The Truth About Buying Cosplay || MangoSirene

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In the cosplay community, there's a pretty prevalent stigma against buying costumes instead of making them. Are you worried you'll be judged for it? Well, you're not alone! Tune in to find out if buying costumes is wrong, or if it's okay -- let's settle this debate once and for all!
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You can help support this channel for as little as $1 a month and bring even more helpful and positive content to other cosplayers! (Plus, rewards include access to future After Dark videos as well as fun things like blooper reels, recordings of live panels, and cosplay prints. Huzzah!) Be sure to check out my Patreon for more information: / mangosirene
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♫ MUSIC ♫
"Let it be Christmas" - Nicolai Heidlas ( / vercittyfilms )
"Groups Of Them" - David Morris & Salazar Ortiz (opus1.sourceaud...)
"Kids Are Alright" - Sylvain Poge (opus1.sourceaud...)
All music was used under the Creative Commons license.

Опубликовано:

22 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 616

@talesofbravelyemblem4009 8 лет назад

Preach. It's very awkward when you're talking with someone and they ask whether you bought or made your costume. When you say bought their whole demeanor changes, like they suddenly think less of you. I just can't sew. I mean, I'm trying but until then its buy time.

@LittleBlackStarify 7 лет назад

Yeah, I agree. Sometimes the respect for people who buy their cosplay is very far-sought in the cosplay community :(

@wanderingsoul881 5 лет назад

If you're still learning how to sew, I highly suggest the youtube channel Madebyaya. She's not a cosplay channel btw. Just a sewing channel. But the regular clothes tutorials she makes can easily be used to make cosplay pieces

@elekkitty 4 года назад

Tales of Bravely Emblem Did you ever successfully learn how to sew?

@talesofbravelyemblem4009 4 года назад

@@elekkitty ha a little but I'm no superstar XD now I'm just tired of the cosplay community and I'm used to this divide so I sleep zzzzz

@elekkitty 4 года назад

Tales of Bravely Emblem Ah yes, sleep to pass the time

@ye0w00 8 лет назад

I don't have the funds to buy my costumes (otherwise I'd have sooo many Love Live! uniforms haha), so I make them as inexpensively as possible. That being said, if I had the money, I think I would prefer commissioning costumes from fellow cosplayers rather than buying mass produced ones. Support the community, yanno?

@asarix5662 8 лет назад

+Cath I feel this. I want to be ALL the Hanayos but I don't have the dollars for that. Commissioning is great, too! It's much easier to tell if you're going to get something of good quality! Gotta support your local artists, too~

@Tamaki742 8 лет назад

+Asarix I really wanna buy all the Umi costumes.

@Sandy33569 8 лет назад

Do you know about Taobao? All I see when looking at the good Taobao cosplay shops is Love Live. Look into that and you'd be surprised how many you can probably get and for not too much of a cost. I do a mix of purchasing from there and commissioning.

@MoonWolf115 8 лет назад

Gotta do all those Maki outfits yep, also yes omg Taobao is a gold mine of beautiful inexpensive costumes *^*

@GamingSuccub 8 лет назад

+Airiin I did not know about Taobao. I'm hoping to go as Hanayo to Sakura Con this year. I'll take a look!

@Bottleblondegal 8 лет назад

Plus, buying cosplay can support other cosplayers who choose to support their hobby by doing commission work. :)

@KassieJane 8 лет назад

This made me feel a lot better. Your videos are what inspired me to start peeking into the art of cosplay to begin with, but 1) I don't own a sewing machine, 2) I don't have the slightest, vaguest idea how to use one even if I did, 3) I have no idea how to sew past really basic stuff like fixing buttons or holes in shirts. The thing that I love most about it though is the performance anyway. My first cosplay was/is BBC Sherlock and it was most practical for me to buy the costume. Yes it could be better if I had made stuff myself (particularly the coat) but it is what it is and I'm proud of my costume. I'm wearing it to my first con in January and slightly nervous because I know it's obvious that it's a purchased costume but this vid gives me some confidence to not care and just have fun with performance and nerding out with my friend.

@elainejohnson8841 8 лет назад

+Kassie Davidson I undestand. I really don't know how to sew well and beyond that, I work and go to school full time and don't have the time! It did feel really cool to wear something I made, but at the same time I also wished I had more outfits.

@musoukasan 8 лет назад

I don't know how to sew yet I actually made a costume. Incorrect sewing, incorrect fabrics, yet I did it. Just because you don't know doesn't mean you can't do it. Only way to learn is doing it and make mistakes. Even if the costume it's horrible you will feel good making it. What I did with my first Cosplay is buy the costume and make the armor. You can buy a costume if needs more details you just add the details to start with something. Sewing Machine I bought mine at Walmart during a christmas discount it doesn't have to be a fancy one, kids sewing machine actually works also. XD if you need help you have the RU-vid family, and myself. :)

@YukiSilverFox72 6 лет назад

I always look at it as, "If the person I'm talking to was a four-year-old, would I shame them for buying their costume?" Heck no! Because let's face it, every person you meet IS a little kid inside and are you really going to make that kid cry? No way. If you don't want crap about things, don't throw crap out there.

@MerSorax2007 4 года назад

I don't have the funds to buy cosplay either

@tarahfield1198 8 лет назад

For me, making my own outfit is out of the question. I'd love to make them but I'm a university student so time isn't on my side. Especially doing a nursing course where, if you're in practice you come home 9pm eat, sleep, wake up at 5am to start at 7:30am and every weekend is filled with studies or essays. The way I see it, cosplay like the teen/adult version of a child going out in a spiderman costume for fun. You can't say they're not allowed to wear it because they didn't slave away over it, regardless of age.

@PrettyPrincess2614 8 лет назад

I never knew buying cosplay would be something people would be ashamed of. Unless a cosplay is extremely simple (t shirt, jeans and some sneakers), 10/10, i'm not going to make my own cosplay. I prefer paying for them, since I don't know how to use a thread and needle. It's really sad how judgmental people can be within the cosplay community. We're all a group of nerds who enjoy dressing up as characters, let's just leave it at that.

