This is a little off the beaten path for me to be babbling about, but I feel the need to for some bloody reason. So just take a deep breath, stick with me, and hear me out on this. I'll try to keep the sarcasm to a happy medium. ;)

I don't cosplay much for several reasons. For one, I hate making the outfits. I've done it a few times, and I just don't enjoy putting together a cosplay outfit. I'd rather pay someone to make it for me so I can walk around in something that I know fits me right and works to my assets...read, boobs. ( Hey, at least I'm not above admitting that! ) My second reason for not cosplaying is that I am usually in a guest of honor situation at a con, and honestly I feel a little silly running around dressed as Mizuho from Onegai Teacher when I have to race around, run panels, sit behind the table and draw, and basically work for the day. One year at Acen I went as Yaone from Saiyuki, and I did the full corset under everything; I thought I was going to die. I can handle SCA events in a corset all damn day but sitting behind a table bent over paper made it the pits. I was SO glad to be out of that outfit that evening.

But the biggest reason I don't cosplay is probably the saddest of all, and one that ticks me off to no end, because it affects numerous people out there.

People are, for the most part, rude about larger cosplayers, or cosplayers who don't have 'professional' looking outfits.

Now, I will admit, there are times when I'm just chilling in a hallway at a con and watching the cosplayers go by. I love seeing what other folks come up with, and to be honest I get giddy when someone does something really obscure that I recognize. There was a girl at AnimeIowa last year who did the most awesome Crimson Shadow Cat from Shadow Lady, which is one of my favorite manga, and I was just so geeked that someone had thought to cosplay that. That in turn made her day because no one recognized the character, the poor girl. She had rather large assets, and I heard several people making underhanded comments that she shouldn't be wearing that due to her very curvy figure. I did not think she looked bad, I thought she looked AWESOME, and the way the outfit was cut really worked to her advantages without being overly revealing! But it made me wonder why folks think that way.

The thing is, I try never to make those types of comments when I can, because a cosplay outfit is something for the most part that someone has put a LOT of love, effort, and care into creating. I think every cosplayer, yes including the tin-foil Gojyos, deserve some love. Because hey, at least they are trying and enjoying themselves. And if the cosplayer is having fun and enjoying themselves, that is really all that matters.

But what really pisses me off is when people sit around and criticize cosplayers. You know what? YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE SKINNY AS A RAIL FOR EVERY COSPLAY! And if you think that is the way of things, if you think that a 200 lb girl has no right to cosplay something, then I suggest you take that narrow minded opinion and shove it.

You also don't have to be a professional seamstress to cosplay. I know several folks who are friends of mine, like Taelic from Be Anime Studios and my good friend Cindy who make a living and get their livelihood making professional quality cosplay outfits. I also have several friends who hand stitch things in their living room the night before the con in a mad dash to make something themselves. BOTH ARE GREAT! I think all cosplayers should get a nod for their effort unless they bought it at hot topic.

...God I hate those Naruto windbreakers.

If someone is comfortable enough with their own body and creations, and are confident enough to walk the halls of a convention, they have a right to cosplay just like everyone else out there, and should not be ridiculed. They don't deserve the 'zomg fat!' comments or the '...ew, that SO looks awful' commentary.

Now, people need to think about what cosplay they select. I think the general rules I've seen are:

* Pick a cosplay that is going to flatter the best parts of your body and help conceal the parts you are uncomfortable with. Comfort is key.

* Try to put a little effort into it. You may not be a pro, but the effort will show. =)

* Don't go overly revealing! This really gets my goat, especially at family friendly cons.

And finally * HAVE FUN WITH IT.

I encourage you all this con season to really sit back and think about how much effort went into an outfit. Don't criticize, encourage. And if you know someone who would fit as a specific character, TELL THEM! I know I'm always looking for characters to cosplay. You'd think having big boobs made it easy...ugh.

Next time, What Not To Do Behind Your AA Table.