[Momonoka Cosplay] Arknights BW Sortie Preparation: Today's Fitting Record

I only managed to get a ticket for Bilibili World on the 12th, so today I tried on this entire outfit first. Since it's just a one-day trip, I have to ensure my condition can withstand a whole day of high-intensity walking and shooting at the venue. This time I'm doing a Momonoka cosplay from Arknights. Before trying it on, my biggest worry was actually the massive staff prop. I practiced holding it in front of the mirror at home several times, and the grip feels pretty solid. As long as it's not an extremely crowded area, I should be able to hold onto it steadily.

Let's talk about the overall feel of this cosplay outfit first. The deep blue tube top pairs with a pleated miniskirt, and when I put it on, I felt the overall tailoring beautifully accentuates the waistline. The black multi-functional belt is embellished with red and yellow circular metal buckles, instantly bringing out a sense of visual weight and layering. The quality of the long white boots is excellent, and the red criss-cross laces in front visually elongate the leg proportions when viewed from the side. What satisfies me most is the short pink wig; after putting it on and adjusting the bangs and sidelocks, it looks highly coordinated with the pink bowtie around my neck. The bottom of the skirt features a ring of red stripes, which, combined with the red swallowtail-like front hem, gives the entire look the unique vivacity of a magical girl.

For this fitting, I specially took two comparison photos. In the first one, I wore the white semi-translucent tulle outerwear, which gave off a soft, ethereal vibe. However, considering that the BW venue might be extremely crowded and Shanghai's weather on the 12th could be very muggy, I decisively removed the outerwear for the second image. In Figure 2, with the white cover removed, the overall visual focus is much cleaner and sharper, presenting a very distinct contrast among the red, blue, and white color blocks. The red and white hexagram magic circle and the yellow core orb at the top of the staff perfectly accent the entire outfit, preventing it from looking too plain.

Looking at the pace of my comic con preparation, I feel the biggest challenge of this cosplay lies in the details. Although the accessories on the belt don't look heavy, it will still affect things if the waist hanging ornaments sway around while walking. I plan to fix the position of the belt buckle or use a bit of black tape to reinforce it before the official showcase. Also, since the boots are knee-high, I might walk over 20,000 steps while roaming the exhibition on the 12th, so I highly recommend sliding a pair of soft-soled athletic insoles inside; otherwise, my soles will definitely protest.

Actually, for such a vibrant and high-energy outfit, the seamless adherence of the base makeup is more important than anything else. Before putting on the wig, I always use a hairnet to secure my hair properly to prevent any stray strands from peeking out. Managing the pink hair strands takes a bit of finesse, especially the direction of the bangs; even a slight deviation can make the whole look appear overly rigid. I prefer splitting the bangs into a natural curve, which, paired with the little bows on the hair accessories, looks much more dynamic.

To be honest, compressing my Bilibili World schedule into just one day means I have to complete my makeup and dressing in the absolute shortest amount of time in the morning. Fortunately, this cute magical girl style costume doesn't require heavy shading for the official makeup; focusing on the vibrant energy of the eye and lip makeup is perfectly fine. The pink wig is also relatively easy to manage; as long as the bangs and hair sections are combed out in advance, it won't get frizzy when worn.

This afternoon, I repeatedly practiced posing with the staff in front of the mirror. Although it easily blocks my face in frontal shots, it should have a lot of tension in side profiles or dynamic photography. Aside from standing poses, I even tried some simple spinning movements with this long staff and surprisingly found the grip to be very smooth. As long as the angle is right, the star pattern on the front looks exceptionally striking on camera. Because the prop is quite large, walking around the exhibition hall definitely requires keeping a bit of a safe distance to prevent bumping into other passersby or hitting the exhibited displays.

Taking a quick break before continuing to adjust the remaining details. This kind of selfie fitting can't compare to professional studio lighting, but it allows me to know the drape and comfort of the clothes in advance. While taking a selfie with a phone easily obscures the face, the look in Figure 2 without the outerwear genuinely feels more natural with me holding the staff in one hand. The white shaft of the staff and the red-and-white magic circle are incredibly eye-catching on camera. As long as I pay a bit of attention to the balance of the composition, I can capture a great sense of proportion.

The Shanghai BW venue is typically massive. Unless the weather on the 12th is extreme, I should still consider the temperature difference between the indoor air conditioning and the outdoors. I'm still hesitating whether to throw a sun protection jacket over myself on the way there and take it off once inside the venue to switch to the main costume. After all, that walk from the subway station to the entrance can easily make you sweat in the summer. Going to the convention on the 12th is mainly to soak in the lively atmosphere of everyone gathering together. I've already packed my storage backpack and spare tools, and I might refuel at the venue's dining area around noon. For the remaining time, I'll see if I can run into fellow fans, exchange some goodies, or take a few photos together. Anyway, as long as the clothes fit well, the staff is sturdy, and my mindset is relaxed, the experience that day will be great.