@Alex-cs3ip 4 года назад

same :)

@SuPeRsKiTtLeStAlKeR 8 лет назад

I've never cosplayed because I can't sew, and I'm honestly terrified of getting shiny fabric, when it shouldn't be shiny. I'm also a serious perfectionist. haha

@tiffanyshackelford7125 8 лет назад

i wish in these kind of pep talks they'd cover "professional" cosplayers who do not make their costumes, but hold themselves up on a pedestal and judge for costume contests, with no experience making any of their own?

@MangoSirene 8 лет назад

+tiffany shackelford 1. Who is this phantom "they" you're referring to?? I am but a single cosplayer who chooses to speak about topics I feel are relevant to others in this community, not part of some omnipresent collective of pep-talking cosplayers. 2. The point of this video was to reassure hobbyists who purchase costumes instead of buying them. A salty topic like that has nothing to do with the content of this video. 3. You don't need to be a chef to tell a good dish from a bad dish. Even if someone doesn't make their own costumes, they can still tell a proper seam from a sloppy seam, or a good skit performance from a bad performance, or a clean wig styling job from a poorly-styled wig. Is it better to have skilled cosplayers as judges? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Because the craftsman may occasionally miss the big picture when they're too distracted by details. As long as a judge has significant experience within the hobby and is aware of what constitutes a well-made or poorly-made costume, their input is valid. And it's also why contests have a PANEL of judges who discuss the contestants and come to a mutual decision after accounting for all of their observations. This way, all their bases are covered. The craftsmanship judges may be hyper-focused on someone's seamwork, but the judge you're referring to may point out that while the contestant's seams were nice and clean, the garment looked poorly-fitted and their wig wasn't styled -- things that may have been missed, should this judge not have been there, thus resulting in an unfair awarding process.

@tiffanyshackelford7125 8 лет назад

+MangoSirene i've had several different posts by many people (not just your video) show up in my feed about buying costumes versus making them. as i do both i do not have a issue hobby wise of dressing in either. i do however have issue with again "professional" cosplayers putting down other cosplayers who make their own. just because the maker is below the level of who ever they commissioned their piece from. and is probably where some of the negativity comes from when it comes to people complaining about store bought costumes. hence why i feel it's relevant to these kinds of info-psa's. it didn't used to be a big deal to have store bought unless you were caught competing in a contest and lying about making it. it's been growing with the "professional" cosplayer popularity. probably in defense of their own hard work. if you hear someone say to someone "well i at least made mine" it it's necessarily an insult to those who buy their costumes, but a come back to a rude comment from someone who bought theirs. the negativity isn't one sided. neither is the defensiveness. and when the judges who don't make their own costumes during pre-judging are not looking at or listening to the cosplayers describe there costumes or their work at all, and are texting during the pre-judging to not be very helpful. nor add anything to the judging process.

@MangoSirene 8 лет назад

+tiffany shackelford It sounds like you’re speaking about a personal experience you had. Such experiences are not widespread therefore would not fit the context of this particular video or my channel (the tone of which is not a soapbox for calling specific people out, but rather a supportive, positive environment for all cosplayers). I am sorry you had such a negative experience with a judge texting during a judging appointment, but that behavior is unacceptable regardless of whether or not they make their own costumes, or whether or not they’re “professional.” Again, though, even if that experience was widespread, the behavior of judges during contests isn’t relevant to the overall topic of this video and therefore wouldn’t make sense for me to have included. If you’d like to make your own video about it, you’re welcome to do so! Ultimately, if you buy your costume, you should know that you’re going to have to tell people you bought it. That isn’t something to be ashamed of, which is the point of the video. If someone else made theirs, that’s great for them - but you shouldn’t interpret them saying they made their costume as a personal insult or an affront against you. Even if they intend for the comment to come off as “superior” or as an insult, you can make the decision to be the bigger person and let it roll off your back. Their attitude says a lot more about who they are as a person than it does about your worth as a cosplayer. This video is intended to address negativity from both camps. There’s nothing wrong with buying cosplay, and just because someone makes their costumes, that doesn’t make them better. See 2:19 for that portion of the commentary.

@moonkms8932 4 года назад

Can we also talk about how often times it's actually cheaper to purchase a cosplay then it is to make it? I find myself spending a lot more money when making a cosplay and some people just cant financially support that which is completely valid

@hazelthylacine6995 4 года назад

Thrift stores almost always have the fabric ur looking for (at least in my area). Armer cosplays the 18 dollar yoga mat from walmart works great thic to. Easy to work with. Spray paints a little much but acrylic is cheap (50 cents). Wigs amazon (12-17 $) and contacts are hard to find under 20 but u can if u believe in yourself. I say a cosplay under 100 dollars is a cheap cosplay over 100 expensive cosplay.

@vangosa6023 8 лет назад

can you make a video of all the costumes you have made? I would really like to see them😁

@MangoSirene 8 лет назад

+Calcifer The Kitten Haha unfortunately I don't have all the costumes I've made over my 10+ years of cosplaying! A lot of them have been sold to new homes. You can see photos of my costumes on my social media pages, linked to in the description! :3

@vangosa6023 8 лет назад

Ill definitely check them out thank you for replying it made my day😄

@vriskasekert3287 8 лет назад

+MangoSirene I was wondering what anime is the uniform that you were wearing and were trumpeting and it looked almost like a band uniform??

@MangoSirene 8 лет назад

+Vriska Sekert Hibike! Euphonium, the character is Kousaka Reina!

@choirfandomcookingrantsand496 7 лет назад

MangoSirene this year im crossplaying as General Hux from Star Wars and Im getting the uniform and greatcoat taliored made !

@smack788 8 лет назад

hope you get well soon and KEEP SMOKIN DAT CHRISTMAS!!

@xIsabellaNightmarex 8 лет назад

I've been waiting for a video like this forever! In my opinion, it's definitely A-OK to buy cosplay costumes. I'm a buyer because, like mango pointed out, my schedule is packed to the brim and I sincerely don't have enough time. At first, I did feel helpless because whenever I researched on buying cosplay, there would always be remarks or even lectures on how making your own cosplay is better. To someone who is interested in buying and trying to find reliable sites, these comments start become annoying. At the end of the day, I just want to experience being in a cosplay of a character I love and having a ton of fun with my friends at conventions. Maybe in a few years, I'll trying my hand at sewing something but for right now, just let everyone have their fun. Buying doesn't make you any less of a cosplayer :)

@scrapingskies 8 лет назад

0:14 your face here. YOU ARE JUST THE CUTEST.

