The cosplay costume market is on the rise, with plans to grow over $1.6B by 2027 thanks to increasing popularity in the anime and gaming industries. If you’re a fan of a certain franchise, or simply like to dress up (TBH, who doesn’t?), then cosplay could be a lot of fun for you. And television host and content creator Trisha Hershberger (she/her) is all for it. “I studied classical theater, moved to LA to pursue an entertainment career, and tripped and fell into YouTube,” she says. “Up until that point I was always auditioning for stuff, but YouTube gave me an outlet to be myself. The ‘gadget geek who plays way too many video games’ side of me and the performer side were able to work together, and that was very freeing.”

But it wasn’t until she started attending comic and gaming conventions that she discovered the cosplay community. “But once I did, the theater kid in me was overjoyed at the possibility of dressing up and becoming some of my favorite fictional characters. All the costume classes I had to take while obtaining my BA finally came in handy!”

Ready to learn more about being a cosplay cutie? Us, too! 🧚👗✨

So, what exactly is cosplay?
Cosplay is a term used when someone dresses up as a character they’re a fan of—typically at a convention or public event. Sometimes this means acting like the character as well, but not always. It can also involve painstakingly crafting your own costume, styling your own wigs, doing costume makeup, and building your own props. As long as you’re having fun pretending to be a character you love, you’re doing it right.

Do you need to be a super fan of a certain game or franchise to participate?
Most cosplayers are fans of at least some aspect of the characters they embody. After all, some folks spend hundreds of hours or more creating every detail of their look, and I don’t know many people that would take all that time on something they didn’t really love. That said, I’m sure there are folks who may have seen a certain character look or style and been drawn to that first, without knowing the entire backstory or every piece of media that character is in. Loving the look or the attitude of a character enough that you decide to celebrate that character with your art is in its own way, being a super fan, no?

Good point! Now, where do people usually go to cosplay? How can we find communities to cosplay in?
I originally found cosplay at major events and conventions and you will certainly find a thriving community there. But just like any hobby, there are online and local communities, too. If you don’t have access to your local fandom by way of a convention or event, check your local comic store or hobby shop. They may be able to connect you with others who are interested in cosplay. Also, start following other cosplayers whose work you admire online. Some cosplayers are really wonderful artists, and there’s a lot to learn from them.

What do you absolutely need in order to cosplay?
In order to cosplay, you’ll need a costume. It can be self-made, bought, something you put together out of items in your closet… all are valid cosplay. Some cosplays are more casual and reminiscent of a character (frequently known as “casual cosplay”), while others have professional level costumes and props. In order to achieve your desired look, you may also want to invest in a wig, special effects makeup, props, a speaker to play a theme song or catchphrase, or anything else that makes it fun for you! If you’re looking for a good place to start, there are many retail sites like procosplay.com to help purchase pieces if you don’t want to make them yourself, or you can simply use the costumes on the site as a guide for creating your own look.

How can we stay safe when cosplaying IRL and online?
To stay safe, make sure you decide what your boundaries are ahead of time, especially if you’re heading to a major event. Are photos ok? Is touching or posing ok? Are you comfortable interacting with strangers while in character or as yourself? Once you know what your boundaries are, practice enforcing them verbally or you can even make a sign to carry around if you’d like. I’d also recommend having a buddy with you if you’re going to major events. And always wear some type of shorts/spanx under any skirt just in case.

To protect yourself online, I’d give the same advice—find your boundaries and enforce them. Moderation tools are there for your benefit. If someone says something unkind or that makes you feel uncomfortable, mute or ban away! Just because you choose to dress up as a character does not give anyone else the right to make you feel unsafe in any way.

And finally, what’s your advice to those who feel nervous or scared to start cosplaying?
I was scared to start cosplaying myself. I think we all are. It’s easy to be intimidated by large crowds, other fantastic cosplayers, and even your own high standards, but know that we all start somewhere and this is meant to be fun. My first cosplay was put together with a hot glue gun and staples [laughing]. It’s not a competition, although there are cosplay competitions if you’re feeling really confident and choose to enter one! Focus on having a good time and celebrating your fandom—that’s it. Everything else is a bonus. I cannot wait to see what you create!