r/CosplayHelp • u/RamuneDog21 • May 17 '26
Buying Best way to flatten stomach for cosplay?
I really want to cosplay Mira to a convention in late July but the thing is I have an “apron belly” (or whatever it is called). It is a huge insecurity of mine and whenever I cosplay a character I always strive to be as accurate as possible (i am very strict on myself when it comes to accuracy 😭). I was wondering if anyone knew anything that I can buy or do in order to flatten my stomach. I am okay with it being visible but I don’t want it to be obvious (example: a black corset). Any advice would be very appreciated!!
86
u/snailhelper May 17 '26
I recommend shapewear, I’ve used it mostly to reduce underwear lines in spandex cosplay but it does keep everything tight. Someone with more experience flattening parts of the body may have a better recommendation. You can buy shapewear online or in many department stores. It usually comes in various nude shades so you can have that slip of skin between the crop top and the high waisted skirt look bare while actually keeping you covered and shaped.
84
u/yodaisjustokay May 17 '26
You can take a note from drag and pad out the surrounding areas to create the appearance of flatness. So, hip pads + a lil under belly cushion (foam shaped like a fanny pack) + tights + spanks It will be extremely hot so make sure you take lots of breaks and drink water!
214
u/Definitelymarlyn May 17 '26
I understand that you're strict with yourself, but as you'll understand, you can't be strict with everything. I personally am a somewhat chubby girl and I would love to look as much as possible to the cosplays I do, but sometimes it's impossible. For example, if I want to cosplay a character who is 1.54 meters tall, it's impossible for me to be the same height because I'm 1.63 meters tall. I'm not sure what to tell you specifically to help you with this issue, since it's a character whose abdomen is visible, but what I can tell you is that if you don't end up looking like the character, that's normal; it's a drawing, and you're a person with organs that create a relief in the abdominal area.
50
u/frogspeedbaby May 17 '26
Fr you can't try to force yourself to be accurate to unrealistic standards. This character is very skinny and not real. You have a real life body that sustains you and it's nothing to be ashamed of. I hope you find a solution that makes you feel comfortable op, but mira is an animated barbie and most people will never look as flat as she is.
47
u/amalie4518 May 17 '26
I was on board until you said the apron tummy comes from being a person with organs. All humans have organs in their abdomen whether they are slim in their midsection or not. When I was trying to lose weight, that kind of comment felt dismissive like girl we both know that’s not my organs..
29
u/Any_Description_4204 May 17 '26
The belly is not organs sure, but cartoon characters will have cartoon proportions. Comparing your body to a character is a battle you’re never gonna win
15
u/Pop-girlies May 17 '26 edited May 17 '26
Idk if the commenter meant it that way but I agree. When people say it’s not fat but organs, it’s just funny to me because while it’s trying to be supportive it still kinda fears fat in a way (unintentionally I bet)
7
u/Definitelymarlyn May 17 '26
What I mean is that, apart from the fat factor, even a thin person isn't going to look that way because of the organ issue 🥹
1
u/Pop-girlies May 17 '26 edited May 17 '26
Oh, sorry! 😭 Half of me was conflicted on if you did mean it that way or not. I agree with you then of course, I don't know a single person isn't wider than them because you know rib cage
3
3
u/Definitelymarlyn May 17 '26
Let's see, maybe I explained myself a little badly, but I imagined that OP was naturally thin, and well, jokingly, if you compare it to the character, obviously you're going to look heavier because it's a drawing, not something realistic. Maybe I was wrong about OP being thin; I'm Spanish and I might have translated it wrong. Sorry for the misunderstanding, but I just wanted to say that it doesn't really matter what your weight is, that body type is impossible to have if you have organs 🥹
18
u/JeiCos May 17 '26
The best option will be shapewear. You can buy things that loop similar to leotards, that are made of stretchy material, and you buy it small enough that it helps flatten the stomach out without causing pain. They can be bought at places like walmart, or other similar types of stores that sell clothing of all styles and types. You can even get them on amazon, but you can't try them on until you receive them, so the process takes longer if you get one that isn't the right size and you have to return it for something else.
38
May 17 '26
Step one: Accept that you are not a cartoon character.
Step two: Skin-colored shapewear, or adjust the costume to not be cropped.
(…)
Step ??: At the con, look around at all the plus-sized cosplayers and wonder whether your own shape really matters that much. I‘ve seen a very chubby Sailor Moon, and she was absolutely slaying in that outfit.
14
u/sennkestra May 17 '26
If you do decide to try some kind of shapewear but don't want to worry about colors or patterns, or if you want something lighter to just cover things up a little, you could get a skin colored leotard or bodysuit to wear under the main costume. They're pretty popular with cosplayers and dancers and other performers who want to wear "revealing" outfits without showing their own skins (whether for modesty, because of body insecurities, for a more artificially smooth anime character look, or just because they get cold)
13
u/shortnanxious May 17 '26
Then what you strive for is costume accuracy. Size isn't a requirement to cosplay a character. Sure it helps you feel more accurate, but truthfully could any human look like Mira? No. Not naturally. You don't need to look like the character to win a cosplay contest as an example. You don't need to shrink or change yourself just to cosplay someone. Take pride in your work and that will come across regardless of your size or your insecurities.
12
u/GullibleEnd6737 May 17 '26
I looove full body dancer tights. Makes my cellulite on my legs disappear and flattens the tummy nicely! Capezio is my favorite brand
5
8
u/chaotic-birdie May 17 '26
dont try to change your body for a costume, I promise you your stomach is perfectly fine just the way it is.