@zsuzsifazekas2575 8 лет назад

That was so true. However I don't like to buy complete ready costumes I do like to buy parts for it instead of making. Like why would I make a simple red T-shirt for my costume if I can buy that for like 5 dollars.

@TheMadTeaPatty28 8 лет назад

I either buy mine or put them together. I don't have the time or the skill to make my own although I wish I did. I helped my friend make my sailor rarity cosplay but that's it. The only things I've really make myself were my Vaporeon tail and fins which I'm happy with how they came out but I think they could be better with practice

@idkman5500 8 лет назад

personally I would make the costumes because you would gt a larger sense of accomplishment and I'm generally quite creative but I totally understand why people would buy them and I probably will in the future lol (I would love to cosplay kaneki ken but since I'm only 13 I would look incredibly stupid, I just wish I was 17 sometimes so I could cosplay :

@jelliejeni309 8 лет назад

+Ironically kawaii When did cosplay have an age limit? Do it! Age shouldn't limit you as to who you want to cosplay as.

@inactive8471 8 лет назад

why would it look stupid to cosplay as Kaneki Ken? if you wanna cosplay as him go for it! don't worry about what anyone else thinks and enjoy yourself

@CorgiiTube 8 лет назад

+Ironically kawaii Just do it! Who cares how old you are :) I'm 26 and I plan on cosplaying as long as I can!

@inactive8471 8 лет назад

It seems like Ironically kawaii needs a pep talk from Shia Labeouf :)

@idkman5500 8 лет назад

Aww thank you for all the positive feedback ^^ I may start cosplaying next year if I can go to comic con if we have any money lol

@TeenEvolution08 8 лет назад

This makes me feel better when wearing my Belle costume I bought from someone else and saying I'm cosplaying. xD You are such a great cosplayer! I definitely can't wait to use my new sewing machine so I can sew some of my own costumes and cosplay like you and Courtoon! :D

@CorgiiTube 8 лет назад

Totally agree! I made a few cosplays in high school, but now I'm getting back into it but just don't have the time to make the cosplays I want now that I have a full time job. I commissioned one and can't wait to wear it in February! I would never dream of claiming it as my own, especially since I know just how much time and practice goes into making a cosplay, but damn straight I'm going to have a blast in it! I think it doesn't matter HOW you get the cosplay as long as you're forthcoming with how you got it (if asked), and have fun in it :)

@nikifury 8 лет назад

Thank you so much for sharing! I buy most of my costumes, or shop thrift stores for "closet cosplays" because I don't have the time, funds, or skills to make mine. I'm learning to do small things though, like props and simple outfits, with help from my more talented and knowledgeable friends. I'd love to be able to make a full cosplay one day (in fact, I plan on redoing a Starfire costume that I and some friends made when I first got into cosplay and following your tutorial for ideas because it rocks). Thanks again for being such an amazing, positive cosplayer!

@xka0nashix995 8 лет назад

I really think it is silly when people are shamed for buying a cosplay. I do both buy and make cosplays because I'm still learning how to sow,So if I can make it I will but if not I tend to buy it. I feel no shame in admitting that. Also I find it very funny when cosplay elitist are like you must make your cosplay because most of the time they themselves make and sell cosplay items.

@ohyeagirl1111 8 лет назад

I'm doing a cosplay for Dragoncon (Black Canary) and I'm "'making" my costume. Im not buying a complete costume. I'm picking out exactly what pieces of clothing I need, buying them, and putting them together. This means finding the PERFECT jacket, the perfect boots, the perfect corset, the perfect wig, etc. this so far has been a very difficult process, as I am a perfectionist. In the end I'm going to be very proud of the costume I have "made."

@muzelynsmith1764 8 лет назад

This is awesome advice as always! I personally feel the same about it. I like to make anything I can but sometimes it's just beyond me when it comes to costumes. I can whip out a sword or a stop sign, or any kind of prop I can think of, but with sewing? My skills are very limited, and while I try to make things, I don't always get a good end result. Currently, im working on a costume that is giving me more problems, then frankly, it might be worth. So yes! Choose your battles, and don't worry about other people's opinions. Because I'm one of those people that usually buy a Cosplay outfit.

@sasunarucosplayer 8 лет назад

I just wanna say ~ Thank you, so so soooo much. This pep talk made me feel a whole lot better. Like there has been a while lifted from my shoulders. I can't sew to save my life, and I've tried to make my own cosplays. And being a perfectionist, when they don't come out how I would like them too it's just frustrating and it puts me into a slump. I do love to style my own wigs and make props, but crafting costumes is just, not my strong point. So I always fee a little bad when I have to buy a cosplay. I don't mind it, but the fear of being judged as not a cosplayer always kind of gets to me. So I just wanna say thank you for this video c: It means a lot to me~! I look up to you and your cosplays and costips are always amazing! Thank you for this video ~ I hope you feel better.

@xxxholicfan100 7 лет назад

Cosplaying is just about fun. No matter how the cosplay is made. (Handmade or not)

@JaclynAltman 8 лет назад

I completely agree 100% on this video. Also I would like to mention that if someone is on a budget, that purchasing a costume and modifying it can be cheaper and less time consuming if someone was worried about those issues.

@marcusraymer7713 8 лет назад

How do I know where to buy costumes and if its trustworthy or not? (I also make and buy my costumes, but I have a lot of school on my hands so I don't have much time to sew)

@CorgiiTube 8 лет назад

+Ɛмσєвα “Em the Bumblebee” TM There are a lot of websites that are pretty well rated.. I see lots of people use TaoBao and EZ Cosplay, I think.

