Homemade costumes are often very authentic and costly.
Cosplay is costume play done by fans of a particular series, style or saga usually for attending a convention. Anime-conventions include panels from voice actors, foreign bands and a large collection of things to buy. Oftentimes cosplayers choose to make their costumes themselves as opposed to purchasing them. Fans will dress up as Gothic Lolitas, anime or video game characters and musicians. These fan genres are often Japanese and are rarely American, although conventions for sci-fi, video games and anime are commonplace in America.
Gothic Lolita
The Gothic Lolita style comes from Japan and focuses on a modern-Victorian style often found at anime conventions and in cosplay. Bustles, petticoats, short Victorian dresses, fishnet stockings, parasols and large hats, typically colored black and white, make up the look. In part made popular by visual kei bands, like the all-male, Japanese band, Malice Mizer, both men and women emulate this style of cosplay. Sometimes other themes are present, such as elements from Alice in Wonderland. Despite the name, the style attempts to portray a childlike innocence.
Zelda Costume
Dressing as video game characters is very popular at sci-fi or anime conventions. The Legend of Zelda video game series is a common choice. People dress as the princess Zelda, in one of her fanciful gowns or as the hero, Link, in a tunic, gauntlets, a belt, elf ears, a hat and a sword. No conventions allow real weapons, so swords are often plastic or made of Styrofoam and painted to resemble the game's sword.
Final Fantasy Costumes
Other popular styles from video games come from the Final Fantasy series, in which waist-capes, spikey-haired wigs and pants with one leg longer than the other are popular. The more popular costumes come from Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy VII, VIII and X, often as Sora, members of Organization 13, Cloud, Tifa, Sephiroth, Squall, Rinoa, Rikku and Tidus and Yuna. The series has become so popular, pre-made costumes and wigs are available online.
Anime Costumes
Anime character costumes are also very popular, particular for anime-conventions. Styles of anime costumes depend on which anime the wearer chooses. An iconic costume is that of the titular character of Sailor Moon: a pleated short skirt, a white shirt with a red bow in the middle, her "meatball head" hairstyle and pink scepter. Other costumes come from Death Note, Gundam Wing, Naruto and Trigun.
