First off, I’m sorry for the delay in posting. Things have been hectic! With that said, on to the post!
The world of cosplay is like playing fantasy dress up 365 days a year. It is known as performance art where people dress up and act authentically as the character they are portraying. For some people it is a professional career path as well. Many cosplayers make their costumes, and there are many who buy their costumes (as I did with my Ash Ketchum costume pictured above).
I knew about cosplay growing up and dreamed of being able to cosplay, but never did. I was a huge anime fan back in the day too so one would think I would have done it in my childhood. Well, the first thing is that things weren’t as readily available back then as they are now. Another thing also was back then e-commerce was still fairly new for most households, and not everyone was willing to use their credit card online (my parents being some of them lol). The other thing was a confidence issue. I was a very shy girl growing up. Also, I grew up in a predominately white neighborhood so the standard body type was stick thin (think Paris Hilton) for a majority of the girls in my school. 13 year old me wanted to be just like what the media portrayed as beautiful, so that took a hit to my confidence as well. Little did I know that the standard for beauty is not such a limited scope as I was led to believe.
The thing that society isn’t taught (and the media doesn’t say) is that sometimes you will look “wide” in photos, because the camera adds 10 pounds. Also, it isn’t taught that having an hourglass figure such as I do, you will definitely look wider than you are in photos sometimes as well. It’s a way to hate yourself so you stay stunted mentally, physically, and spiritually. Another thing is a lot of women’s pelvis’s become wider when we get older. So don’t worry about not fitting into your jeans from middle school or high school. Your body isn’t meant to stay the same.
I am definitely planning to do cosplay again. It’s fun and it gives you a chance to feel connected to your favorite tv shows. I just know 9 year old me is so happy I got to dress as Ash Ketchum at the convention, at the coffee shop, and then at the sushi restaurant afterwards (lol). I wonder who I will cosplay as next!
Ma’aasalaama xoxo
Nadine
Aw yeah Ash Ketchum!!!
For a lot of people cosplaying is used as a venue to display personality they otherwise wouldn’t feel comfortable expressing in their everyday. I definitely think fashion can be used as armor to the public world because fashion choices can definitely influence how confident you feel and are perceived in a given situation. Fashion at times can seem frivolous but we remember how instrumental it is in giving us confidence to face situations bigger than us, I remember how important it can be.
Nothing like being it back old school
You raised a very good point for women, our body image is destroyed early mentally by the models and what the media says the standards of beauty; women are supposed to have hips, breasts, and some fat. It is sexier this way, and that is a real woman for you.
I agree with you, cosplay is such a fun way to connect with your favorite shows!
Great to see that you are blogging again! Keep posting I love seeing it!
Great post! I really enjoyed learned about cosplay. I also liked the fact that you brought up women and body image issues. As someone that has struggled with this for years, it’s nice to bring some light into it, and bring some positivity instead! Good job Nadine! ❤️❤️❤️
9 year old you would be very proud. I love that we all have our child self within us. Helps us grow and glow. Love this post !!!