Jan 05 2009
The Wings Controversy
When I started attending anime and multi-fandom conventions, I remembered hearing a lot of people talk about how much they hated that people wore wings as part of their costumes. I didn’t think much of it until I found myself in one of the vendor rooms at Dragon*con, and saw someone with a huge pair of wings trying to wade through a sea of people in a teeny tiny row between vendor tables. “This must be what they were complaining about,” I thought.
Of course, this complaint is about much more than just wings: its about a perceived lack of common courtesy. Anyone who has a large costume piece or prop, and isn’t mindful, can end up causing problems (or injuries!) for their fellow con attendees. However, the majority of those wearing wings on their back, or carrying large props, don’t cause problems. In fact, a lot of cosplayers go out of their way to avoid tight corridors and other crowded areas that they know would be difficult to get through. Some cosplayers even bring along friends as “handlers,” to make sure that no one gets clipped by their costume or prop, and that they navigate safely through large groups.
I recently talked to some cosplayers from two online costuming communities. I asked them what they thought of the wing “controversy.” I received a lot of wonderfully written responses from convention cosplayers. Here is some of what they said:
“As with many things, the problem is not so much the wings themselves but with the wing-wearer not being sufficiently aware/responsible.”
“I sit with a clear view of either side of the debate, I have been the one in wings, I have also been the one to get jabbed in the face by random hall costume wing or other suspended object. […] Leave the costumes behind [for the dealers room], dealers rooms are usually hot and crowded, you and everyone around you will have a better time if the wings aren’t there.”
“I always try to have a handler with me as I can only see straight ahead through my mask when in costume. I move slowly when turning so that any accidental contact between my wings and another person does no harm to either.“
“For the people around [costumers with wings], though, don’t fly off the handle just because you got nudged by feathers here and there. Conventions are costume showcases and people like to make impressive costumes, you shouldn’t begrudge them that.”
“It’s people who have no common sense - or somehow can’t mentally conceive of the fact that their wings will be damaged from trying to function normally in a crowd - who cause cons to have to make rules against wearing large wings. [...] Anyone who wears and uses them responsibly doesn’t need those rules, but it’s the idiots for whom the rules are made, who in turn ruin it for the rest of us.”
“In any costume, wings included, you just have to figure out how it’s going to restrict you. This may mean cutting back your options to be considerate of others. This may mean you don’t get to do everything you want to do, but that’s one of the choices you make by deciding to wear that costume at that time.”
“While, I again agree with what people have been saying (which is use common sense and have common courtesy even if it is an anime convention) I do think things like wings should be limited to outside the convention and on stage for competition.”
“Wings are like other props in that some people should just not have them. Period. Even small props/costumes can be dangerous if a con goer is not paying attention to where/how they are handling them.”
“It all comes down to not being an ass when you’re wearing wings. [J]ust because you’re wearing them doesn’t mean others should be the only ones to watch out and try and keep out of your way.”
“On the flip side, if you’re just standing/sitting in the hallway and someone with big wings comes walking by, it’s common courtesy to get out of the way. Courtesy goes both ways.“
So where do you stand on the issue? Should conventions restrict the size of costume elements like wings or props? Or, is it up to the wearer to be mindful of others? Feel free to post a comment with your thoughts!
Special thanks to everyone who provided feedback on this, especially the Dragon*con costuming community, and the folks at Cosplay.com!
This can be a controversy even in LARPs when you’re outside most of the time. Fortunately, trees and the potential to be spotted by the other players in PVP LARPs usually keeps the wingspan pretty low!
I do not think that all wings should be restricted, but I do think the con should have the right to ask someone to take off their wings. I am currently making a costume with wings, but I made them to look like they are folded so as to be able to wear them at Dragon*Con, since the crowd is thick and ever thickening. I would hate to not be allowed to wear my wings, which take up no space outside of my personal bubble, just because someone with a gigantic set of wings decides to swing dance in the dealers room.
As it’s been said, it’s the dinks that make the rest of us look bad–especially if aforementioned dinks make wingspans accurate to their height.
Example: A friend of mine wanted to cosplay as a character from Ayashi no Ceres (can’t remember who) and wanted to make his wings at full span for herself. And she is very nearly six feet tall. For accurate wingspan, it would be about twelve feet-ish? Even though the convention we frequent does not have narrow corridors, sometimes, they just aren’t workable for all that you want to do. (Ie, hosting panels and directing cosplay chess, and the ever dreaded car space.)
We had to talk her down for a week before she was coaxed into making miniatures so that it would be easier to transport and wear.