One of the most important things you can bring to a convention is an emergency costume repair kit. Some conventions offer a “cosplay repair room” like CostumeCon32 did, or a “Cospitality Lounge” like Fanexpo 2014 where you can get literally anything you could need to fix or touch up your costume. Most conventions, unfortunately, do not. Therein lies the secret of the Essential Convention Cosplay Kit! In my kit I typically keep:
- Batteries for portable fans
- Needles
- Thread to match the costumes I’m wearing that weekend
- Scissors
- Needle threader
- Safety pins in multiple sizes
- Instant fabric adhesive tape
- Mini bottles of: Jewel It, No-Sew, and OK to Wash-it adhesives
- Fabric paint to touch up my Red Queen boots
- Nail polish (if my character requires it)
- Spare jewels and beads for my Red Queen Dress
- Paint brushes
- Needle nose pilers
- Box cutter
- E6000 epoxy
It will really depend on what your cosplaying when you decide what to pack in your convention kit. I keep all of my repair items in an old skincare bag I got from my Mum. Since I like to bring a cart or a travel sized luggage with me to cons, I don’t find that it’s a pain to keep a repair kit with me. I highly recommend bringing some sort of carry-on/wheely of type cart if you plan to cosplay – it’s just easier to keep all your stuff in one place and then you can stand in front of it for pictures to hide it!
What do you bring to conventions?
It Takes A Village To Cosplay!
Earla Alara
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