The University of Idaho Argonaut

Geek is Sexy

Cosplay, or dressing up like a favorite character and acting like them, is one of the biggest aspects of geekdom. Many conventions are built around the masquerade, or cosplay competition, where fans act out scenes from their favorite anime, movie or video game.

Often, the most rewarding part of cosplay is showing off your handiwork. Many fans craft their own costumes, and some can do it with great skill — fiberglass armor is popular, as is recreating stunning gowns worn by female characters.

Not everyone has the skill necessary to make these costumes. Countless cosplayers make costumes for other people to wear (often for exorbitant prices), and fans may take the costuming into their own hands with cardboard armor and fabric crudely glued together. While some may be impressed with the ability to take cheap materials and turn them into costumes, others will turn up their noses.

Should those who make cheap costumes without a lot of skill compete on the same level as those who painstakingly sew together $1,000 costumes? Should those who purchase costumes compete in the masquerade?

One solution to separating crafters from performers is holding different competitions for costuming and cosplay, or actually performing as the characters. While a fiberglass suit of armor may be crafted well, the 10-year olds in cardboard armor could have a funnier skit. This is a great solution to ending the war between performers and crafters.

Many cosplay commissioners do not allow the wearers of pre-made costumes to enter costume contests. Others that do allow it require the wearer to disclose that he or she did not make the costume. Trying to pass off a purchased costume as one’s own work is a huge taboo in the cosplay world, and can earn the practitioner incredible ire. At the same time, it can be a large boost to business if someone enters your pre-made costume into a contest and wins — you can now claim to be an award-winning cosplayer, and that can earn
great publicity.

As students, we are taught from an early age to not pass off others’ work as our own. Pretending you made a costume when you didn’t is a form of plagiarism and should be condemned. Embracing the love for a series and praising it, even in a poorly made costume, is what cosplay is all about. Those without sewing and crafting skill should have the same opportunity to show their love for a medium as those who can make armor and sew school uniforms.