3 Reasons to Consider Cosplay for Halloween
With Halloween right around the corner, it can be overwhelming to help your daughter choose a costume. Ready-made Halloween costumes are certainly an easy choice. You can find them almost anywhere online or in retail stores. However, if you’re looking for a costume that is unique and allows your daughter to be creative, ready-made options are lacking in originality. The solution? Create your own costume using the wide array of cosplay ideas that can be found online.
1 – Individuality Is Key
Cosplay options are endless, and the great part is that you can customize an ensemble as much or as little as you want. This is useful when planning a costume for your children. The process of designing and creating a costume is enjoyable for every age.
Teens especially can be very creative when it comes to dressing up for Halloween. Cosplay is the perfect blend of creativity and individuality. You also have the option of customizing the outfit to be as simple or as extravagant as you would like.
For example, let’s say your teen would like to cosplay as Harley Quinn for Halloween. A store-bought costume would be generic, uncomfortable, and probably made with poor-quality fabric. With cosplay, however, the options are endless.
If your teen would like to be as realistic and dedicated as possible, there is always the option of actually purchasing fabric to create the costume from scratch or purchasing clothes that are similar but only need a few alterations.
For a more subtle homage to Harley Quinn, making alterations to existing clothes is also an option. Using existing clothes or purchasing materials at a thrift store are common methods for cosplaying on a budget. This also allows for the cosplay to be more of an homage rather than a direct copy, which increases the wear-ability and comfort of the costume itself.
2 – Creativity Is on Full Display
More than anything else, cosplay is known for it’s creativity. You could be any character from a book, movie, television show, or video game. Putting a spin on an existing character is also a great way to showcase creativity. Can’t find a costume for a female Iron Man? You can create one! Imagination is key for cosplay, and having endless options can boost creativity and originality in anyone.
Not only is cosplay fun, but it gives you the chance to be part of a larger community. Cosplayers often share ideas or tips on social media. This creates a creative space for other individuals who find inspiration in cosplay. You can imagine your favorite character in any way you would want without the fear of being judged and without the restrictions of following a traditional costume. For those who commit to more detailed and intricate cosplay, the process is an art form.
Cosplay itself is a combination of the words “costume” and “play.” While you’re helping your teen dress up as their favorite character, teach them how to channel their energy to really embody the character. Making the costume and becoming the character are two distinct ways for creativity to shine.
3 – Cosplay Is Empowering
Last but not least, cosplaying can be an empowering experience. Most people cosplay not only for fun but to be a part of their favorite fictional character and the world they belong to. Knowing you created a costume from scratch using only your own materials and your imagination is as satisfying as it is empowering.
Identifying with a certain character is also a powerful experience. When you dress up as a character, you embody who they are. There are no limits to who you can become. This is a liberating experience for many people who choose to cosplay.
