🦎 Cosplay: A Beginner’s Guide (From One Glitter Lizard to Another)
Aloha geckos! I’m back and working hard on setting up my site as of May 2025! I’m just getting started on this blog (and figuring out where I left my fabric scissors). For more info about the lizard behind the glitter, check out my About page! 🦎✨
👘Cosplay or Costume Play:
Cosplay is short for costume play. And while it means different things to different people, I bring you the formal scroll of wisdom from…
📚 Wikipedia:
Cosplay is a performance art in which participants wear costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea. Cosplayers often interact to create a subculture centered on role play. A broader use of the term applies to any costumed role play in venues apart from the stage.
In other words? We dress up, we nerd out, and we form weirdly specific friend groups about it. 💃🕺
Cosplay got it! What do I… How… Uhhhh…. 🫠
So I’m guessing you’re interested in cosplaying. Welcome!
Bad news: there’s no official “Cosplay 101” college course (yet).
Good news: there’s Amazon, YouTube, trial and error, and passionate weirdos like me writing blog posts just like this. 💚
This is a beautifully elaborate hobby, and yeah—it can be super overwhelming at first. But don’t worry, I’ve got you. (And a spreadsheet. And maybe a glue stick stuck to my tail.)
🦎 First Step: INSPIRATION!
Inspiration is your launchpad!
If you’re reading this, odds are you’ve already got someone in mind. If not, that’s okay too—mind-reading isn’t one of my powers yet.
Pick a character you love. One that makes you feel something. Someone you admire, or who just has a really cool jacket. (Hey, we’ve all been there.)
The magic of cosplay is you can be anyone. Seriously. Anyone. Whatever your background, shape, gender, age, species (lookin’ at you, furries 🐾)—there’s space for you here.
Quick PSA from your friendly neighborhood glitter gecko: Don’t yuck someone else’s yum. Cosplay is for joy, not judgment. Appreciate, don’t hate. ✨💖
🔍 Research: The Backbone of Any Build
Once you pick your character, it’s time to dive in and learn everything you can. I call this phase: COSPLAY DETECTIVE MODE.
As the legendary Yaya Han says: GOOGLE FU!
Additionally look up:
Wig tutorials
Makeup guides
Armor builds
Prop breakdowns
Official art
In-game shots
Other cosplayers’ versions
Even fan art for extra inspo!
Google is your secret weapon. It’s saved me from many a hot glue meltdown. 😅
💃 Example Time: Succubus Catherine (My Build)
Let’s use my Succubus Catherine cosplay as a case study!
Here’s what I referenced:
🎮 In-game screenshots
🎨 Conceptual artwork
📸 Other cosplayers like Yiri Cosplay & Luna Aura
Official Art-
In-game Shots-
Other cosplayers’ versions
Yiri Cosplay’s Succubus CatherineLuna Aura Cosplay of Succubus Catherine
I took notes on every piece of my character’s outfit: horns, corset, wig, wings, attitude.
Once you’ve done that, you can ask yourself:
Do I want to build it, buy it, commission it—or mix and match?
🛒 Buying Cosplays: The Easy Button (Sometimes)
There’s zero shame in buying your cosplay. Not everyone has the time, tools, or desire to craft every detail—and that’s valid! I’ve bought costumes, modified thrift store finds, and made full armor sets from scratch. There’s no wrong way to cosplay.
Here are some sites I (and other cosplayers) recommend:
🦎 Pro Tips for Buying Cosplay Online
🔎 Check reviews and customer photos to verify quality.
📏 Double-check sizing charts, especially with overseas sellers.
⏳ Order early to allow time for tailoring, delays, or emergencies.
🧵 Communicate clearly if you’re requesting a custom fit or design.
💬 Ask questions! Reputable sellers will always be happy to clarify.
Reminder: You often get what you pay for. Some of these are very cheap. Think of these like Halloween costumes—you might need to tweak them a bit for fit or flair.
👕👖Cosplay Costume Websites (All in One Big Lizard-Approved List – Not Sponsored)
Uwowo Cosplay – Known for intricate anime and RPG cosplay designs, often with deluxe detail. 🔗 uwowocosplay.com
Amazon – Convenient, fast shipping, decent for starter cosplays and accessories. 🔗 amazon.com
Angel Secret – Specializes in Disney-style gowns and highly detailed ballgown cosplay. 🔗 angel-secret.com
Cosplay Fancy – A reliable source for ready-to-wear cosplays and props. 🔗 cosplayfancy.com
SimCosplay – Affordable and solid-quality costumes and armor sets. 🔗 simcosplay.com
✨ But What If It Doesn’t Exist? Enter: Commissions
So your dream cosplay doesn’t exist in any store? Time to seek out a maker! Whether it’s a full outfit or just one hard-to-make prop, commissioning is a great option, especially for rare builds like my Succubus Catherine.
Here’s what to do:
🔍 Search for cosplay commissions on Google
📸 Ask for a portfolio and previous work examples
⭐ Request seller feedback or reviews from past clients
❗ Be aware: not everyone tells the truth 😬 Do your due diligence—there are threads online with lists of commissioners to be wary of. Ask around in the community before diving in.