@TaraFYW 8 лет назад

I have a video on my channel titled How to Successfully Purchase Cosplay from Aliexpress if you'd like to check it out. I provide information about the website along with helpful tips to ensure a safe and successful shopping experience :)

@ondatheworld 8 лет назад

its really hard to know where to buy cosplay. if ur buying from a specific site like cosplay fly you can look up reviews for the site on google. but if you buy from a seller on ebay or Amazon i suggest looking at reviews for both the product and the seller.

@meaganlee6909 8 лет назад

+TaraFYW I just watched that video, and your channel is super cool! You deserve waaay more subscribers!

@TaraFYW 8 лет назад

Meagan Lee thank you so much! You're very sweet! :)

@TheSmolBrit 8 лет назад

This video was really lovely to see. I always try and make costumes if I can, but sometimes I don't have the time or access to the materials I need. In those cases I will frequently buy a costume then "upgrade it" (e.g. tailor it to fit, add extra details, LED lights, moving parts, etc.) and just give it all the general finesse you can only get when it's your own work. However, I've had people have a serious go at me for this in an almost snobbish kind of way. Seems unfair to insult my skills, when budget and time have really been the factors!

@Sandy33569 7 лет назад

I have to say, when you release this video, it helped me feel better about the fact that honestly, making my costumes was taking up all my free time and stressing me out when I'm already focusing on my career! It's also finally motivated me to speak about this sort of thing since I have so much knowledge on buying costumes now and don't see it shared enough at cons. So, I'll be doing a panel on it at a local con this weekend (and my first panel ever haha).

@evetoeden 8 лет назад

MangoSirene! I just wanted to thank you for making this video, I've only begun to cosplay and am in school full time as well as taking care of my big family as the oldest in the house and often don't have time to make costumes, plus my sewing skills aren't the best, so I buy most of my cosplays but I try to sew simple pieces and items for my outfits as I work my way up to eventually being able to sew a whole outfit on my own! I began watching this video worried it would bash cosplayers for purchasing costumes but I'm glad I was wrong!

@Hannah-hi9gd 4 года назад

I love your rant about the hate of cosplay buying. I never bought a costume myself but I never once thought, that people who buy their costumes themselves are less of a cosplayer. I often ask people if their costume is selfmade because I loove speaking about the process and the tips and tricks everyone gathers with technics and materials. It could be that I am mistaken for judging because of that. I should clearify that in the future. Nobody should feel less or should feel the need to defend themselves about whatever. Cosplay shouldn't be about who bought the costume or who is or isn't perfect in whatever they are or do. Cosplaying itself should be no competition.

@Hannah-hi9gd 4 года назад

I should clearify that making the costume is the most fun part for me and that's because i love talking about it. But i fully understand that not everyone has the time, money, opportunity, will or whatever to make it themselves and I would never judge based on that.

@aaliyahmogar3561 8 лет назад

I go to school and I just don't have the time to learn to sew myself though I love dressing up as my favorite characters lol. I also enjoy commissioning from other folks because I feel like I'm modeling their amazing creation, I get excited when folks ask me did you make this and I'm like "nope I commissioned from this person!" Gives the artist more business too! When I first did it I got a lot of side eyes and weird looks for not making my own (personally I prefer wig styling!) though now it seems like the cosplay community is more open about it. Great video as always!

@rudolqh 8 лет назад

2:19 You got me! XD Thanks for the heads up! I just got into cosplay and we got an Eren costume on eBay. My dad was saying that the purpose for cosplay was to MAKE the costume. Thanks! ;)

@Windress 8 лет назад

Another wonderfully kind and thoughtful video from Nina!! This is a great topic of choice for a video, because I do think the craftsmanship aspect of cosplay (and the inferred "requirement" of making your own costumes) often scares away people who really would like to dress up, but feel intimidated by certain skill requirements. In my many years of cosplaying and convention going, I have heard this stigma claiming that true cosplayers do not buy their costumes, and that anyone who does is just a "wannabe." Perhaps it is a form of elitism that hearkens back to the years before Cosplay costumes became readily available, when most fans had no choice but to make their outfits from scratch. But that does not excuse such judgmental stereotypes, not when the very motto of cosplay is that "there is NO wrong way to Cosplay!" It's can be disheartening to think that someone might judge another person just for purchasing a costume, especially when there are so many fans out there that love and enjoy the characters they follow, who want to honor them by dressing up. The best we can all do is to always be a voice of encouragement, just like Nina, and to take time to make people feel welcome in the cosplay community. Any time I see a costume I like, no matter if it was purchased or handmade, I make sure to tell the wearer that I love it! And I know that makes a difference!

@kasamoon 8 лет назад

I just have to say that I freaking LOST IT at that beautifully done mean girls ref. Best I've seen in years. And, thanks for the video. I do a lot of thrift/modifying for my cosplays, since I've been doing a lot that make the most sense that way. But I bought my first ebay costume a bit ago and have been sorta nervous about it. Makes me feel a bit better.

@Pandoru 8 лет назад

It's been close to a decade and I still remember girls at a con becoming rude when I told them I purchased my cosplay. This is the kind of video lil' me would've loved to see and I'm so glad you addressed this. I think it's going to help a lot of people! I hope the community keeps shifting to be more and more supportive of everyone just trying to have fun :'D.

@Haleyangelo 7 лет назад

Thank you for this video!

@Kern1138 8 лет назад

Thanks so much for all your videos!! I go to conventions once in a while, but I don't cosplay (other than my above average halloween costumes). I admire the crap out of you guys, tho. A few days ago I stumbled upon one of your videos and I bingewatched the whole lot. You make the whole scene sound so much fun that I'm actually thinking of trying it at least once. ANYWAY, seriously, thanks so much for HOURS of educational entertainment. You may just have inspired me to try it.

@Moggleberries 8 лет назад

I've always made my stuff, but I'll be buying my Spider Gwen costume this coming year because it's beyond my newbie costume powers.

@Cassarilla 8 лет назад

I want to get into cosplaying, but I have a lot to learn and I know this. Instead of stressing to get something done I'd much rather buy an outfit to wear that looks nice than just trying to throw something together because I made it. Eventually, I'd like to make some of my own but I think it's best to start small and work your way up. I've made a few for Halloween and stuff, but that's the extent of it so far. I do a lot of local theater stuff and many of those costumes are handmade by talented and skilled individuals. I just love wearing their costumes! (And of course credit is given to the creator at the end of each performance.) Love this video!

