Cosplay is firstly and foremost for having fun. Some people find it fun to make the costumes, some find it more fun just to wear them. To each their own. Just give credit where credit is due. Don't claim you did work that someone else did and don't enter any contests.

The only ones likely to care are those who are butthurt that they look worse, even though their costume might have taken them more work.

I used to buy costumes before learning to sew myself.
So I guess I dont mind people buying their costumes, as long as they dont take all of the credit.
Not all of us knows how to sew, so I think its just fine that people buy costumes instead.

true cosplay should be home made, however if you want to go and just be an attention-whore the store bought will work.

>>1306338

pissed off chick that can't sew

>>1306341
More like pissed-off chick who sews and doesn't get enough attention. I wonder if her wigs are home-made as well.

>>1306341
what do you mean? A) I'm male, B) I can sew.

I think my message got slightly skewed, I meant that if you want to go and get attention for looking like a character then store bought will do. however if one want's to enter into a cotest then they should hand make their costume.

>>1306360

you probably should have clarified this earlier then instead of looking like a pompous asshole.

>>1306366
I generally view annything not in contests/ RP as attention-whoreing, and I am guilty of this, I don't view it as much of a negitive term as you seem to.

About 90% of Japanese cosplayers buy their costumes, the whole YOU MUST MAKE IT YOURSELF OMGGGGGGGGGGGGG culture came from masquerades/costume contests and 'real' costuming. Like everyone said, just don't say you guys made it and nobody can touch you. If they waste their time bitching at or about you, ignore them and take pride in that you ruined some reject's day.

>> enter into a cotest then they should hand make their costume

agreed, otherwise I see no problem in buying one already made. Doesn't 90% of asians buy it?

>>1306375

mmm, "attention-whoring" is a pretty negative term if you ask me.

but i do agree on one level, bought costumes are a huge no-no in masquerades and contests and whatnot.

>>1306378
truth.

>>1306378
>>1306381

HIVEMIND

>>1306378

agreed

>>1306378 again.

Also in before anyone bitches that 'OMG cosplay was invented in America so it doesn't matter what the Japanese do' like some poeple tend to do. Yes I am well aware that the Japanese co-opted nerds making costumes of their most favoriteiestest series back in the day but here's a little something...

If it wasn't for Japanese animu and the Japanese cosplay culture you people wouldn't be cosplayers or know what cosplay is! So while Japanese cosplayers are not the End Game by any means, don't count them out either.

I've sewn all my costumes up to date. However, because I'm such a procrastinator I'm actually thinking of buying them instead. My sewing skills are pretty weak...I can sew just the simple outfits.

tl;dr -
I think it's fine. I hate elitists who are constantly "IF YOU DIDN'T MAKE IT, THEN YOU SHOULDN'T COSPLAY". Fuck 'em.

>>1306323
Can I just ask what character/costume the OP pic is supposed to be portraying?

>>1306378
90%?

Riiiiight.

>>1306411
You do realize that the majority of Japanese cosplayers are casual as all hell, right?

>>1306338

Cosplaying in itself then should be considered "attention-whoring". Since all you're doing is dressing up and getting recognized for someone you look like.

I think the only real attention-whoring refers to Death Note cosplays. With the yaoi Matt/Mello, or Hot Topic!Misa and closet-cosplay L. Especially when they do a half-assed job of it...I've seen at least 10 L's with long brown hair, crappy eyeliner and non-binded boobs walking around cons..

/rant

>>1306419
>>I've seen at least 10 L's with long brown hair, crappy eyeliner and non-binded boobs walking around cons..

Shitty cosplays may be shitty, but there's no shittier cosplay than a shitty L.

>>1306422
Truf.

>>1306323

Tell your mutual friend to fuck off. Your friend just wants to have a costume to wear and have fun with, but lacks the skill to make it himself. I'd far rather that someone who can't sew buys a costume, looks cool and feels happy about it, than if they try to make a costume themselves, fuck it up, look horrible and feel pissed off about it.

If they're not competing in anything then there's no problem.

I say store bought is fine.

I do enjoy hearing people talk about how they made things though. It makes it more interesting than "Oh I bought it at COSPA"
I hear where people brought stuff in real life. Hearing people have talent other than spending $400 on a Dolce and Gabbana bag is nice.

Also making it yourself kinda makes it like you earned the attention whoring that cosplayers do. Sure buying it with your own money you earned makes it earning it too. But it just seems like less so.

>>1306541
You passive aggressive douche.

OP, cosplay is not couture, its a nerd hobby. Whether you bought it, or hand sewed it for 1000 hours, its all for the same purpose. Having fun & getting pictures taking. >>1306541 is the stupid kind of elitist your friend is, so pay no mind, and just enjoy.

I bet it really burns you sewingfags up to see someone getting a lot of a attention for a costume they didn't make.

Too bad you're fat and pale. That hot person in the costume there has actually put more effort into their appearance than you ever will into a costume. Go eat another hot pocket and cry yourselves to sleep lol.

>>Also making it yourself kinda makes it like you earned the attention whoring that cosplayers do. Sure buying it with your own money you earned makes it earning it too. But it just seems like less so.

>>OP, cosplay is not couture, its a nerd hobby. Whether you bought it, or hand sewed it for 1000 hours, its all for the same purpose. Having fun & getting pictures taking.

Agreeing with both..Now I'm torn.

One elistist I know is so proud that she makes her own cosplays and feels she has some right to brag.

