Cosplay Hosiery

Cosplay hosiery is designed for costume accuracy, whether recreating anime characters, video game heroes, or original designs. From printed tattoo tights to character-specific thigh-highs, the right hosiery completes a costume.

Types of Cosplay Hosiery

Printed/Tattoo Tights

Uses

• Fake tattoo sleeves on legs
• Character markings (scars, symbols)
• Mermaid/dragon scales
• Cyborg/robot detailing
• Wounds for horror cosplay

Tips

• Match print to skin tone
• Check design placement before buying
• Higher denier shows print better
• Test stretch (print may distort)

Striped Thigh-Highs

Essential for many anime/game characters:

• Black and white (classic)
• Red and black (gothic lolita)
• Rainbow stripes (colorful characters)
• Asymmetric options available

Popular Characters

• Misa Amane (Death Note)
• Various Vocaloid characters
• Tim Burton-style designs
• Alice in Wonderland variants

Non-Human Skin

Colors

• Green (aliens, orcs)
• Blue (Na'vi, space characters)
• Grey (undead, robots)
• Purple (fantasy creatures)
• Red (demons)

Application

• Full opaque coverage
• Match body paint exactly
• Consider footed vs. footless
• Seam placement matters

Convention Survival

Practical Tips

• Bring backup pairs
• Wear compression for long days
• Choose comfort for walking floors
• Consider run-resistance
• Test full costume beforehand

Photography Considerations

• Matte finishes photograph better
• Check for visible seams
• Ensure smooth fit (no bunching)
• Lighting can expose sheers

DIY Options

Customization

• Fabric paint on solid tights
• Iron-on transfers
• Sewing on patches/details
• Combining multiple pairs

Distressing

• Deliberate tears for battle-worn look
• Bleach effects
• Aging with tea/coffee staining

Character Categories

Where to Find

• Specialty cosplay shops
• Asian import stores
• Online cosplay retailers
• Halloween sections (seasonal)
• Dance/theatrical suppliers