general media What is appropriate and not appropriate cosplay for conventions?

[Octavia_Melody2 187]

I've been to a few conventions and read alot of guidelines online for convention rules and none of them seem to have consistent policies and enforcement. The guidelines are often fairly vague like no "offensive content" or "hate symbols". I can understand the rules about no real or realistic weapons, although I have still seen plenty of cosplayers walking around cons with fairly realistic looking prop guns. Also, how do you determine offensive content? Like I was thinking about putting together a cosplay of Schrodinger from Hellsing but I don't want to get kicked out of a con before I even walk in the door.

Does this mean all realistic military uniforms are inappropriate? What about Tanya the Evil or Marvel's Hydra?

Also, what determines appropriate sexual content. I've seen plenty of cosplayers in what amounts to lingerie, bikinis, and dominatrix gear, and this was still during daylight hours. Also, not to mention all the dealers selling barely obscured porn art.

What do you think is appropriate and not appropriate for a convention, especially one open to all ages, and who determines that?

 

[Early Sunsets 2,106]

I think conventions that are open to all ages should at the very least follow a swimsuit rule, since that's about as revealing as a person can be in public. It it's covered by a bikini or speedo, then it shouldn't be hanging out of the costume. If it's an +18 plus convention or after dark or something, then it's up to the convention and their venue what goes and what doesn't.

For offensive content, anything that is true to the character's physical design should be okay in my opinion. If that character is super obscene in their actions or speech or something (Jan Valentine comes to mind, probably because you mentioned Hellsing), then the cosplayer should definitely tone down their actions to be suitable for public. No shouting the things that Jan says. I don't think I even post some of those things here without getting in trouble.

As for Schrodinger, I think you should be fine cosplaying as him. Maybe lose the armband or make it removable if you're that worried about it, but even with it on I think you should be fine. Or you could shoot the con an email and ask about it ahead of time. That's probably the best option.

[TBD 17,254]

As long it not for racism or anything negative intentions the it should be fine. Hell, personality why it is so bad to see a swastika hanging around when it’s okay for breast hanging out at the con?

Also don’t worry, there are some other nazi related characters beside Schrodinger that people will be going as. So you’ll be fine. 

[Megas 27,588]

I mean as long as you’re not doing anything illegal or anything like running around with real fully loaded weapons or running around naked then do as you’re heart desires 

[TBD 17,254]

16 hours ago, Bas said:

My plans for world domination have been foiled.

But hey at least you still got this

[Miss 6,228]

With that character you want to do, I think generally yes, you should be able to cosplay as him because he is a character and for the character, but like I could see why the con itself would have an issue with it and just to be safe would say no because of the nazi stuff. You should email the con just to make sure. 

I would say doing black face, brown face, white face, yellow face, etc. for a character shouldn't be allowed so don't do that. Obviously, no nudity. I don't care too much if people are showing ass as long as it's not a double standard. If women are doing it men should be able to as well, which is usually the case. 

I'm a supporter of topless equality so if men could show their chests and nipples, women should be able to as well, but due to sexist city ordinance/state law the con has to be in compliance with that, so that sucks. 

Obviously, dressing up as literal Hitler or like a victim of a hatecrime etc. might be too extreme. 

I say always email the con to make sure or message it on social media. 

[EpicEnergy 23,198]

As long as it isn't offensive, sexual, or inappropriate, I don't see anything wrong with it.

[Fluttershutter 2,438]

Well sometimes the costume can be too accurate: