Costumes at cons, more acceptable?

[Ttaskmaster]

To the original question:

Yes, it is becoming more 'acceptable'.
The frequency of organised costume groups has helped and many of us, myself included, use those groups as a way of showcasing our stuff. It's easier in may ways to just walk around in the kit, rather than hire a stand to display it all.

These days, more and more people see it as a fancy dress thing. Rather than dress up as a generic something from a costume shop, you can now be your favourite very obscure character and still be recognised!

It's great.

however, i also have an opinion that you should costume characters that are appropriate within reason, to your gender/body type..

I wholeheartedly disagree.
What you're essentially saying is that, for reasons usually beyond someone's control, they are not allowed to do something. Too fat, wrong race, too tall/short, wrong gender... next stop along that line is too ugly, too disabled and all manner of very offensive discrimination.

I'd respond very unkindly to anyone who offered that kind of criticism toward me...

There is a line, which is drawn under 'tasteful' - as in 'family friendly', as in 'not obscene'.
You wouldn't paint yourself blue and walk around naked, bits hanging out, to portray that guy in The Watchmen. But if an outfit demands a bit of midriff or a cleavage, then no worries, eh. This is costuming for fun, NOT re-enactment and NOT a look-alike business.

Does it really matter if a Stormie is slightly too fat to look exactly as per the movie? Or is it more important that their costume is recognisible and that they are happy?


End of the day, we're all sad, pathetic geeks - Grown adults spending huge amounts of money to dress up as fictional characters.
Who are we to criticise someone for not conforming precisely to our ideals?

Any disagreements with that, I'm sure I could pick just as many holes in what you choose to wear.

 

[pennausamike]

I only ever costumed once.
That was as a Firefly Alliance trooper (SST armor) at a Can't Stop The Serenity event.
I was uncomfortable with trying to figure out when to be "in character" and when to be a guy in a costume.
It made me unsure of myself to interact with the folks as an Alliance soldier when they didn't respond in kind.
The flip-side was, it was fun to be asked to pose with Browncoats for pictures.
I just didn't know what was right in a group of people I don't know personally.
As a late forties-age person, not "getting" the social conventions more than just the act of wearing a costume,
are what keep me from costuming.

 

[oblagon]

In my experience the level of acceptance depends on where you are in the country as some areas are worse than others. But overall it appears that more people are gravitating towards this hobby.

Concerning race; personally I don't get bent out of shape about it and don't get why some do. Who cares if you see a black spiderman or a white lando, it's the quality of the costume IMO that matters.

As for the costumes themselves, it's been mentioned already but I think people should wear costumes that play to their body type or learn to cheat a costume like a stormtrooper so that it looks proportional to their body. Many times I'll see stormtroopers (to use one example) that size the armor huge around the mid-section and then have stick legs and arms accentuating their weight.

Also it's rare, but some costumes are just not made for everyone and only can be physically worn my those that have a specific weight and height.

 

[PirateDude]

I don’t think race, age, shape, ect..... should have any baring on costuming at cons or any place. I mean I haven’t been to a con yet (going to next years san Diego), so I was hesitant about costuming so I simply started off small by costuming to midnight movie premieres like Iron Man, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, Transformers.

Allot of people thought it was cool & adults & kids wanted pics with me & I had fun. The way I see it doesn’t matter about all the things I listed before you will always have 1 or a couple of negative remarks. Just ignore & have fun.(Someone made fun of my iron man costume repeatedly at the iron man 2 movie premiere & the theater manager saw & kicked them out, it was so funny).

In the end if you are easily upset by remarks by others don’t do it, if you still want to do it though just try movie openings, costume parties, renassance fair or just walking the block in your costume to practice increasing your confidence. (My friend wore a batman costume all the time for 2 weeks before the premiere of dark knight because he was so excited).

 

[WookieeGunner]

I only ever costumed once.
As a late forties-age person, not "getting" the social conventions more than just the act of wearing a costume,
are what keep me from costuming.

