Curious about cosplay? Here’s how to get started.

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For cosplaying die-hards, the act of dressing up as a character is much more than just getting an outfit and wearing it. It’s a way of life, an art form. 

Most prepare a character months in advance with detailed outfits and props and impeccable make-up and hair. When convention day comes, the transformation happens.  

If you’ve never tried it but want to see what it’s all about, Comic Con Palm Springs this Friday through Sunday is the perfect place to get started. Geeks, nerds and D & D fans will be out in full force, in full regalia.  

Don’t feel intimidated, though, if you’re just a beginner. Everyone knows you’ve got to start somewhere.

In that spirit, here are some tips on how to cosplay.

Come up with a character

It’s best to choose a character you’re familiar with. It doesn’t have to be a deep-cut character from a video game or anime that only hard-core fans would know. It can be a well-known person from a television show or movie. And don’t limit your character to your body type or sex or ethnicity. Lots of female cosplayers take on male characters and vice-versa, it’s called gender-bending. And it’s OK to reinterpret your character and experiment a little bit. They don’t have to be 100 percent exact.

Buy a costume

If you don’t have a lot of time, buying a costume or part of a costume can be the way to go especially if you don’t mind spending some money. Whether you want to be Gal Gadot’s version of “Wonder Woman” or Lynda Carter’s version of “Wonder Woman,” you can get a costume shipped to you in two days via Amazon Prime. If you plan on entering a costume contest though, check the rules, because some cosplay contests are all about making costumes by scratch.

Look in your closet

A cheap way to create an outfit, is to shop in your closet or a friend’s closet. Do you have an old Halloween costumes sitting around? Think about characters with simple outfits that a wig or accessories could easily flush out. Look at what’s sitting in your garage or junk room A paintball mask could easily become a Samurai mask. Those old in-line skating knee pads could become a super hero accessory. 

Make it yourself

If all else fails and you are skillful on a sewing machine, buy some fabric and make something simple by hand that can be embellished with a glue gun – a Cosplayers best friend. Fabric stores have a variety of patterns that can be used.

Props and accessories

Where would Thor be without his hammer? Where would a Jedi be without their lightsaber? Where would Samurai Jack be without his sword? You get it. A great prop or accessory can catapult a simple costume to greatness. So don’t forget to think about the accessory the character is known for. If you need a wig to look more like the character, buy a wig. If a simple temporary dye job will work, don’t be afraid to do it. Buy special costume make-up and find a tutorial online to learn how to apply it if your character is known for their facial make-up. Others will notice these details and appreciate it.

Don’t forget the rules

Each convention provides rules on what is prohibited. Real weapons are prohibited. Just because it may look cooler to have an actual chainsaw since you’re dressed up as the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” killer, don’t bring one, they won’t let you in with it. Comic Con Palm Springs policy states that even costume swords must be made from material that cannot be used as a weapon and must be tied to the costume in a way that it cannot be drawn. All props will be inspected and tagged before cosplayers can enter.  

Be comfortable

Think comfy shoes and lightweight props. There’s nothing worse than having to wait in a long line for an autograph or panel while wearing three-inch heels and carrying a heavy shield. Foam and lightweight plastics can also become a cosplayer’s best friend and are great for making fake props.  And just because Wonder Woman wore high heel boots, doesn’t mean you have to. Maybe in your reinterpretation of the character, she wore patriotic flats instead.

Have fun

Maybe your outfit isn’t as detailed or stellar as someone who’s been cosplaying for years. That’s OK. Don’t be intimidated. You’ll see all levels of outfits, so you won’t be alone. It’s all about having fun and maybe you’ll get some ideas for next year.

Comic Con Palm Springs

What: Comic Con Palm Springs, featuring activities such as Twisted Toonz, a live reading of “Back to the Future” featuring SpongeBob as Marty McFly and Samurai Jack as Dr. Emmett Brown; 25th-anniversary panels on the death of Superman and the Batman animated series; a zombie/saber walk; a GeekFest Film Fest; Super Sonic Speed Dating; concerts and guest appearances by artists Stan Lee and Rob Liefeld, actors Khary Payton (Ezekiel from “The Walking Dead”) and Lindsay Wagner (“Bionic Woman”); voice actors Tom Kenny (SpongeBob) and Dana Gauer (Edith from “Despicable Me”) and more.