Costume Policy

  1. If you have any questions regarding Nekocon policies or feel the need to report something or someone, seek out your nearest Con Safety Staff Member, whom can be identified by their Con Safety staff shirt. The staff at Nekocon recognizes that many people attending anime conventions, and Nekocon in particular, are just looking to have a good time, and show off their hard work on costumes and their love for their favorite characters. We have a policy in place to ensure that everyone entering our convention can remain safe as well have a great time.
  2. All attendees with props are subject to the Nekocon Weapons Policy. Please familiarize yourself with that policy as well, as your prop may be required to be peace bound by Nekocon Con Safety Staff.  A member of staff will review the rules with you briefly and have you place a zip tie on your prop if it falls under one of the required categories. Failure to abide by the rules at any time may result in removal from the convention without refund.
  3. The lack of a costume is not a costume (ex. only wearing a nude body suit). Similarly, only wearing a towel wrapped around you or only wearing under garments is also not a costume. We have no problem with risqué costumes however please keep the following in mind when planning, designing, and constructing your costumes:
    • You may be required to wear a nude body suit under your costume if your costume would be considered inappropriate for a family friendly convention or if the convention center staff feels it violates their image. We encourage any cosplayer that has a question about this policy to contact our Cosplay Staff before the convention dates; or have a body suit available to them at the convention if there are any issues.  The Help Desk will assist you if you have any questions at the convention.
    • There will be minors present at the convention and not every parent is ok with their child seeing excessive amounts of skin. Please remember this is a family friendly event.
    • There will be hundreds of people taking pictures at Nekocon, and those pictures will most likely end up displayed on the internet, across any number of Social Media websites.  Anything you do not wish the world to see should remain covered.
    • Consequentially intentional flashing of any kind (even if you are wearing a full flesh colored body suit) can result in immediate removal from the convention and the Hampton Roads Convention Center Property.
    • Nekocon Staff, and Event Support Solutions, Inc. takes harassment of any sort very seriously, and this extends to harassment of cosplayers.  Any attendee caught taking inappropriate pictures of anyone in our convention space without their explicit consent will be ejected from the convention; and may be turned over to the Hampton Roads Police Department, if the cosplayer wishes further action taken.  Anyone ejected for this reason may be listed as ineligible to return to a subsequent Event Support Solutions, Inc. event.
    • The convention floor and public areas are not changing rooms, do not remove your clothing or change costumes in open space, there are bathrooms located in the convention center if you do not have a room to change in.
    • Remember that Nekocon is in November. As such it is entirely possible that we will have cold weather during our event. Event Support Solutions, Inc., the Nekocon convention, the Hampton Roads Convention Center or any of the above groups’ staff or volunteers deems that your costume is unsafe for the weather conditions we may ask that you change into more appropriate clothing.
    • If the structural engineering of your costume is not enough to keep the “girls” or “boys” firmly in place we may ask you to change into a different costume. Remember it is okay to use flesh colored tops and bottoms in the construction of your costume. The chest area must not be unreasonably exposed. Nipples must be always covered – this applies to both genders.
    • Gentlemen (and Ladies), if you are going to wear a skintight outfit we highly recommend that you wear a cup or some other type of supportive device. If we can clearly identify the “boys”, “girls”, or other naughty bits we will ask you to change your costume.
    • Roller Skates, Roller Blades and Heely Shoes may not be worn on convention center property.
    •  Stilts may only be worn on the convention center first floor and outdoors unless Event Support Solutions, Inc., the Nekocon convention, the Hampton Roads Convention Center or any of the above groups’ staff or volunteers deems that you pose a danger to yourself or other convention attendees.
    •  Body paint and dried liquids (such as fake blood) are allowed as part of your costume but must be properly sealed so it does not rub off, to prevent damage of the convention space and/or the costumes or clothing of other attendees. If we see you are making a mess you will be asked to leave.
  4. Masks may be worn by attendees with the following exceptions:
    •  Masks may not impair your vision. Event Support Solutions, Inc., the Nekocon convention, the Hampton Roads Convention Center or any of the above groups’ staff or volunteers may ask to inspect your mask to verify that it does not impair your vision. If Event Support Solutions, Inc., the Nekocon convention, the Hampton Roads Convention Center or any of the above groups’ staff or volunteers determines that your mask impairs your vision you will not be allowed to continue wearing your mask. If you continue to wear your mask after this determination has been made it may result in ejection from the convention. An exception is made if you wish to carry around your mask and put in on and off to pose for pictures.
    •  If at any time for any reason any member of Event Support Solutions, Inc., the Nekocon convention, the Hampton Roads Convention Center or any of the above groups’ staff or volunteers ask you to remove your mask you must do so immediately. Failure to do so will result in ejection from the convention.
  5. Staff will attempt to give advanced notice for any events that specifically prohibit full-face cosplay masks. The following events/locations may require such:
    • Exhibit Hall
    • Both the Friday and Saturday night dances
    • Any concerts
  6. Props may be carried with the following rules:
    • All props must conform to the weapons policy.
    • Large props are not allowed in all areas of the convention (Ex. Exhibit Hall and Main Events). Please plan to store any large props in either your hotel room (Or a friend’s hotel room), vehicle, or other storage arrangement before entering these areas.
    • Event Support Solutions, Inc., the Nekocon convention, the Hampton Roads Convention Center or any of the above groups’ staff or volunteers will not watch or hold any props for you
    • Event Support Solutions, Inc., the Nekocon convention, the Hampton Roads Convention Center or any of the above groups’ staff or volunteers are not responsible for any lost or misplaced props.
  7. Please note that the Costume Policy is subject to change before, during, or after the convention, and changes may be made with or without advance notice or written notification. The Nekocon Convention Chairman, Division Heads of Cosplay or Logistics, Department Head of Convention Safety, or their designee, as well as the Hampton Roads Convention Center Staff (As directed through Nekocon staff) have the right to reject any costume for any reason. All decisions in this are final.