Wizard World Chicago Cosplay Highlights 2016!
It’s that time of year again, when convention season is in full swing. This past weekend saw the “biggest year ever” for Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, which took place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. As in years previous, MuggleNet attended the convention and was thrilled to interact with the various Harry Potter fans who brought their costumes for one or more days of fun! Between long-time con-goers and first time cosplayers, vendors, and fans from as far away as Nebraska and Louisiana, here are some photos and stories from the fans we encountered.
Melissa (Slytherin) and Jamie (Gryffindor), sisters from Omaha, Nebraska, as Hogwarts students
These sisters were the first two fans we bumped into, right in the center of the convention lobby. Hailing from Omaha (nearly 500 miles away), Melissa and Jamie were both celebrating their birthday with this trip. They described the Harry Potter books as having kept their relationship with each other strong throughout the years.
Rachel Scott from New Orleans, Louisiana, rocking a self-made Lolita-style Ravenclaw outfit.
This costume was certainly one of the most unique ones we encountered all weekend. Rachel developed this Ravenclaw outfit based on the Lolita style of dress. A white beret was adorned with a deep blue flower, and her elegant dress was topped with a sweater proudly displaying a Ravenclaw emblem.
Jael, in a creative turn as school-aged Nymphadora Tonks
This proud cosplayer reminded us all that Nymphadora Tonks, Metamorphmagus, was a Hogwarts Hufflepuff. Her bright pink bunny ears stand out even among the shocking purple hair.
Gryffindor fan Andrea, who made her 12th convention appearance last weekend.
There is nothing quite as evocative in terms of Potter cosplay than a white button-down shirt, Gryffindor robes, and neck tie. Matched with a Golden Snitch necklace and wand, Andrea pulls off the look of one of Hogwarts’s own students, wandering the floor.
Laura (Ginny) and Michelle (Molly), mother and daughter, pose happily just outside the convention center.
Real-life mother and daughter duo Michelle and Laura Joseph, Illinois residents, turned up in the most vibrant costumes we saw all weekend. Daughter Laura has been cosplaying for three years, and the two recently got lost searching for the entrance to Diagon Alley in the London section of Universal Studios, Florida.
Sara strikes an academic pose in front of the convention’s programming hall.
We met long-time reader Sara in her Ravenclaw robes as she exited the convention’s programming area. Sara told us that she was excited to finish the weekend by beginning to read her copy of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Liz, sporting her Allivans wand at the Kiki Jenkins Illustration booth
One creative fan, Liz, brought Quidditch goggles with her specifically so that she had a method of stowing her wand! She’s been attending conventions for 11 years, so we’ll assume she knows what she’s doing.
Megan S. incorporated elements of steampunk in her cosplay.
This convention-goer added motorcycle gloves and whistle to her Quidditch goggles and Gryffindor ensemble. A very nice combination, we think!
Even Georgina’s dragon is sporting Slytherin attire!
Convention returnee and Chicago local Georgina posed for us in her Slytherin Seeker outfit. Together with her pet dragon, they look ready to face off against Gryffindor early this fall!
We previously caught Book Girl (Megan M.) at last year’s Wizard World convention!
As if balancing a book on her head were not an impressive enough feat, Megan M. complicated her wardrobe further by adding a broom to her impressive Gryffindor attire. This was Megan’s 30th convention! She has previously impressed panelists (and earned the nickname “Book Girl”) in San Diego during SDCC.
We’re not quite sure that this Deadpool isn’t merely trolling us about his House affiliation…
And finally, please enjoy this crossover costume from Andrew, who made us all appreciate that Harry Potter is but one of many fandoms we see represented at conventions every year.
Wizard World Chicago Comic Con was one of many conventions planned this year across the United States. Find out more about upcoming conventions at WizardWorld.com.