@BondraDoll 8 лет назад

This was an awesome video. I've shied away from cosplaying so many times because I simply don't enjoy sewing. I'm a creative person, and I'm not awful at sewing, but for some reason it's just not relaxing and enjoyable to me the way other creative outlets are. But at the same time, I love dressing up in costume. I'm now at the point where I will make a costume if it seems simple enough, but if it seems like it will cause me more frustration than anything else, I'll see if I can buy it. Especially since my main enjoyment in cosplay comes from dressing up and getting cool pictures and just having fun. :)

@virginiahildreth373 8 лет назад

Feel better soon! I unashamedly love the holiday season too. :] Thanks for this video. I'm one of those people who's new to sewing. I don't think I'm ready to sew spandex yet, so I bought my Batgirl (Stephanie) base suit and just modified it. Great video as always, Nina!

@Nessiegirl123 7 лет назад

I've always wanted to cosplay as my favorite anime characters at Animazement but I don't know how to sew (well, I sort of do but from one "life skills" class in middle school so I don't even remember how) and have always felt nervous about how people would view me or treat me by wearing a bought costume. I'm so thankful that you made this video; you've made me feel much much better and I look forward to attending Animazement next year :D

@Sandy33569 8 лет назад

Totally agree! I've made a few of my own costumes thinking that was how you had to do it, then commissioned someone for my Nonon Jakuzure hat (and I made the rest) and realized that I just did not enjoy the creation process myself. I was happier with the quality of the hat that someone else made for me, and have now decided to only buy my costumes from good Taobao sellers and commissioners. I have one ready to go for a con in February with no stress! For people like me who struggle with generalized anxiety disorder and already have a very demanding job, it's a life saver! I still do a ton of research on fabrics/techniques for when I want to pick a commissioner or store to buy my costume from because ultimately I still want good quality.

@peachy4358 6 лет назад

I’m really late here but this was a much needed video! I both make and buy things for cosplay, and it’s extremely annoying when people act so superior for making a costume instead of buying any of it. While I enjoy sewing and crafting and making things in general, I don’t have time to make all of my cosplays from scratch. As long as I’m confident in the cosplay, I don’t care whether it was something I bought or made. I tend to focus more on wigs and props because those are more fun to me! Anyway I think both making and purchasing costumes is great!

@cannibalisticrequiem 8 лет назад

Awesome video! I saw it share on a Facebook page I follow "Heroes United Against Cosplay Bullying" and decided to come here after watching the video! I've always wanted to get into cosplaying, but I always feared I couldn't do it because I can't make my own costumes. I'm not good at sewing, sizing, cutting or anything when it comes to making clothes, and the two times I sat down to a sewing machine to make something small with my grandmother's help, it frustrated me to no end! I would much rather buy my own pre-made costume or go for something simple and using clothes that I already own. It's just that I've been so nervous about doing so because I know that in the past, cosplayers that made their costumes often had elitist attitudes regarding people that buy their own costumes. Like they weren't real cosplayers because they didn't make their costumes. I can understand that if it comes to someone buying pre-made and then trying to pass it off as their own, but it always bothered me how handmade cosplayers would seemed ready to discount the dedication and enjoyment of a thing when it came to pre-made cosplayers. I'm glad to see that mentality is changing. Also, subbed and I hope you get over your cold soon!

@midnightssun8495 6 лет назад

I’ve never learned how to sew or craft anything enteric. It’s much more easier and less time consuming for me to buy costumes and this video makes me feel so cool

@skabcat242 8 лет назад

That batgirl jacket was awesome.

@MoonWolf115 8 лет назад

I love buying and making my costumes! The thing that is awesome about cosplay is that it's a general term for a platform that can lead to tons of skills, whether it be painting, sewing, makeup, modeling, acting, leatherworking, hair styling, no matter what you're interested in you can always use that in a costume.

@GamingSuccub 8 лет назад

Well spoken. Btw, love your pic! All the Maki love! But I am cosplaying as Hanayo this year. Not enough Hanayo in the world ;~;

@MoonWolf115 8 лет назад

+MiyuChan Thanks :3 good luck on your Hanayo cosplay.

@joylox 7 лет назад

The pattern making and sewing aspect is my favourite part. I also like the satisfaction of turning cheap ebay wigs into something that looks good. I have had to cut back a lot on how many I do. Blanche (Pokemon Go) took me over 40 hours just in patterns and sewing, and I can't do that for multiple costumes and still pass classes. I've resorted to doing more thrifted and modified stuff, like I'm working on a RWBY school uniform using a skirt from ebay, a jacket from a thrift store, and just adding bias tape and modifying an old shirt. Something that took me a while to be okay with is that I don't need to have a new costume for every day of every con, I can reuse them. The next con I go to, I'm only bringing one new costume for the contest, and using some older ones that I still like for walking around in.

@Zachwood4430 8 лет назад

Fav part- Mango stares into camera smiling slightly: "the judges will know you are lying, and you will be disqualified." XD

@syd8518 8 лет назад

Oml thank you for this. I plan on buying a Stocking Anarchy cosplay that I found to try and get me started with the whole cosplay thing, and I'm not gonna lie I was slightly afraid that I'd be judged for it so thank you thank thank you for clearing that up. I definitely do want to try and make my own stuff at one point once I get a bit more experienced in sewing and all that.

@PandiiHikaru 8 лет назад

Always love watching your videos! it's so true about choosing your battles! Sometimes I just don't have time to make all the cosplays I want to do, so I buy cosplays from time to time.

