5 Casual Cosplay Outfitters That Will Help You Suit Up

By Megan Peters

From Comic-Con to the coffee shop, there is always some place to cosplay.

Whether you are a fan of space-hopping Time Lord on BBC or a new Avengers recruit, fans have more resources than ever before to cosplay as their favorite characters.

If you are not familiar with cosplay, then you should first know the trend originated in Japan as the production of anime grew. The term, which comes from the phrase 'costume play,' quickly spread all over the world as fandoms came to embrace the pastime. While cosplaying began as a cult interest, the hobby has matured over the past 20 years as geek culture has become increasingly more mainstream. This year alone, tens of thousands of cosplayers headed to San Diego to share their homemade cosplays with fellow fans.

Now, if you are worried about how much these cosplays cost, there's no need! As the hobby has grown so have so-called casual cosplay companies. These fashion lines are taking everyday outfits and geeking them out for hardcore fans who want to flaunt their fandoms.

We have collected five of the best, most accessible casual cosplay lines out today for you guys to check out.

Be warned, though - After looking through these companies' catalogs, you're wallets might just be in danger.

Hot Topic / Torrid

hot topic cosplay

If you walk into any mall these days, you'll probably find a Hot Topic. The chain, which was created back in 1988, stands as an authority on pop culture clothing and alternative styles.

Years ago, when you were looking to score a pair of Tripp pants, Hot Topic was your go-to. Now, the retailer has altered its sales and has started looking into a cosplay-conscious market.

Hot Topic has dozens of in-store cosplay lines which fans can look through. From Pokemon to Doctor Who, there's a casual cosplay line at Hot Topic for everyone.

The store sets prices that are pretty reasonable as most pieces range between $20-40, but there are several fancier pieces that can run you upwards of $60.

For example, the store sells a Joker-inspired trench coat from DC Entertainment's Suicide Squad. The long, leather number is perfect for any Batman enthusiast, but the piece's $70+ price tag may make some shy away from the item.

And, if you're looking for plus-size cosplay pieces, then Torrid will be the site for you.

The store is owned by the same conglomerate who oversees Hot Topic and exclusively deals in clothing sizes 10-28.

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Her Universe

her universe cosplay

Created by actress Ashley Eckstein, Her Universe is a clothing store which caters to fangirls of all backgrounds.

The company launched in 2013 and creates unique clothing articles and accessories for franchises like Transformers, Marvel, Star Wars, and Doctor Who.

Her Universe is a step up from Hot Topic when it comes to pricing as the online retailer usually ranges between $40-80. However, the quality of their pieces is higher than what some might expect.

Take for instance The Captain Picardigan, a sweater that'd suit any Starfleet Captain. The maroon number features a loose-fitting style that would make any Trekkie happy to rock a Red Shirt's colors - you know, so long as they aren't killed off once they don the cozy cardigan.

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Living Dead (AU)

living dead cosplay

Living Dead is the brainchild of Wade Lange, an Australian entrepreneur who wanted to create an 'anything goes' fashion line. The foreign brand features hand-cut and sewn pieces which bring cosplay to the streets.

While the company has several cosplay lines, there most popular run focuses on 2K Games' BioShock series. The fan-favorite video game franchise has captured the hearts (and controllers) of gamers everywhere, and Living Dead has created a cosplay line for players to put in their wardrobe.

So, if you want to add some BioShock Infinite to your life, then you can purchase a Booker or Elizabeth skater dress. Featuring everything from crop tops to loose t-shirts, Living Dead's BioShock collection will enrapture fans who've fallen for the franchise.

But, if you plan to pick up one of these pieces, be sure to check the company's international shipping surcharges. The fee can up the cost of these dresses, leaving your bank account short of $100+.

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Fun Suits

fun suits cosplay

Are you a professional who's tired of wearing the same old boring suits?

Have you ever wanted to pull a Clark Kent and rip off your work clothes to reveal your own S-Shield underneath? Well, a new line of speciality suits by Fun and Marvel will let fans do just that - kind of.

While you won't need to rip off your button-downs, fans will be able to show off their superhero allegiances with these geeky suits. Each of these pieces feature comic book homages that are sure to please DC and Marvel fans.

Whether you're going all-in on Iron Man's colorful 'alter ego' suit or opting for Captain America's casual 'secret identity' design, these suits will bring out the superhero in everyone. However, suiting up in these pieces will cost fans a pretty penny.

Unfortunately, the line's cheapest designs will run you more than $250.

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We Love Fine

we love fine cosplay

If you're looking to peruse one of the Internet's best cosplay hubs, then you've got to check out We Love Fine.

The Los Angeles-based company hosts hundreds of casual cosplay accessories which could be worn to cons or even church.

The site collects clothing lines for over 60 different fandoms, ranging from shows like Adventure Time to gaming icons like Hatsune Miku. Spotlighting several niche franchise, We Love Fine also features cosplay lines for more popular characters associated with Marvel and My Little Pony.

The site offers plenty of licensed t-shirts fans can wear wherever, and it even has a line titled 'I Am + Cosplay.' It's there that fans can find all sorts of everyday cosplay wear for Star Wars and more.

One of the site's most popular items is their Captain Marvel Knit Sweater. The unisex piece features the hero's iconic red-blue-and-yellow coloring. A large yellow starburst is center at the sweater's torso, making fans feels as if they could take on Carol Danvers herself.

We Love Fine has a massive inventory with varying prices. Some pieces may run you about $15 while others may put you out $60 or more. It's up to you to decide which of these casual cosplays you could rock - but do keep in mind that We Love Fine only ships to the US and Canada.

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