Every San Francisco resident knows what I’m talking about, at least those who keep up with this sort of thing. DRESSED, the annual convention for all sorts of obscure media-oriented subcultures is back in town. This year promises to be bigger than ever before, thanks to the inclusion of several new fandoms and a revamped registration system. Stores are already advertising their big sales on themed goods leading up to the event!
If you’re planning on attending DRESSED then you most likely have one burning question: What do I wear?! For many years, cosplaying was seen as something that only anime fans did. And while there is still an inclination towards anime/manga-related costumes at DRESSED, there are plenty of other options. Look below for some ideas about what sort of costume you should pick!
Be a Disney Princess/Prince! The second most popular kids’ franchise is in no short supply of cosplay inspiration. Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, and company are simple to pull off yet still offer something iconic that fans will recognize instantly. There’s no shortage of great (and often revealing!) outfits out there; check Pinterest for photo references or look into the myriad costuming blogs that the community has fostered over the years!
Boohoo Dressin Funky Party Sexy Clubby Animal Printed Asymmetric Romper Boho Outfit Overall Floral Still not seeing what you’re looking for? Don’t forget about the Disney fandom’s extensive wardrobe of accessories. Whether you need a wig, shoes, or even just some seashells for your hair, you’ll be able to find it here! The Lion King’s Nala is another classic character who recently got her own live-action remake. As such, she’s among the most popular picks at DRESSED this year and with good reason – just look at how fab she is:
- got that perfect shade of red lipstick and nails
- accessorized to the max
totally has that classy woman look down I’m really into The Little Mermaid lately and love Ariel’s fancy blue dress. This one’s an extra challenge since many people already cosplay as her for no other reason than “she’s a mermaid and I like her hair.” If you go for this one, make sure to try and bring something original to the table. (Hint: It is not necessary to buy your costume from Disney .)
The next family of princesses is those from Tangled – Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, and Eugene. Their costumes are all pretty simple yet memorable enough that they’re also popular on their own. There’s a ton of crossplay potential here as well! For example, have you ever imagined what Flynn Rider would look like with a dress on?
I think we can agree that he looks just as good in pink
as he does masculine browns and blacks In my opinion, this trio definitely needs the best wig out of all the Disney princesses: Rapunzel’s long golden locks. Dyeing your hair isn’t necessary, but it sure does help to seal the look!
The last princess outfit I want to mention is perhaps one of the most obscure: that of Belle from Beauty and the Beast. You’d be surprised at how many cosplayers can pull off her blue dress so perfectly, but few ever try their hand at her yellow ballgown. This one’s actually really simple – just get a yellow skirt/dress and add some sparkles and you’ll have an instant classic.
One more thing: Don’t forget about Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, especially if you’re going with a medieval theme or you’re planning on attending the Fantastic Beasts event. She’s got an iconic costume that evokes all sorts of interesting ideas for cross plays, genderbending, and even genderswaps.
You wouldn’t think that Disney would have many notable villains, but there are two in particular who are just too cool to pass up: Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty and Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmatians.
Mal is already a pretty popular pick at DRESSED, with many cosplayers taking inspiration from Angelina Jolie’s portrayal in the live-action remake. I’m also seeing quite a few “Dragon Ball Z” Goku-inspired outfits which use her horns as accessories! One thing to be wary of with this costume is that a lot of people will just do her classic look, so you’ll need to stand out from the crowd with a unique statement.
