More to Love: Fat-Positive Cosplay

I would like to submit a pic... But I can't find your submit button :(

resinfiend — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:23:00 -0400

I’m sorry, but the blog had been closed for almost two years. No one seems to have noticed, I just keep on getting asks.

I think there’s a few active blogs out there, I know the mod for fuckyeahfatcosplay is a sweetheart who’s quick to maul any pricks who reblog her shit.

I'm so glad this blog is back! I haven't checked in months, shame on me :'(

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:43:52 -0400

I’m going to take this ask as an opportunity to say sorry about the recent almost month long hiatus, my family moved and we STILL have no internet cus we had to buy a stove, fridge, and a new alternator for the car. The old tenants of our house stole all the appliances :C

I will be moving out on my own very soon and will have my own godbedamned internet and then I will POST LIKE A POSTING DEMON.

So yeah sorry.

Also if you have a time-sensitive question I will say for the umpteenth time you have a far greater chance of getting it answered if you come off anon so I can answer you privately and we can form an actual back-and-forth dialogue.

I love you guys!

The term "fat" has a negative connotation to it, and makes this blog seem a lot less positive than it really could be. I'm sure you've got some sort of comeback to this, and I'd love to hear it (no sarcasm intended.).

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 02:07:52 -0400

The word HAS developed a very negative connotation, yes. It has been used to injure, to hurt, to devalue women and men for decades now. The main premise behind reclaiming the word, just that simple little descriptor, is to make it so that it does not hurt any more. The more people reclaiming the word “fat”, the more we can just shrug and say “Yeah, you called it, that’s something I am, and..?”. The less power it holds over us, the less power the wielder holds over the person they use it upon. It’s in the same group of neutral adjectives as “blonde”, “brunette”, “black”, “white”, “freckled”. Things that are neither good or bad, better or worse, simply a thing to Be. Fat is one of those things.

I don’t really see using precise language, rather than euphemisms, as something that makes the blog negative. I see calling fat people fat in an environment of positivity liberating, showing that there is absolutely nothing bad, or wrong, or lesser about a person if they happen to be fat.

Thanks for the ask, I’m happy I got the chance to make this point clear!

Hi guys, im a follower of yours i realy adore your blog, I have a friend who went through cancer when she was a little and so shes missing a her whole right leg and shes a little chubby herself, i try to get her to cosplay with us but shes afraid that people will make fun of her, Do you have any tips for us to help her come out of her shell?

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 03:13:48 -0400

First off, tell her from me she is Fucking Awesome. An absolute Bad. Ass. Mother. Fucker.

Secondly, I’d like to share about two women I routinely see at my local con (Mechacon) every year.

One woman is wheelchair bound, and she cosplays SEVERAL things every year, from unnamed fairy to comic book characters. Every year, without fail, she gets JUST AS MANY PICTURES taken of her as the big-deal, abled cosplayers. She’s disabled. She’s a bit heavy. She’s a good cosplayer. And she puts herself out there every year for the whole weekend. And not ONCE, in THREE YEARS of seeing her around, have I seen or heard or caught wind of anyone being malicious. Everyone genuinely looks at her cosplaying and goes “Wow, she must be one badass chick. She does not give one single rat’s ass about what anyone thinks of her cosplay”. People gravitate towards her and actually get SHY, she’s a bit of a minor, unnamed celebrity.

The second is a girl I see around every year as well. She’s almost completely blind except for the occasional flash of colored light (she’s a hoot at the house party) and is developmentally disabled. She cosplays, too. She gets help from her mother and friends, and she pulls it off and looks good. Generally when people figure her out, their reaction is as follows.
“Wow her cosplay (or occasionally lolita) is cute!”
“Holy shit hold on… watch her… is she blind?!”
“Oh my god she is. That kind of makes her even cooler.”
“Like, 30% even more awesome, yeah.”

In general, and I’ve witnessed this at other cons, too, being visibly disabled actually pumps up your “kickass cosplay” quotient by a large fraction. People recognize your struggles and the great personal effort you put in to your cosplay and are awed accordingly. While some cosplayers can be rude an malicious, those people actually represent such a tiny section of the community that is is unlikely you will ever run into them, and fifty times as many will come to your aid should things turn nasty.

I really hope you decide to join your friends and have fun cosplaying, I am POSITIVE you won’t regret it in the least, and I look forward to a submission when you do!

