The Casual Otaku

Long before I start packing for a convention, I’ve usually spent weeks refining my cosplay lineup. If you’ve ever wondered how my Dragon Con cosplay lineup can change so many times before a single costume makes it into a suitcase, you’re not alone.

I wrote in an earlier post that this year marks 15 years since I started cosplaying regularly and shared some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way. One thing I never really expanded on, though, was my planning process. More specifically, how I decide what my next cosplay will be and how I put together a lineup for each convention.

One of the biggest surprises after 15 years of cosplaying is that I spend far more time deciding what not to wear than what actually makes the final cut. Choosing a cosplay isn’t just about accuracy anymore, it’s about making sure the costume enhances the convention experience instead of becoming the convention itself. If I’m being honest, the planning process can get a little obsessive and occasionally borders on overthinking.

For reference, my Dragon Con cosplay lineup will probably change an alarming number of times before I actually start packing. Having a costume that looks as screen accurate as possible is important, but comfort is just as important, if not more so. That makes sense when I’m routinely spending 10+ hours in costume at a convention or local event. That philosophy doesn’t just apply to the costume itself. It also applies to the accessories, and sometimes the best lessons come from wearing a costume at a convention rather than trying it on at home.

Case in point, the Agnes Tachyon cosplay I debuted at Fanime this year. Trying to figure out how to wear the tail first thing in the morning was frustrating to say the least. After fighting with a few less-than-ideal solutions, I decided to leave it off entirely.

Was it perfect? No.

Did it stop me from having a great weekend? Also no.

As it turned out, I wasn’t even the only Umamusume cosplayer without a tail that weekend. More importantly, nobody stopped me to point out that the costume was “wrong.” In fact, the accessory that did work perfectly was something I barely noticed all day: the horse ears. Half the time I forgot I was even wearing them.

My Suzume cosplay taught me a different lesson. For years I leaned toward shorter wigs because they were easier to manage, but Suzume proved I can coexist with a longer wig without it turning into a tangled bird’s nest by the end of the day.
Those experiences reinforced something I’ve come to appreciate over the years. I’d much rather have a couple of imperfect test runs while I fine-tune a costume than expect everything to be flawless the first time I wear it. Spending a day making small adjustments is a much better outcome than getting frustrated enough to retire a costume I spent good money on after only one use.

When it comes to adding new costumes to my collection, there’s one thing I almost always prioritize: versatility.

That’s one of the reasons so many of my cosplays are school uniforms. With a few exceptions, changing the wig, ribbon or a couple of accessories can transform one uniform into multiple characters. It’s a great way to stretch the cosplay budget, especially since quality costumes aren’t exactly cheap if you want them to survive multiple conventions.

Of course, there are exceptions. Some costumes are tied to one specific character, and a few that have only been worn once or twice have probably filed formal complaints with management demanding more convention appearances. Overall, though, versatility usually wins out.

Planning for a convention has also changed quite a bit over the years. Years ago, younger me would have focused almost entirely on what was popular or what looked the coolest. Current me couldn’t care less.

These days, the climate is one of the biggest factors because I generally commit to one costume for the entire day. A costume that looks amazing doesn’t do much good if I’m miserable after lunch, and Dragon Con is a perfect example. I’ve never been to Atlanta, but I know early September means heat and humidity that can make you question your life choices.

Even though my lineup continues to evolve, one thing has stayed consistent. Every costume currently under consideration is designed for warm weather.

That means short sleeves, lighter outfits and mostly shorter wigs, with Suzume being the one exception. Everything is made from polyester or satin anyway, so there isn’t much escaping the fabric, but at least I can avoid adding unnecessary layers. Winter uniforms with blazers and long sleeves? Those can stay safely in the closet unless my goal is to speedrun heat stroke.

On the other hand, those same costumes would be perfect for a cooler-weather convention like Anime Los Angeles or Katsucon. Different conventions call for different lineups, but the philosophy stays the same.

Dragon Con is just the latest opportunity to put that philosophy into practice. By the time I zip up my suitcase, every costume inside will have survived weeks of second-guessing, weather forecasts, accessory tests and practical reality checks. It may sound excessive, but I’d rather overthink my lineup beforehand than spend an entire convention wishing I’d packed something different.

Looking back, that’s probably the biggest change in how I approach cosplay. Fifteen years ago I was focused on finding the coolest costume I could wear. Today I’m focused on finding the costume that lets me enjoy the convention the most. If that means leaving a tail at home, choosing a shorter wig or keeping a winter uniform in the closet because Atlanta in September is trying to cosplay as a sauna, that’s an easy decision.

At the end of the day, the costume is there to support the convention experience, not become the convention itself. If I’m making memories instead of counting down the hours until I can change clothes, then I planned my lineup correctly.