Want to try out cosplaying.. don't know where to begin???

[jinxie]

Hello. I'm new. My name is Jinx Avila (real name!).

My husband and I both want to try out cosplaying.. but we don't know where to begin.

I have a few questions.

1. Can we dress up as anything? Even if it's not a specific character?

I, for one, love faeries. I would love to dress up as a fairy.. but I don't have any specific fairy character in mind. Would it be anti-cosplaying (for lack of better word) to show up as my own original character? Or do I HAVE to be a character?

2. I'm in San Diego.. the only convention I know of that comes here is the Comic Con. Can anyone recommend any other conventions - even festivals that we can attend? We're willing to go all the way up to the anaheim/los angeles area.

3. Does anyone know where I can find good costume shops? That sell make-up.. wigs.. or other things like that?

I think that's it. Glad to be here! Hope to get some responses...

[Takuma-san]

There's no limit to what you can cosplay as, you can do your own character if you want. Though, what you do should fit the event you're attending. An original character is probably better than the 10th Kenshin at the same con, but at the same time, people react differently to original characters. Original characters are most commonly found at Furry cons (^_^'''), rather than cons based on genres where there's a large pool of characters to draw on for cosplay.

Search for "Fanime" and "Anime Expo", they're two cons in CA. Very very close to where you are.

[AnimeParty]

I agree with Takuma-san. There is no limit. Be free, let your creativity run wild. ^_^ Have fun doing it < Thats the key!! I wish you good luck on your costumes.

[Babbit_Chan]

Cosplay is costuming in general and shouldn't limit your range of desired costumes - just keep it generally kid safe x_x

Yay! California co-goer! YOSH!

Recca Con - May 24 (go to reccacon.com)
Fanime 03 - June 20-22 (go to fanime.com)
Cherry Blossom Festival - April something (go to Others under the convention forums for the thread by Eurobeat King)
WonderCon - see above
Metreon Festival of Anime - see above

[Rei Ayanami]

Coool! A San Diegan cosplayer!! I'm from San Diego too!! n_n...
You should never put a limit to what you want to cosplay, so my best advise is to go and do whatever you want! n_n!!....

[xKaori]

The only limit to cosplaying are outfits that would get you arrested if worn in public. o.o;

[Toka_pop]

You could even take your favorite anime character and create an original costume for them...Like, say, make them into a faerie. =D

[Jinx]

Hi Jinxie! Wow, sorry about taking your name. I guess you've had it much longer than I have. ^-^;;

Welcome to Cosplay.com! As you've heard, there are tons of cons in CA. There is a list somewher eon this website of conventions.. sorry, I don't have it handy.. @.@

[TsubasaNoKami]

You can go as whoever you want, but you should try to make it look really good and detailed if you wanna do your own char. Pick someone like from Love Hina! ^^ or FF8, they're real easy...
I love fairys too...HEY! ^^ go as the Faerie from Neopia (or neopets) XD that counts! go as someone whos clothes you can buy from any store...like mine! Mine has a black tankie, bluejean skirt, and black capris. She wears a baby blue duster (shawl thing..w/e!) with baby blue armwarmers...^^; good luck!:skidude2: