So I have a bit of an issue.

I’ve been thinking of a cosplay concept, but it’s a little on the revealing side of things. I won’t give it all away here, but it will involve wearing a bikini. The reactions I’ve had so far have been mixed. A lot of people seem to fall into the category of “Oh god, that would be hilarious! Do it!”. But some are concerned that I would be garnering unwanted attention.

Here’s the thing: When I’m not in a bikini, I still get comments.

For example, while working as a medical first responder, I wear a uniform that consists of a junior boys dress shirt and cargo pants. It buttons to the collar, and has the approximate shape of a burlap sack. I wear my hair tied back, and very minimal makeup. I’m not dressed to impress, and most people mistake me for a security guard. Yet every time I wear this uniform I get some form of spectacularly bad pickup line. Not even the kind I get when I’m dressed up for a night out. We’re talking the really cheesy/awkward/weird shit. Here are some of my favorites.

“Quick I need help! My heart is broken and only you can mend it. I need a medic.”

*after taking a photo of his convention booth* “It’s been a long time since a girl has taken a photo of me with my clothes on.”

I am literally dressed like a young boy. I have no shape. I am not wearing anything revealing, I am not even really distinguishable from the next person in my unit.

After the mixed reviews to my costume concept, I really became hesitant to wear it. That was until, after a few glasses of rum and company with a good friend, I began to realize that it really doesn’t matter what I’m wearing. It could be a bikini. Or it could be a god damned sack. People are still going to say shit.

I feel safe at conventions, regardless of what I’m wearing. For any one person who would start getting creepy enough to try and cop a feel, there are at least 5 people around who would not tolerate said unwelcome behavior. The community is great, we’re dressing as our favorite characters, and regardless of how that character dresses, cosplayers understand. And because of that, I feel comfortable enough showing up to a con of 60,000 people wearing a bikini type costume and not fear for my safety.

And for the people who are going to dislike the concept because of how little it involves?