When it comes to clothing, you should always make sure to find something that you feel comfortable in and suits you. Feel like you’re wearing that outfit rather than that outfit wearing you.

There’s many different kinds of clothing styles and aesthetics and you can shoot towards any of them that you think best fits you.

Unfortunately, there have been some situations regarding racism and cosplays/outfits.

According to The Cosplay Journal, it talks about how dark skinned people haven’t gotten the best treatment from some people in the cosplaying community because they are dressed up as a character from media that was originally lighter skinned. Whether it be people calling them inappropriate things or calling them “the black version” of that character, it’s incredibly disrespectful to people who are just trying to have fun.

Of course, it’s important to be mindful about who you’re cosplaying and that you aren’t mocking the culture that that character is from. But if you’re simply wanting to cosplay a character that you like, why should you be given any hate about whether your skin color matches the character or not?

The same thing goes for some outfit styles. Let’s use gothic as an example. Not all people who dress up gothic have to be pale white. Someone who has darker skin can dress gothic all they want and there’s no need to do anything to alter your skin color to match a typical gothic look.

Of course, not everything fits everyone. One color may suit someone better than another based on a number of factors. Your clothing aesthetic only matters if you aren’t being respectful about it and if it fits you as a person.

Otherwise, dress up however you want and don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t wear. Show support for others and help them feel included, both in the cosplay community and in general.