Cosplay is an art form. We spend so much time and effort making our costumes; we deserve to be protected! Here are some tips for protecting your costumes this Halloween.
Cosplayers spend so much time and effort making their costumes; they deserve to be protected!
You're probably a cosplayer, or at least know someone who is. You may be one yourself, and if so, you know exactly what it's like to spend hours and hours working on costumes that make you feel like the most badass person in the world. Because of this, we want to make sure that your time-consuming and expensive cosplay materials are protected from harm at Halloween parties—and in everyday life!
Halloween is a time where people get together in costumes they wouldn't normally wear out in public (or maybe even invite into their home). Some of these costumes are elaborate enough that they require special care during transport or storage just because they don't fit in with normal clothing storage methods. That's why we've put together this guide: to help you protect all those precious pieces of fabric and foam padding while still keeping them within reach when needed!
The first step is figuring out what type of costume(s) will be worn on Halloween night so we can plan accordingly based off their needs during transportation/storage leading up until then."
1. Don't Keep Your Costume in Plastic
This should go without saying, but trust me on this one: you don't want to store your costume in a plastic bag. While it may be tempting to place your cosplay in a clear bag before heading home from the convention, that's actually not the best idea for two reasons. First of all, plastic can trap moisture and mold over time (which is bad news for any fabric). Second of all, it can also trap dirt and dust—and no one wants their outfit looking like it got into an accident with some mud by the end of its life cycle!
If you're going to be storing your costume for any significant amount of time—whether that's just until next year or until you come back from retirement—I recommend hanging it up somewhere safe from dust bunnies and spiders on hangers or hooks high enough off the ground so as not to get too close contact with rodent friends (if they exist where you live).
2. Keep It Away From the Heat
Keep your costume away from heat. This is a tricky one, as it's tempting to leave your cosplay in the car until you're ready to head out for all the Halloween parties. But remember: keeping your costume in a hot car could cause damage to fabrics and adhesives that may be necessary for its structural integrity.
Also keep in mind that if you're storing or transporting your costume somewhere warm—like an attic or basement—it could end up getting damaged by condensation or mold on equipment if left out of air-conditioning long enough.
3. Take it Easy on Vacation
It's easy to get distracted when you're traveling and leave your costume in the car, hotel room or trunk of a taxi. Make sure you pack your cosplay with you when you go on vacation so that it doesn't end up getting ruined or stolen.
4. Don't Let the Kids Play with it
If you let your kids play with your costume, they are likely to get it messy or tear it. If they do, you will have to buy a new one. If your kids want to wear the costumes that you have made for them, that is fine as long as they do not ruin them. This could mean putting tape on the edges of the costumes so that they cannot be torn off by sharp objects (ie: fingernails).
5. Don't Leave it on for Too Long
Halloween is a time to let loose, have fun, and show off your cosplay! However, you may want to take off your costume before you get too tired or sloppy and risk damaging it by falling asleep in it or leaving it on too long. If you're still having trouble deciding what to wear this Halloween (or any other day of the year), check out our Cosplay Costume Guide for inspiration!
6. Handle with Care
As you have probably gathered by now, the materials used in cosplay costumes can be very delicate. In order to avoid damaging your costume:
- Do not let children play with it. Children are often roughhoused by nature and may accidentally rip or tear a piece of fabric or damage an appendage while playing.
- If possible, keep your cosplay as far away from water as possible (especially salt water!). If you do get caught in rainstorm or get caught up in a downpour, make sure that you protect any electronics that could become damaged if exposed to moisture—this means keeping them out of puddles if possible! Also be wary of leaving your phone/camera/etc. unprotected while outside; they will likely end up getting wet!
- Keep Your Cosplay Away from Water, Heat, and Direct Sunlight
7. Keeping it Clean and Fresh - Part 1
- Wash it in cold water and dry it flat, making sure to use a clean towel.
- Use a brush to remove any loose dirt or dust from the costume.
- Use fabric conditioner on synthetic fabrics, but don’t use bleach or fabric softener—these will make the fabric brittle over time and cause it to lose its shape faster.
- Don’t iron your cosplay! This can damage the material and ruin its design.
8. Keeping it Clean and Fresh - Part 2
This is the second part of our two-part series on keeping your cosplay in good condition. If you haven't already, please read up on Part 1 before continuing with this one. In this section, we'll be talking about ways to keep your cosplay clean and fresh!
It's important to remember that not only does leaving it out for too long expose it to more damage than necessary, but also that certain kinds of damage are irreversible, so once your costume is damaged there's no going back. To avoid this from happening at all costs:
- Don't leave it out in the sun or rain - Heat can warp plastic parts and cause them to melt together into an unworkable mess while water will cause mildew growths which are harden over time into permanent stains (and if you don't believe us try washing some towels after they've been left wet too long). If you're going somewhere where there will likely be sunlight or rain make sure that whatever container(s) you use has a tight seal so none leaks through (you could also just consider bringing an extra set along).
- Don't leave it in the car - This one might seem obvious but some people forget how hot cars get when they're parked outside during summertime months even when parked under shade trees; plus humidity from being closed inside with no ventilation increases risks of mold growths forming around fabric parts like cuffs/buttons etcetera which means having less usable materials available when trying repair damage later down the line if something does happen despite precautions taken beforehand!
9. Keep it Stored Safely
Be sure to keep your cosplay in a dry, safe place. You wouldn't want to be the person who lost their costume just because they accidentally left it on top of their car and drove away. Make sure to store your cosplay in a secure area that is free from children or pets and away from extreme heat or cold. It's also important not to store your costume in direct sunlight or moisture, as this can ruin the fabric and dye. Finally, keep an eye out for dust and insects—especially if you're using fake fur!
10. Get a Back up Costume - Incase of Spills, Tears or Disasters!
To ensure you have a safe and happy Halloween, we recommend getting a back up costume. Having an extra costume means that if your primary cosplay gets stained or torn, you'll still be able to enjoy the party!
Additionally, having a back up will allow you to perform cosplays of all kinds without worrying about ruining them. You can use it for your next convention or even just wear it around town! If you're worried about cost, there are many cheap options available online. You could also try making one yourself by using thrift store clothing or scraps from other costumes.
We hope you’ve found this article helpful and that your costume will be safe this Halloween! If you have any questions or if there are other tips that we missed, please leave us a comment below or reach out to us on Instagram at @Fungirlwithacamera. Happy cosplaying!
Cosplay photography by Fungirlwithacamera Photography
Hope from Fungirlwithacamera Photography specializes in Cosplay photography.