@vampirezflower1506 6 лет назад

when it comes to buying or making cosplays, for me it depends on how difficult the costume is to make and how much free time i have, i've been cosplaying for 4 years now and it's been pretty 50/50 for me, i've made some of my cosplays and also bought some, one thing i can say is that i do mostly focus on the creative side of cosplay i put it into my prop making and wig styling, and like i said for the costume making/ buying it just depends. Happy cosplaying

@izumikonataful 8 лет назад

i REALLY adore this video, you said literally everything i wanted to say, I'm a brazilian cosplayer and, sadly, where I live it is very common that the bigger cosplayers judge the people that buy costumes, saying that they should not even considerate themselves as cosplayers, this behavior is ridiculous and very toxic for the comunnity, I don't have the ability for sewing or making props, but come on its hella nice to do that i wish i could, even tho i am very satisfied with buying my costumes, i think crafting is not for me, but thanks a lot mango, your video made me feel very happy ❤

@corrinebourgette1475 8 лет назад

Thanks for the pep talk! I both buy and make my cosplays. And when deciding on wether to buy or make, it comes down to funds. "Can I make this cheaply without going way over budget? Or is it cheaper and less stressful to buy it?" This is usefully what I think about. And of course I never enter a bought cosplay in a contest, unless it's allowed. And even when making my cosplays, I look for items I can take and make better. Like basic shirts, jackets, skirts, pants, etc. I can't use a sewing machine to save my life. But I do love creating props, working with fabrics, making patches and emblems, and styling wigs for me and my friends. It's something I love to do, and I have fun doing it. I do feel sometimes I'm being judged for buying my cosplays sometimes, but for the three cosplays I've bought, I've made over a dozen others. So thank you.

@BigLoveAliciaX333 8 лет назад

I buy my cosplays and repair details etc. because I don't have a sewing machine and don't get how sewing patterns work but I will try to learn it :) But I do armor etc. by myself

@Owlsowlsowls 8 лет назад

This made me feel better about buying my cosplay, considering my parents aren't excellent at sewing, and I , might take sewing classes over the summer, and that I'm bad at sewing, too, I thank you so much for making this video~ Sure, my second time cosplaying we made it, but we actually bought part of it, and my mom had to put some of the stuff on it...You are very kind, and I love all of your cosplays! You are very talented and I wish I was good enough to make costumes like you. I guess I'll have to wait because my parents don't want me messing with sewing machines just yet. I don't ALWAYS buy my cosplay, but yeah...and again, thank you~ (wow I had to get that off of me for finding a video like this XDDD)

@MarsPotatoes 7 лет назад

I always kind of feel strange about my cosplay ability because I don't know how to sew but I can make armor and props quite decently. I feel like if I can make armor and props I should learn to sew but alas I've ended up buying all my cosplat except for genii from overwatch which I've been building all the armor.

@ZombiesEatRaiyne 8 лет назад

THANK YOU FOR SAYING THIS! I've been preaching the same ideas for as long as I can remember. Just because people don't have the time, or make the time, like others doesn't mean they are any less of a cosplayer! Everything that I have made of course is special to me, but I also like the costumes I have bought because someone else put a lot of time making it for me! You're awesome Mango! Happy Christmas month! :)

@EndOfHeartache 7 лет назад

I totally agree with all of these points! My first cosplay I bought and once I got a sewing machine. I started making my own and improving my skills. Even still, some times I build off of existing pieces I find from thrift stores and such. Doesn't matter how you do it as long as you're having fun!

@MiyaKonyan 8 лет назад

You look so pretty with light blond hair! I really want to cosplay, but I'm a mess working with sewing and stuff (plus, the place I live is really poor in materials. It's hard to find a good quality fabric or supplies for actually doing it). Because of that, I'll probably buy the cosplays, ordering them from good cosmakers (watch out for those "good cosmakers" who fool people who only wants to live a dream) and from trust shops. Thanks for this video

@darkmousyjen 8 лет назад

This actually is really awesome Mango. I'm one of those people who kind of just buys things for cosplay and pieces them together, and most of my costumes are bought. That's just because I never have had the time to actually learn how to sew, and as an overworked college student, it's way easier to just piece together a costume than it is to make one. So thanks for the pep talk, because I actually really needed it :)

@kawaii_neko_fox6217 6 лет назад

I never thought it was a bad thing to buy your cosplays but it made me feel sort of intimidated by others who work so hard to make their own. I am only just starting to try and make my own cosplays (haven't gotten very far) but I am making a Lightning Farron cosplay for a convention this year. I've never used a sewing machine and I also don't own one but I know how to do basic sewing and heming techniques so I just bought a couple things that look close to her outfit and am modifying them. This video though helped me see that if I don't have time to make all of my own cosplays that it is okay to buy some.

@cindygraves4370 7 лет назад

you sound like a a really cool therapist. your vary helpful because you get the point through.

@asarix5662 8 лет назад

I really love the crafting aspect of cosplay because I kind of grew up around sewing machines, but didn't learn a lot about sewing until recently. My last year and a half of cosplaying has taught me a LOOOOT, and my mom really loves helping me, as she taught herself to sew at a young age and always wanted to really teach me! It's a cool thing to do together when I'm home from school. I actually get to teach her a few things, too, as she mostly sews doll-sized things, and I'm obviously learning to sew people-sized things. I also enjoy making things because literally every time I finish making a cosplay, I wear it for at least 3 hours and just stare into every mirror possible, squealing and bouncing up and down. And then there are things like the Haikyuu!! jerseys that totally had me at a loss, or printing complicated details on shirts that I didn't want to mess with. I Also don't know how to sew a hooded sweatshirt and didn't have time to try - so I bought my Asahi Azumane and Rei Ryugazaki cosplays, and I bought a blue hoodie and painted it for Jack Frost. I'm wary of buying because I don't want something with poor quality for a lot of dollars, but sometimes I either don't want to mess with making something, or.... I mean, that's essentially the main reason. So, like, buying or making cosplays is literally based on your preference and nothing else. Both are valid. Do it to it, Lars. Anyway, that's my story!

@plumpcosplay8562 8 лет назад

thank you for this video. im pretty new to cosplay and i tend to modify purchased pieces for cosplay. Im still learning and hope to create more pieces as i learn. commissioning pieces helps support artist with in the cosplay community . so everyone wins

@SummerOtaku 8 лет назад

I watched this back in dec and just rewatched and now I have totally become Haikyu vollyball trash and to see you did cosplay for it is awesome! I wish you did recaps for it like you did for young justice. Where did you where that costume too? Is there video?

