Lately on tumblr I've been seeing numerous posts dedicated to the newly-released Hot Topic Sailor Moon costume. Almost all are negative. This doesn't bother me. What does bother me is that most users immediately comment on the satin-like fabric. I've seen other "failed" cosplays posted around that are also scrutinized for the fabric choice. My problem: I just don't get the big deal.

For one, you can definitely argue that the shiny quality of the material adds to the whole "magical" aspect of a Magical Girl cosplay. Two, so many users on tumblr (the very same ones who bash these costumes) reblog cosplayers who wear costumes with similar, if not the same, fabric. It's really hypocritical.

I'm convinced that one of the elements that goes into deeming a cosplay as "successful" (whateverthehellthatmeans) is the set-up/context of the image.


(image from cosplayislove on tumblr)


from FlexGraph on flickr


straight off Google


also Google

All taken by professional photographers. The quality of the image seems to enhance any viewer's perception of the image. I'm not saying these costumes are great. I'm not saying these costumes are terrible. But I am saying that they're all made of a shiny material. Forget props, wigs, and makeup and just look at the damn costumes. Really, what's the difference?

There is none.

Those are some of the best cosplays that I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing!

I have to admit though, I am one of those shiny-material-loathing individuals. And this is probably completely my own personal taste. Textures and surfaces matter a lot to me, and in general, in anything, I do not like shiny. I do not like loud or the like and to me, the shiny material looks very cheap. I am primarily talking about the skirts here. I think the rest of the outfits looks very nice and they fit with a natural conformity to the figure, but those skirts -- I am not a fan. I will say that they are not horrible and that they actually do not look that bad -- they are really rather nice and do not look stiff. However, if I was going to do the "perfectionist" talk, I would say I'd like a slightly toned down material. Less shine and a little more flow and flexibility to the material.

Those are all beautiful costumes!

But in general, having satin automatically means cheap quality. This isn't always the case as these photos prove...

I think if maybe this question asked to a professional seamstress or fashion designer, maybe we could get a pretty clear cut answer as to why. IMO, it does look cheap, although if done right, can look good, like those photos you posted. I once chose a satiny material for a piece of a Chobits cosplay i did once and I kinda wish I had chosen a different material (but i had no idea WTF i was doing so lol) because it didn't match the material of the rest of the outfit. So yeah, it was odd.

Brit-chan wrote:

IMO, it does look cheap, although if done right, can look good,

I believe this whole-heartedly. The "if done right" includes the fit of the costume and skirt length as well as contextual and decorative elements such as picture quality, pose, makeup, accessories etc.

Not gonna lie. I have a cheap-ass costume that I am planning to wear next month. But, I've modified small parts of it (hemmed the skirt, sewed the bows into place) and now I think it looks pretty great. I'm really interested to see the kind of feedback I get once I wear it. You could say it's an experiment of mine.

What I've noticed is exactly HOW shiny the fabric is. The examples you posted are a satin shine, where-as a lot of the cheap cosplays have glossy shines. Much tackier.

Of course, the rest of the cosplay can make or break the image...oftentimes, the shiny materials combined with poor stitches and/or an ill fit can really make the bad fabric choice stand out.

Lady Lucina wrote:

What I've noticed is exactly HOW shiny the fabric is. The examples you posted are a satin shine, where-as a lot of the cheap cosplays have glossy shines. Much tackier.

Actually, I'm pretty sure the costumes from pictures 2 & 3 use the same cheap fabric that ebay sellers use. You can tell by how thin the fabric is and how the skirt hangs. The thinner fabric actually helps create the pleated look without having a pleated skirt.