Overweight Cosplayers (aka "Cosplay Turnoffs")

[Angelus SnV]

Ok...i'll admit i used th'title just because i figured it'd get more people t'notice it. But here's my (most likely long-winded..because i get a lil' talky) intro:

I was recently watchin' this:

Spoiler: YouTube vid, The Worst Cosplay

]

and found m'self wondering something...sure this vid had a few really bad (obviously (cheaply) store-bought) costumes, but there were a few things that i noticed were kinda a theme with this guy to point out:

1) Different hairstyles than th'one the character usually depicts
2) The obvious gender swap
3) different race of th'cosplayer than th'character depicted
4) Overweight/Underweight cosplayers

And while i'll admit that these'll sometimes take ya right out of whatever character they're portrayin', th'fact of th'matter is this doesn't necessarily make them a "bad" cosplay does it?

I ask this because my girlfriend and myself are puttin' together costumes for this year's halloween (Green Arrow and Black Canary), and we're both a lil' overweight. Not as bad as some of th'folks in th'vids, but it's there and when you're talkin' tights it'll be noticed (I am tryin' to make my GA suit a lil' less "form-fitting" because of it...and my girlfriend is so greatful she gets to wear th'jacket...o'course, that doesn't help with th'legs when it comes to those stockings but anyway)...

My question to you, oh dear Escapists, is what the biggest offenses for cosplayers to do? Is it any of th'1st four i mentioned? Is it somethin' else that i didn't remember? Or is it all null and void if the costume looks good? What takes you right out of a suit/makes you give somebody the "not even close buddy" award when it comes to cosplay?

*EDIT* While i appreciate th'uplifting words and all, i am genuinely curious as to (if it's not th'weight thing) what DOES equal a "bad cosplay" to you guys...th'encouragement is nice, but it's not th'primary purpose of th'post after all...

 

[TimeLord]

I recall a cosplay Rainbow Dash that was.... huge.

Edit: Ok so the cosplayer in question wasn't that huge. The cosplay in question was very bad.

 

[HydraMoon]

I'm not a sizeist so as long as the outfit is right, the attitude is right- I dont' give a flying flip about the size of the cosplayer. I don't care about gender either- because it's not about the person it's about the character and most character traits can go across gender lines. It's about celebrating the source material, not about judging other people. Be accurate, have a good time, ignore the haters- those are my personal cosplay rules.

 

[Hagi]

Nothing wrong with being overweight (unless it's obesity, in which case it's wrong because it's a medical condition).

But being overweight you have to realize that clothes that work for skinny people don't necessarily work for you.

As far as Black Canary goes I'd really recommend wearing something below the stockings like this:

Making sure the blue tights are of a sturdy material to keep a straight shape intact.

As for Green Arrow consider less form-fitting leather pants. From what I know Green Arrow is also known to wear those (at least his smallville incarnation seems to do).

And please don't take this as a "Gross, cover it up!". If you feel better in skin tight stuff then by all means, but personally I'd feel better knowing I looked good. So this is just some advice that would, imho, help you look good.

 

[Caveworm]

Robins secret was a bit scary though!

Some of them were OK. Could tell most were just having a laugh. Like the giant pokeman chap.

 

[Silvertwinn]

Some of the cosplays in that video weren't even bad! They were good!

I cosplayed as Dark Magician Girl at AE in 2009, even though I was terrified that I would be made fun of because of my size or my lack of boots or long, brown hair (at the time). I'm very tall, and I weigh around 220 lbs, so I look like I have a fair bit of chub 'round my middle, so I know where you're coming from. I can't bear to see myself in pictures anymore (I get really depressed), but props to you if you're brave enough to do it!

Fix your costumes to make yourselves feel awesome and you're golden. As long as the cosplay itself is good, and you don't care if some dork wad makes fun of you (he is a dork wad, after all), then you're gonna have a blast.

 

[similar.squirrel]

Whenever I feel bad about myself, I just remember that some people cosplay.

 

[ObsessiveSketch]

1) Different hairstyles than th'one the character usually depicts
As long as the hairstyle is canon. If the character is depicted in SOME FORM of media with that hairstyle, it should be fair game.

2) The obvious gender swap
Genderswaps are A-OK. It's pretty much standard, at this point.

3) different race of th'cosplayer than th'character depicted
Seeing as there's a dearth of black characters out there, I can somewhat let this slide. However, I'd be lying if I didn't say that it bugs the hell out of me. Anime -> asian, anime -> white, even anime -> latino can work. Black people cosplaying lighter-skinned characters just looks off to me.

4) Overweight/Underweight cosplayers
If you are overweight, I demand you lose an acceptable amount of weight before attempting to cosplay. Either that, or go as a heavier character. It kills me inside to see XXXXL versions of characters wobbling around a convention.
<spoiler=People who get it>

http://nerdreactor.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Street-Fighter-High-Musical-Gerald-Hom-as-E-Honda-and-Rufus.jpg[/img]http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l464lvg5BF1qznzeco1_500.jpg
<spoiler=People that DON'T>http://i43.tinypic.com/157173b.jpghttp://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i229/Sora-Sol/Funny/1171654131676.jpghttp://www.nupxl.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Cosplay-Fails-fat-yuna.jpg

 

[Stalydan]

Two things make me do O_O

1) Terrible cross players. I have no problems with cross players but if you don't even make an effort to look like the other gender (e.g. guys with thick goatees cosplaying Lucky Star girls) that's weird

2) "I bought it on my way down" L Cosplayers. People who have no idea who they're going to cosplay until they "conveniently" found a cheap clothes shop and bought a white sweater and blue jeans and say "I'm L". No problem with L cosplays because some of them look awesome with hair work and what not but then "I couldn't make up my mind" guys are annoying ><

 

[trouble_gum]

Your size is irrelevant so long as you tailor your costumes to accomodate it,in my opinion.
Those of us who're carrying a bit extra round the middle probably should avoid cosplaying characters with skimpy, midriff revealing tops.

