15 Cosplay Books to Get Your Look Convention Ready

Want to put together a cosplay but can't even land on an idea? This book provides a gallery of 1,000 stunning costumes from top-notch convention-goers and professional craftsmen.

You'll be inspired by the attention to detail, from the accessories to the makeup. And with a little help, your passion can help you look just as fabulous, too!

Costume designer Sanit Klamchanuan will guide you through the cosplay crafting process, whether you're building a classic look from scratch or adding a special twist to beloved characters.

Using five original cosplays as a template, Klamchanuan takes readers through entire process, from planning to execution, including problem solving along the way.

Need your costumes to be more comfortable? Need your look to be more easily transportable? Or just trying to make your cosplay more impressive? This book can help you with all of that.

Whether you want to step into the Marvel Cinematic Universe or take a spin through a Disney castle, this book is here to help you become all of your favorite characters from TV and film.

After delivering a little bit of history on the hobby of cosplay, this helpful guide helps you pick your first project, and then learn about all the skills you need to craft it.

Who hasn't pretended to be Sailor Moon in their bedroom at least once? Or maybe you want to bring a special flair to your favorite Demon Slayer Hashira?

A twin guide to the one above, this book has a focus on manga, anime, and video game cosplay.

If your cosplay style is more Bridgerton or Princess Peach, then you're going to need this handy guide to ballgowns.

Cowbutt Crunchies, renowned cosplayers, walk readers of all sewing levels through the ballgown building process. Sleek silhouettes, corsets, hoop skirts, and more are all within your reach with these planning, patterning, and construction tips.

Amanda Haas is an award-winning cosplayer that is here to help you gain confidence in your cosplay creation.

From researching cosplay, to selecting fabrics, mixing patterns, and even presenting your cosplay at competitions, this helpful guide will keep you in top form.

Feel like you're in the advanced league? Check up the follow up book, Level Up! Creative Cosplay.

Need some extra help with the step-by-step processes in cosplay creation? This book is a must-read in the beginning stages of your build!

This guide will take you through everything you need to know about foundation garments—corsets, petticoats, bodysuits, hoops, crinolines, leggings, and beyond. These often function as the base of costumes, and can commonly be reused between different characters.

Heavily visual, this book includes over 400 step-by-step pictures, patterns, and inspirations.

So you've built the basic shape of your costume—but where's the personality?

This is where the art of smocking comes in! Adding texture, historical detail, and special effects, these techniques give any look some extra pizzazz.

Don't rely on expensive pre-smocked fabric; with this book, you'll be a smocking expert in no time.

Do you want to bring your cosplay to the next level? Spice things up with some special effects!

From weathering to painting, adding extra detail can make your costume look more realistic. While the process can be nerve wracking—no one wants to ruin something they've spent hours on—this guide is here to walk you through it.

From tools to technique, this book gives you the skinny on everything from dirt, burns, blood, metal, rust, and shading to tell your story.

Anyone familiar with cosplay is familiar with EVA foam. While the material can seem intimidating to cosplay newcomers, this book is here to make it easy.

If you need to create lightweight shields, armor, weapons, and other props, this book gives you the lowdown on different kinds of EVA foam and similar materials. It even gives you four sample patterns to start work on some common EVA foam projects.

For an even more in-depth look at thermoplastics, this book provides guides from basic to expert level.

Focusing on safety first, this book adds extra polish with its tutorials on modifying, coloring, heating, and adding detail to synthetic materials.

Cosplay experts contribute to this guide, including Alkali, Frostbite Cosplay, Mulholland Art, Paisley and Glue, Panterona Cosplay, Plexi Cosplay, Polygon Forge, Prop Monkey Studio, Sayakat Cosplay, Sameer Tikka Masala, and Tiffany Gordon Cosplay.

Whether you're Captain America or Sora, your cosplay isn't going to be complete without the perfect handwear. Making gloves can be a difficult process for even the best cosplayers, but this book aims to demystify the process.

From basic cuffs and bracers to complex armor pieces, this guide covers every step of the process, from selecting materials to adding the final embellishments.

Very few characters are iconic for being barefoot. After spending hours sewing away at your costume, don't let the footwear defeat you!

This guide gives some expert advice on every foot and leg covering you could possibly need, including boot covers, sleek tights, and thigh highs that are guaranteed to stay up.

Including patterns that can't be found in stores, your fancy footwear will be the talk of the convention.

For a lot of characters—particularly in anime and manga—hair can be a defining feature. Buying pre-styled cosplay wigs is an incredibly expensive investment. So why not style your own?

From spikes to flowers, design your very own custom wig with this handy how-to guide. From cosplay newcomers to well-seasoned veterans, this book is here to help you at any level.

Of course we can't forget the last vital step to completing every cosplay look: makeup!

Makeup artist Rachel Duffy guides readers through 12 key looks that span some of the most exciting makeup trends. From everyday subtle looks to eye-catching looks with glitter and crystals, it's all the flair you need.

These techniques detailed in this book are an essential tool for starting out with makeup looks, be it for cosplay, theatre, film, or special effect work.

Find advice about color theory, the proper bases, and picking the correct tools and materials.