I didn't do anything cosplay-related today, sadly. I slept a lot, played video games, and then I had to go to an hour-long presentation on chiropractic care. It wasn't bad, just.. Time consuming.
So, today's topic! Significant others (namely boyfriends) who don't approve of skimpy cosplays.
Let's start with why girls do skimpy cosplays to begin with. It's not always about attention. Admittedly, with cosplaying becoming more mainstream, this is why some girls do it, but others really do do it for the love of the character. So, the following is assuming that that is the reason, not the attention.
Personally, my boyfriend isn't too protective of me when it comes to cosplay, but when he is, it's understandable. Every convention has it's weirdos and perverts. Even if attention isn't the goal, it's inevitable, even in some conservative costumes.
So how do you get a conservative boyfriend to let you do a skimpy cosplay?
There's no real answer to this, and in some cases, it may very well be impossible, but here's some things to try:
• Explain yourself. Explain why you want to cosplay this character, whether it be the character, their personality, or the series they're from. Let the boyfriend watch your favorite episode of the series that contains the character, so that he can see why you love it so much.
• Choose a different outfit. Many characters, whether it be anime, movies, or otherwise, have alternate outfits. If you love the character that much, you may be able to find another outfit you like.
• Compromise. Agree to wear a conservative cosplay next time, or let him pick your next one entirely.
Whatever you choose to do, remember that it's not an issue of him trusting you, it's an issue of him trusting other guys. Take him with you to the convention or outing, and be sure that people know you're his (without being obscene, of course).
I have to take a bit of an issue with the assumptions underlying this post. It's certainly wise and good to be respectful of the feelings of your S.O., but at the end of the day, you are NOT 'his' and he doesn't have the right to tell you what you can and can't wear.
ReplyDelete'Other guys' being creeps and pervs at conventions is certainly a problem, but acting as though the onus for keeping a woman safe is on her and what she chooses to wear just reinforces the attitude that men can't help themsleves but to be creeps and pervs and absolves the con organizers of the responsibility of enforcing the rules.
I understand where you're coming from, and I see now how this post could read that way, but that definitely wasn't my intention or thought process behind the post. You are absolutely right, your boyriend does not own you, and at the end of the day, it's your life and your decision. Also, of course what a woman is wearing isn't any sort of "permission" for creeps to creep (creeps are gonna creep regardless of clothing, really), and that should in no way excuse the convention from reinforcing rules. Like I said, reading it over now, I completely see how this post ccould read that way though. In my defense, I wrote it years ago, and I wasn't the best at explaining myself through writing then. If I were to write this now, it would be bette thought-out to avoid all of this. But thank you for pointing it out and giving me a chance to clarify in my own words as well.
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