Quick question - when you say you start at size 14, do you mean size 14 American?

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 22:23:28 -0500

Yes, I’m not sure what the comparative sizes are for other countries, but size 14 often starts/constitutes plus size here, though sometimes it’s 16 instead.

If anyone had info on comparable sizing for non-US systems, let me know and I’ll edit that post to say those, too.

You're gorgeous.

resinfiend — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 21:15:05 -0500

Hello chubby cosplays, I’m Ari from Sperm Sisters’.

(This is me in my Finn cosplay from Anime Boston 2011; If you guys saw me and my princess bubblegum - hi!)

I am 5’6 1/2. 224-5 lbs, widely built - and about 40-50 pounds overweight. I am 14 years old, almost 15. But, to be honest. I am size conscious. I live in a generation where big girls or ‘fat asses’ are meant to feel insecure - and are put beneath skinny girls. Also, considering my mother is one of the people who dislikes overweight-ness. I feel horrible about myself. But after reading this blog, it lifted my spirits. A lot truthfully. I always looked at how rude people would be to bigger cosplayers and all of that. Yes I mean, honestly. It’s not a good idea to cosplay Rikku from X-2 if your overweight. But from this blog, I’ve learned - chubby girls can pull off THE SAME cosplays thin girls can. What rule in the world is there that says chubby girls can’t cosplay?

I’ve seen pictures that had motivational things that said ‘cosplay isn’t for everyone’. Okay, what makes it not for everyone? That’s can be a huge slap in the face. Like I belive love yourself, but dress in an inch. But honestly, how rude can people be?

If you have the confidence, and your not afraid to put yourself out there and cosplay. Do it. Seriously; show all those trolls, criticizers, and rude people say what they want. You are beautiful, we are human - overweight or not, black or white, tall or short, you define beauty. You could be labeled as the most hideous person on earth by people. And you know what? They are most likely jealous of your confidence. Flaunt what you have honey, just not in the wrong ways!

I love you all <3

Opinions on a new ask system?

resinfiend — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 20:47:02 -0500

If I started a skype, aim, msn, and yahoo account and logged them in to answer questions for certain times on certain days, would anyone feel more comfy discussing their personal cosplay concerns through that method? I would post the times I’d be around about for the day I was on and the day after, ya’ll would add chubbycosplay@yourimservice.com to your list and I’d accept IM’s from folks and answer their questions completely privately, off tumblr. You could un-add or keep it on there after that.

Would anyone use this?

Reminder for new followers!

resinfiend — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 20:43:14 -0500

I don’t answer anon asks that are very specific. If it only relates to your exact boyd, comfort level, and cosplay, you need to ask me off anon so we can discuss it PRIVATELY and not clog up the blog. It hurts my soul to let all these asks sit there but if I do one I have to do them all. PLEASE come to me off anon so we can discuss your questions, needs, and concerns! I will NEVER judge you!

I meant to send this sooner, but I don’t have a very good picture of the full outfit! The bad...

princeconagher — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 20:04:15 -0500

I meant to send this sooner, but I don’t have a very good picture of the full outfit! The bad thing about being the designated photographer in a group is that sometimes my costumes miss the picture train.

Anyhow, I cosplayed Cherry Bomb at a few cons and for Halloween. :D I really love everything about it and felt really sexy. I’m 5’8 (6’ in the thigh high boot heels) and roughly 220lbs.

AJ - madreangel Rarity - jade-xe Fluttershy - drkawaii Doing...

chubcakes — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 19:48:00 -0500

AJ - madreangel

Rarity - jade-xe

Fluttershy - drkawaii

Doing these cosplays was a lot of fun, and it was really lovely to see all the positive feedback online! <3 I’m planning on doing another Rarity at my next convention. (Her gala dress.~)

Also I recently made a post related to MLP, cosplay, and body issues, that I really think you guys should read!

Hi there. I want to cosplay as Kanaya Maryam from Homestuck, but I am extremely self-conscious about my body. I'm going in a group, and I know I will be the largest one there, which doesn't help my self-esteem. I was told I was too chubby to cosplay Kanaya when I first expressed my interest. What are your thoughts on a chubby Kanaya? Would it go against too many peoples' headcanons or would I recieve hate for it?