@kalecakelyn 8 лет назад

I'm one of those people fortunate enough to have learned how to sew before even knowing cosplay existed. I remember my first cosplay was a princess serenity dress for a halloween party in seventh grade. I typically like closet-cosplaying and taking clothes I already own for a costume- I did that with Celty Sturluson's outfit (minus the helmet of course!) and I found bits and pieces for an Alois Trancy cosplay. Thrift stores are magical places!! I did purchase an Ouran uniform online once. Not the best decision quality-wise, but the whole group matched. Something more involved, like a Sailor Neptune cosplay, does require more work and/or money. I remember making all of the separate pieces and safety pinning them to a leotard- that was an adventure. As someone who has gone every route in a cosplay I can tell you that Sirene is absolutely right- choose your own battles. In the end it's still fun and satisfying to take photos in your costumes and be in character. We're all spunky nerds in costumes in the end.

@Supersinger210 8 лет назад

I agree with your opinion! I love sewing and was making my own Ruby Red Cosplay when I decided to do another cosplay to go along with my friends LESS THAN TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE CON and I bought the components that day! It worked out perfectly!

@stormyschau1813 8 лет назад

My favorite aspect of cosplay has always been the makeup and getting dressed up - sewing isn't really my thing. I used to feel bad about purchasing/commissioning cosplays before I just told myself that it's not worth it. (For me) cosplay is around 70% - 90% sewing/crafting (for most costumes.) It's not worth it for me to be doing something I hate for so long, only to spend 30%-10% of my time doing what I actually enjoy. Great video Nina, I think a lot of people will be more confident and less anxious about purchasing/commissioning costumes^-^

@Sakurablood13 8 лет назад

Thanks for making this video Mango! ^_^ A lot of my costumes are a mix of self made, store bought (Ebay, etc...) and upcycling thrift shop items. Like you said, "pick your battles".

@KidofSuburbia 8 лет назад

I can't sew well, so I found alternatives to make costumes. Normally, I'd have a mix of brought and made, since I'm 15, in highschool, and don't have a lot of spare time. I live in Australia, and our main con is Supanova, and I'm going as a Slytherin Quidditch Player. I've brought like 60% of the stuff from target (pants, jumper, etc) and I've made the shin and arm pads, and my friend's aunt made the robes. I don't mind too much how people cosplay.

@JessePhoenix 8 лет назад

A lot of my cosplay friends are craft freaks who LOVE sewing (something I really dislike), but it's left me feeling like I HAVE to sew everything and make everything by hand myself. Even though that's just a silly notion, no one's said anything whatsoever about my the bought basket uniforms for my Kuroko and Aomine cosplays. It just feels like I'm cheating... So it's nice to get another perspective, and I really like your "chose your battles" perspective. So, thank you for that! Now I'm off to put together my Sokka costume and wait for enough money to buy my Kaori costume ;D

@ginkanade 8 лет назад

THANK YOU MANGO!!! I basically have zeroooooo space in my house to have a sewing machine or fabric. if I did, my fabric will turn into what my felt has turned into, furry with my dog's shredded fur buuuut~~~ I do some adjustments like for my LL Snow Halation cos, I bought it second hand with no gloves and socks, so I went to buy white socks and white gloves as well as fur trims! so I am very happy at the very least I am making alterations to some cos items! and I am getting into weapon making!!! I am so excited to start on my scythe! thank you so much for all your videos!!!

@amphibiousgirly 8 лет назад

So far I've just either bought the cosplay (my Monomi onesie, or galaxy girl uniform) or bought the pieces from thrift stores (Dipper Pines, except the hat of course) then my friend does screen printing and that's really all we do. Very little sewing is involved since I suck at it and she hates doing it, but we always have a lot of fun at cons in our costumes anyways. Most of our cosplay pride comes from being thrifty, styling wigs, make up choices and poses that we come up with for pictures.

@vietnameme 8 лет назад

Starter cosplayer here! I really liked this video becausenof how it touched on the good and bad aspects of buying and making your cosplay. I bought my jacket for Aoba Seragaki from Dramatical Murder for my first costume, and now I plan on making a jacket for Keith from Voltron Legendary Defender. It's awesome if you can pretty much do any and all costumes from scratch, but there's totally nothing wrong with buying cosplay too! I'm pretty sure I'll have an even amount of made and bought costumes in a while myself, so don't ever think that if you bought your cosplay, you aren't any less of a cosplayer, because you aren't!

@emil.2019 6 лет назад

This video was really helpful to my self esteem. I’m cosplaying Alter Saber from the fate series and as of today I bought a $125 dress from saikouanime. I’m not experienced with sewing at ALL, in fact my blankie is still a bit patchy after I *tried* to sew it. But I am a really crafty person at other things then sewing. I am trying to make her sword out of thick foam. And trying to get a basic structure of her face gear (?) so that I can show it off. ^ - ^

@anaristya3215 8 лет назад

Thank you for actually saying something about this matter. I am actually the worst sewer and focus more on wig styling but I have planned multiple cosplays which I will have to make. I think it's amazing when people make their own cosplays and I hope that one day I'll be able to sew amazing cosplays too.

@broedddel7243 6 лет назад

Thank you for this. I'm new to cosplaying and I wanted to attend my first con and buy my first cosplay. I had also doubts about it but your words make them go. I really can't wait to do it and go to that con^^

@katiefrank7351 8 лет назад

I'm so glad you made this. I get scared of cosplay because I can't really sew (I can do basic hand stuff, but the time it takes and needing things to be neat and held together is a major issue), and I don't want people to hate me for buying. I'd never enter a contest though! That's for awesome talented people who can sew like my friend.

@trinity1744 8 лет назад

"420 _sleighs_ it" am proud

@bonihani17 8 лет назад

I like to do a combination of buying and sewing for cosplay. For an example, I am currently making the top of Rinko Yamato's school uniform. I plan on buying a v-neck sweater then sewing the the sailor collar.

@akaseiju 8 лет назад

this is an incredibly kind and uplifting video, thank you for taking the time to make it!

