or “How not to look like an overstuffed sausage”

Here is a tutorial on how to properly wear a stretchy costume. This will go in a sort of chronological order from the first things you should do to what to do while wearing the costume.

1. Have a realistic body image and be comfortable with your body.
While I’m the last person on earth to tell someone that they can’t wear something, take a good look at yourself and make sure that YOU think you should be wearing spandex. If you are uncomfortable with your body, it will show.

2. Get thee to a nunnery gym
Skinny girls, this especially applies to you, because thin does not imply fit. The emphasis here is not on losing weight, but on toning muscles. Whether you have 4 months before you plan to wear your costume or 1 week, a little goes a long way.

3. Don’t buy or make a too small costume
This is where most people fail. If you don’t want to look like an overstuffed sausage, then make sure you aren’t stuffing yourself into too small a casing.Yes, spandex/lycra should stretch, but it can only hold so much. If the fabric is stretching so much that you can see whatever is underneath, the costume is too small. If the costume is so tight that it is uncomfortable, the costume is too small. If the costume forces flesh to bulge out where the fabric ends, the costume is too small.Conversely, make sure the costume isn’t too loose. A little bit of sagging or wrinkles on a properly fitted costume while sitting or resting is unavoidable, but if you find any truly baggy areas while posing, then it’s time to alter the costume.

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