What’s in my Cosplay Bag
If you’ve been cosplaying for a while, you probably carry a cosplay emergency kit. If you don’t, you should. Here are my top essentials that I keep in my con-going toolkit!
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The Bag
I have a small, 4 x 6 inch makeup bag that I always take with me to conventions. Most of these items fit inside, but some of the larger ones are kept alongside it in a mini backpack.
Mini Sewing Kit + Spare Safety Pins
Do I even have to explain why I keep these on hand? My little sewing kit is arguably one of the most important items on this list. When you don’t have glue (or sometimes even when you do), needle and thread are a sturdy solution to almost any cosplay mishap. You can not only fix split seams or reattach beads, but you can even sew through EVA foam when glue just won’t hold!
I really love this little kit because I can refill the thread spool with any color and there is storage for safety pins. Safety pins are a must for emergency cosplay repair. They can help with keeping stubborn wigs or straps in place. This kit also comes with scissors and a spot for spare buttons and pins. I like that it’s a cute heart shape too!
Gel Super Glue
If you’ve ever had a 3D printed part break or a jewel fall off, you already know the pain of not having glue to fix it. I personally love gel CA glue (aka super glue). I use the full size Gorilla brand with the green cap for building, but this is the exact one I keep in my cosplay bag for emergencies. I have not found any difference between the brand name and generic, except that the Gorilla ones have a better applicator.
Contact Lens Fluid, Case, & Eye Drops
My least favorite part of cosplay is wearing contacts. Even with my prescription contacts that I use to see, my eyes tend to get really dry! I like to keep moisturizing eye drops specifically for contact lenses handy. I still get tired of contacts, though, even with the drops. So, I keep a contact lens case with a small travel bottle full of cleaning fluid so I can take the contacts off whenever I want.
Touch-Up Makeup & Bobby Pins
If you’re wearing makeup or wigs, these are a must. I of course always bring my lipstick along so I can eat and reapply as needed, but I also like to bring travel containers of Spirit Gum, Vaseline, and makeup along with cotton swabs. When I wear my Ms. Marvel costume, the mask sometimes likes to come off if I’m particularly sweaty, so the Spirit Gum is very useful! If you wear big wigs, I also recommend keeping bobby pins.
Portable Lighting
This might be my favorite thing to bring. As you may know, I am also a cosplay photographer and I looove colored lighting. I like to bring this portable RGB video light for mini photoshoots. Colored lighting can add a lot of dimension to an otherwise boring convention floor shot.
I also enjoy posting on social media and taking selfies with friends, so this rechargeable clip-on ring light is a must, especially with the unpredictable lighting conditions of a con.
Portable fan & battery
I absolutely swear by this portable rechargeable handheld fan and power bank combo! It seriously came in clutch at Dragon Con, which is usually on some of the hottest days of the summer in Georgia and is mostly a spread-out, outdoor con with lots of walking! If you walk in the Dragon Con parade, your health and sanity will thank you for this fan. The power lasts a long time and it doubles as a battery to recharge your tech.
TaGging gun
This is another cosplay repair item on the list and one of my favorites on this list. This clothing tagging gun is perfect for quick attachment fixes! I can’t tell you how many times it has come in handy to help fix a friend’s broken strap or get a pesky foam armor piece to stay in place.
Mini Deodorant & Hand Sanitizer
Listen, I think we all know that cosplayers have to fight for our lives against the stereotype that we all stink. Enough said. It doesn’t help that convention bathrooms often run out of soap, hence the hand sanitizer. Stay clean, people!
First Aid
Last, but definitely not least, I carry a few Band-Aids and alcohol wipes at all times. Cosplays often come with sharp objects and edges. I’m sure we’ve also all been caught trying to finish costumes the night before the con, which means rushing and possibly injuring ourselves. You never know when you might have to dress a wound!
Amazon List
Check out my full Idea List in my Amazon Storefront here for more variations!
