To not really get the whole cosplay thing

[Revengeoftheseabass]

I'm sure those that do it love it, but I just don't understand those who indulge in it beyond the realms of sci-fi conventions, i.e. walking through crowded cities dressed in Japanese manga characters and the like.

And am I right in thinking (and I say this as an overweight bloke myself) that no man over 12 stone should try and ape the look of the Tennant or Smith Doctors?

My anxiety means I wouldn't enjoy it, but it is just like dressing up. Lots of people find that fun. So why wouldn't people enjoy cosplay on that basis?

I think I would enjoy larping more.

I know a few people into cosplay, Revenge, and they tend to be people who have already gone through the sense of being different in some way and/or being bullied and the dressing up (and more, sometimes - there's often fan fiction involved, in all its facets and much much more for those looking for it!) with like minded people ends up being a release from it all. It actually helps them to feel like an accepted part of a community.

And they probably do get laughed at, but probably no more than, say, someone who works through their need to belong by being a bit of a fashion victim (drop crotch jeans, ffs!) or [insert group behaviour of choice]

My OH is going to an 80's themed halloween do as Riker. I am jealous.

Come on OP, you're a long-time dead. If you're a nerd you should enjoy needing out as much as possible.

• nerding out

I get it!
It's about having some fun doing what you want to do and not allowing any mainstream ideals stop you.

I'm a little short for a stormtrooper

Meh. They're just clothes / it's just a hobby. It says a lot about your values that you think such activities should be restricted to a certain body image.
Much like any hobby (and I have done cosplay/ lrp/ reenactment) what kills it as fun generally turns out to be the cliques and politics.
I quite happily don a costume for my own whimsy now. The popular nature of the hobbies has unfortunately made it all far too political.
And liking dr who 20 years ago was quite normal .

LunchpackOfNotreDame You really don't like your sister, do you?

I don't like her choice of clothing at times, no

Like I said, I suspect it's a lot to do with my own hang-ups about my size. Being 20 stone or so, I could never pull off the Matt Smith look - if I put a fez on, I'd look like the Great Soprendo!

Nothing wrong with that, OP. Do you especially want to look like an etoliated wimpy reinvention of the Doctor of your youth?
No, you don't. Embrace your inner Sylvester McCoy. hazey on the deets

Or you could be a Sontaran.

Racundra

These costumes are perfect - however the voice is completely not how the character sounds (especially at about 0:25.)

I want one for Halloween!

Today they were on their way to ComicCon.

A harmless enough pursuit, like wearing anoraks and standing on train platforms and taking down train number plates, or buying loads of khaki gear and staying out all night on a sun lounger dangling a hook in a pond.

The DC went out at an early hour this a.m covered in face paint and with various 'character' props, I daresay some people blearily making their way to work on shops etc wondered what the hell was going on.

Al part of life's rich pattern.

OP, at 20 stone you are MADE for the Santa Convention SantaCon - hundreds of santas on a massive pub crawl, as far as I can see. They all end up in Trafalgar sq, I think.

My DC were all at Comic Con today. My elder two will be back tomorrow.

They love it, and some of the costumes they make are amazing. I help a bit, and it's actually quite fun.

It's not something I've ever thought of doing, but if you like it, where's the harm?

YABVU

People enjoying themselves, harming no-one, why try to rain on their parade? My friend goes and says it is an amazing, friendly atmosphere.

OP it's Halloween next week, costumes will be ten a penny. Why not use the opportunity to see how it feels to go out dressed up, since nobody will bat an eyelid.
I have been working on Dh's and my Halloween costumes this week. I have put in a fair amount of weight and hate all my usual clothes; am going to have so much fun for a change at a party where the whole point is to look terrible (I am a zombie).