Building the Cosplay
So after NYCC last year, I started my efforts. I went as Poison Ivy again for Halloween after an exhaustive, fruitless search for the right Supergirl costume (the TV show version). Then I began to build out my cosplay. I wanted to do it right while still doing it affordably, but I have literally zero sewing skills. After much search for the right skater style skirt, and some debate over whether or not I’d rather go as Jesse Quick, I decided to just get the Supergirl costume that Rubie’s sells. It’s not perfect, of course, but it’s quite good.
Next I found the boots, which are not matchy match to the TV show version (which are over the knee and all red), but I also know myself and comfort always wins. Besides, these boots are AMAZING. Finally I had to get the wig. This was trial and error. I had never really seriously looked into wig purchasing and definitely got the wrong blonde on my first try. Eventually I wizened up to the ombre and made it happen. The biggest question was: will I look totally ridiculous as a blonde? Surprisingly, not at all. I look awesome! As someone who has never once dyed their hair, it was a life changing moment for me when I put that wig on 😉
Now, as if wigs come ready to wear… I had to watch like ten youtube tutorials on cutting the lace front, making the part look realistic, and properly cutting the length down (cuz sexy long curls diva Supergirl is not). Next was the hardest part — my makeup. Now most people don’t have freckles and this isn’t as big of deal. And most people actually wear some basic makeup on a daily basis. But that’s not me. Because of my freckles, I’ve never ever pursued foundation type makeup. Suddenly I found myself immersed in worldwide style videos of freckled girls covering their freckles. I wanted to do this right and Kara Danvers does not have freckles. How did that turnout? Let’s just say I own makeup now, and while it does not hide my freckles, it does look awesome.
Cosplay on the Day
With my cosplay all set… wig trimmed, makeup practiced, sheer tights discovered…I was ready to go come October 7th. And let me just say, from the moment I walked out my door and walked in the mid-morning sunlight decked out fully as Supergirl, I felt amazing. It was totally empowering. I even felt compelled to stop and help people on the street, because that’s what Supergirl would do. My only regret was not having a better response when the guy on the subway asked if I was still learning to fly and that’s why I was taking the subway. Obviously it was because I’d fought such an intense alien the day before that my cells were drained of yellow sun and I needed 24 hours to recharge. But this was my first time cosplaying, so I’m giving myself a pass.
At actual ComicCon, I was less of a big deal, of course. But I still got a good amount of comments and photo requests. And I definitely asked to do photos with a lot of people also cosplaying. My goal was to get the full crossover team of DC characters on the CW. Alas, I basically just got Arrow that day.
However, I did find Jesse Quick, which made me SO happy because I’d considered going as her. I love the costume that they’ve put out for her and this girl was rocking it with her friend Bat Girl.
Kara Danvers is Cosplay, Too!
Sunday I came back dressed as Kara Danvers because I was supposed to be doing a press coverage (it got canceled but after I’d left), so I wanted to be Kara since she’s a reporter. Sunday was more crowded than Saturday, so I found quite a few more DC characters, including my cousin, Clark!
Also, Barry Allen!
I Love Cosplaying
All in all, I looooooved cosplaying. It was an incredible feeling that was beyond what I expected. I felt like I was actually participating in the Con and not just observing it. Aftewards I posted a lot of my photos on social media and some random dude on Twitter made fan art of me! Which is both awesome and weird at the same time.
And you’ll probably notice (I’ll finally tell you) that I 100% forgot to wear my gold belt. And I didn’t remember until that night when I got home and took this photo:
I’m definitely going to cosplay again…now I just need to figure out who. But luckily there’s finally a female Doctor, so I think I already know Who, just not what to wear quite yet 🙂
