Costume parties are brought up a notch with the increasing popularity of cosplay. It is classified as an artistic expression by cartoon and anime enthusiasts to celebrate their favorite characters. The inspirations used for the costumes aren’t limited to television shows but also include famous characters from comic magazines and other printed articles.
For people who aren’t very familiar with animated movies but are interested about wearing costumes, the fastest way to learn the trend is by attending events and social gatherings. The majority of the crowd would most likely be composed of avid fans and serious enthusiasts alike. To make sure that you don’t get out of place, knowing the different types of events is essential.
Social Gatherings
Social gatherings generally refer to parties that are meant to acquaint different people who share the same passion for cosplaying. Most parties that belong to this category don’t have a particular theme and gives the guests the freedom to choose how they would like to be dressed as. The following are the most common examples:
- Club Anniversaries
- Group Acquaintance Parties
- Local Cosplay Shop Openings
During these particular events, it is best to have a few people to come with you. Most guests are likely to keep a close look on other costumes, so it is also essential to look as identical to the character as much as possible. Since the parties are usually casual, it doesn’t matter how simple the character you want to copy.
Holiday Celebrations
Another type of event wherein cosplay costumes are used is during holiday celebrations such as Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Christmas. The most popular one would be Halloween wherein children dress-up for trick-or-treat. Most enthusiasts host parties before or after the actual date just to get the chance to show off their new costumes to people.
Most parties come with specific themes that need to be followed. This is a good choice for cosplay beginners since you can narrow down the choices of costumes depending on the theme. In most cases, such parties are extravagant and require guests to invest a little more than necessary to look especially good. For such parties, it is best to choose characters with elegance and style in mind.
Themed Social Events
The hardest type of activity to enter for beginners would most likely be themed social events. This refers to exclusive idol concerts, live tours, plays and dramatic presentations, or product advertising parties.
- Product advertising parties are usually two-part events wherein the first part involves a formal press release and product introduction, while the second part is where invited guests, cosplay fanatics, and performers get the chance to check out the offered products. Because they are privileged events, it would help to have a few important connections.
- Plays and dramatic presentations that use cosplay costumes are limited to fantasy and historical themes. In such situations, wearing a costume isn’t needed unless you are a performer.
- Idol concerts and live tours mean what they suggest. These events are open to the public and showcase popular cosplay idols both local and international.
