~Ametatsu~ 0 Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 being a first time cosplayer, i am planning on having the same costume for friday/saturday/sunday what are some tips to make sure that my costume stays fresh and funk-free? (if this should be in otakon q&a i'm sorry) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ithilienne 2 Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 (edited) The simplest tip is, don't wear it as often. It's hot in Baltimore in August (as in, it's not unusual for the temperature to be over 100 degrees with 70-80% humidity), and even lightweight and breathable fabrics like cotton become a touch pungent after only a few hours. When you get into the satins and PVCs and velvets and broadcloth that most cosplayers use, you're looking at fresh to gross in a few minutes. Of course, inside the BCC it's usually not too bad, but all the same - you'll sweat. Use the same rule of thumb you'd use for all of your other clothes: Wear it A. for eight hours/one day, or B. until you feel disgusting in it, whichever comes first. Febreze will not destroy the funk of several days of congoing. Frequent showers help. Bottom line, if you're set on wearing it all three days, only wear it for a few hours each day. Edited March 1, 2008 by ZGL fixed a grammar bug with a smiley Quote Link to post Share on other sites
evaunit01berserk 0 Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 i found to keep the con funk off, i showered 4-5 times on friday and prolly bout 6 on saturday heh Quote Link to post Share on other sites
~Ametatsu~ 0 Posted March 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 hahaha. so i guess i should be planning to take breaks and refresh in my hotel room every few hours. i'm pretty sure the fabrics i have won't be too heavy or thick, so it shouldn't be horrible Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alabaster 0 Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 Actually, depending on your costume, bringing supplies WITH you to the BCC might be wise -- just a good washcloth, towel, soap, and deodorant, in a ziploc bag, can allow you to use the BCC's restrooms to freshen up from time to time. A quick spongebath and ffresh deodorant can go a long way to making you feel less icky, too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ota_retired 6 Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 Wearing the same cosplay for three days straight isn't exactly the greatest idea in the world, but if you want to keep it funk-free just make sure you don't do anything in it that will make you sweat a whole lot, and don't wear it all day long. Maybe change out of it mid-afternoon, or don't out it on right away and wear it through the evening. About 6 hours a day should be the maximum. Stay cool, try not to sweat, and if it starts to smell, just don't wear it anymore. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
~Ametatsu~ 0 Posted March 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 the bathroom freshen up thingy sounds good. knowing i don't sweat very much, or get bad BO, i hope i should be all right. i'm sure i can't be the only one with one costume.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ichigogami 0 Posted March 4, 2008 Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 One thing to do is if you know of a good cloth freshner that you enjoy the scent of and you don't over use it! This is actually a secret used to keep Professional Theatrical Costumes Fairly Clean without the Wear of Washing them. The costumes themselves actually end up lasting longer. But what you do is turn the outfit inside out and use a LITTLE bit of Febreeze or other odor deterrent for cloth specifically (and I am keying in on LITTLE bit because we all know you don't wanna smell like the bottle of the stuff, it's like the AXE rule!), let it sit over night and voila a little bit fresher for the morning. That's just a hint I've learned from my Drama Days, Hope you find something that works for you Quote Link to post Share on other sites
~Ametatsu~ 0 Posted March 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 thank you, Ichigogami!! that helps a lot. i'll see what variations i can make in that to discover my personal secret. haha Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duelistbluerose 0 Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 great thread question. Ive been wondering about this too. my cosplay requires a full unitard and since that is hugging my body i can imagine its not going to stay fresh all day - and I want to wear it for 2 days [but not on sunday]. if the unitard does get sweaty - and im sure it will - how can i get it back to freshness? [and without a magical washer and dryer?] Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Otakumadness 0 Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 I am slo glad that this thread was started cuz I am cosplaying for first time this year also and I was just going to bring a change of clothes and the costume. But now I know to bring let three sets of clothes and the costume. Also is underarmor brand shirts do they do the infamous clothing roll while wearing them. The reason why i ask this is because I am a big dude and the character I am going down as has like tight shirt and I am thinking of buying underarmor for the shirt but I don't blind people with butt crack if the shirt does the infamous clthing roll. So does anyone know if it does that??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Asrial Dune 0 Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 great thread question. Ive been wondering about this too. my cosplay requires a full unitard and since that is hugging my body i can imagine its not going to stay fresh all day - and I want to wear it for 2 days [but not on sunday]. if the unitard does get sweaty - and im sure it will - how can i get it back to freshness? [and without a magical washer and dryer?] If you're staying in a hotel then a quick dunk in a bath tub of warm, soapy water, plus a rinse should do the trick. Wring it out and hang it up to dry overnight and it should be ok for the morning. You might want to spray it with a little fabreze in the morning to make it smell a little fresher. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duelistbluerose 0 Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 i found to keep the con funk off, i showered 4-5 times on friday and prolly bout 6 on saturday heh Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Chips 0 Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 what are you guys doing to work up such a sweat? it wasnt even that hot last year. I showered once each day and was just fine ['course, i didnt go to the rave either....] Quote Link to post Share on other sites
