Comfortable Costume Ideas for Comics Conventions
How to Dress Up in Trouble-Free Superhero or Villain Outfits
Sep 5, 2009
Part of the excitement of comics conventions is getting dressed up as a superhero or super-villain – or at least seeing how other fans dress up. While putting on costumes of comics characters can be fun, there are certain logistical problems which fans should consider before pulling on some colorful spandex.
Can Costumes be Put On at the Convention?
The first consideration is whether to put on a costume at the convention, or before arriving. While conventions will obviously have washrooms in which fans can get changed, there may not be lockers or similar facilities available for storing street clothes or other belongings that aren't part of costumes.
If this is an issue, costumes that incorporate backpacks (like the Ghostbusters) or utility belts (like Batman) are worth considering.
It's also important to know whether extra help is needed to put on a costume. When fans get dressed up as a group, they can help each other get in and out of complicated costumes, or keep them together during the convention.
But a fan dressing up alone should wear a costume that he or she doesn't need help getting in and out of – especially for going to the washroom. Classic tights-wearing superhero costumes, such as Superman or Spider-Man, are relatively maintenance-free and good ideas for this situation.
Comics Convention Costumes Must be Durable
Comics conventions can get crowded, and with all the jostling past exhibitors and dealers, costumes can get damaged. Delicate costumes, homemade or not, may not be good choices for wearing on the convention floor. It can also be a good idea to plan to wear a more durable outfit if it's to be worn at other conventions, or as a Halloween costume.
Costumes which require heavy make-up can also smear or come off over the long hours of a convention. Casual cosplayers may want to avoid gluing on elaborate latex prostheses (like Klingon foreheads), and everyone should carry some spare make-up for touch-ups.
Costumes Shouldn't be Too Hot or Cold
Beyond the costume not getting wrecked during the convention, comfort is a primary concern. Convention floors quickly get hot and stuffy, so relatively cool costumes are best for fans planning to spend a lot of time there. If the convention is being held during the summer months, a revealing costume, or a costume using body-paint – such as the Hulk or She-Hulk – is a cool option.
Conversely, costume-goers planning to spend time in less crowded areas, or traveling between buildings in the cold, would do well with an easily-layered costume, such as a robe-clad Jedi Master. But fans looking for comfort may want to stop short of a Darth Vader or Imperial Stormtrooper costume, for instance, since heavy masks can be uncomfortable over the long haul, as well as being hard to see out of.
Other Considerations for Costumes at Comics Conventions
Of course, many convention-goers get dressed up to enter costume contests – in which case, many of these rules can be bent or broken. But costume contest entrants may want to save their elaborate get-ups for the masquerade, and wear a simpler version of their costumes on the convention's other days.
But for those looking to get into costume just for fun, comfort and convenience remain top concerns. If a comics convention costume is easy to get in and out of, won't fall apart or make its wearer uncomfortable, it's likely to get its wearer happily through a bevy of fan gatherings.
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