Want to blend in with the crowd or go all out with a killer costume? Here we give you the best guide on how to dress at comic con!
When we eventually leave the Winchester pub when all of this Coronavirus business has blown over we’re heading straight to comic con!
Now, what on earth do we wear?
First of all, we need to decide what bracket of outfit you’re going to fall under during your comic con visit.
There’s such a variety of choice on offer that it would be insane to go into the individual genres of cosplay alone.
I’m not a fashion stylist and we’re not picking out your outfit for you.
Consider this your standard guide for how you want to show up at your next big comic-con.
Keeping It Casual
Just want to go to comic-con in your normal clothes?
A simple T-Shirt, Jeans and sneakers combo is perfect for Comic-Con.
The halls can get super crowded so a T-Shirt is best advised when you’re inside as all of those crowds certainly work up a sweat.
Make sure your shoes are also really comfy as there is A LOT of walking around at Comic Con.
If it’s a cold day in general, bring along a bag and a spare hoodie or coat to keep you warm as you’re walking to the venue and back.
If it’s a glorious sunny day then pack those shades and a hat and some sunscreen. Better safe than sorry!
Become Sheldon Cooper
Want to stay casual but also embrace all things nerdy at comic-con? Then go for what I call the Sheldon Cooper.
A simple T-shirt, pants and trainers combo but mix it up with a nerdy T-Shirt.
There are hundreds of nerdy shirts available so pick your favorite cartoon, TV or movie character and wear them with pride as you stroll the halls of comic con.
Even something as simple as a nerdy T-Shirt will no doubt be complemented by passers-by.
I remember wearing a Captain Spaulding T-shirt to a horror convention and a cosplay Captain Spaulding came up to me and asked me where I got the shirt. Comic-con people are awesome and are almost always friendly!
Carrying around a bag all day? Then pimp up that boring bag and turn it into something snazzy.
For styling, you can’t go far from with keychains or pin badges.
Bringing a bag to comic-con is essential if you want to store your autographs (in their protective sleeves) away safely amongst other things such as spare clothes, drinks, food, etc.
If you really don’t want to bring a bag with you then a simple carrier bag from one of the merchandise stalls should see you through the day.
Be warned, there is so much merchandise to buy at comic-con that those little plastic bags could stack up very quickly indeed!
Formal Attire
Yes, some people wear formal dresses and suits to comic-con. Most of the time this links in with a certain cosplay (John Wick for example) but other times people just want to look the part and embrace the fancy life.
Maybe they want to look good in a certain photo-op with a celebrity guest or maybe they’re a businessman who has stopped by to have a look around. Either way, this one isn’t for me but kudos to you for looking smart at a comic-con!
Shoes Are Important
Think of comic cons as an indoor theme park. Walking from one side to another feels like a mission to Mordor.
Many attractions at comic-cons are spaced out to allow huge volumes of people through. One guest may be at one table whilst the other guest could be a whole 10-minute walk away.
There is lots of walking around the various stalls and for meet and greets and autograph signings you’ll be standing up for a very long time so bring comfy shoes with you.
Those heels or killer boots may look epic for your cosplay but if you’re not used to wearing them all the time you’re going to have issues throughout the day.
Cosplay
If you’re dressed to impress then cosplay is the way to go!
Every single time I’ve been to a convention in cosplay the experience is incredible.
People running up to you to have photos with you and even thou my costume was just a basic store brought Flash costume I still got huge amounts of attention.
I even ended up in a BBC documentary that Tom Felton (Harry Potter) was making on comic cons!
Ironically that was the first-ever comic-con I had attended in cosplay.
For those who are wearing more complex costumes that take a long time to make and/or fit into then bring a spare set of clothes. You’ll certainly get hot and itchy inside your costume no matter how big or small it is.
Make sure you hydrate often and if you’re bringing weapons to add to your cosplay make sure you know the rules surrounding weapons as per each comic-con venue.
For cosplay that involves make-up applications consider bringing a repair kit. Like mentioned many times in this article comic-con halls can become very humid and that make-up will have you looking like a heartbroken Harley Quinn in no time.
How to Dress at Comic-Con Overall
Comic Con can be an incredible experience regardless of what you wear. Whether you choose cosplay for how to dress at a comic con or our Sheldon Cooper approach you’ll have a great time no matter what.
If you’re just a fan that doesn’t really want to dress up then go casual. Everyone is welcome at comic con regardless of who you are and what you wear. In fact, it’s one of the very few locations that embrace such diversity.
There’s a lot of love in those halls!
If you’re meeting guests I’d much prefer to be in regular clothing than dressed up in cosplay. I want the photo to be of me and that particular guest not me under a mask with that guest.
Everyone is different but what remains the same is how incredible comic-con is. Just get yourself in there and have one hell of a great time!
