Who Doesn’t Love To Dress Up?
Cosplaying is one of the many ways fans have to show their appreciation for a piece of media they love, and the time and effort that goes into making a cosplay should not be understated. Whether you’re a regular at Comicon, preparing for a party, or expressing yourself from the comfort of your room, this list of characters has probably crossed your mind more than once.
Muhammad Faiz Zulkeflee on Unsplash
1. Muses
The muses from Hercules are an incredibly fun and versatile cosplay option. Each muse has a different hairstyle and simple dress style, making it easy to do on a budget. The best part is you can make it a group project!
2. Hatsune Miku
Miku is a Vocaloid icon known for the song Ievan Polka, among many others. Her long blue pigtails and simple uniform-esque outfit are fun to replicate, and you probably have most of her outfit in your wardrobe already. Find yourself some bright blue hair and you’re ready to go.
Charlie Rock-driguez on Pexels
3. Wolverine
Genderbending cosplays have always been popular, and Wolverine is no exception. You can take an easy route and wear a simple white tank and blue jeans, or you can go all out and get yourself his classic yellow and black outfit. Spike up your hair with some gel, and don’t forget your claws!
4. Ursula
If you’re a makeup lover, this character is a great cosplay option for you. The Little Mermaid’s antagonist was originally inspired by the drag queen Divine, so going all out is a perfectly acceptable option for this cosplay. Go crazy with a white wig, paint your skin purple, and find a way to make that black dress look as tentacle-like as possible.
5. Violet Beauregarde
Violet Beauregarde is a character from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, known for her can-do attitude and chewing gum habit. Many cosplayers like to incorporate the beginning of their blueberry-esque transformation, painting the bridge of their noses in a slightly purple tint. If you have an early 2000s Juicy Couture sweatsuit in the back of your closet, this is a great cosplay option.
Phalinn Ooi from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wikimedia
6. Princes ‘Kida’ Kidagakash
Kida is from the 2001 movie Atlantis, and is known for her long white hair and beautiful blue two-piece outfit. If you’re looking to make your cosplays from scratch, her outfit is a great starting point for any beginner seamstress.
7. Howl Jenkins Pendragon
The wizard Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle has an androgynous look about him that makes him easy to replicate. If you’re looking for a more exact cosplay, you can go with blonde or black hair with his long white sleeves and black pants. Or, if you’re looking to go all out, you can incorporate his anamorphic raven feathers into your outfit.
8. Elastigirl
Mrs. Helen Parr from The Incredibles is usually cosplayed wearing her iconic red and black super suit. You might not be able to stretch and contort your body like she does, but you’ll sure get a confidence boost wearing that skin-tight outfit. Bonus points if you’re at an outdoor convention, as you’re fully protected from the sun.
9. Chel
Chel is from the movie The Road to El Dorado, and her big jewelry, tube top, and slinky white skirt will make you stand out in any crowd. If you’re lucky enough to have her long black tresses, buying some costume jewelry and a very high-cut double-slit skirt will have you turning heads all day long.
10. Junko Enoshima
Junko Enoshima is from the anime Danganronpa, and is an incredibly popular character to dress up as. Her fitted red and black uniform, long white tie, and pastel pink pigtails were commonly seen on TikTok during the pandemic. This hair is not for the faint of heart, however, and requires either a very expensive wig or very time-consuming manipulation.
11. Kim Possible
This animated Disney icon is loved by all. You can wear her cropped black long sleeve and cargo pant combination, or take the time to make the purple and yellow cheerleading outfit. If you’re a natural redhead, you’re already halfway there.
12. Audrey Rocio Ramirez
This hard-working gal is also from the Atlantis movies, and is well-loved by the fans of the film. She’s usually seen in denim overalls, a white shirt, and a matching denim newsboy-esque cap. Put your hair in some pigtails, and you have an easy, but effective, outfit for your next con.
13. Yumeko Jabami
This card-wielding girl is from the anime Kakegurui, and her most prominent feature is her bright red eyes. Most of the characters in this show have a black and burgundy school uniform, and once you have that, all it takes is some black bangs and costume contacts to complete this look.
14. Jessica Rabbit
Jessica Rabbit is the downright sexy wife of Roger Rabbit and has shown up in several movies through the years. Most cosplayers are typically drawn to her sparkly pink lounge dress and purple gloves, but she’s also been seen in a tight-fitting park ranger outfit, if that’s more your speed.
15. Roxanne
Roxanne is the love interest of Max Goof in A Goofy Movie. Her simple green shirt and denim pants are easy enough to find, but you can play up her dog-like features and voluminous red hair to make your cosplay stand out.
16. Spider-Man
There are countless Spider-Man characters out there, so you have many to choose from if you’re going down the web-slinger route. Popular cosplays include Spider-Gwen, Spider-Woman, Spider-Girl, Peni Parker, Silk, and Spider Ma’am, just to name a few. Of course, genderbending any Spider-Man iteration is also perfectly acceptable.
17. Zelda
Princess Zelda is from the Legend of Zelda series and is an incredibly versatile option when it comes to cosplays. You can go all out with her full royal garb, like in Twilight Princess or Breath of the Wild, get creative with her alter-ego, Sheik, or sport her simple white tunic like in Skyward Sword.
18. Link
The main protagonist in the Legend of Zelda series, Link, is Zelda’s counterpart throughout all iterations of the games. Similarly to Zelda, you can dress Link down into a shirt and pants combo, bundle yourself into a suit of armor, or wear his iconic green hat and tunic set.
19. Koriand’r Starfire
Starfire is one of the superheroes from Teen Titans, and a fabulous cosplay option to boot. With her long fuchsia hair, bright green eyes, and cutesy purple uniform brings the fun to any convention you attend.
20. Leia
Last, but certainly not least, Star Wars’s Princess Leia has been the object of many a cosplayer's eye for decades. With her larger-than-life space buns, flowing dresses, and gold bikini, she is instantly recognizable and will forever be a staple in the scene.
