Comic Con can be an exciting time for lovers of all things niche and geek. Comic Con is an opportunity for you to connect with other like-minded people, enjoy some quality entertainment and meet the stars of cult favourite TV shows, films and video games. Many people also take the opportunity to dress in their best cosplay, often crafting intricate and complex costumes of their favourite characters.

Navigating your first Comic Con in cosplay can be tricky. There’s so much to do, and experience and your costume can often make the whole process more challenging. You shouldn’t let this put you off, though, since with some preparation and care, you can ensure that you get the very most out of all the opportunities Comic Con UK presents.

Plan Well Ahead

Planning any costume can take time, and the time it takes to get a full cosplay outfit together can be even longer. You should start planning at least a year before the event by narrowing down your cosplay options and thinking about the practicalities of different costumes and characters.

It may help to break down the things you need to do into categories based on how far away Comic Con is. For instance, have a to-do list for every month after the six-month mark. This can help ensure you aren’t in a mad panic to get everything finished for your costume before the big day. You should also plan what you’re going to take with you, where you’re going to stay and how you’re going to get there.

Keep Water On Hand

If there’s one thing that’s universal among Comic Con cosplayers, it’s the tendency to overheat in their costumes. Even the simplest costume can be heavier than you might think, so it is crucial that you stay hydrated and avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke, particularly during the July Con. Water should be your top priority, so be sure to include a large bottle in your Comic Con essentials bag before you leave the house or hotel.

Go With Friends

Going with friends isn’t a necessity, but it can certainly improve your enjoyment of the experience. Comic Con can be intimidating, with hundreds of thousands of visitors over the weekend, so bringing a buddy can help alleviate any nerves and prevent you from spending the whole Con alone.

Get A Hotel Near The Venue

Getting a hotel can be invaluable unless you live a short distance from the venue. It can ensure you don’t have too far to travel in your full cosplay, making your overall weekend much easier to manage. Just bear in mind that the hotels closest to the venue will likely shoot up in price the nearer the event gets, so be sure to book well in advance.

Fill Time Between Events With Games

There’s always some downtime to fill during Comic Con. You might just want to take a quick break to relax between events or need some time for your social battery to recharge. Playing a game can be a great way to recentre yourself and get back into the Con feeling energised.

A great, portable option is online casino games – these are easy to lose yourself in, fun to play and can even win you some extra Comic Con spending money! For some inspiration, check out this great list of trustworthy casinos from OnlineCasinos.co.uk.

Invest In Comfortable Shoes

Granted, you will be limited by your cosplay of choice when it comes to footwear, but it is still a good idea to choose the most comfortable shoes you can. You’ll be on your feet all day during Comic Con and likely all night as well, so, if possible, incorporate some comfortable trainers into your character’s cosplay. If this isn’t achievable, you could consider bringing some easy-to-carry shoes with you so you can switch between events and photoshoots.

Practice Taking Bathroom Breaks

No matter how simple or complex your costume, you don’t want the first time you’re taking it off for a bathroom break to be at a Con. There aren’t many costumes that make going to the bathroom is simple and easy, so you’ll need to plan ahead and prepare for what to expect. You should also be aware that the bathrooms stall at Comic Con will be smaller than your home bathroom, so practice manoeuvring to get it right.

Keep A Copy Of Your Schedule Handy

There are so many events and activities to keep track of during Comic Con, so it is crucial that you make a schedule – and stick to it. This can help ensure you get where you need to be throughout the weekend and avoid missing out on things you had your heart set on attending.

Bring An Autograph Book

From actors in your favourite series to world-famous cosplayers, there will be plenty of people at Comic Con that you’ll want to get a signature from. Normally it is best to wait for meet and greets to ask for signatures so that you don’t spoil the enjoyment for others. Having your autograph book on hand when you get to the meet and greets can be a great way to ensure you get a memento of your first Comic Con that will last a lifetime.

Make Some New Friends

Comic Con is a unique opportunity for you to meet others with the same niche pop culture interests as your own. This can be a great chance to make friends to share future Comic Con experiences with. It can be intimidating to meet new people in an event as large as Comic Con, so you could consider visiting a smaller meetup for a more specialised interest so that you aren’t overwhelmed by people.

Bring Extra Deodorant

As mentioned previously, overheating in any cosplay costume is a common occurrence. The last thing you want is to get sweaty in the costume you plan to wear the whole weekend, so bringing spare deodorant can be invaluable. Choosing spray deodorant is usually best as it is easiest to apply, but you should be careful that whatever you choose doesn’t leave white marks on your lovingly crafted cosplay.