This is my cosplay year in review where I reflect on all of the cosplays that I have done this year.
I was inspired by this blog post Year in Review 2018 – Moxie Bright Events and decided it would be fun to do a cosplay version.
January
I started to teach myself how to edit the backgrounds of photos. I took a photo of me on the left cosplaying as Barbara and my friend @5sdollen19 cosplaying as Adam from the musical Beetlejuice. The second photo is when I cosplayed Marinette from Miraculous Ladybug. I used Adobe Spark for free with my student email. Then I used the background remover feature and I replaced the image.
How I created my Beetlejuice Barbara Cosplay
- I found this dress on Amazon and I bought it with a giftcard.
- I made my own handbook for the recently deceased by buying a one dollar journal from a craft store. Then I covered the journal with brown construction paper and cut out an image of the recently deceased logo. Finally I wrote handbook for the recently deceased in colored pencil.
How I created my Miraculous Ladybug Cosplay
I wanted to do a Marinette/Miraculous Ladybug-inspired look. So I used a dress that I found at a thrift store and I bought a wig on depop. I made sure to wash the wig first.
April
I joined @Ourshieldmaiden’s magic school bus virtual cosplay collaboration. I am cosplaying Wanda. @Ourshieldmaiden was a cosplayer that I follow on Instagram because of how she makes all her cosplays for under 100 dollars. Since her goal was to show people how anyone can cosplay without spending a lot of money.
How I put together my Wanda Cosplay
- I found a pink t shirt and vest/jacket at an online thrift store swap.com
- I did want to sew some yellow flowers onto the vest/jacket like in the tv series but it did not work out. Since I ordered the wrong size flower patches on ebay.
September
I went to my first convention which was FanExpoBoston with my friends. I wore my mask and I am vaccinated. I was really excited to cosplay Mabel Pines from Gravity Falls. Two of my friends @5sdollen19 cosplayed as Bill Cipher and @pandabears324/@ronto_rex cosplayed as Dipper Pines. We heard that someone was cosplaying as gruncle stan but we couldn’t find them to say hi.
How I created Mabel’s outfit
- My star shirt is from Etsy
- Gray skirt is thrifted
- The Gravity Falls journal is from Goodwill Books
- I used black flats I already owned. But I would recommend wearing more comfortable shoes because my feet hurt after being on my feet all day.
Rennisance Outfit
- Type in Rennisance overdress online and you will find a variety of choices. My mom bought mine as a christmas gift and hemmed it for me.
- I used a blouse and skirt that I already owned.
Halloween Costume
- Bought secondhand from savers
October
I went to King Richard’s Faire and I got to wear my renaissance maiden outfit in public.
Halloween
I was originally going to dress up as Mulan for Halloween. But that did not work out so I wore my red formal dress that I found at Savers for 15 dollars. Eventually I will cosplay Mulan in the future.
November
I hosted my first ever panel albeit virtual and it was about cosplay on a budget. I thought it would allow me to combine two of my passions helping people live frugally and cosplay. I had some technical difficulties but everyone said that they had a great time. I might do a virtual cosplay event again in the future but I would not do a panel-style again.
This past year I focused on cosplaying when I felt like it instead of feeling as if I constantly needed to be cosplaying in 2020. I also got very creative with closet cosplays and thrifting. This allowed me to put that money towards attending a renaissance fair and my first convention.
My goal for next year is to improve my cosplay skills regarding makeup, wig styling, and prop making. I also hope for a Disney princess cosplay and possibly turn it into a collaboration with friends.
What are your cosplay goals for next year?