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.
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.
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?
Who pissed in your cereal, mate ?
Which for you was last Tuesday, right?
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.
Have you ever worn formal clothing?
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!
I love costumes. Ther’re not so bad if everyone else is in one.
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.
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.
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” 
Yeah, I understand what it means. I’m just confused by the fact that there seems to be a shared vocab.
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.
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?
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).
Once Again, xkcd says it better than I can (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?