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 13:18:42 -0500

GREAT THING ABOUT HOMESTUCK: Hussie himself, god of the homestuck universe, has said that all of the characters’ body types are whatever people want them to be. Skinny or lush or curvy or fat fat faaaaaaaaaaaat, it is up to the individual! And there happen to be quite a few individuals who adore a plump, curvy Kanaya.

I mean, how cute is this. The person/people who said you were too chubby can go to hell, it’s your cosplay and your body and if you put every effort into the quality of your costume and makeup you will look SLAMMIN’.

Myself (cancerously) cosplaying Terezi Pyrope from...

cancerously — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 13:01:47 -0500

Myself (cancerously) cosplaying Terezi Pyrope from Homestuck.

I’m not as large as some of the gorgeous ladies on here, but I certainly have my own issues with weight- I’m 150 lbs but I’m barely 5 feet tall, so it all relocates places I wish it wouldn’t. On top of that, I’ve got a fairly large ribcage (37-38 inches) and almost no torso, so I end up looking pudgy no matter what I do. As you can see in this shot (part of the reason I chose it) I’ve got a pretty prominent stomach; I couldn’t get a smooth line on my waist to save me. Back when I was new to cosplay, this tumblr actually helped me a lot in my inspiration to put my best foot forward and cosplay well. So thank you gals, so much, for showing me I don’t need to be afraid even if I am terminally chubby. ♥

I'm having a hard time understanding this, and it seems to come up a lot here. Why is it so commonplace for people to be apprehensive about what other people think of their costumes, to the point of things like fear? I can see wanting to accurately represent a character that means a lot to you, but that goes beyond mere weight. I'm about 330 lbs and this reaction from far smaller people seems very odd to me. Why be blockaded by haters?

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 05:41:14 -0500

I’m extremely, genuinely happy for you that you have not experienced what I am about to convey or are able to overcome it easily. That is definitely a blessing you should tack on your mental corkboard for hard times.

The thing is, the fear is sometimes warranted. MANY, I would argue MOST, overweight individuals, female-identified in the majority, are emotionally vilified, attacked, slandered, made assumptions about, and otherwise cruelly harmed by others for their weight and appearance. In a highly visual (and competitive) hobby like cosplay, the risk of being scorned or ostracized (or even being ATTACKED PHYSICALLY, I have seen this at a con) for having the gall to be fat AND cosplay is extremely high.

Outside of bedrooms, no one ENJOYS pain. Sometimes the high-and-mighty attackers can be fended off by the victim being apologetic, all but telling the attacker “I am sorry for offending your eyes, please leave me be and I’ll do you no more harm, I know I am bad”. Even if this is said without sincerity, it can spare the risk of a single attacker becoming a pack, when a vicious hater becomes frustrated by a confident fatty and feels the need to “take them down.”

None of this is good at all, of course, and I wish with all my heart that these guys and gals didn’t feel the need for preventative measures like this, but survival at this point in the weight-acceptance game is often a priority for those who are just starting to open up to the concept of loving their (perfect) bodies.

You guys suck and fat people are ugly and should not cosplay. Cosplay is dumb in itself, too

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 04:47:02 -0500

Oh golly, what a well-worded and convincing attempt at insulting us.
/end sarcasm
Or dear god, if this is trying to be trolling it’s fucking pathetic.

Go back to the sandbox, junior.

I’ve been cosplaying for a little over a year now, but for...

yanderemachiavelli — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:48:06 -0500

I’ve been cosplaying for a little over a year now, but for some reason it took me a while to gather up the courage to submit something here? Maybe it’s the difference between posting pictures to a personal cosplay blog and one that strangers follow!

Kazami Yuuka, from Touhou Project. This is actually the second Touhou cosplay I’ve done (the first was Yukari), and it’s a little intimidating cosplaying from a series with a huge (and significantly male!) fanbase, but that also means there’s plenty of people around who recognize and appreciate your cosplay!

It took a lot of courage for me to start cosplaying in the first place because of how I look, but now that I’ve started, I just can’t stop! So if you’re worried about your weight or something like that, I just say give it a shot—it’s really fun and rewarding, and I’ve never had anyone tell me that I’m too fat to cosplay. And if they did, who cares? I’m cosplaying for me, not for them.

