Prepare your cotsume!

1. Plan, plan, plan.

No cosplay looks poorer than one that's done last minute. And when Isay plan, I mean plan. I usually have a clear idea of my cosplay fornext year a weekend or two after the last convention has ended. Thisleaves a lot of room for changes, preparation, discussion, and soforth. You have time to buy materials, costumes, make-up, get a grouptogether, and add accessories and weapons.




2. Get everything ahead of time.


I mean like, way ahead of time. If a convention is in August, I usuallyhave all to most of my major costume materials in by May. This isespecially important if you are buying your costume from China or Japanand if it is being custom-made. Complications can occur that delays theorder, and you may need to return it or order a new one. If you haveeverything in order, you're not waiting a week before the con wonderingif you'll get your Organization XIII coat in time. This will also giveyou time to make adjustments to your costume yourself and see if it'scomfortable.




3. Put everything on beforehand.

Never, ever, everwait until 8 o'clock Friday morning to put your completed costume on.And when I say everything, I mean everything. Make-up, wigs, shoes,bracelets, weapons, everything. I had a friend once who realized toolate that the wig she had looked horrible with her costume, so she hadtwo options - either take it off and have it look incomplete, or wearit and try to make the best.




4. Don't forget anything!

Nothing is worse than working your hardest to make Sora'sKeyblade...and then forgetting it at home! It's very easy to leave asmall accessory or make-up product at home, so here's what I do: Get anotebook and list everything you need on one page. I meaneverything. Write down your red glitter, your white glitter, yourmake-up remover, your garter belt, your one rainbow stocking and yourone black one. Anything you wear / carry, no matter how small it is,write it down. As you buy it or complete it, check it off. Then onanother page, do the same list, but save this one for when you'repacking. When you put your white apron in the appropriate suitcase,check it off, then go on to the black dress! This way, you'll beprepared and you'll know you have everything.