Cosplay and Sustainability: Eco-Friendly Practices for Costumes

11 minutes ago

3 min read

Fast fashion, harmful fumes and not-environmentally friendly materials are common staples of cosplay. So if you have a curiosity for cosplay and sustainability, consider these eco-friendly practices for costumes.

Sustainable Cosplay Practices

Having the right mindset and trying these best practices can help you be more sustainable with your costumes.

Thrifting - Save garments from ending up in landfills by thrifting. You can use them as bases to modify, closet costumes or cut apart for a sewing pattern. You can also sometimes thrift for supplies and other materials such as sewing machines, sewing patterns and more. Bedsheets and curtains can even be used as fabrics.
Repurposing or Upcycling - Your old wigs and costumes you no longer wear can be upcycled to create a new costume. Make modifications or remove parts you want to use for the new character.
Material Selection - Your material choice really matters if you want to be more environmentally friendly with cosplay. Some fabrics have greater negative impacts such as polyester. Try considering your material choice and pivot to more sustainable options like non-toxic or water-based adhesives and paints and plant-based leather alternatives.
Conserve - Try to hold on to viable scraps such as Worbla and EVA foam to use for small details rather than throwing them out. This can reduce waste and consuming more than you need. Your scrap foam might have more value than you realize.
Material Swaps - You, your friends and other cosplayers are probably sitting on some materials or tools you no longer need. Rather than letting them sit so they have to buy one, or going out shopping for new materials, go to a cosplay material swap. These happen within different communities or at cons. You can also coordinate one amongst you and a group of friends.
Outfit Repeating - You don't need a new cosplay for every con or meetup. Consider outfit repeating so your costume gets the most use out of it rather than being wasteful with a one and done.
Avoid Fast Fashion - While it can be cheaper to buy fast-fashion costumes and materials, it can be incredibly harmful to the environment. Try avoiding purchases like this when budget and timeline allows for it.
Make Durable Costumes - To avoid remaking costumes, make one that is durable. That way it will last a long time and can be worn more than once.
Donating Costumes - You can donate your old costumes that you are no longer wearing so someone else can get use out of them. There are thrift stores or charity groups that will be happy to take your cosplays.
Avoid Over Buying - It can be easy and tempting to buy that fabric out of impulse or get more than what you need, just in case. Over buying like this though has negative impacts to the environment. Try to only purchase what you need.

Sustainable Materials for Crafting Cosplays

Materials like EVA foam, polyester fabrics and more aren't eco-friendly. Try using some of these options to avoid chemical run-off, pollutants and other harmful materials.

Natural dyes
Non-toxic or water-based paints, sealers, primers and adhesives
Cotton, linen, wool, silk, bamboo and hemp fabrics over synthetics like polyester
Recycled cardboard
Leather alternatives such as plant-based options
Paper Mache with recycled paper

Conclusion

While cosplaying can be fun, it can have negative impacts to the world around you. these eco-friendly practices for costumes and materials can help you to be more sustainable with cosplay.

Share Your Cosplay Tips and Stories!

Whether you're a seasoned cosplayer or just starting out, cosplaying sustainably can be difficult. We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences with trying to be more eco-friendly with costumes, so please leave a comment below sharing your favorite thing about it.

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