Fursuit

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A large group of fursuit owners (fursuiters) at the FBL convention in 2018. Fursuit group photo, FBL 2018.jpg
A large group of fursuit owners (fursuiters) at the FBL convention in 2018.

Fursuits are custom-made anthropomorphic animal costumes owned and worn by cosplayers and members of the furry fandom, commonly known as "furries"; a furry who wears a fursuit is called a fursuiter. [1] The term is believed to have been coined in 1993 by Robert King. Unlike mascot suits, which are usually affiliated with a team or organization, fursuits represent an original character created by their wearer, and are often better-fitting and more intricately crafted, with features such as a moving jaw. [2] Fursuits are made in a wide range of styles, from cartoonish to highly realistic.

Contents

History

An early fursuit worn by former Disney mascot wearer Robert Hill, based on the feminine character "Hilda the Bamboid", appeared at the first ever furry convention, ConFurence 0, in 1989, but most furries of the time simply wore ears and tails, influenced by their intersection with the anime and sci-fi fandoms. [2] Fursuits did not become widely known until the mid-1990s and the rise of the Internet, which led to the spread of ideas on costume making. [2]

Most early fursuit making was done by the suit's owner using guides released by members of the community, with one of the most prominent being Critter Costuming, a 2004 manual by Adam Riggs. However, by the mid-2000s, the demand for high-quality fursuits was high enough that fursuit making became a viable business. [2] Furries began to commission specialized makers with their custom designs or open-ended requests. Including used suits, the industry now sells millions of dollars worth of suits each year, and organizations such as sports teams are increasingly commissioning custom-made fursuits for their mascots. [2]

According to Forbes in 2018, a few fursuit makers in recent years have gained a larger audience by making mascots for mainstream organizations. [3]

Fursuit construction

A fursona reference sheet used as part of the design and build process for constructing a fursuit Furry Character Sheet.jpg
A fursona reference sheet used as part of the design and build process for constructing a fursuit

Fursuits originated due to the dissatisfaction with the quality of mass-produced mascot costumes. [4] Fursuit making is a growing industry, with new costume makers who handcraft custom suits entering the market every week. [5] A few dozen of these makers are highly respected and command prices up to $4,500 or more for a full suit, [2] while there are several hundred more who charge less, usually between $600 and $1,000. Some of these, however, are "fly-by-night" operations or make suits of sub-par quality, leading to the proliferation of fursuit review sites to weed them out. [2] There is heavy turnover of these smaller makers, with only a third of them able to stay afloat, due to suit-making being labor-intensive, and requiring a unique style and a following. [2] People also sometimes make fursuits from scratch as a hobby without opening a business themselves. [6]

To have a fursuit fit correctly, many fursuit makers want a "duct tape dummy" to be made, which will measure and represent the wearer's body during the construction process. [7] Fursuits are often made with faux fur that may be sourced from places like the Los Angeles Fashion District. [5] A single suit can take more than 200 hours of work and sell for thousands of dollars. [5] [8] [4]

Fursuits can be expensive to clean, [9] although many modern-day suits are machine-washable. [5]

Types of fursuits

Besides the typical full-body suit, the partial suit, where the suit's body is substituted by normal clothing, is a popular variation. Three-quarter suits only include part of the body, like the torso or legs, appearing similarly to a funny animal character. [1] Quadsuits are one of the most challenging and expensive types of costumes to make, and involve the wearer walking on all fours with arm extensions to create the illusion of a real animal. [10] A plush suit is a suit that is made to look like a stuffed animal/plushie. [11] There are also fursuits made of other materials, such as spandex or latex. [12]

Fursuits can range from cartoon-styled to hyper-realistic. [4] The most popular animals for fursuits to be based on are dogs and big cats. [5] They may also be based on fictional animal hybrids. [5] Some suits may include integrated technology, such as LED lights and programmed expressive eyes. [5]

In culture

An individual wearing a cat fursuit at Furry Weekend Atlanta in 2024. An individual wearing a cat fursuit at Furry Weekend Atlanta in 2024.jpg
An individual wearing a cat fursuit at Furry Weekend Atlanta in 2024.

