Cosplay OS Research Standard

Convention prep

What To Do the Week Before an Anime Convention

The week before a convention is not the time to redesign the costume. It is the time to test, pack, confirm logistics, protect your body, and stop buying details that do not change the final photos.

Quick Answer

One week before an anime convention, do a full try-on, fix only critical issues, pack your repair kit, confirm tickets and travel, test makeup on camera, prepare photo references, and plan food, hydration, and rest.

7-Day Convention Countdown

7 days out Do a full try-on for at least 10 minutes. Walk, sit, bend, and take mirror photos.
6 days out Make the last critical repairs. Avoid adding new costume features unless they are required.
5 days out Test wig and makeup together under phone camera lighting.
4 days out Build the emergency kit and pack prop transport.
3 days out Confirm tickets, badge pickup, travel time, parking, hotel, and payment methods.
2 days out Prepare pose references, photographer details, and meetup plans.
1 day out Charge electronics, hydrate, sleep, and stop making nonessential changes.

What Counts as Critical?

A critical issue affects recognition, comfort, safety, or the ability to wear the costume. A missing tiny accessory is usually not critical. A slipping wig, painful shoe, broken strap, unsafe prop edge, or see-through fabric problem is critical.

Do Not Buy These at the Last Minute

  • New shoes you have not walked in.
  • A new wig that needs major cutting or styling.
  • Heavy props that change how you travel.
  • New makeup products that may react badly on your skin.
  • Small decorative pieces that add stress but do not improve recognition.

Photo Prep

Save three types of reference images on your phone: full-body character reference, pose reference, and makeup or expression reference. Keep them in a single album so you can show a photographer quickly without searching through your camera roll.