There is a rule at fancy dinners that also applies to costuming. That rule is "do what everyone else is doing". I've been to conventions (say Dragoncon) that literally had some groups hanging out in costumes and some groups who were being the characters. There isn't any specific rules other than "don't be a jerk."

 

[Kommissar]

I wholeheartedly disagree.
What you're essentially saying is that, for reasons usually beyond someone's control, they are not allowed to do something. Too fat, wrong race, too tall/short, wrong gender... next stop along that line is too ugly, too disabled and all manner of very offensive discrimination.

I'd respond very unkindly to anyone who offered that kind of criticism toward me...

There is a line, which is drawn under 'tasteful' - as in 'family friendly', as in 'not obscene'.
You wouldn't paint yourself blue and walk around naked, bits hanging out, to portray that guy in The Watchmen. But if an outfit demands a bit of midriff or a cleavage, then no worries, eh. This is costuming for fun, NOT re-enactment and NOT a look-alike business.

Does it really matter if a Stormie is slightly too fat to look exactly as per the movie? Or is it more important that their costume is recognisible and that they are happy?


End of the day, we're all sad, pathetic geeks - Grown adults spending huge amounts of money to dress up as fictional characters.
Who are we to criticise someone for not conforming precisely to our ideals?

Any disagreements with that, I'm sure I could pick just as many holes in what you choose to wear.

I would think that discrimination would be more of a thing employers do to people when choosing whom to hire, rather than someone looking at a costumer and making a personal or aesthetic (or personal aesthetic) decision about what they are dressing up as.
I think all of us would be more impressed with a faithful representation of a character, than one which doesn't look the part for whatever reason.
is that fair? is it something we consciously do? or is it human nature?

Should ugly fat too tall and/or short people not be allowed to dress up? i know for a fact no one has the right to stop them, and i never would, i might not try to take a photo, or want to strike a pose with them, but yes, at the end of the day, we dress up because we want too.
But those that dress up well, enjoy the attention they get, i don't think thats wrong.

If you've worked hard on a costume, and you take it to your favorite con, only to feel like your hard work was a waste of time, because no one commented or enjoys your costume, i don't think i know many people who would just shrug and go 'oh well' maybe next time.
In fact, i have had a friend who loved costuming the characters he liked, almost give up on costuming because of such things.

I built a challenging costume for my wife, and felt incredibly validated for my work by people goings nuts over it.

It's why i encourage people to do costumes and characters they are suited to, resemble or however you wish to describe it,
it's an awesome feeling doing something right, and being acknowledged for it,
and i'm not really sure that's a bad thing to admit.

I laughed at your final paragraph, at the end of the day, we really all are just that, and it's quite true! :lol

 

[Funky]

What you're essentially saying is that, for reasons usually beyond someone's control, they are not allowed to do something. Too fat, wrong race, too tall/short, wrong gender... next stop along that line is too ugly, too disabled and all manner of very offensive discrimination.

I'd respond very unkindly to anyone who offered that kind of criticism toward me...

Let me make sure I understand you. Are you saying (let's pretend you're 5,4 and weight 200 lbs) you can still dress like a stormtrooper and if anyone dares critisize you will have words with them? :confused

 

[ne0ven0m]

When I was at a West Coast con last year, (WonderCon) I was very surprised at the low numbers of costumers compared to East Coast cons. But then again, I go to Dragoncon (50,000+) on a regular basis, where it seems like every other fan is in costume!
I've been a costumer for a LONG time and have seen it all in terms of all types wearing all different types of stuff, ( knew a white MALE guy that dressed as Storm ) and all I have to say is if it makes you happy WEAR IT!! If someone else disapproves then that is THEIR personal problem not yours.

Good to see someone else going to Dragon*Con! I went for the first time in 2008, in regular attire, and got jealous of the attention people were getting. 2009, I put together some easy to make costumes with things I already had. This year, I've spent quite a bit of money and research to get some outfits close as I can (without having to learn the craft making abilities most of you here know). I think my passion is only going to continue and help me learn more skills along the way.

As for the costuming thing, I personally try to stick to things that I can pull off well. But at the end of the day, if a fellow fan is at least trying to show their support for a character, then I'm happy. Who cares if they're not physically right for it, or if it's made of cardboard boxes? The point of going to conventions is to have fun!

