Whatever your Comic-Con cosplay, use these top-notch materials to keep your ensemble lightweight, comfortable, and visually impressive.
For devoted fan bases around the world, it’s the most wonderful time of the year — Comic-Con International is just around the corner! As we get closer and closer to one of the largest cosplay events in the world, now is the time to make sure you have everything you need to design and prepare a stunning costume inspired by your favorite character.
Whatever video game, film, TV series, or comic book figure you’ve decided to cosplay as, every fandom follower is going to need the essentials to get their outfit ready for Comic-Con. To get you started, we’ve identified seven must-haves that place a premium on quality, comfort, and creativity.
1. Fabric
It might seem obvious, but selecting the right fabric is the critical first step to any costume-making endeavor. Since Comic-Con takes place in July — and in San Diego no less — lightweight material is absolutely key. Whatever your costume, don’t forget that you’ll be wearing it for hours on end!
For a sleek, metallic look, consider using gold or silver lamé. Or, if you’re going for a fantasy-like shimmer, brightly-colored tulle may be the right choice.
2. Foam
Most of us haven’t been blessed with the strength of Marvel mainstays, so you might need foam to build bulkier-looking costumes, props, and tools without making them too heavy. Whether you’re cosplaying as the Hulk or creating your own hammer of Thor, foam is a must.
3. Mesh
Add flair to any costume with a bit of decorative mesh. With hundreds of styles and colors to choose from, mesh makes for a lightweight and breathable option that can take your costume from zero to hero.
4. Glue and Adhesives
Glue and adhesives are essential, both for constructing complicated costumes and to have on hand during the convention in case of emergency wardrobe malfunctions! Glue guns can be used to add details that will take your look to the next level and mend any rips and tears. When working with heavy-duty materials like fabric, a high-temperature glue gun gets the job done best, while a low-temperature glue gun can be used for more delicate work like applying mesh or trim.
5. Embellishments
Add some excitement to your costume with eye-catching and creative embellishments. For fantasy characters and sci-fi heroes alike, braid and trims make excellent belts or headbands. Put the finishing touch on your costume with gems, feathers, pearls, and tassels. After all, it’s attention to detail that brings both comics and cosplay to life.
6. Crepe Paper
Crepe paper is the perfect way to add interesting texture to your costume. With different thicknesses and colors available, crepe paper can be useful for creating a layering effect, as well as for crafting flowers and other homemade embellishments.
7. Glitter
What would cosplay be without a bit of glitter? Use it with hot glue to create a unique pattern, dust your whole costume for that extra bit of magic, or add it as a base for your face paint or makeup.