meronine 0 Posted April 3, 2008 Report Share Posted April 3, 2008 Ahaha, this topic makes me feel so grimey. xD I'm glad I have three cosplays this year so I can alternate! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
No_Kookies_4_U 0 Posted May 8, 2008 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 just keep this in mind folks rave + cosplay = funk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TrinityBennett 0 Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 I don't sweat a whole lot, but I do have a costume for each day, normally. The best things you can do are shower EVERY day (I know some people that shower two or three times a day) and don't wear your costume all day (take a break. Some of those shoes are murder... even if you don't think they will be). Some of the hotels have washers and dryers. (Holiday Inn did a few years ago.. I got stuff all over my costume, washed it and put it back on) You could wash your costume at the end of each day, if it is washable. You'll be surprised what you make that can go in the washing machine too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
~Ametatsu~ 0 Posted June 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 i'm actually only wearing it on friday and saturday-- i can't live in that kind of environment if i don't shower every day at least once Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yuurisans 0 Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 My sister, my friend and I are wearing one costume for friday and saturday. I don't sweat a whole lot, in the past years it wasn't that hot or maybe it was just meXD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duelistbluerose 0 Posted June 13, 2008 Report Share Posted June 13, 2008 Some of the hotels have washers and dryers. (Holiday Inn did a few years ago.. I got stuff all over my costume, washed it and put it back on) You could wash your costume at the end of each day, if it is washable. You'll be surprised what you make that can go in the washing machine too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
~Ametatsu~ 0 Posted June 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2008 ah YES! i believe a river of sweat was floating through the air and hit me in the face as soon as i walked into the rave area.... which is why i didnt stay very long. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Champagon 0 Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 i found to keep the con funk off, i showered 4-5 times on friday and prolly bout 6 on saturday heh Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Michelle Bluesummers 0 Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 Different people take different times to get a distinctive funk, it really depends on how much you sweat. Myself, I do not require a whole lot to keep the funk off, even with some of my most body covering costumes. I shower twice daily at conventions, one before I am in costume and one after. I spray down the costume with the febreeze after I am out of it, and layer on the D.O. And that is all I need. Now I know some people need a multitude of showers after being in a sticky costume to get the stink off them. Also, how much of your body will be covered? Because its a costume that reveals plenty of your body, you will probably keep far more cooler then someone in a full body mascot.... lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kuramasan 0 Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 learn to relax. a lot. it will lower your body temperature. use a parasol. stay in the airconditioned inside. use light fabrics which have a bit of room to let air go through. wear something light underneith so it can be taken off when you're out to lunch and such. maybe even go the extra few bucks to go to the nice restaurant so you get better air conditoning. don't stay in places where people are as concentrated because of their body heat. fabreeze it. hang it up and make it all nice. use that super strength type of anti persperant that is advertised by those muscled men with shaved heads. never ever wear it to the dance. D: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CaptKenChen 0 Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 One healthy ninja advice: don't sit on the floor even if you're tired. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tehmonkzorz 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 A little bit of cologne/perfume always helps ^-^ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
F00LY 36 Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 One healthy ninja advice: don't sit on the floor even if you're tired. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The INfamous MC 24 Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 If you do use Febreeze, Axe, Body Sprays, and perfumes...make sure you don't spray it around the convention center. We have many people who are highly allergic to those things who do attend the con. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alabaster 0 Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 One healthy ninja advice: don't sit on the floor even if you're tired. Just out of curiosity, why not? XD Just because I've seen tons of videos with hundreds of people doing it. Because it's filthy and it'll get your costume dirty? Seriously -- thousands of people tramping through the BCC make the floors pretty gross by the end of the day, and that's assuming it's not icky out or nobody has stepped in anything. When you're all gone at the end of the very long day, around 3am, a team of cleaners tackles the cleaning chores and they scrub that carpet every night with this huge beast of a machine. But it gets pretty filthy again very quickly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Evangelion Xgouki 0 Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 Wearing an undershirt helps to keep your cosplay cleaner as you wear it. Or depending on the cosplay you may have to modify the undershirt to keep it hidden (like no sleeves or widening the collar). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
