# What's the point of fancy dress / cosplay? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 25, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646 "2012-01-25T21:57:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/21 "2012-01-27T21:39:01Z")
> [@Kiyoshi](#): > > I don’t understand how someone can just put their dignity to one side and be happy to look like a fool in front of other people. I think that if this is your honest point of view, then you would be doing the other guests a favor by staying home. I think it IS something that you either “get” or “don’t get.” No harm, no foul. Just decline to participate. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/22 "2012-01-27T21:47:03Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > (NQSFW) > > [Really?](http://blog.wow-one.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/cosplay_night_elf_hot_girl.jpg) > > [Do](http://blog.wow-one.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Cosplay-Blood-Elf-Rogue.jpg) [you](http://blog.wow-one.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Cosplay-Blood-Elf-Rogue-warcraft.jpg) [really](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wfmbuXXhf_E/TbpnWG3kDEI/AAAAAAAADnw/p33u7QC2q4U/s1600/world-warcraft-breasts-cosplay.jpg) [think](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NncA8gr35OE/TbpnTHvDP_I/AAAAAAAADnc/kxKjvgZPyWg/s1600/sexy-warcraft-girls.jpg) [cosplay](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XT0RFGdw9so/TbpnSKFo1PI/AAAAAAAADnY/7uZ3X2Jm49U/s640/sexy_cosplay_morrigan_warcraft.jpg) [parties](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JXsmGjcQeZ8/TbpnX1HsWNI/AAAAAAAADn8/SfO-8p8eR2I/s640/wow-cute-asian-costume.jpg) [are](http://files.g4tv.com/rimg_606x0/ImageDb3/252955_l/world-of-warcraft-cosplay.jpg)[no](http://files.g4tv.com/rimg_606x0/ImageDb3/252939_l/world-of-warcraft-cosplay.jpg) [fun](http://unrealitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/world_of_warcraft_cosplay_girls_06.jpg)? I guess I’m no fun, because when I look at those I think “some of them would be pretty hot if they weren’t wearing the stupid outfits.” ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/23 "2012-01-27T23:22:49Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I guess I’m no fun, because when I look at those I think “some of them would be pretty hot if they weren’t wearing the stupid outfits.” I’ll pray for you. And half the fun is helping them _out_ of those outfits, actually more than half the fun. ---
**Author:** ![Beastly\_Rotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/24 "2012-01-28T02:14:11Z")
> [@Silver\_Tyger](#): > > Getting double-takes from mundanes is awesome. It’s nice you can still tell yourself that a lifetime of being a girl-child playing kitty-cat dress-up means you get to look down on people who have grown up and moved out of their parents’ houses. How’s the web programming going, or is sticking at learning something adult too mundane? ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/25 "2012-01-28T02:42:14Z")
Who pissed in your cereal, mate ? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/26 "2012-01-28T03:14:46Z")
> [@Beastly\_Rotter](#): > > It’s nice you can still tell yourself that a lifetime of being a girl-child playing kitty-cat dress-up means you get to look down on people who have grown up and moved out of their parents’ houses. Which for you was last Tuesday, right? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/27 "2012-01-28T03:49:11Z")
Just so you don’t feel bad, I don’t get it either. I’m not an inhibited person and I’ve got oodles of creativity and an absurd sense of humor. But I’m also very practical–almost to a fault. If it doesn’t make sense, I can’t be arsed to do it. And I can’t think of a single fictional character I’d want to “pretend” to be. Some people are really into fantasy. We just aren’t in that club. I say do it once, if you get invited, just to experience it. Maybe it won’t seem so weird when you’re in it. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/28 "2012-01-28T04:21:19Z")
Have you ever worn formal clothing? ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/29 "2012-01-28T04:40:59Z")
A few months back, a nightclub that a friend and I like to go to on occasion was having a Candyland (the game) themed party as a benefit to an organization my friend volunteers for. Part of this party was a costume contest, and I was very excited because I love dressing up in costumes. She had never dressed up before, though, and was nervous about it, and thought it was a little silly, much like you do. However, since she was going to be working at the event, she thought she ought to dress up. I felt a little sad for her, and told her we could make our costumes and go together, to make her feel a bit more comfortable. Well, she had an absolute BLAST. She said at the time (and several times since) that is was the most fun she’s ever had as an adult, and was so happy I talked her into it (and yes, we won the contest). So, I dunno, maybe you should try it! You might discover it’s more fun than you thought! ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/30 "2012-01-28T04:56:06Z")
I love costumes. Ther’re not so bad if everyone else is in one. ---
