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I recently came back from a con where their were a lot less people wearing Cosplay outfits than the year before at the same con. sad For me. Seeing Cosplayers dressed up in their finest outfits is one of the things that's really exciting for me to see at Anime / Cosplay cons. biggrin

It makes me wonder why their are more Non Cosplayers going to Anime cons now. Are more con goers having a harder time coming up with outfits due to the economy or is the cons just drawing in more people that are just interested in Anime in general and not Cosplaying?

Is this a new trend? What are your thoughts.

Yeah, the economy is definately one of the things these days that not only keep people away from cons and making Cosplay outfits. sad Hopefully things will turn around soon. smile One of the things that I really like about the Jafax con is that both the parking and admission are free!! That's due to it being at a college campus. If you are strapped for cash going to a con at a college campus is the way to go. Also, since I don't have to pay an admission I can save my penny's for stuff!!

Yes, fabric and other items are getting both harder to find and more expensive to buy. Deals can still be found through E-Bay, thrift shops, consignments, and buyimg used outfits at cons. It took me the better part of a year to find and make everything needed for my Syaoran Cosplay outfit.

Recyling Cosplay's is a good idea or even taking parts of different ones and coming up with a new Cosplay outfit (If possible). I'm not good with sewing either that's why I give my sister credit for doing the sewing for me. I hope that the economy picks up so that Cosplaying can get back to it was years ago. smile Being in a group of Cosplayers can help out a lot because you can get help with putting together outfits and share the cost. A friend of mine does just that and it works out great. XD Now all I need to do is find a group of Cosplayers to join.

I never really cosplay, I usually just cosplay for a bit then change or hang out in my hotel room the entire day.
I assume most people aren't cosplaying either because of money, did not have enough time to finish one or are just starting to go to cons.

I have gone to and worked at a lot of Star Trek cons in the past. Most of the people at those cons did not dress up as Star Trek characters. They simply went to the cons. I only have 3 Cosplay outfits at this time. At Youmacon coming up in November I may just wear an old Youmacon or Jafax Con shirt. I really like the Jafax con shirt that I got at that con in June, It's a black shirt with a blue outline of the girl that's the "mascot" of the con. The shirt is pretty neat.

I really like your answer to my question. Yes the Anime culture is growing by leaps and bounds. I'm taking my almost 13 year old niece and her 14 year old friend to the Youmacon convention in Detroit this year. Just like me they both really like Naruto. I can't wait to show them this world. They are too young to make or buy a Cosplay outfit this year but I feel that they may become future Cosplayers. I hope that the economy improves soon. In the meantime just going to an anime convention is a special treat whether they are a Cosplayer or not.

I didn't start going to Anime cons until 2009 and I only have 3 outfits. As for being older can you believe that I'm going to be 49 years old next year? I remember watching one of my favorite Anime's, Sailor Moon, when it came out in the USA back in 1995. That was the same year that I was married. I just celebrated 17 years of marrage. I have a great time taking pics of other Cosplayers and my best Cosplay outfit so far is Syaoran from Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles. If you don't mind talking to an "older" big Anime fan please answer my friendship request. If you don't accept I understand. You can't be too careful these days. At the least please check out my Profile page and my guild. Just click on the banner on my signature to check out my Role Play guild.