feet!
Written by Tori Struder
Tori Studer is a teacher and freelance writer. She has an unnatural love of grammar, Dungeons and Dragons, and learning anything new, and she believes a great pun is its own reword. When she’s not writing, she can be found haunting local bookstores or taking random online classes.
What do you think: Is a little discomfort worth it for an awesome costume? Share your cosplay (dis)comfort stories in the comments.