 

[jason1976]

I myself, have really got into costuming over the last 5 years. I love it.

My girlfriend, thinks it's (the need to costume in general) a cry for attention. A "LOOK AT ME" kind of thing. (i.e. "aren't I special" or "aren't I hot".)

I think that is true for some people, but I think for a lot of folks it's just about dressing up as the characters they love. A lot of folks wanted to grow up to be Han Solo, now they can at least dress like him.

I actually hate attention. (A LOT) I spend most of my life trying to blind into the background. However, as a 6' 3", 260 Pound, goofy looking, legally blind, NERD! I tend to stand out, no mater what I do. People stare at me all the time, and generally treat me pretty poorly. (not here, I mean people at stores and stuff.) They act like they are afraid they will go blind, get fat, or become a nerd, just from talking to me.

Costuming, for me, is a brief escape, a few times a year. When I can at least pretend that people are staring, and acting like jerks, because I'm dressed like a nerd.

During those few times a year, I get to do it, if someone picks on me, other costumes stick up for me. (They would never do that in every day life.) Conventions, and costuming is the only time, I can even come close to being comfortable in my own skin, in public, and not feel like a complete outcast.

To deep for you? Ok then, I also like waling around with a lightsaber, or big resin gun, strapped to my hip. :lol

 

[Ttaskmaster]

at the end of the day, we dress up because we want too.
But those that dress up well, enjoy the attention they get, i don't think thats wrong.

No, that's not wrong at all.
But it also depends on why you dress up. Not everyone does it for the attention.

If you do want the attention, then yes you probably do have to pander to what everyone else's ideals are.

If you've worked hard on a costume, and you take it to your favorite con, only to feel like your hard work was a waste of time, because no one commented or enjoys your costume, i don't think i know many people who would just shrug and go 'oh well' maybe next time.

Hi - I'm one of those very people.
As an 'Aliens' costumer, I'm fully aware that the actual Aliens will get most of the attention - Colonial Marines just stand to one side and let the (self-described) Xenomorphic photo-whores do their thing. Occasionally, we get pics of us taken, too but we're mostly there to watch out for the guys in costume.

Most of my other costumes I do because *I* like them, knowing full well and alsmost taking pride in the fact that no-one else will know where they're from.

Let me make sure I understand you. Are you saying (let's pretend you're 5,4 and weight 200 lbs) you can still dress like a stormtrooper and if anyone dares critisize you will have words with them? :confused

If they do it to my face, yeah...

You don't walk up to someone in the street and say, "You're too ugly to wear that jacket" or, "You are too skinny for that sweater, too fat for those shoes, too short for those trousers"..... DO YOU??!!!

I imagine if you did, people would respond just as I would.
Similarly, you don't go round your mates' fancy dress parties arguing the screen/historical accuracy of their outfits, do you?

Why should this be any different?

If people want the attention and to show off the amazing accuracy of their costumes, how similar they look to their chosen characters and how beautiful they are, fair enough - there are also numerous organised costume groups that absolutely delight in such people.


If you are just another punter and fancy a bit of a dress-up, without having to spend many thousands on the neccesary highly accurate kit, body sculpting and plastic surgery to achieve the same effect... go ahead!!
No-one says you MUST be 100% accurate in every way and few people can actually afford the majority of it.

NO-ONE has the right to criticise you over that... at least not unless they expect to get a smack in the mouth. I went to one con a couple of years ago where there were about 12 kids, all doing the David Tennant version of Doctor Who. None were the same height as Tennant and all has slight inaccuracies, but they were just people having fun and probably didn't care.

The only way to get 100% accuracy, completely immune from criticism is to actually be the original actor in the original kit. Most costumers don't take it so seriously.

 

[jason1976]

People just have no !@#$ manners any more, and I'm just sick of it.

The last con I went to, I went with a group of friends, and we all costumed. I had a very, nice costume in the works, but with only a couple of weeks to go, I saw that I wasn't going tol get into, in time for the con (by a long shot) so I decided to do a different costume. I managed to get the second costume done in time. Was it perfect? NO. Was it all that I wanted it to be? No. But it was supposed to be about the fun.

