Cosplaying and Overweight

Not many people truly fit the characters they cosplay. I'm not talking about just obese people, I mean average sized people don't really align perfectly with the rail-thin anime characters. Does this mean people shouldn't play those characters? No way! What the problem I think is that people spend too much time looking at the person inside the costume, and not enough looking at the actual costume. Sure seeing a sexy girl/boy will naturally make you like to look at that cosplayer more, but it really shouldn't be how the costumes are judged. I personally am a fat bastard, but that wouldn't stop me from doing whatever character I wanted. What I find amazing is how often fringe groups, (though cosplaying is definitely becoming more mainstream), often are the first to attack their own rather than lifting them up.

People who hate your cosplay because you're fat (or pretty much any reason they might find) are simply stupid. They probably don't cosplay themselves and/or are hiding behind their computer, and thus doesn't know the feeling of putting time and effort into making the prettiest costume you can. Ignore them, or maybe brag about being happy and proud of yourself and your lack of need to insult someone to feel good and stuff. ^ Also strongly agree with Nate, even average-sized people don't have a perfect look with the character.

The only thing I try to stick with for cosplaying is cosplaying someone with glasses, since I wear them. However be who you want to be, as long as you're happy about it

I see nothing wrong about being overweight and cosplaying. Just ignore those negative words and have fun. It may be hard to ignore but don't stoop to their level. It's better to be different and unique than to be a copy.

I for sure know that being overweight has stopped me from cosplaying for a very long time, i still don't feel i should. I don't need some jerk telling me i am fat when i took hours to get up the courage to leave the house.

No one's perfect in cosplay. not even that crazy Russian "barbie" chick who got dozens of surgeries. But if you feel that your body is not good enough of a canvas for the character you want to cosplay as, go for craftsmanship and accuracy. I'd rather see some beautiful fuckin' details on a thick girl's dress than some casual's hasty closet cosplay. They're both getting compliments, but for different reasons. Casual, because I was able to recognize them, and craftsman, because the hours of labor have come to fruition and I can appreciate that. I don't know, and have never known, the social trepidation that comes with being overweight and in the cosplay community. But maybe try focusing on that. Jerks will never stop lacking self restraint.

Does anyone else feel disgusted when looking at the skin of an overweight person? There is the man faye incident. That guy was expelled from a convention because of what he was wearing appeared to be obscene to the majority of people. There are women as well as men exposing just as much at conventions, but there is something inherently disgusting about fat. Just a thought but I don't think it is the amount of clothing or how skimpy an outfit is, but the percentage of skin vs clothing that is making people feel disgusted. And an overweight person exposes more "skin" in an outfit vs a non overweight person. I think mostly everyone would find a speedo on an extremely attractive person equally disgusting. I'm not saying overweight cosplayers want to wear speedos, but that's how their body appears if they are exposing even the average amount of skin which is what a lot of characters use. (belly area, legs, area, cleavage, etc) I don't mean to come off crude, or rude, or a troll. But I am just letting people think there might be something else at play that turns off others of overweight cosplay besides beauty standards.

So are you suggesting they shouldn't even wear a tank top? Is a cleavage shirt too much?? I don't know what you are getting at. I can see things like a belly shirt being unattractive because there is some flab hanging over and it can be rather unbecoming. As for legs, I am completely not with you on that one. Yeah, some shorts are too short, some people have fat that falls over their knees and that is sad, but that doesn't mean they should not be allowed to wear shorts due to your standard of beauty... Anyhow, what I am getting at is it seems a little extreme if you are suggesting they should wear long sleeve shirts and pants or skirts that cover their entire legs.

Overall in the anime community , in my opinion , some would actually be mortified. I'm just being honest , hear me out. Just imagine this, your FAVORITE anime character that you love so much. You picture that person on how they appear on the anime but , when someone dresses up as that character. Your expectations is how you would see them in the anime. I think that's why some people would get annoyed , mortified or get angry at the fact that their character appears to be something that is not. Would I dress up as my favorite character? Sure, if it fits for me.