Should people stick to their body types while cosplaying?

[Anonymous]

Tharja from Fire Emblem

@AllieCatCosplay on twitter

I'm not asking this to bash others, I certainly dressed up as a character before that didn't share my body type, I'm just curious about others' opinions.

Yes, they should dress as a character that fits their body type.

No, they should not.

[dangerDoge]

No, not necessarily. The reason I have for this is that, unlike a magazine or fashion show, cosplaying serves a different, more for-self purpose. Cosplaying from my perspective is more so about 1.) having fun by dressing up as fictional characters, and 2.) trying to show off the costume creation (as opposed to showing off the person’s body). If I were to say someone *should* stick to cosplaying that personally suits them, that feels a bit too much like attempting to force my personally views globally unnecessarily on others.

This all being said, I won’t argue that some people really don’t match / look good in some outfits. Not every cosplay is attractive to me obviously, and I won’t pretend otherwise. If someone’s goal is to impress others with their beauty one way or another (e. g. a “look how sexy I am dressed up like this”), then yes, they really should be more conscientious of their body type/how the cosplay matches. Again, I don’t think cosplaying necessarily has that motivation at all times though.

As an aside, I would also note that many fantasy characters have unrealistic body proportions (— not something I particularly have an issue with, but something that is like that nonetheless). If we were to be strict on limiting body types to match characters, many characters wouldn’t have possible cosplay counterparts. Being too strict would kill the fun in the idea of cosplaying.

The TL;DR; No. It’s a hobby, let people enjoy it how they want to.

[Asker]

Thanks for the long answer. :)
And about the body type stuff: Yeah fun is what matters the most. Don't take this post as me trying to bash on people who cosplay as characters who's body type don't align with theirs.
As I said it was just about "hey is it important for a good cosplay?" Like for example once I cosplayed as a character called Zero Two and I'm probably like 40-60bs heavier than that character so it wasn't that hard to see the differences.

And as for the unrealistic body types, well yeah, I meant the question within reason. Like I wouldn't expect someone to double their leg length to cosplay as a leggy character haha. I meant it more along the lines of cosplaying as a character who's supposed to be veeery thin while you're rather overweight maybe won't look quite as good of a cosplay as if you were also very thin.

[MCheetah]

No, that's stupid. People shouldn't be politicizing imagination nowadays (in this case, it's identity politics and "body positivity.") Dress up as whoever the hell you want to, whether you fit the body type of ethnicity for them or not. Just have fun and forget all this "Current Year" BS.

[Asker]

"politics and "body positivity."" wasn't really a topic but thanks for your input

[ShaTTeredMasterpeace]

The defeats the point of cosplay. You're basically saying that if a person doesn't look like the character they are portraying, then they shouldn't wear the costume. Cosplay is for EVERYBODY and EVERY BODY. I think the girl pictured looks dope AF. A costume is just that, a costume. People seldom ever look exactly like the person they're portraying. That doesn't mean they shouldn't do it.

[Asker]

Yeah that cosplay looks nice.
And please note that the question isn't shouldn't X people not be allowed to cosplay?"

[ShaTTeredMasterpeace]

That's basically what you're asking tho regardless of what the question says.

[Asker]

It's more along the lines of "should they stick to their body types to improve a cosplay's quality or is it doesn't affects things too.

No need to take things to the "Should they be rounded up and shot if they dare to dress as a character that doesn't fit their body size?" extreme.

[Ms_Vanderquack]

Fat people sure as fuck shouldn't show off that much skin.

[Asker]

Wow, that was a bit hostile haha.

[Ms_Vanderquack]

Blunt perhaps. But not openly hostile.

[Asker]

Fair enough.

[Ms_Vanderquack]

Hostility would be more like releasing a pack of hungry wolves into a crowded city so only the people fit enough to out run them would survive.

[ChrisMaster69]

They can really dress with what they are comfortable with.

it’s basically escapism.

The last thing anyone needs is people within cosplay getting overly judgmental about what people where….

It’s about having fun and not shaming others.

[Asker]

It's not necessary about shaming others, but simply about cosplays potentially looking better when the cosplayer looks more similar to the character.
Like for example once I cosplayed as a character called Zero Two and I'm probably like 40-60bs heavier than that character so it wasn't that hard to see the differences.

[ChrisMaster69]

Yeah it starts to become shaming.

There is already the cheap home made cosplay person getting shamed by the Instagram Cosplay ones with pretty much pro costumes.

First it’s weight, then skin colour, then height etc.

It’s about having fun.

[ShadezMcgee]

While body type may help to sell a particular character it is by no means a requirement. Cosplayers like doing characters they either like or get requested to try by people who like their content.

I don't think it matters. Just let them have fun. There is no need for shaming and gate guarding people who use this for escapism and a hobby.

