Costumes and Cosplay

[Piperken]

So, I've got invites to two Halloween parties this year, and while I'm normally not the biggest costume/cosplay guy (Or more that I not the best at planning these things and being thrifty/crafty in putting a look together), I've been putting serious thought into what I am going to do for them.

Option 1: Carl from Dungeon Crawler Carl novels. I have a leather jacket, so it's getting the boxers, a stuffed cat for Princess Donut (probably a way to rig her to ride on my shoulder) and building any of the accessories ... spiked kneepads, gauntlet, maybe a stick of dynamite ...
Pros: A reason to talk about my latest obsession.
Cons: Bare legged and flip flops (I know he's barefoot in the books, but I don't have a magic toe ring) in a Canadian Autumn? I am not that guy.
View attachment 418426

Not familiar with above, but! After looking it up I'd pick this one. While both choices are recent, this one has a bigger audience in terms of age range, and even if I saw someone dressed like this and didn't recognize the character, I'd immediately pay attention. The cat and heart boxers are just awesome.

The other option is somewhat niche, and I feel like more people would just say, oh you're a victim of an Alien.

 

[Vael]

I'm gonna be a Kirk this year. I know, it's a bit easy, as costumes go. This is my trial run.

(I tried the bell bottoms, and even bought a pair, but I just can't find boots the right length for them--you either end up with a silly looking stick-like ankle gap, or they interfere with the bell bottoms. I read that in TOS the boots were custom made).

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A full Starfleet uniform has been on the wishlist for so long ...

 

[Umbran]

Cold in boxers? Flesh coloured tights.

This is excellent advice. Also hals with the fact that boxers can sometimes... hang in an awkwardly revealing way, shall we say?

Not for the OP's costumes, and not cheap, but for Victorian and Wild West costuming, it is hard to beat Historical Emporium.

This is not "costume grade" stuff, but more functional, wearable clothing.

Historical Emporium - Authentic Products and Old Fashioned Service

Serving You Since 2003 -- We specialize in authentic, high-quality period clothing, suitable for stage and screen, living history, and special occasions. We are proud to serve reencator and performing arts communities worldwide. We encourage you to shop our store, and please contact us if you...

www.historicalemporium.com

 

[Ryujin]

This is excellent advice. Also hals with the fact that boxers can sometimes... hang in an awkwardly revealing way, shall we say?

Not for the OP's costumes, and not cheap, but for Victorian and Wild West costuming, it is hard to beat Historical Emporium.

This is not "costume grade" stuff, but more functional, wearable clothing.

Historical Emporium - Authentic Products and Old Fashioned Service

Serving You Since 2003 -- We specialize in authentic, high-quality period clothing, suitable for stage and screen, living history, and special occasions. We are proud to serve reencator and performing arts communities worldwide. We encourage you to shop our store, and please contact us if you...

www.historicalemporium.com

They have absolutely great stuff. Most of my formal wear has come from them. I also have their Coachman's Hat (a short Top Hat style), and Regency Top Hat (tapered style).

 

[MarkB]

This is excellent advice. Also hals with the fact that boxers can sometimes... hang in an awkwardly revealing way, shall we say?

Yeah, something like swimming shorts might be a better option as something that looks the part but provides more security.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Go with the one that has the fewest props involved. As someone who went as the Unibomber one year, carrying around my package addressed to Microsoft Headquarters with a rattlecan inside, I know it ends up being a real pain.

A guy I knew showed up to a costume party dressed in monochrome black, with broken and unbroken lines made of thin strips of tape going up & down his body. Safety pinned in certain places were those ultra-cheap die cast toy cars- the ones that are just hollow, painted car shapes with wheeled axels that are sold in some grocery stores.

He was Highway 281.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

This is excellent advice. Also hals with the fact that boxers can sometimes... hang in an awkwardly revealing way, shall we say?

Not for the OP's costumes, and not cheap, but for Victorian and Wild West costuming, it is hard to beat Historical Emporium.

This is not "costume grade" stuff, but more functional, wearable clothing.

Historical Emporium - Authentic Products and Old Fashioned Service

Serving You Since 2003 -- We specialize in authentic, high-quality period clothing, suitable for stage and screen, living history, and special occasions. We are proud to serve reencator and performing arts communities worldwide. We encourage you to shop our store, and please contact us if you...

www.historicalemporium.com

Amazon Dry Goods is a similar company, or at least, USED to be- I haven’t bought anything from them in a decade or so. However, what I bought back then is still wearable now.

Amazon Drygoods - Your Historic Clothing Resource!

In business for over 30 years, Amazon Drygoods offers historic clothing patterns, shoes, books, collars and much more for all of your history related apparel needs.

www.amazondrygoods.com

 

[Umbran]

Yeah, something like swimming shorts might be a better option as something that looks the part but provides more security.

Well, iirc, Carl is wearing the archetype boxer shorts with hearts on them, which might be hard to find in swimwear.

Tights under the boxers will handle anatomy and temperature issues.

Speedos or some snug gym shorts underneath would protect modesty as well.

 

[SkidAce]

A couple from previous years...going as a genric bard this year.

I make a great Master Roshi, hehe.

 

[MarkB]

Well, iirc, Carl is wearing the archetype boxer shorts with hearts on them, which might be hard to find in swimwear.

A very brief search for "hearts swimming shorts" on Amazon says otherwise. Plentiful choices there.