Many want to start cosplaying, but they believe these 5 myths, and so they never start. Are you one of them? Today, we are going to talk about these myths and why they are false.

1.) Myth: You can’t buy your cosplay. Many people think that it isn’t a real cosplay if you didn’t make it. However, that is simply not true. Not everyone has the time, money, or resources to be able to make their own, and that’s okay. It is still cosplay if you buy your costume. Not to mention, purchasing a costume is a great way to get started, because then you can see if you like it before being fully dedicated to it. An experienced cosplayer will sometimes purchase one already made, so there is no shame in purchasing one. The important part of cosplay is to have fun, not whether you made your cosplay or not.

2.) Myth: You can only cosplay characters with your same body type. This is absolutely not true. Depending on the convention you go to, many cosplays are made from anime or cartoon characters. The reality is, no matter what size you are, no one can perfectly get the dimensions right. As long as you feel confident about your cosplay, that is all that really matters. The only people who will notice your size are people who are not worth your time or attention, I promise.

3.) Myth: You can only cosplay until a certain age. The truth is, cosplay is for any age. During the last convention I went to, as part of the cosplay contest, I was next to a woman who was in her 80s. It was her first time cosplaying, and her husband convinced her that she should enter the competition. Guess what? She won an award! Everyone was so impressed with her Vulcan character, and the joy that it brought her was so beautiful. She is not the only one; you can find a lot of social media accounts of cosplayers who are over 50, so it’s never too late to start!

4.) Myth: Making a cosplay has to be expensive. The truth is, if you are inventive and know your materials well, you can make a cosplay look really nice for cheap. For example, the hat to my toadette cosplay is made from various things repurposed. The cardboard frame came from the packaging of my parents’ new flooring. The stuffing came from fabric scraps and batting scraps that were too small to use in a quilt. I used hot glue; already had that. The white dots were made with the HTV I already had on hand. The only thing I had to buy was the fabric to cover the top, which I got on sale for 4 dollars. So that entire hat cost me $4. The dress is much the same as the fabric was on sale, or I got it from Walmart (the velvet for the vest). I think in total with the wig I paid maybe $35-40 and that is one of the most comfortable cosplays I have. I can not tell you how many times I have also used bedsheets, tableclothes, or curtains from the thrift store for a cosplay as well. In fact, the one I finished on the last day of 2025, the skirt is made of a tablecloth, and the one I am working on right now is made from bedsheets. The point is, don’t be afraid to think outside the box, and if you need to get some help from someone you know, to help get some ideas.

5.) Myth: You have to be perfect. There is a saying that goes Perfection is the thief of joy. That is so true. When you focus on being perfect, you will likely never start. If you do manage to start, you will be so stressed out about it being perfect that you won’t have as much fun. We are not professionals. Let me say that again for those in the back. WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS. This is meant to be a fun hobby. People are going to be looking at your cosplay as a whole, not nitpicking every detail or seam. Even in a cosplay contest, they are not looking for perfection. Though it may be hard, give yourself some grace and push the perfectionism away.

I hope that this was helpful to you. If there are any other myths that you would like me to talk about, then please let me know in the comments. I’m looking forward to continuing this cosplay for beginners series, and I hope you will too!