@GamingSuccub 8 лет назад

Speak the truth, Sirene! I would like to get into making costumes in the future, but for now, I buy my costumes. The only problem is money but I think I have the money thing down this year. I hope to cosplay as Hanayo from Love Live! :3

@lottietahi 7 лет назад

YOU GO GLEN COCO!! XD I died at that part! I luv ya mangosirene!! Your so inspirational!!!

@crystalfawns9252 8 лет назад

I love this. I've made one cosplay main piece (Robin/My Units robe from FE:A) from scratch and let me tell you, I do not have the energy to do that all over again. So I'm buying a cosplay for an upcoming convention and I have no shame in it. I just don't have the patience to pattern and piece everything together and pray that I'm doing it right. There's literally nothing wrong with buying cosplays :^) I like the stress free route to the hobby.

@LittleMissBlack101 8 лет назад

Thanks alot for this video, it helped me once again (: ( With the video of what you have in your convention bag, too ^^) Next year there is the LBM in Germany and I am already planning everything I need to and I asked myself many times if its alright or not to buy cosplay costumes and hearing these things from you gave me courage to just do what I want ^_^ I also have problems because I am quite chubby and I am always thinking about the fact people could say something hurtful because of the fact that I look different from the skinny and beautiful girls but I want to do it because its fun and you can just be like your favourite chara and meet new people... I think its awesome when people put in alot of work and finish there beautiful and stunning cosplays but I really can't sew and others are like that, too ^^'

@meekxthree 8 лет назад

This made me feel so much better! I've been cosplaying for about 2 years and most of my cosplays are bought or commissioned. I personally don't like craft, or the craftsmanship of cosplay. I'm definitely more into the performance and social aspects. I just love playing out a character.

@iintrusive_th0t 6 лет назад

I've bought everything the last 5 years, but coming around now with a job and my own place, my plan for next year once I'm better in savings is to get a sewing machine, learn how to use it, and then my first two plans are my Khajiit Do'Khiiva and Avatar Korra. I've only ever crafted little things like horns, ears, and a boiler for my Steam Powered Giraffe cosplay, so it's daunting, but I'm excited as hell.

@deliciator855 8 лет назад

I've bought all of my cosplays and never had any issues with people pointing out they were store bought/ Ebay. One of the those was my Hatsune Miku one which I purposfully bought one that wasn't accurate to the one she actually wears (it doesn't have any of the panelling detailing etc and is just plain), but people still liked the way it looked and i've always had people compliment it. As for the whole thing of buying them and them not fitting properly, that is something that has happened twice with ones i've bought from China via Ebay. One of them was a case of the skirt not getting over my hips and after failing to buy a similar skirt, I sold it on; the 2nd one was a similar issue, but I could wrap it around, but after fastening the button found it way too tight, so i bought a plain skirt and modified it to look similar to the original one.

@cathpalug1221 Год назад

To be fair, I start getting into making one because mass produced costumes doesn't fit me and commissioning is good once in a while but the funds for both is not always there. Judging someone about whether they buy or make their own costume aside from competition is something I cannot fathom

@HarryPotterGal1011 8 лет назад

As someone who doesn't have the time nor the resources nor the skill to make her own cosplay (it's not like I don't want to learn, I've just never had the time), this really helped me feel a lot better about the matter. My older sister (who makes all her own cosplay) has always told me how I'm "not a true cosplayer" because I don't make my own costumes. So thanks Mango, I really needed to hear this ^_^

@ellerynelson8918 6 лет назад

I'm just starting in cosplay, and what I do is I buy the separate parts from thrift stores, and then put them together to make a costume. Yesterday, I went to the Salvation Army thrift store and bought some black dress pants, a white button-down shirt, and some grandpa suspenders. I'm going as Suzuya Juuzou from Tokyo Ghoul for Halloween this year, and I've decided to do more of a cosplay than a Halloween costume. I'm going to use fabric markers to make the suspenders how they look on the cover of volume five, and I ordered a wig online.

@simo220 3 года назад

I started to get into cosplaying recently and in August I will attend a convension along side my boyfriend ( he’s an intermediate cosplayer) and a few of his friends (cosplayers as well). As I’m bad at sewing and crafting in general, i’ve chosen what I want to cosplay. However, I was afraid of what people would tell me at 2 out of my 3 cosplays. One of them is a school uniform and I don’t have the time to make it (I have exams at the end of June and in early to mid July i will have to enroll in university) so I chose to buy it. Luckily, your video helped me get over my dilemma. But I have one more. As my last cosplay I wanted to be my favorite skin on my favorite champion in LoL ( aka Heartseeker Yuumi). The problem is that no one sells a cosplay for what I want (because it’s a goddamn cat) and so I came with the idea to sketch a dress in that theme and since I am bad at sewing+ my boyfriend is busy with his cosplays, I came with the idea to go to a tailor to make it for me. The problem is that I am scared because I believe if someone would ask me if I’ve made the costume and I would answer that I asked a tailor to do it, I would receive hate and no one would care that I was the one who designed it

@samuneechan 5 лет назад

Hhhhh thank you for this video! I came back here 10 months later and this is literally the best advice here. X,D

@kirstyowens1865 8 лет назад

Also, thee are some (albeit smaller) conventions that have two different section in the cosplay contests (hand-made and store bought) so you can still enter these masquerades in your bought cosplay.

@RachelTangen 8 лет назад

This made me feel sooo much better about buying some of my costumes. I was bullied for a while when I started cosplaying just because I bought my costumes and didnt make them and it almost made me want to give up cosplay. I actually started to make my costumes back in 2014 when I learned how to sew. Again thank you for talking about this, it makes me feel better :)

@ystap12 2 года назад

I appreciate this because while I'd like to make my cosplays due to a busy life style and physical disability with my hands/skin sewing is painful for me. I'll modify, paint stuff and get involved in custom commisions occasionally but that's about it. It's not cheap but I find commissioning more gratifying then just buying because I'm still involved on picking out materials.

@Sakura528 8 лет назад

Yes! Thank you for this! My friends don't seem to understand that making a fully lined, crop tailcoat, is definitely a battle I'm not interested in taking on. 😂 By the way, would you be interested in making a cosplay 101 video for stubbing wigs? It's the base for most ponytail wigs but there aren't really any videos on it.