Well, at one point I was setting with my friends, and this guy walks up with his little kid. THE PARENT, walked up to each of my friends in tern and looked them up and down, like they were pieces of meat, and said some sort of kind things. Then he went out of his way to look at me, and say "Yours is the worst of the groop, if not the worst at the con, why did you even bother." (in front of his kid, so his kid will sind up being as big as a jerk as he is, on day, and they guy didn't even have a costume on.)

Later I was ASKED to be on stage with the rest of my group, and others. Afterward, another guy walks right up to me, and say "did they tell you, you belonged up there, I think you were mistaken, because you didn't"

I'm sick of jerks thinking that someone thinks, that anyone asked them for there loud moth opinions.

What ever happened to if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all.

Most of us, do the best that our abilities will allow. (or as much as our bank accounts will allow. ) Everyone should be allowed to enjoy them selves. If your a 300 pount slave leia, don't expect every one to want there picture taken of you, but you shouldn't be treated poorly either.

A few years ago, I was on the city bus. (Hey I'm to blind to drive.) The bus pulls up to a stop, and two friends were standing there. One girls was "hot" by most peoples standers, and the other girl was very, very, plus sized, by most peoples standers. They both were wearing tight jeans, and black tube tops (or what ever they call them these days.) The driver looked the "hot" one up and down and flirted with here as she got on the bus. When her friend went to get on the bus, the drive said "you can't get on thiis bus dressed like that". He closed the door in here face, and drove off. They were wearing the same dam thing. I am so sick of this kind of thing.

Not everyone is the same color, Size, shape, height, etc. GET OVER IT, AND GROW THE HELL UP!

 

[Bryanakin]

That bus situation sounds like a pretty bad outcome.


In general, some costumes are better than others. If you put on a costume at a con, you should be ready to accept the compliments as well as criticisms. Seems to be all fair game.

 

[Ttaskmaster]

"Yours is the worst of the groop, if not the worst at the con, why did you even bother."

See, that's the point I turn around and reply, "Your child is fecking ugly, probably the ugliest thing in the con. Why did you even bother making it?".
If people are going to be that rude, especially when uninvited, they should expect just as bad thrown back in their face, if not worse!

Afterward, another guy walks right up to me, and say "did they tell you, you belonged up there, I think you were mistaken, because you didn't"

So what he meant was that he didn't have the balls to make any effort and thinks cutting other people down and behaving like a ***** makes him more than just the [insert string of highly frightening insults here] that he is.


The opinions of pathetic, insecure little p***ants like this don't actually matter... and you should tell them so whenever they get too big for their wee-soaked little booties. It's a classic, but I always liked, "If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you".

 

[QuasiOdo]

Costumes at cons? Imagine all cons WITHOUT them.
Personally, I prefer quality over quantity. And NEVER without a sense of humor.

 

[Agent RayBans]

I'm an over weight Stormtrooper, and the funny/unfortunate thing is I didn't realize how "bad" I looked in the armor until after I saw pictures of myself in my suit. My first 501st troop was a blast, and I had a great time. But once I saw candid photos of my taken at the event by event goers I realized how fat I looked in costume.

I have to admit I kind of wish someone said in one of my build threads, with honnest and constructive criticism "Hey, no offense bud, but I think you are a little big for a stormtrooper. Maybe theres another costume out there better suited for you?"

I'm not even sure what I am trying to say here, I'm kind of divided. I had a great time at the troop, but now I am aware of how I look and I am kind of embarrassed. I put a lot of work into making a screen accurate costume, but forgot to make sure I have a screen accurate body. At least its motivated me to work on getting in better shape, and so far so good.

