im in swindon
and planning crossplaying for the london may expo
i dont drive so everythings public travel
so putting on my costume before hand and then going out isnt really an option
whats your experiances and opinons?

London Expo has changing rooms and bag space for cosplayers.

What Ailsa-chan said.

Also, most of us have travelled in cosplay at least once ^_^'

Yet again, what they said X'D I dread going out in cosplay, and try to dodge leaving the house in Cosplay at all costs! XD

I've been out in cosplay for the public to see 4 times for photoshoots around my town and shopping, but i think people where mostly stunned by the fact someone was dressed really out of the ordanty.

When i cospalyed lightning, i did get noticed and some asked about it etc but others just shouted comments which i must admit weren't the most pleasant of comments i've had but they didn't really bother me, they don't know me and/or know nothing off the the reason i am dressed up.

Although if i do give my opinion on it, if your un-easy about what could happen while in cosplay, don't do it. If you go outside in cosplay you've got to be prepared to take the abuse and comments people are going to shout at you.

/rant rant. Sorry and hope this helped you make up your mind

There are many places that you can change into costume. There will be public restrooms in train stations if you are getting the train or in coach stations if you are getting the coach (although what I've seen of public restrooms in London made me appreciate what I once called 'funky' here).

Alternatively, as previously mentioned, there will be space to change at Expo, or you can even change in the restroom at Excel.

My experience: Last time, I changed in the restroom at Expo (public transport) and didn't have a problem. It wasn't as packed as I'd expected; I had no problem getting to a mirror. There was no fighting for anything. Quite the opposite, really.

My opinion: Honestly, just take your costume with you and change at Expo. Not only will you avoid the abuse that most cosplayers get from some people, but there will be people there who can help with parts of your costume you have difficulty getting in and out of.

i normaly get changed on the train or in the train station at london theres normaly a bathroom there then get on the tube in costume once you hit the train station the hundreds of other cosplayers so you will fine

If the costume requires any Normal clothing like jeans or what, i will wear them going out.

I usually change into most of my costume in the Rail station toilets after buying my ticket.

Then finally, on the DLR platform, I will change my jumper or Outer jacket and equip any props.

See you at Expo :]

I've travelled in my cosplay every single time, I normally find other cosplayers on the way anyway, I've even had whole family ask for my photo at london bridge station! XD

yeah but im crossplaying so it'll be kinda like asking for trouble if i take public tranport while in costume

Hmm...depends what you're cosplaying. I usually go dressed ready since it saves time and all, and I just smile at people who give me a funny look :3. aha.

I find mostly it's the wigs that make people go O_O but maybe that's just me x3.

Hope this helps a bit!

its rangiku from bleach http://www.seyoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/rangiku.gif so yeah... i'll probaly get changed there

Fair enough :3. I think you have to do what works for you really and what you're comfortable with.
It's nicer + easier travelling with a group aswell x3.

well i might be going alone dont really have anyone to go with

Whoa, whoa whoa whoa...back up a space. Expo has changing rooms? I thought there were only the toilets O.O Where are they?

Whoa, whoa whoa whoa...back up a space. Expo has changing rooms? I thought there were only the toilets O.O Where are they?

My advice is always use the Expo changing rooms. That is why they are provided. The first time I crossplayed I was too worried about disturbing the other guys using the cosplay changing room - it is one big room you see - So I didnt change there. Instead I tried changing in the toilets because it would be more private. When I say toilets I mean actually in the cubicle, and lock the door. In thoery this sounds like it should work pretty ok. But heres why it doesnt:-
1.Lack of room - Changing in a toilet cubicle leaves very little elbow space..its really difficult changing clothes in there.
2. Dirty environment - If the floor is wet most likely it is not water! And even if the floor is not wet you really dont want to put your bare feet down onto it. And also you try hard not to let any part of your clothes or costume come into contact with the toilet itself. This increases the difficulty of trying to change in there!
3. Low light - this is a consideration only if you are applying makeup, but inside toilet cubicles often it is pretty dimly lit. Not a good location to be trying to put makeup on, esp with just a lil compact mirror. You need to see what you are doing to do makeup properly.
4. Real function - The real purpose for the cubicle is somewhere for people to go when they need to ..move their bowls.. Yes, this is hardly a pleasant environment to be changing into a costume when someone occupies the cubicle right next door and uses it for the proper function. Sounds, smells. You know what I am saying.


Compare all this with the light airy space which is provided specifically for cosplayers to use to change into their costumes. Often there is a table and some makeup mirrors in there too. You can take all the time you need, no rush. And when you finally are ready you just step out and you are straight in the Expo hall with lots of others already wandering about in cosplay. Then just around the corner from the changing room you will find the cosplay desk where you can drop your bag off with your normal clothes in and then go wander around enjoying the Expo.
Having crossplayed a fair few times I have never met any negative reaction from guys who come in to use the changing room whilst I am getting changed / putting the makeup on. Crossplay is just a part of cosplay. You are more likely to create disturbance dressed as a girl in the public male toilets. Sometimes there is no choice, eg some other shows just dont provide changing facilities. But Expo always provides cosplay changing rooms, because cosplay is such a big part of Expo. So yeah definitely use the cosplay changing rooms there.

wow that was really helpful it answered all my questions thanks

Curious about the Expo Changing Rooms since I didn't even know they existed- are they like Japanese events where it's a large open area and everyone just gets changed in front of each other while avoiding eye-contact? Or does it have dividers and stuff for privacy?

I usually get a hotel next to Expo and then get changed in there and walk over, but I'm curious what it's like :O

Changing rooms are near the cosplay desk and bag drop is behind it. Both are free for cosplayers. There are mirrors down there for make up and a repair desk for those last minute disasters

The changing rooms are an open space, rather than cubicles, one for guys and one for girls. I don't use them myself as I'm usually changed in there already, but given what cosplayers in the country are generally like I would imagine most people using it with you would be friendly and happy to give a hand if needed.

Ah, so they're actually in the expo event it self. Okay, no so much use for me, but thanks for answering anyway

Ailsa-chan is right. If you need a hand, then everyone will be happy enough to lend you one.

EVIDENCE!



Each is typically set up as a large open space, with a table, chair and mirror inside.


They've been present for as long as I can remember, so since.. '06? Always surprising to hear people don't know about them..

In addition, cosplayers can drop bags off at the Cosplay Desk for free - just remember to pick them up before you leave! So that takes care of where your costume bags with your real clothes can go.

There's even a repair desk with hotglue and safety pins for last minute emergency cosplay quickfixes!



Also please feel free to feed the cosplaydesk helpers, they'll love you for it.

...So true x3 aha.

I did not know this.

You seriously have no idea how much trouble you've just saved me, thanks so much (hotel I'm in this year doesn't have a 'left luggage' facility D: )

That might explain it, I knew aboutt he cosplay desk, but not the changing room. I only started going to expo again in '10, before that the last one I went to was...'05, I think. At that event there were only about 50-100 cosplayers.