>>1306563
They crack me up. I've seen so many irl, and know one who bawwws about people that buy costumes from e-famous cosplayers. She's so disgustingly pasty but swears she's #1 because she handsews & puts so /much/ love and effort. Then ruins it with a shitty wig and no makeup. Oh, your something special, all right.
/rant
//this Anon buys and makes, but much rather buy. Not all of us have the time/no lives/interests to devote to this hobby to be Project runway contestants.

>>1306571

said reference

>>1306572
*you're

>>1306563

lmfao not really. if they actually LOOK like the character, then props to them. if not, then don't even bother.

>>1306571
>>Also making it yourself kinda makes it like you earned the attention whoring that cosplayers do. Sure buying it with your own money you earned makes it earning it too. But it just seems like less so.
People like this /choose/ to take that time. Then they feel everyone else should do the same. Uh, no. I don't have to spend money learning, buying material, choosing material, scouring references, spending time, sewing and resewing because they think that's the only way to achieve professional cosplayer level. No such fucking thing. Aww, you speshul snowflake learned how to do it yourself by the moonlight with a family of silkworms? Or you hand stitched every little stitch with expensive imported gold spun thread? Get yourselves sewingfags.

Not every seamtress is an elitest, but cgl seems rife with them. Nerds among nerds...

>>1306541 You passive aggressive douche.

Well that makes people want to listen to your stance.

Here's another take on it:
Being a nerd hobby just reinforces it being removed from real life.
You know what real life is, consumers spending as much as they can to prove they are best. Women do it best and metrosexual guys have picked up on it.
It's nice seeing people get away from the OMG I spent $150 on these sunglasses and just make stuff.

That's the only thing I fear about buying. People just getting all consumer about it. There's enough of that in real life.

>>1306323

There's nothing wrong with buying a costume. I usually do both hand made and buying costumes because well... I just have the urge to cosplay the character who have pretty hard costumes to make. At the same time, I'm taking the time to make my own costumes. So this way I keep a balance on not feeling bad for wearing the same costume over and over again. Unless, people request me to wear it. I want to develop my sewing skills and have some material to cosplay to lean back on. Once I'm ready to show my hand made, I'll wear it.

>>1306407

Ninian from Fire Emblem

Well on the bright side, us good sewfags look nice and accurate.
While if something arrives on a purchased costume the wrong length, bad color, terrible fabric, broken, or not fitting theres not much the purchaser can do about it. Maybe they can send it back, maybe. But good luck with that. You know how commissioners are.

Sewfag wins in that case.

>>1306600
>>1306614
...there are no points. There is no competition [unless you're entering a masquerade]. You proved my point about how cosplay isn't even about just having fun for elitist sewing fags...

[[fixing a misspelling]]

>>1306626 You proved my point about how cosplay isn't even about having fun for elitist sewing fags...

Haha really? I see me having a lot of fun surrounded by new buddies that I'll keep in touch with because they liked the costume. While the purchased one either had to be sent back or looks off.

But yeah it's about fun. You're completely right about that. Goofing off in costume is a chief highlight of the con.

>>1306614

IAWTC. By buying a pre-made costume or commissioning, you run the risk of receiving a costume that may not fit right, or lacks certain details, isn't the "right" colour, etc. Sure, not everyone can sew the perfect costume, but you can at least make adjustments to the costume that best suit your tastes.

Not that you can't alter a pre-made costume as well, but there's something more satisfying about wearing a costume that you've made yourself, with your -own- personal touches and mistakes.

I don't see a problem with bought costumes in general, really, especially if you just wanna wear the costume for fun. I know I've done it before. I just think it's pointless to get up on stage with a bought or commissioned costume and go for a craftsmanship award.

>>1306375
Funny, I would think for those that do make their costumes entering contests is more of an attention whoring event than just hanging out around the con in costume. Because of the nature of contests that is when you are obviously trying to show off. I'm not saying either is bad, just that you've got your terms down kind of funny in my opinion. Although cosplayers who just make costumes to try and win contests and not just because they like the character or whatever do bother me. So there's another point lost for contests. Again, not saying everyone does that. But you can't deny that's how some people work.

Back to OP: If your friend really has no interest in learning to sew and whatnot then he should just buy the costume. Forcing a newb who doesn't want to sew to try and put together a costume in their own probably won't result in a very good costume anyways. But if he's interested in learning how then you would be a good friend if you taught him and helped him make the costume.

>>1306653
Think we can all agree >>I know I've done it before. I just think it's pointless to get up on stage with a bought or commissioned costume and go for a craftsmanship award.
is shitacular, but OP asked regarding buying for fun, not for entering contests. Anyone who steals credit for someone else's work is just low.

>>1306658
QFT, especially the 2nd half. Why encourage himself to look lame, when he can look pretty damn decent [depending on budget, of course]. When he finds out its fun, /then/ encourage him to try his hand at altering. It'll just snowball from there.
[It so did for me.]

He wants to go around in costume? Great, good for him. Especially as it's his first con. He wants to buy it? I don't see a problem.

Tell mutual friend to stfu.

People are always so damned obsessed with these two extremes...No one ever considers those who buy and edit existing items, which most of the time aren't floating around the main stream market...that's my thing. I've never bought a pre-made ready to go costume...rather, I collect the things separately. Of course I do more realistic things too...guess that doesn't work for everyone.

Lots of Snow Crash in this thread.

Buy a costume if you want, I have a friend who does and she ejoys wearing them around.

In that position though, I'd let him know that he doesn't have to cosplay to a convention to enjoy it, that he wont look out of place wearing normal clothes.

As people have said, as long as you are open about it, buy if you want.

i've never purchased a costume. if i'm feeling lazy however i will do a character whose costume can be made from "found goods". Y'know someone who dresses "normal".