Wearing a cheongsam for Kasugano Sora cosplay for the first time while standing at the Chengdu WorldLine Anime Convention venue was actually quite nerve-wracking. To faithfully recreate the vibe of the scale figure as closely as possible, I specifically picked a pair of very high black patent stiletto heels, paired with long white gloves and over-the-knee White stockings. The cheongsam itself is a modified design made of white fabric printed with delicate black dragon patterns, featuring high side slits that made me instinctively hold down the hem while walking to prevent wardrobe malfunctions. The hairstyle featured ultra-long Twintails with straight bangs tied with white bows; the hair was almost floor-length, making it rather heavy to walk around with.
During the shoot, the photographer pointed out that my initial poses were too stiff. Indeed, sitting on that metal ladder or raising one leg while holding a folding fan—along with the black umbrella and black bunny plush—required immense core strength to maintain balance while projecting a delicate yet striking demeanor. My feet were truly exhausted; between the slippery fabric and high heels, my legs trembled easily. However, the atmosphere at the Chengdu WorldLine Anime Convention was wonderful, surrounded by many friendly photographers and attendees who encouraged me throughout the shoot, boosting my confidence immensely. Although shooting was tough, the resulting cool tones and 2D aesthetic came as close as possible to the Sora-chan temperament in my heart. This outfit is quite demanding on posture in real life, but being able to share this recreation process with everyone here made the trip worthwhile.
Next time if I shoot such complex poses, I might consider bringing a small stool or switching to easier-to-walk-in shoes. After editing the photos, I felt that while some postures weren't perfectly recreated, that subtly alluring, sexy ambiance was well captured—especially pairing White stockings with the cheongsam, alongside the black rabbit and oil-paper umbrella props, giving the overall composition rich narrative depth. Regarding post-processing, I discussed with the photographer about enhancing the cool-toned skin sheen and fine stocking texture to resemble a painted figure's finish. Shooting event photos at the Chengdu WorldLine Anime Convention was definitely harder for lighting than in a studio; with crowds everywhere, finding clean angles to avoid clutter tested skills, but thankfully we got several satisfying shots.
In terms of emotional expression, the black bunny plush was surprisingly heavy; every pose required thinking about how to hold it naturally without breaking character aura. The folding fan and oil-paper umbrella tested body language even more—moving them required capturing dynamic motion while ensuring the cheongsam skirt and long hair fluttered in the right direction. To maintain that cool, slightly aloof expression, I constantly adjusted my breathing and center of gravity. I originally worried that wearing White stockings and long gloves would look bulky, but in photos they visually elongated my silhouette instead. I'm quite satisfied with this Cheongsam cosplay experience—taking a step toward trying a new style and familiarizing myself with these props and garments. Even if the poses weren't 100% identical to the figure, striving to capture the character's charm was a fun process in itself. I hope to achieve more personal breakthroughs in the future, not just with this cheongsam shoot, but in mastering diverse photographic styles.