Designing A Comfortable Mascot Costume to Wear During the Games

By Adriana Noton

When hearing the word "Mascot", the majority of people think about sports and a silly giant chicken walking around. The person donning the Mascot Costume is seen during the game, but most of us don't think about what is involved in the design a comfortable mascot costume.

Mascots are so commonplace that they have their own fan base. These fans cheer them on when they enter the stage or field. Even the teams are associated with the mascot.

Most mascots are there for entertainment. They may come out before the game, during a break or to entertain the crowd. There are those who go to the events just for the mascot. If the game isn't going to good for the team, mascots are able to rally the fans and create a fun atmosphere. Their behavior is so outrageous sometimes that the fans remember them more than they do plays of the game.

Mascot costumes are heavy and not well ventilated. While the person inside seems to move around easily, when the costume is made, the person who is going to wear it has to be taken into consideration.

Teams with larger budgets often spend more money on the costumes to have them made out of a light weight material so the person inside can breathe easier. The construction of the costume will also affect how easily the person is able to move around and how long it can be worn. The person who becomes a mascot must possess strength, and agility to be able to perform the job.

When designing a mascot costume, the climate conditions should be considered. The costume should allow for the adding or removing of material according to the weather to keep the mascot warm or cool.

Fiberglass is often used to build the head because it is light weight. Also take into account the persons need to be able to see.

The body can be made out of a variety of materials; like cotton, polyester or denim. Battery operated fans can be added to the construction of the suit to cool the person inside.

Make sure to reach an agreement for the construction of the costume that includes the material and the design. Make sure that it is guaranteed to be an original. You want your team or school's mascot costume to be unique. Be sure to include that the team or school will own all the rights to the design. The colors should coincide with the team or school colors to make the mascot more identifiable.

The supplies that you are going to need, if you are building the costume yourself are the same that you are going to use for any sewing project. Take into consideration that the costume has to be large enough to let air flow around the person wearing it; use polyester fill to give the costume a larger than life appearance; to make it easier to get in and out of the costume, use Velcro. The head of the costume can be made from fiberglass and cardboard for the head.

Hydration is important to those who are mascots. Several people may be needed according to the size of the event. All mascots need a guide to help them. A break should be taken every 40 minutes as well. - 30417

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