How to Get Started in Cosplay — Tips and Tricks
Want to enter the world of cosplay? Here are practical tips from an expert on how to get started!
Have you wanted to make your own Dota 2 cosplay but don't know where to start? Whether you want to try your hand at competing in the TI Cosplay Contest hosted by SteelSeries, or you just want to attend the event in character, I'm here to help you get started.
I’m Chiyu, I've been cosplaying since 2013 (basically a grandma at this point) and I’m here to help all of you to start your first build! I’ve introduced cosplay to many of my friends, and it’s always really fun to see new people find joy in the creative freedom of making cosplays and feeling cute afterwards.
When I first started cosplaying over a decade ago, outfits and supplies couldn't be bought from amazon, and armor making tutorials were scarce. We've come a long way from that as a community, and its cool hope accessible cosplay has become. While you still can't buy a Dota 2 cosplay, nowadays it's easier than ever to find resources and tutorials to make it yourself. This guide is written for making your first Dota cosplay, but many of the tips can be applied to other cosplays you may want to do, whether that's handmade or store bought.
If you’ve always wanted to try cosplaying, this is the article for you. I’m here to tell you, just do it. Don’t let your dreams be dreams.
1. Pick a character
Deciding on a character is both the most exciting part of the process and sometimes the hardest. Dota has so many cool designs, each with its own skin sets and cosmetics that sometimes picking a favorite is near impossible.
Let’s start with some basic questions:
1. Are you looking to compete with this outfit, or making it just for fun?
If you’re just looking to make a cosplay for fun, you can consider thrifting some basic parts like shirts and pants, and having fun with painting, cutting, modifying these elements.
If you’re looking to compete, there are some things to consider, such as accuracy, how much of the cosplay you’re making yourself versus bought etc.
Note: if you are wanting to compete with the cosplay, you must make a majority of the cosplay and components. You should check the rules first, as they will generally differ from competition to competition. For the TI cosplay contest, previous rules have been around 70-80% of the cosplay must be handmade.
2. What is your skill level? How much time are you willing to put into the project?
When starting, it’s important to consider your own skills and time constraints. Don’t worry if you’ve never sewn something before, that’s the fun part of cosplay, is that all skills can be learned if you have the time and patience to do so.
Cosplay references
Dota heroes are complicated and intricate, but there’s a cool secret about Valve designs. All Valve designs and models are publicly accessible, and there is a cool website called dotaloadout.com which has all of the 3d models for every hero and every cosmetic. This is a great tool to use as a reference when designing how you want to build.
2. Buy materials
Now that you’ve decided on your build, let’s talk about materials. Cosplays can generally be broken up into two main categories: sewing and armor.
Sewing is the basic foundational piece that most cosplayers will need to learn, as likely you’ll be wearing some clothing. Whether you choose to sew it yourself, or modify an existing shirt or garment, both choices are okay. For beginner cosplayers, I recommend thrifting at your local secondhand stores for base garments that you can use and modify. Many fabric stores will also carry generic sewing patterns which you can purchase and modify to look like a specific character’s outfit. Hand sewing is always an option if you don’t have a sewing machine, but for long term use or complicated projects, it may be worth purchasing or borrowing a sewing machine for the project to save you some time and hassle.
Armor is often a topic many people are afraid to touch. I’m here to tell you that it’s really not that bad! With all of the resources available online, you’ll be able to make it with some creativity. Generally for armor, you’ll want to use EVA foam for your builds. This is a plastic foam sheet that is both flexible and can be formed into various cool objects with some creativity. EVA foam can be purchased online from dedicated cosplay shops, or more accessible are those interlocking floor mats you see in home improvement stores.
Yes, these floor mats can make some crazy armor! You can either pattern your own shapes, or general armor patterns can be purchased from various cosplayers stores, or on etsy. With the pattern, you’ll want to trace them on the foam, cut them out with a box cutter, and glue them together with contact cement. Contact cement is toxic, so be careful when using this. Avoid using hot glue with foam, as it is generally not strong enough for armor. There are plenty of armor-making tutorials available, you’ll be surprised what you can make from common materials.
Remember, cosplay doesn’t have to be expensive! You can still get good results even if you aren’t buying premium materials. It's dependent on your own creativity, and how much effort you’re willing to put in.
3. Tips and tricks
Have your cosplay done? Want to know how to get your cosplay to look more polished and professional? Here are some tips.
Steam steam steam!
No, not the PC platform. If you want to elevate your cosplay, remember to steam or iron your garments! The difference between a cleanly ironed outfit and a wrinkled outfit is night and day. It’s a simple step but makes a huge difference in the end result.
Good fit and comfort
Remember to try and make your cosplay fit you and your body as much as possible. You can do this by tailoring, or even just using safety pins to get the best fit and shape. Make sure that your cosplay is also comfortable for you to wear; if you’re in pain, that’s not fun for anyone. Bring a change of shoes if you’ve got crazy shoes/heels, or even consider taking more breaks if you’ve got a heavy, warm outfit. It’s easy to forget we’re all humans underneath the glitter, and our bodies need breaks too. Have fun but also be kind to your body.
Don’t be scared to commit
You might be shy about wearing something ridiculous in public, but I’m here to tell you, show up with confidence! Wear your creations with pride, and be proud of the hard work you’ve done. Making cosplay takes time, effort, and a lot of passion. The Dota community is fairly small, and fans are always excited to see someone make and cosplay their favourite hero. Don’t worry too much about the details, and just enjoy the experience!
If you need additional help or feedback on your cosplay, you can reach me at @chiyunekoO on IG.
Have fun, and can’t wait to see you at TI one day! :)
Chiyu
Chiyu is a Canadian cosplayer who has cosplayed Skywrath Mage, Dawnbreaker, and Windrunner at the previous TIs and ESLs. Chiyu first started cosplaying League of Legends in 2013 and hasn’t stopped ever since. She makes some crazy stuff and also just enjoys dressing up as cute characters she loves. She believes in cosplay is for everyone and encourages people to try it at least once.
