Cosplay is one of the most joyful, chaotic, healing, and challenging things I’ve ever thrown myself into. It’s more than just dressing up—it’s crafting identities, honoring stories, and stitching together pieces of myself in every project. Whether I’m sanding EVA foam until my fingers ache or sewing seams while binge-watching anime, I feel most me when I’m building someone else.
This post is a behind-the-scenes look at how I bring my favorite characters to life—from the spark of inspiration to the final photo—and why cosplay means more to me than just fandom.
🎭 Why I Cosplay
Cosplay isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. Each character I choose speaks to something I needed at the time: strength, weirdness, resilience, chaos, softness. Some remind me who I am. Others help me try on who I want to become.
It’s also a sensory playground. As someone who’s neurodivergent, the textures, colors, movement, and flow of cosplay are deeply regulating. Becoming a character gives me a socially safe script to embody for a while—and that can be incredibly freeing.
✨ My Creative Process (Chaos + Hot Glue)
Step 1: The Spark
Sometimes it’s a character I’ve loved for years. Sometimes it’s a “that’s so ME” moment. I save reference images, quotes, fan art, and sometimes full Pinterest boards. I look for symbolism—what story am I telling with this cosplay?
Step 2: Planning and Materials
I break the costume into pieces: wig, outfit, accessories, props. I ask: what can I thrift? What do I need to make? What fabric will drive me to tears? I usually sketch or map it out on paper. It’s organized chaos, but it helps.
Step 3: Building
This part is messy. Foam work, sewing, sculpting, painting—whatever it takes. I make mistakes, redo things, and hot glue things the night before con. There’s always a crisis. There’s also always a little magic.
Step 4: Becoming
The moment I put it all on—wig, makeup, pose—it clicks. I become that character, take selfies, twirl, feel powerful, or goofy, or like I’ve stepped out of my own head for a minute. And that’s everything.
💖 Cosplays That Changed Me
✨ Himiko Toga – My Hero Academia
Toga was one of my first truly ambitious cosplays, and it felt wildly personal. I’ve always been drawn to chaotic, misunderstood girls—especially the ones who laugh when they’re hurting. Toga is bubbly and unhinged, soft-spoken and sharp-edged. She doesn’t fit into neat categories, and neither do I.
The build was surprisingly fun: her school uniform was simple enough, but the props—especially her utility belt with the blood-sucking syringes—were the challenge. I used clear tubing, fake blood, and a repurposed belt to get it just right. Putting on her yellow cardigan and fanged smile made me feel powerful in a way I wasn’t expecting. Like I could stop pretending to be “normal” and lean into the beautiful mess that is me.
I’ve worn her to a few conventions, and every time, someone either grins with recognition or gives me a wide berth—and honestly, both reactions make me proud.
✨ Velma Dinkley – Scooby-Doo
Velma is comfort. She was the first character I ever cosplayed that felt like an extension of who I already was. The oversized sweater, the chunky glasses, the deadpan tone, the obsessive need to figure things out—it’s me. All of it.
This cosplay came together mostly through thrift finds and closet pieces: a burnt-orange turtleneck, a pleated skirt, knee socks. I added a few small touches like a notebook and magnifying glass, but the transformation was subtle and strong. Velma doesn’t need to shout to be noticed—she speaks when she’s sure of herself. Wearing her gave me permission to take up quiet space and still be seen.
It also reminded me how much I loved Scooby-Doo growing up. I wasn’t the pretty one or the funny one—I was the one solving mysteries in the background, and now I get to celebrate that.
🌟 What Cosplay Has Taught Me
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Patience & perseverance: Nothing teaches you resilience like seam-ripping at 2am.
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Creative problem-solving: I’ve made armor from gym mats and dresses from bed sheets.
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Self-acceptance: Cosplay helped me embrace my body, my neurodivergence, and my inner weird kid.
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Community: Fandom friends, convention laughs, late-night DMs about hot glue disasters—cosplay connects us.
🎉 Final Thoughts
Cosplay is an act of love—love for the character, the craft, the community, and myself. Every costume I make is part tribute, part therapy, and part “I wonder if I can pull this off.” And honestly? I always surprise myself.
If you’ve ever wanted to cosplay but felt like you weren’t “skilled enough” or “don’t look the part”—please know this: there are no rules except joy. Be messy, bold. and be yourself in a cape.
Related Post: Cosplay Portfolio
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