Anime Convention Fashion: All About Cosplay at Con+Alt+Delete 2023

Looking to take your love for anime to the next level? Hoping to connect with other manga-obsessed fans? Are video games your thing? Looking somewhere you can celebrate your geekiness with similar-minded people? Or maybe you’re just looking for an epic weekend? Con+Alt+Delete (CAD 2023) is just around the corner! Definitely THE anime convention to head to this December, it’s family friendly— a community that welcomes nerds and embraces geekiness in a three-day celebration at Rosemont, Illinois. It’s an entire weekend of geeky, nerdy fun and from December 15-17, 2023, anime fandom will come together and have a blast at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare.

So, what sets CAD apart? Well, they’re not just your regular anime con. On top of the impressive lineup of activities and events they have in store, they’ve also worked hard to come up with an equally impressive guest list featuring some of the biggest names and the who's who in the gaming and anime arena. Being organized by Animecon.org means they know exactly what it takes to make any event fun. These are the same guys behind seven other awesome cons that take place annually in various parts of the country, after all.

Are you into immersive panels that will let you in on some of the top industry secrets and behind-the-scene actions? Are you looking forward to meeting some of the big names in the community and maybe learn a thing or two from them about manga and anime or games and how they’re created? Are you fond of late-night dances while swaying along some anime tunes, Jpop bangers and EDM beats? You’ve definitely come to the right place.

And that's just the beginning. Like any anime con, CAD 2023 is just not going to be as successful as it is today without the quintessential cosplay— you know, the part where attendees come dressed in a variety of props and costumes so they’ll resemble a beloved character. Cosplay is a big deal at CAD! We’ll also look into the fashion trends that tend to proliferate in anime cons to dig deeper and understand better the stylish and unique expression among folks who love anime.

All About Cosplay

You’ve probably heard of the term before but cosplay in its simplest form is dressing up like a character. Doesn’t matter if it is an anime character or a TV show character you love. It’s all about dressing like the character and maybe even donning a wig to imitate their hair and putting on makeup to transform your face and look very similar to them. At CAD, there will be tons of cosplayers roaming around the floor. In fact, it’s highly encouraged for participants to come in their best cosplay garb. Of course, it is not mandatory. You can come dressed in your normal clothes too!

Why is Cosplay a Big Deal?

Conventions, even the non-anime ones, will never be complete without cosplay. It is, after all, how fans show their love for the characters. There is no better way to showcase that than to show up at fan events and conventions dressing and looking exactly like them. Besides, it’s not just wearing a costume. People do actually put a lot of effort in making their costumes resemble as close as the character as they can. They spend hours crafting these pieces and often have to create props that go with the costume too to complete the look. You’ll be surprised how dedicated fans can get when it comes to cosplay.

Cosplay Trends at CAD 2023

Just like fashion, each year brings a new wave of cosplay trends. It’s quite common to see people dress up as characters from many of the beloved anime classic though. They are classics for a reason. Then there’s also a very good chance that a lot of people will come in dressed as characters from a currently airing series or a recently aired one. It’s this very mixture of characters that you will walking about, conversing with people, and interacting with other con goers that make anime cons like CAD really special. It’s like seeing the characters you normally only see on the screen come to life.

Beyond the Costumes

While a huge part of cosplay really involves the costume that the person is wearing, you’ll be surprised to learn that it truly is more than just that. There is also a lot of emphasis on how cosplayers should not just dress as the character but also look and act like them. It’s pretty much more about transforming into the actual character you are playing— pretty similar to acting, if you may.

This will prove even more important if you will join CAD events such as their cosplay contests. It’s where seasoned and newbie cosplayers compete to determine who best captures the essence of the character they are representing. If you have plans of joining these competitions, just know that some really hard work is going to be involved. For one, you’ll have to make sure your costume will look as close to the character. This often requires paying close attention to minute details of the fabric or the stitches, the embroidery and the colors, and even the textures.

Then you’ll have to work on your expression too. You’ll want to capture your character’s personality and that can take a lot of work. In some cases, you may be asked to walk around, make some poses when going on the cosplay stage. You may even be asked to say some lines that your character is known for. This is why being able to fully embody your chosen character is going to make all the difference.

Events to Look Forward to at CAD 2023

Planning on heading over to Rosemont, IL on December to experience CAD 2023? You’re in for a treat! CAD has a long list of fun, exciting, and immersive events to fill the fun 3-day weekend. There’s something for everyone so it doesn’t matter if you’ve been attending cons your whole life or this is going to be your first time. Expect to experience nothing short of a blast.

Panels and Workshops

They’re quite similar to classes but the only difference is they teach you a bunch of cool stuff. Whether it’s about how to improve your cosplay, craft a good anime plot and story, or even how to host your own panel, CAD has you covered. It’s a great venue for both experts and fans alike where all your nagging questions will definitely get answered.

Gaming

It’s quite common for cons to have a dedicated space for gaming. Whether its PlayStation, Switch, or Nintendo Switch, you’ll have tons of funs games to choose from. You can spend hours playing here. You can even join challenges and tournaments too and earn some bragging rights of having bested some of the convention’s most formidable gamers. If you’re not keen on virtual games, then tabletop games are also available.

Sneak Peeks and Screenings

No anime con would be complete without some screenings and sneak peeks. It’s where you can enjoy seeing some anime on the big screen but with fans so it’s more fun. CAD’s screenings are a combination of classic titles and currently airing shows. Another thing to watch out for are the sneak peeks. If there is an up-and-coming anime or movie that the community is looking forward to, there’s a very good chance that some sneak peeks might be featured at the con.

Autographs

If you’re planning on buying loads of anime stuff and exclusive con merch at the Dealers Hall, make sure to drop by when con guests will be meeting and greeting fans. It’s a great chance to get those merch signs. Aside from autographs, these encounters with the con guests is also a way for you to meet your favorite creators and voice actors up close. Do remember to observe convention etiquette when interacting with the guests.

Grab Your CAD 2023 Tickets!

CAD is happening right before Christmas 2023, on December 15-17— that’s a full weekend! To attend, you’ll need a ticket which is at $35 for the three-day event, giving you exclusive access to all events and ConSweet the exclusive CAD provision of unlimited Mountain Dew and ramen. While you can easily grab a ticket at the convention door on the day of, it’s highly encouraged that you register in advance.

So, mark your calendars and let’s have a blast together at CAD 2023!