[genericname85]

people can do what the fuck they want but if you're fat and you cosplay a skinny character, i think you deserve all the ridicule that's gonna come your way.

if you can handle it and are self aware and you can laugh with the people who think that's absurd, then you're good.

[Massageman]

I could see how a bean pole playing The Hulk could stretch credibility just a touch.

But, I've seen small/thin people play larger ones, and I've seen larger people play smaller characters. I'm more interested in how they really did in the duplication effort. I've seen people with identical body shapes as the character, but because they used minimal effort, etc., they look terrible in spite of the "correct" body shape.

[FinalFantasyBro]

Honestly no, I seen people had cosplay as so many characters both men and women have cosplay as the opposite gender, people cosplay as a character from another race from their own. Older people had cosplay and so do the young, trust me you should be freely allowed to cosplay as any character forget all the judgmental assholes who complained about the fictional characters body type.

[Layafell]

You can dress up as whatever you want but of course the cosplay will be less good if you have very different body type. That's true for the weight but also for height or skin colour. Personally I wouldn't try to do a character that I can't copy well but that's just me

[LZPanzer]

Generally no I think you should do what you want, but I think there is a limit were It can be bad cosplay and it insults the character (their fans), if the goal isn't parody

[Asker]

Would that cosplay I showed with this post be within limits or would it be over the limit in your opinion?

[LZPanzer]

That pic is fine, good even.

I was referring to extreme body type mismatch.

[LZPanzer]

Fictional characters often have exaggerated features that are impossible to replicate irl. Example Goku's hair.

If the body feature is impossible to imitate you have to go with what fits the spirit and looks good. This is why wigs for Goku's hair universally look Trask but natural styled hair looks good cosplaying goku

[Asker]

Well yeah, I meant the question within reason. Like I wouldn't expect someone to double their leg length to cosplay as a leggy character haha. I meant it more along the lines of cosplaying as a character who's supposed to be veeery thin while you're rather overweight maybe won't look quite as good of a cosplay as if you were also very thin.

[Miristheiss]

No, not necessarily.

She is hot, I'd still break up with her but she is very hot. I guess you imply she is too full figured to play that character?

[Asker]

Well it was more of a question about how important it is to have a similar body type to the character you dress up as, in terms of whenever it makes the cosplay better or no.

p. s. Also... "She is hot, I'd still break up with her but she is very hot." what?

[Miristheiss]

Well, for the most part it isn't that important. Having fun is the goal, correct?
It isn't a big deal if the body type doesn't match. It may not look as accurate as others that do have the same body type but having fun is the goal.

The comment? The girl in the picture doesn't have the same super thin and cut body like in the photo above her. She is fuller figured and thicker but she pulls it off and she is sexy as hell.
Oh, I'd break up because I'd not stay with a girl who went out dressed so skimpy in public. She shows off too much skin in public to have been a match for me.

[Asker]

"Oh, I'd break up because I'd not stay with a girl who went out dressed so skimpy in public. She shows off too much skin in public to have been a match for me."

Oh you were talking about the character... or a theoretical scenario where the cosplayer dresses like that all the time. Okay that confused me a bit haha.

Yeah it would be an interesting outfit choice, but I guess it kinda works for a fantasy setting.

And about the body type stuff: Yeah fun is what matters the most. Don't take this post as me trying to bash on people who cosplay as characters who's body type don't align with theirs.
As I said it was just about "hey is it important for a good cosplay?" Like for example once I cosplayed as a character called Zero Two and I'm probably like 40-60bs heavier than that character so it wasn't that hard to see the differences.

[Beautyforeverybody]

No? What’s the purpose if you will look like yourself?

[Asker]

Well it's more about looking like the character.
Like for example once I cosplayed as a character called Zero Two and I'm probably like 40-60bs heavier than that character so it wasn't that hard to see the differences.

[NamerOfStars]

Goodness, no- how would I ever justify my slave Leia costume if we did that?

[Still-alive]

Let people just dress as they feel like. I agree with what @ShaTTeredMasterpeace says too

[ShaTTeredMasterpeace]

Thanks!

[EnglishEuropean]

I don't dress up but I believe it's about becoming someone else so I don't think you should be limited by your body type. That's why clothes come in different sizes, right?

[randombiperson]

they should just wear whatever they feel the most comfortable in

[JohnK123]

True this random lmao but do u do it haha

[Staximus]

The cosplay nerd world is not something I claim to understand, but the girl in the pictures looks good either way.

[TallAnon]

No, people should have fun however they want. They don't hurt anyone else by doing so.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

They can do what ever they want but if their in it for the win or best in costume, they can't expect that to happen to them.

[ElvenMr]

in my opinion it can bring a different and interesting outcome, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

[Sorue]

No it's fun to just express yourself and show what you like

[Anonymous]

Oh. AllieCatCosplay should not be wearing something that revealing. 🤣

[Anonymous]

It would make more sense but maybe the character is unrealistic to how the human body is