**Author:** ![Madlife](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Madlife](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madlife)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/31 "2012-01-28T05:27:30Z")
You’ll be surprised that a lot of people make a career in cosplay. I was in the Philippines one and I was in the Asia Mall. There was a cosplaying event and there was this one cosplayer who I guess is very popular. My guide told me that she’s getting paid $7000 per 2 hour event. Crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/32 "2012-01-28T06:16:40Z")
> [@Beastly\_Rotter](#): > > It’s nice you can still tell yourself that a lifetime of being a girl-child playing kitty-cat dress-up means you get to look down on people who have grown up and moved out of their parents’ houses. How’s the web programming going, or is sticking at learning something adult too mundane? I’m a grown up with a career, own my home, 10 year marriage and all the trappings of adulthood. I love dressing up at events and playing various roles. Based on your post, you are the very definition of a mundane. I feel sorry for you. ---
**Author:** ![Kiyoshi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e19adc/32.png) [@Kiyoshi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiyoshi)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/33 "2012-01-28T10:00:20Z")
I have to ask…what’s with everyone using “mundane” as a noun? Is there some kind of special vocabulary among people who like to play dress-up? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/34 "2012-01-28T10:09:35Z")
> [@Kiyoshi](#): > > I have to ask…what’s with everyone using “mundane” as a noun? Is there some kind of special vocabulary among people who like to play dress-up? “Muggles” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kiyoshi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e19adc/32.png) [@Kiyoshi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiyoshi)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/35 "2012-01-28T10:12:38Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > “Muggles” 🙂 Yeah, I understand what it means. I’m just confused by the fact that there seems to be a shared vocab. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/36 "2012-01-28T10:19:59Z")
> [@Kiyoshi](#): > > I have to ask…what’s with everyone using “mundane” as a noun? Is there some kind of special vocabulary among people who like to play dress-up? People who read science fiction and fantasy refer to people who don’t read that genre as mundanes. Also, mundane literature (and other media) is fiction that isn’t science fiction or fantasy. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/37 "2012-01-28T12:24:01Z")
> [@Sister\_Vigilante](#): > > I would love to dress up in a fabulous costume, but I’d have to buy one, as I can’t make them. Also I’d need to lose about 30 lbs to look good in one of those female ones. I absolutely will not be a fat Catwoman. And to me, a perfect Catwoman is impossibly thin Michelle Pfeiffer in that impossible suit… Yes, the really cartoony looks are best on the young & slender. However, Steampunk, the RenFest & other variations on history offer other options. Think about lacing yourself into a corset & letting a bit of abundance spill out. How about a long skirt that allows glimpses of a net-stockinged leg? ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/38 "2012-01-28T13:58:14Z")
> [@Kiyoshi](#): > > Thanks for everyone’s answers so far, although I still can’t say that I get it. > > In response to **rachellelogram** , no I literally don’t understand how someone could consider it fun. I don’t understand how someone can just put their dignity to one side and be happy to look like a fool in front of other people. My lovely and long-suffering Wife and I have been doing Steampunk for a few years now. It is difficult to imagine looking more dignified than wearing white tie and tails to an event (with a raygun). ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/39 "2012-01-29T19:39:42Z")
Once Again, [xkcd says it better than I can](http://xkcd.com/150/) (not about costumes, but the message is totally on point). I’m 40, married, have one kid and another on the way, I have a great job, we own a house and yes, I like dressing up as a 13th C. Japanese guy, a 16th C. English guy, a 14th C. French guy, a quasi-Victorian Airship pilot and an snake-oil salesman from the Weird West. And that’s just the costumes I can see from here… ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646/40 "2012-01-29T19:48:54Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Once Again, [xkcd says it better than I can](http://xkcd.com/150/) (not about costumes, but the message is totally on point). I’m 40, married, have one kid and another on the way, I have a great job, we own a house and yes, I like dressing up as a 13th C. Japanese guy, a 16th C. English guy, a 14th C. French guy, a quasi-Victorian Airship pilot and an snake-oil salesman from the Weird West. And that’s just the costumes I can see from here… Are we twins? I have a suit of samurai armor, a 16th century Irish set of cloths, a 14th century suit of French armor, lots of Victorean clothing and one cool steampunk outfit! What are the odds? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-fancy-dress-cosplay/610646.md?page=3)