Hello again! I’ve submitted to your blog before, but I...

shadygrifter — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:14:05 -0500

Hello again! I’ve submitted to your blog before, but I really wanted to submit again!

Here I am cosplaying Hysterical Dame from Problem Sleuth.
Now, most people would probably consider this inaccurate because of the simplistic style of the original comic. However, as I like to add my own flairs onto things, I went with a more historical, 1920’s-esque pattern.

Not a lot of people recognized me (it’s such a minor comic, it was to be expected), but those that did really loved it! I can’t wait to re-wear it at Momocon with my friend, cosplaying Nervous Broad!

I just want to say, as a plus-size cosplayer, I really love this blog for showing that you can do a good cosplay and be more on the curvy size. ~<3

About Body Policing

resinfiend — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:03:40 -0500

I’ve seen a few people getting miffed at a Kusuriuri cosplay posted earlier. The cosplayer stated they were 5’8” and 160lbs. Now, all of the complaints have been along the lines of:

“They’re not fat”
“I’m 5’8” and 160lbs and I don’t consider myself fat”

Well, see, the thing is, you’re not them and you don’t get to make that call. Not only is the person’s body shape largely hidden under the rather detailed, non-formfitting cosplay, neither you or I or anyone else has the right to look at someone and say “You don’t get to label your own appearance as you see it.”

Your body and their body are not the same, do not hold weight exactly the same, do not feel the same. They are different bodies, and that’s perfectly okay.

I was once asked what the criteria was for being able to submit to chubcos.

I’ll reiterate: Plus size (size 14 and up), or thick enough to not be accepted without question by the “skinny” cosplay community.

SUBMISSIONS: OPEN!

resinfiend — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:21:37 -0500

Submissions are now reopened! Please use the tags, I will add character and series tags myself. If you submit a cosplay, tag it such, if you submit a story, tag it with the story tag.

IMPORTANT:

While this is a feel-good kind of blog, I do have quality control. I WILL NOT ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING

WIPS/In-Progress cosplays

Incomplete or poorly executed cosplay. Don’t say things like “I didn’t have a wig but you get the idea”. That is a guaranteed deletion.

If you look a mess you will not be posted. Examples are: wrinkled costume, frizzy/unkempt wig, poorly applied makeup or no makeup for characters this applies to (Homestucks I am looking at you!), general careless appearance.

For stories, if you body-shame yourself or others, I will do one of two things. If you submit anon, I will not post it. If you submit off anon, I will come to you privately and discuss how you could better word your post.
If stories include discussions of ED, self-harm, or other triggering materials I will tag them and head the post with a trigger warning for what it includes.

Feel free to ask any questions!

Happy posting!

I’m Ahiru, on the left. That Princess Tutu with me was an actual ballerina and she was so...

rifle-kind — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:52:58 -0500

I’m Ahiru, on the left. That Princess Tutu with me was an actual ballerina and she was so super sweet. <3 This was one of my first serious cosplays. I made this while learning how to sew and I’m really proud of it. I was scared to do it at first cause in the show, Ahiru is super skinny and with my legs and that short skirt I was really nervous but I’m really happy with how this came out. Plus this picture was nice for me since it ended up being at a pretty flattering angle that makes me look a bit slimmer ^^U You can’t see the braid in this picture but it reaches down almost to the hem of the skirt. This picture was taken at Anime Boston 2010 =) I still have to work on a few things (i.e. the wig, better shoes, etc) but I love this cosplay and this character.

Austrian Succession Era France, Axis Powers Hetalia I almost flaked out on this costume before I...

argonautic — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:36:05 -0500

Austrian Succession Era France, Axis Powers Hetalia

I almost flaked out on this costume before I got halfway through the planning phase. It’s been done before, by some very STUNNING cosplayers, and while I’m hardly ashamed of my body (a size 14/16: 185lbs at 5’3” is overweight, but nothing terrible), there was a small part of me that worried that it wouldn’t turn out because I could never pull something so lithe and delicately flighty off.

Obviously, I went through with it anyway. And minus a few of the setbacks, I’m absolutely thrilled that it turned out as well as it did. (Though some of us are terrible self-critics, and I’m sure I could nitpick this to death.) And the reception was far better than I’d expected at all! But I also want to seriously thank you for this blog existing at all. I think we all need a little reaffirmation that we don’t need to be model thin to look good, or share cosplay as a hobby.