Do what ever makes you happy, but for me I'm not happy knowing I don't look like a stormtrooper, I look like a fat stormtrooper

 

[Geniepants]

Well, haven't we opened up a can of worms? First, I'll respond to the original topic- Yes, I have personally noticed an increase in costuming at cons over the years. Back in the early-mid 90's, I walked around sci-fi cons with my store bought Star Trek: TNG uniform shirt, saw a few Klingons and a few other odds and ends, and that was about it. These days, you can't hardly go to a con without seeing Star Wars, superhero, and anime costumes. I'm guessing that a lot of it has to do with the internet. Over the last 10-15 years, we've been able to make personal connections with people we normally might not have met. Without the internet, I would never have found the 501st, and in turn may never have gone on to the other costumes I've done. In addition, it's allowed us to share ideas and techniques and get alomst instant feedback on things.

As for the can of worms. I'm a 6'2" guy that's hovering around 280lbs. I've seen guys close to my size wearing Stormtooper armor, and decided that I didn't like the way it looked (big gaps between plates, etc) so I choose to wear costumes that I think I can look a bit better in. While I in no way begrudge ANYONE willing to go out into public in costume, I appreciate the extra effort made by people that costume to their look. I saw a guy in a black Spidey costume at Dargoncon last year. The best part was later on, he had the mask off an looked like Tobey Macguire! I've seen a guy that does a pretty good Wesley Snipes dressed as Blade. Some of you might know Arturo; To date, he's the only guy I've seen wearing Jango Fett armor and still be accurate when he takes his bucket off.

On the other hand, I can also appreciate creativity. There were 4 guys at Dragoncon last year that set up a picket fence made of cardboard and dressed up as the guys from King of the Hill. The whole set up probably cost $15, but they were great!

So, I make personal choices in my costuming. Being a white guy, I'll never go to a con as Blade or Bruce Lee. I'm fat, so you won't see me dressed as a Spartan from 300 anytime soon. BUT, each person that dresses up at a con has their own set of personal standards, and if they're willing to go outside dressed like that, more power to them.

 

[Risu]

I say if you can enjoy yourself dressing up as a character, even if you're too big to fit the "look", then feel free. It doesn't hurt me at all. Back when I was heavier I wouldn't have been able to enjoy it, so I lost the weight. As for other races, that's a touchy subject. I mean, I guess if you really like a character or their costume and want to dress as them, then you should go for it, but I'd say it's probably better to leave out stuff like face paint, as that has some historical...... context. I'd rather be seen in public as a white Blade than the guy in black-face with the sword.

 

[AJLoCascio]

I agree with Risu.

For me personally if I don't look the part i wont act the part. If I were 400 pounds i wouldn't be caught dead in a Spidey suit , but I'm not going to discriminate against people that have the balls to do so.

Btw Arafinwe I love the idea of a Big Storm Trooper! You could go with a group of other people that are not the "right Trooper size" and be the rogue garrison!

 

[Carenix]

I can almost measure the success of a convention based on the quantity and quality of the costume attendees. A local convention (the Phoenix Comicon) doubled in membership this year and I took hundreds of pictures of costumers, as opposed to last year when I took maybe a dozen. I think costumes are becoming more accepted, and wearing a costume is another way to enjoy the convention, especially when you run into a group of people who have costumes from the same genre/show/etc because you know they have the same interests so you have an automatic ice-breaker to talk to people.

 

[Bryanakin]

I'm an over weight Stormtrooper, and the funny/unfortunate thing is I didn't realize how "bad" I looked in the armor until after I saw pictures of myself in my suit. My first 501st troop was a blast, and I had a great time. But once I saw candid photos of my taken at the event by event goers I realized how fat I looked in costume.

I have to admit I kind of wish someone said in one of my build threads, with honnest and constructive criticism "Hey, no offense bud, but I think you are a little big for a stormtrooper. Maybe theres another costume out there better suited for you?"

I'm not even sure what I am trying to say here, I'm kind of divided. I had a great time at the troop, but now I am aware of how I look and I am kind of embarrassed. I put a lot of work into making a screen accurate costume, but forgot to make sure I have a screen accurate body. At least its motivated me to work on getting in better shape, and so far so good.

Do what ever makes you happy, but for me I'm not happy knowing I don't look like a stormtrooper, I look like a fat stormtrooper

I respect this type of attitude. Kudos to you.