7
4
u/secretbloop May 17 '26
While I agree with the majority saying your body is your body and in no way effects the accuracy of a costume, I'm looking at this outfit and I'm having a hard time understanding where you'd even see an apron belly since it's a pretty high waisted skirt and crop top. As long as the skirt is a non stretch material (like denim) or a sturdy minimal stretch fabric (like a thick scuba) you should look pretty snatched with no pull or tightness on the apron belly area.
2
u/royalerebelle May 17 '26
So I’m someone with a B belly, basically an apron belly with a small bump under my breasts
I use shapewear. It won’t make you completely flat but it still helps. I like the brands Shapermint and Feelingirl
2
2
u/Temporary_Being1330 May 18 '26
In addition to what everyone’s saying, you can also make the skirt flare out a little like an A-line instead of staying super skintight, to not accentuate the bottom of your stomach curving back in!
This is why I like A-line skirts instead of pencil skirts, cause I’ve also got a bit of a belly pouch
3
u/Lower_Swim824 May 17 '26
An apron belly wouldn't even be visible in this with just a pair of shape wear underwear and a quality skirt. If you cheap out on the skirt and it has thin fabric then it's going to cling and show off any lumps and bumps. Try to find a thicker material, ideally denim, and you'll be fine. Sizing up on the skirt can help as well, tight also can be clingy and show off curvature
4
u/mental_r0bot May 17 '26
Shapewear can help but just remember you are a real person, the character isnt
2
u/NO_GOOD_NAMES_EVER May 17 '26
You could go with a corset but cover with a skin toned shape wear that people are mentioning. That might be the best of both worlds and keep accuracy
1
1
u/letsgetpunk May 17 '26
I just got some nude shapewear from Walmart to help with mine. It also helps with modesty if you feel uncomfy showing a lot of skin in sexier outfits
1
u/nyavarice May 17 '26
Hmm, the way her skirt is build, it could have enough structure to retain it's shape regardless of your belly - it just has to be long enough to cover it and made out of sturdy material. I've noticed you weren't a fan of shape wear, but what about having another skirt or shorts underneath?
I also have no idea if it's achievable, but what if you just... added boning to the skirt? You know, like a corset?
1
u/lizard-garbage May 17 '26
I think a thick skirt (denim) and some skin color bike shorts/shape wear will work fine but it seems to be high waisted so maybe just shapewear under the skirt
1
1
u/catmamaO4 May 19 '26
you do not need to flatten your stomach for a cosplay. you should adjust your cosplay to fit your body comfortably! maybe a looser skirt and hiked up more instead of a skin tight skirt. little changes to cosplays to accomodate yourself is nothing to be ashamed of. i find it really endearing and cool to see how people personalize their cosplays to accomodate their body type, skin color, hair texture, or disabilities. i know you wanna be a carbon copy, but dont hurt yourself trying to match cartoon porportions. if you really insist on flattening your stomach, aside from exercising, shapewear would be the way to go! you can get it in nude so you can still have the gap between the shirt and skirt! you can even get shapewear that has shorts too so you dont have to worry about how short your skirt is!
1
u/catmamaO4 May 19 '26
also please always read instructions on shapewear and do not wear it for longer than recommended. the look is not worth your lungs collapsing. make sure you can breathe!
1
u/Soitsrae May 19 '26
I used to be a lot lighter, enough to pass as skinnier characters with shapewear. What I did was use skin toned shapewear. There’s ones that look like a doll sized one…those are my favorite. It really flattens my tummy and makes my waist look thinner too.
1
u/RoyalFlame598 May 21 '26
Shape wear is definitely a way to do it. This for of a men thing(from what I've seen) I wanna mention, but we may also wear support belts (which are mainly used for heavy lifting and workouts of more extreme degrees).
They're something that I've found helps me out because I'm a fat bastard as helps me my posture straight and keeps me mentally aware of my figure.
But that aside, I'd recommend try go go working out a bit and dieting if it's a significant insecurity. Not shaming or insulting you, heck I'm trying to do the same thing, so it may help you build confidence in yourself and benefit your health as well :) I'm rather insecure about my body myself, which is why I've mostly done armored cosplays(my poor kneecaps and ankles lmao) until now.
1
u/WorkingSea4266 May 23 '26
a skin-color compression shirt or shapewear! medical tape/ cosplay tape can also be good for giving support and shaping.
remember, you look great no matter what! good luck!
-1
u/tinkool-time May 22 '26
You could always, I don't know, work out?
1
u/Fit-Stranger-7806 May 24 '26
Working out doesn't always get rid of an apron belly especially to the point where it's flat, most people have to get surgery after weight loss cus of the extra skin
-3
u/AutoModerator May 17 '26
We detect that you may be a looking to buy your cosplay or buy pieces for your cosplay. If you're not, please disregard :) Please refer to our FAQ for some recommendations. While we can provide search terms that might help you with finding your cosplay pieces, commenters are not your personal shopper and please do not treat us as such. Remember that not all cosplays can be found ready-made so be prepared to look for similar pieces to put it together yourself.
It is helpful to include your budget (be precise -- "cheap" can be different per person), your location/country (US shipping vs EU shipping would be very different), and timeline if applicable. Keep in mind many pre-made cosplay shops can have a long shipping time so it's best to plan months in ahead.
If the item is suspiciously cheaper than all other competitors or it's a common stock photo, please be wary and do your own research. If someone is offering to make it for you aka commissions, RESEARCH their post history.
This is an automated action based on keywords. Your post has not been removed. If this does not apply, please ignore. If FAQ does not work, try viewing on web or updating your app. Reddit currently has a bug with wikis.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
413
u/prettibyrd May 17 '26
I would recommend looking into shape wear!! I used to use that for cosplays where I would be wearing something tight fitting around my stomach. You can find spanx that wear like shorts that are super high waisted to cover your tummy, or even like a leotard where it’s a one-piece