On the day of the convention, I got up early, dressed in Cheshire's Lunar New Year skin, and headed to the OI Anime Convention. The design of this outfit truly carries rich traditional Chinese charm; the white plush shawl paired with the modified red qipao is exquisitely detailed. The teardrop cutout at the chest accented with sheer black tulle adds a touch of subtle allure, while the high side slits paired with white lace stockings visually elongate the figure, perfectly fitting the character's playful yet elegant temperament. The oversized white ruffled headdress adorned with red flowers and tassels is exceptionally eye-catching.
This shoot took place mainly at the convention's outdoor grounds where the natural lighting was great, and the outdoor setting paired with this red-and-white outfit made for fantastic shots. I really love the framing in Photo 2 holding the folding fan; standing upright while posing with the fan showcases the full-body details of this costume wonderfully. I met many photographers on site, and everyone gave high praise for the faithfulness of this Lunar New Year Qipao cosplay skin. To be honest, every time I wear this Cheshire Cosplay, the most exhausting part is the plush shawl; although it looks cozy, being wrapped so tightly in this season—along with the wig and headpiece—makes it very easy to sweat. But as long as it yields great visual results, all the hard work is completely worth it.
I met many fellow enthusiasts at the convention, taking photos together and exchanging tips on posing. Personally, I feel that when cosplaying this qipao-style character, the most crucial aspect is keeping an upright, poised posture with toes slightly arched; pairing that with small props like a folding fan or tassels dramatically enhances the visual tension. Additionally, the white lace stockings look remarkably textured under bright lighting, forming a vibrant and harmonious color contrast with the dominant red. The drape of the headdress and tassels also adds a lively fluidity to the character. Although people often say conventions can be exhausting, being able to wear the costume of a beloved character before the lens and experience the magic of 2D characters coming into reality is deeply fulfilling.
Regarding shooting takeaways, when the light was harsh, facial shadows became quite heavy, so we later sought out slightly shaded spots where diffused ambient light made the skin look much more translucent. For costume details, the embroidery and traditional frog button textures must be straightened properly to avoid looking messy. For the wig, the bangs and highlight sections must be smoothed out so they don't appear disheveled against the headdress. Furthermore, managing the sheer opacity of the white lace stockings is key to elevating overall texture.
I was captivated by this costume the moment I first saw the original artwork, and being able to wear it myself with satisfying faithfulness makes me very happy. Both the cinched waist cut of the upper bodice and the height of the leg slits strike a wonderful balance between comfort and visual appeal. The convention was genuinely fun; although I didn't carry massive props today, going lightweight actually made it easier to capture relaxed, natural expressions in these convention photos. Given the chance, I will definitely try more anime cosplays with traditional Chinese elements—that cultural fusion is truly wonderful. I hope to meet more friends who love this design at the next convention and capture even more stunning photos together.