Not even for the sensibilities of others, but mostly to not feel self-conscious and uncomfortable.

 

[Skulltaker101]

A Chell cosplayer who was the size and shape of an Enrichment Sphere.

 

[Skulltaker101]

A Chell cosplayer who was roughly the size and shape of an Enrichment Sphere, if you'll excuse the incredibly Portal-based references there.

Ah, I can't have a go at these poor sods. I know it's just a laugh, really.

 

[Angelus SnV]

Your size is irrelevant so long as you tailor your costumes to accomodate it,in my opinion.
Those of us who're carrying a bit extra round the middle probably should avoid cosplaying characters with skimpy, midriff revealing tops.

Not even for the sensibilities of others, but mostly to not feel self-conscious and uncomfortable.

That's kinda th'reason we're both wearin' costumes that cover most of our bodies (with the exception again of her legs) I was even goin' with GA because of th'fact of i have REALLY long hair and hate th'idea of cutting it to do (most of) th'characters i wanna do...so i figured with th'hood i wouldn't even have to color it (my mustache/beard would have to be colored obviously...i'm goin' for as accurate as possible where i'm able)...i've however decided i'm gonna cut/color my hair to match Ollie's (M'lady's wearin' a wig)...mostly cuz i've finally decided it's time for a cut and this gives me an excuse...

A Chell cosplayer who was roughly the size and shape of an Enrichment Sphere, if you'll excuse the incredibly Portal-based references there.

Ah, I can't have a go at these poor sods. I know it's just a laugh, really.

I have no idea what any of those mean...

Two things make me do O_O

1) Terrible cross players. I have no problems with cross players but if you don't even make an effort to look like the other gender (e.g. guys with thick goatees cosplaying Lucky Star girls) that's weird

2) "I bought it on my way down" L Cosplayers. People who have no idea who they're going to cosplay until they "conveniently" found a cheap clothes shop and bought a white sweater and blue jeans and say "I'm L". No problem with L cosplays because some of them look awesome with hair work and what not but then "I couldn't make up my mind" guys are annoying ><

wow...i have no idea who any of th'folks you mentioned are either...*sigh* i feel like i'm losin' m'geek cred here....

 

[Rawne1980]

You know, i'm going to step away from my usual sarcastic mocking tone and be serious for a change.

I don't do cosplay myself but i've been at events where it's gone on and the like.

I can honestly say that as long as it looks like someone has put a bit of effort in and has the outfit right at least then their size is a non issue.

I'll take a lass I saw dressed as Yuffie for example. I was at a GW event in Birmingham and some Final Fantasy party was going on near the pub we watered ourselves in and a group came in dressed as FF characters.

Now Yuffie (my memory sucks monkey balls but i'm pretty sure her real name was Sarah) was quite a big girl but she had made the outfit herself and it did look pretty good.

But mainly, as long as your having fun who the hell cares?

 

[Loner Jo Jo]

3) different race of th'cosplayer than th'character depicted

Seriously, though, I guess it's because the point of cosplay for everyone else except the cosplayer is to see their favorite characters come to life. If the cosplayer in question is significantly different from the character, it doesn't look right. I mean, it would be weird to ogle a bearded Sailor Moon.

 

[Scarim Coral]

In my opinion the worst offences is the cosplayer appearances is inaccurate in that he/ she put no effect into the costume and he/ she had to say who he/ she is suppose to be cosplay as (e.g in that video the Green Goblin costume was awful).

That abit of a hypocrite for me to say since I intend to cosplay Travis Touchdown from No More Heroes but the difference is that I going to try to be accurate as possible (I've already plan out how and where to get his gears except got his red jacket and the beam katana which the red jacket will not be alter in anyway).
I had encountered a girl who was supposedly cosplay as Tenten from Naruto but she look nothing like her.
As for overweight people to cosplay, I have no problem with them unless they're cosplaying a skimpy wearing character (sorry if I offend anyone, it's just abit unsightly).
Overall I have no problem with the cosplayer appearances unlike my brother (he more of a perfectionist).

 

[Angelus SnV]

3) different race of th'cosplayer than th'character depicted

Seriously, though, I guess it's because the point of cosplay for everyone else except the cosplayer is to see their favorite characters come to life. If the cosplayer in question is significantly different from the character, it doesn't look right. I mean, it would be weird to ogle a bearded Sailor Moon.

I never said this was MY list of faults...i said this was what th'guy who made this vid seemed to focus on...i personally don't see it as a problem...

 

[Deathninja19]

Honestly who gives a fuck what others think if you're having fun. Dress however you wish good sir.

 

[Loner Jo Jo]

I never said this was MY list of faults...i said this was what th'guy who made this vid seemed to focus on...i personally don't see it as a problem...

Oh, I wasn't trying to imply that. I was trying to say that idea is racist, and people who think it are racist. Not you, OP. Really, I just like that meme and it seemed like the golden opportunity to use it.

 

[William Ossiss]

what i find hilarious is the ones that don't look anything at all what they say they are. i remember seeing this guy who was dress as vash the stampede. his hair was way too big, lop sided, and the coat was off. not cloth, but a shiny leather-like material. it's usually hilarious. like that one guy who dresses as Slave Leia.