syntaxerror37 0 Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 Wearing an undershirt helps to keep your cosplay cleaner as you wear it. Or depending on the cosplay you may have to modify the undershirt to keep it hidden (like no sleeves or widening the collar). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
F00LY 36 Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 One healthy ninja advice: don't sit on the floor even if you're tired. Just out of curiosity, why not? XD Just because I've seen tons of videos with hundreds of people doing it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
~Ametatsu~ 0 Posted July 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2008 One healthy ninja advice: don't sit on the floor even if you're tired. Just out of curiosity, why not? XD Just because I've seen tons of videos with hundreds of people doing it. Because it's filthy and it'll get your costume dirty? Seriously -- thousands of people tramping through the BCC make the floors pretty gross by the end of the day, and that's assuming it's not icky out or nobody has stepped in anything. When you're all gone at the end of the very long day, around 3am, a team of cleaners tackles the cleaning chores and they scrub that carpet every night with this huge beast of a machine. But it gets pretty filthy again very quickly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ithilienne 2 Posted July 19, 2008 Report Share Posted July 19, 2008 Topic, please. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Akari Usada 0 Posted July 21, 2008 Report Share Posted July 21, 2008 for me it always helped to not do things that would make you sweat like crazy and stay indoors as i had to. the other thing that helped was wearing breathable costumes...or costumes that allow you to keep cool in one way or another. i never really wear the same costume twice at summer cons though...it is hard when the heat and humidity make it so it is far from to go outside unless it is night. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
agent_airline 0 Posted July 21, 2008 Report Share Posted July 21, 2008 I can't believe no one said this! WET ONES For about $1 you can buy a small "travel pack" of 15 antibacterial hand and face wipes. Its much smaller & easier to take with you than a towel and soap (which you should have in your hotel... but I mean, this is a pocket item for the con). Takes off makeup and good for food stains too. Even though they say hand and face, we use em to run into con bathrooms and wipe off sweat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ultimecia029 0 Posted July 21, 2008 Report Share Posted July 21, 2008 I can't believe no one said this! WET ONES For about $1 you can buy a small "travel pack" of 15 antibacterial hand and face wipes. Its much smaller & easier to take with you than a towel and soap (which you should have in your hotel... but I mean, this is a pocket item for the con). Takes off makeup and good for food stains too. Even though they say hand and face, we use em to run into con bathrooms and wipe off sweat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tareei 2 Posted July 21, 2008 Report Share Posted July 21, 2008 This may seem like over kill, but a few dryer sheets in your suitcase or bag will help prevent odors while in transit(Maybe helpful for people coming from farther away) Nothing wrong with having a good starting point : ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JeuneFille 0 Posted July 26, 2008 Report Share Posted July 26, 2008 Yeah, I pretty much agree with what everyone has said. Don't wear your costume all day, esp. if its a heavier material, wear an undershirt so if you sweat...you'll most likely get that more icky than the costume. In past years, I've tended to make my cosplays out of popalino (sp?) aka the stuff police shirts are made from and I didn't get that sweaty, although I did do a shower before and a shower after donning said cosplay. You have to take into account the weather and how many pieces you'll be wearing...that way you can interchange something for a lighter fabric so it'll be more managable to wear more than once. Do avoid crashing on the BCC floor if you're wearing white/ light colored clothing...you will end up rather dirty. Trust me, take a look a the floor by the end of the night. O.o Find a couch or chair to perch on for a few minutes. agent_airline, omg yes wet ones are a must have during summer cons. I'm glad you mentioned that! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wurpess 0 Posted July 27, 2008 Report Share Posted July 27, 2008 I make sure to design costumes for the weather they're being worn in. Summer cons, I make sure they're light weight, breathable, and don't cover excessive amounts of skin. (Short sleeved, at the very least, modifying where I have to.) I don't sweat very much, but my bf does. So I try to design for him. I try to make and line costumes out of cotton so they breathe and give him an extra layer to sweat through. Wearing an undershirt and staying in air-conditioning as much as possible helps too. As well as Fabreezing the costume at the end of the day and showering as need (and as possible. ) Bring a change of clothes, just in case. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GlitteringLoke 0 Posted July 28, 2008 Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 hm, no one has mentioned it that i noticed, but i'm sure it'll help a little with the funky (as it's main use is keeping hte costume stain free in a particular area)... PANTYLINERS wut? yes, panty liners. put them under your arms inside your costume and they prevent sweat stains in the pits. and if you know you're getting ikky, you can change them (and kinda wipe yourself down in the meantime) and this way the stain/stench doesn't linger in your costume. yay theatre tricks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
~Ametatsu~ 0 Posted July 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 hm, no one has mentioned it that i noticed, but i'm sure it'll help a little with the funky (as it's main use is keeping hte costume stain free in a particular area)... PANTYLINERS wut? yes, panty liners. put them under your arms inside your costume and they prevent sweat stains in the pits. and if you know you're getting ikky, you can change them (and kinda wipe yourself down in the meantime) and this way the stain/stench doesn't linger in your costume. yay theatre tricks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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