Entering Cosplay Contests with a Purchased Costume

Can you enter a cosplay contest with a purchased costume? Where do you draw the line at what is considered making the cosplay?

I was watching some cosplay community drama unfold on Facebook recently, where a guy won a cosplay contest and then was exposed for buying his costume.

And while he continues to insist he made it, the evidence against him is pretty damn strong. Not only did someone post the exact costume he was wearing for sale, but a screenshot of the guy leaving an Amazon review on that costume!

It appears what he did was purchase the suit, then purchase a headpiece separately. He put those together and claimed he “made” the costume.

That’s not how it works.

Cosplay ContestCosplay Contest Rules

There are different kinds of cosplay and costume contests. They all have the rules posted and most will specify how much of the costume needs to be made by hand.

Some contests are open to anyone, including purchased costumes. It is OK to enter those with your storebought wear, but it is not OK to claim you made it if you didn’t.

For most contests (like the big ones at conventions) there is something along the lines of the 80% rule. So, 80% of your costume needs to be handmade.

This means you don’t need to make the simple parts like a t-shirt or maybe a pair of leggings, but you need to have made the bulk of the outfit.

Is Piecing Together a Cosplay Considered Making It?

Many people take many different purchased parts and assemble them together in their own way. This is not considered actually making your cosplay. This is considered styling your cosplay.

And this is what that guy did. He bought pieces and styled them. He should have admitted to that and not claimed it was handmade.

So, where do you draw the line and how do you tell what is really handmade?

This is where progress photos really help. If you are entering a contest with something you made and want to show your work, bring a progress album. This will give you an extra edge in the competition.

Will Purchased Cosplay Pieces Count Against You?

If it is a big competition, yes, your purchased pieces will weigh against your overall judging score.

For example, my friend Jenna spent hours and hours sewing beading onto a gold jumpsuit for a Jibaro cosplay from Love, Death + Robots. There was an insane amount of work and detail put into it. She did not take first place, and the reasoning was because she didn’t make the gold bodysuit that is underneath all the beading.

Everything else was handmade. In this case, I don’t think the gold suit underneath should not have counted against her. As a contest judge, I would weigh the amount of work and the overall presentation with the makeup and wig over someone who fully handmade a more simple outfit.

Jibaro cosplay from Love, Death + RobotsDon’t Enter Cosplay Contests if You Purchased Your Costume

The bottom line is, if the contest requires handmade costumes, don’t enter the contest if you purchased your pieces and just assembled them. It also goes for if you purchased your pieces and fixed them up a bit, like adding rhinestones or glitter.

Make sure you understand the rules and expectations of the cosplay contest you are entering and be honest about what work went into the cosplay. While creativity and effort in styling a costume should be celebrated, claiming a bought costume as your own creation undermines the hard work of those who genuinely invest time and skill into their craft.

Always respect the guidelines set forth by contest organizers, and if you’re unsure about your entry, it’s better to err on the side of caution. Whether you choose to build your costume from scratch or enhance purchased pieces, strive for authenticity and transparency in your cosplay journey.

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