🧵💰 Understand the Cost
If you’re having something made, you’re paying for someone’s time, skills, and supplies. The cost is not just a random number—they’re not pulling prices out of a lizard hat.
Here’s a simple pricing formula:
Commissioned Item = Cost of Materials + Labor per Hour + Shipping
That’s it. Be realistic about what you’re asking. Custom work takes time. You should expect to pay at least minimum wage per hour—and more if the artist is experienced or highly skilled. You’re not just paying for fabric and foam, you’re paying for expertise.
⚖️ Don’t grumble about the price tag—if they’re good, they’ve earned it. ✨ Plus, you’re supporting a small business and boosting your local artist economy. That’s cosplay karma, baby.
🤝 Set Expectations
MAKE SURE (yes, I’m yelling) to sign a contract or have a clear, written agreement in place. This should include:
Payment terms
Deadlines
What’s being made
What happens if someone ghosts
If they’re local, offer to purchase materials yourself or tag along to shop—it’s a great learning experience, and helps build trust.
Stay in touch throughout the process. I personally ask for progress pics (politely of course!) so I can see how things are coming along. If something doesn’t look right, speak up kindly. A good commissioner will appreciate your communication.
Some artists are super trusting and only want payment on delivery. Others need payment upfront or in milestones. Either way, talk about it clearly. No one likes awkward money convos—but you’ll both be happier with expectations set early on.
✅ TL;DR:
Research first.
Ask for examples and reviews.
Sign a contract.
Pay fairly.
Stay in touch.
Be respectful.
Support your local sewing sorcerers.
You’ll not only end up with a beautiful cosplay—you might even build a great connection in the community. 🦎💚
✂️ DIY Cosplay: You Brave, Brave Gecko
If you’re building it yourself—congrats! You’ve chosen the path of caffeine, chaos, and creativity. 🧃⚡️ But seriously, DIY cosplay is one of the most rewarding (and occasionally frustrating) parts of this hobby.
Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
⚠️ Set realistic deadlines. ⚠️ Double whatever time you think it’ll take. ⚠️ Break down the costume into manageable parts. ⚠️ Give yourself grace when things get tricky. ⚠️ And remember: RULE #1—Have Fun.
You don’t train for a marathon the night before—it’s the same with cosplay. Give yourself time to learn, try, mess up, try again, and get better. 🧵
And here’s a pro tip I swear by: 🧥 You can deconstruct an old garment with a seam ripper and use it as your pattern! I did this for my Medusa Soul Eater jacket, and I’m actually reusing the same pieces for my Smoker Tashigi cosplay. It’s thrifty, practical, and gives you a head start on fit!
Also important: Take care of your mental health. If you’re freaking out over perfection, step away. Breathe. Pet a lizard. Come back later. 🦎🧘♀️
🧵 Sewing 101: Machine Mayhem and Fabric Fights
If you’ve never touched a sewing machine before, expect a learning curve. Like, a tall, twisty rollercoaster-style curve. 🎢 But that’s okay! You can:
Take a class at a local craft store
Get help from friends or family
Watch YouTube tutorials
Or start with hand sewing—it’s slow but works just fine!
If you already know your way around a sewing machine, awesome! Next stop: patterns and fabric… and probably yelling at your bobbin. 😅
✨ I’ll be writing a blog post just for first-time sewists soon. I’ll link it here when it’s ready.
📏 Using a Pattern
Straight from the Wiki mouth:
A pattern in sewing is the paper template used to cut fabric pieces before assembling the final garment.
You can buy patterns from:
Simplicity
McCall’s
Etsy
SewingPatterns.com
Amazon
BurdaStyle
eBay
Or you can deconstruct an old garment with a seam ripper and make your own template! I did this with my Medusa jacket, and I’m reusing the same pattern for my Smoker Tashigi cosplay.
✨ I’ll be writing a future post breaking down pattern symbols—it’s a whole thing.
🧵 Fabric Shopping
I’ll cover this more in [my fabric breakdown post] (coming soon!), but for now, just remember:
Stretchy = forgiving
Heavy = warm
Shiny = fabulous but slippery
Faux leather = sweaty spahgetti
Coming Soon:
🧵 Sewing for Beginners
🪡 Decoding Patterns
🧵 Fabric Guide
📏 Taking Measurements
🧙♀️ Prop-Making Tips
💅 Makeup for Cosplay
💼 Convention Packing Lists
🦎 Lizard-Proofing Your Builds (jk… maybe)
Final Thoughts from a Crafty Lizard:
Cosplay is wild. It’s rewarding. It’s a little stressful. It’s art, performance, passion, and hot glue sticks stuck to your elbow.
You’ll mess up. You’ll grow. You’ll find your people.
But most importantly—you’ll have fun. Welcome to the cosplay swamp. 🦎✨
Let me know what you want to see next! Tutorials? Cosplay fails? Convention stories? I’m all ears (and scales).
Leaping Lizard Cosplay 
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