Fursuits are heavily associated with the furry fandom by the general public, despite the fact that only about 15 percent of furries own a fursuit, mainly due to their cost being prohibitively high. [6]

They may also be seen as overtly sexualized due to negative coverage from shows like CSI , though this is typically not the case. [2] However, according to a 2019 study, only 8.8% of furries had a fetish for fursuits. [13] Researcher Courtney Plante stated in 2015 the vast majority of furries "don't want to hear about sex in fursuits, and while they might not reject you, they don't want to know." [14]

Furries who own a fursuit often base them on a "fursona", an anthropomorphic character that represents themselves. [4] Dedicated fursuiters may own as many as a dozen suits based on different characters. [2] Despite being stereotyped as "basement dwellers" still living at home with their parents by many outside the subculture, many members of the furry fandom aspire to be society's highest earners, in part to afford expensive fursuits and associated furry art. [15]

Fursuits are usually worn to furry conventions such as Midwest FurFest and Anthrocon. [4] Some fursuits of existing characters are made for the purposes of cosplay and are worn to anime or gaming conventions. They are also worn in public, though this often requires a spotter or handler to ensure the safety of the performer from things like rowdy people, exhaustion or accidents due to limited vision.

Esports champion SonicFox became notable in the gaming community for participating in and winning fighting game tournaments while wearing a partial fursuit of their fursona created by fursuit maker Yamishizen. They later ordered two new full suits from the same maker. [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Costume</span> Wardrobe and dress in general

Costume is the distinctive style of dress and/or makeup of an individual or group that reflects class, gender, occupation, ethnicity, nationality, activity or epoch—in short, culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Furry fandom</span> Subculture interested in anthropomorphic animals

The furry fandom is a subculture interested in anthropomorphic animal characters. Some examples of anthropomorphic attributes include exhibiting human intelligence and facial expressions, speaking, walking on two legs, and wearing clothes. The term "furry fandom" is also used to refer to the community of people who gather on the Internet and at furry conventions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fetish fashion</span> Extreme or provocative clothing

Fetish fashion is any style or appearance in the form of a type of clothing or accessory, created to be extreme, revealing, skimpy, or provocative in a fetishistic manner. By definition, most people do not wear these styles; if everyone wears an item, it cannot have a fetishistic, special nature. They are usually made of materials such as leather, latex or synthetic rubber or plastic, nylon, PVC, spandex, fishnet, and stainless steel. Some fetish fashion items include: stiletto heel shoes and boots, hobble skirts, corsets, collars, full-body latex catsuits, stockings, miniskirt, crotchless underwear, jockstraps, diapers, garters, locks, rings, zippers, eyewear, handcuffs, and stylized costumes based on more traditional outfits, such as wedding dresses that are almost completely see-through lace, or lingerie for men.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthrocon</span> Pittsburgh furry convention

Anthrocon is an annual furry convention that takes place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, each June or July. It caters to furries, which are fans of fictional anthropomorphic animal characters in art and literature. The convention was first held in 1997 in Albany, New York, and moved multiple times before settling at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Since moving to Pittsburgh in 2006, the convention has drawn millions in financing to the local economy.

Further Confusion, or Furcon, is an annual furry convention held in San Jose, California, each January, celebrating the anthropomorphics genre or furry fandom, including charitable benefits, educational seminars, art shows, panels and general social activities. It was the first event sponsored by Anthropomorphic Arts and Education and continues to be its largest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fan convention</span> Gathering of fans of a topic

A fan convention is an event in which fans of a particular topic gather to participate and hold programs and other events, and to meet experts, famous personalities, and each other. Some also incorporate commercial activity. The term dates back to at least 1942.

Cutey Bunny is a cartoon animal superheroine created by Joshua Quagmire for a humorous line of American underground comic books that first appeared through Army Surplus Komikz, which ran sporadically for five issues from 1982 to 1985. She has since appeared through various other comic titles such as Critters from Fantagraphics Books and one-shots such as Cutey Bunny's Pearl Harbor Beach Party from Rip Off Press. As her name suggests, Cutey Bunny's powers and concept are a pastiche of Go Nagai's manga creation, Cutey Honey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bear suit</span> Costumed character or creature suit

Bear suits are a type of costumed character or creature suit resembling a bear. The first bear suits worn by humans were used in shamanic ritual practices by native peoples. In the modern day, they are a popular choice of mascot, and both stylized and realistic bear suits are commonly used in film and on stage, due to the bear's prominent role in the arts and entertainment. Specific types of bear suits are also used in activism, such as polar bear suits to draw attention to the threat of global warming. Bear suits are also commonplace in the furry community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cat suit</span> Suit made to resemble a feline

Cat suits are a type of costumed character or creature suit resembling a cat, or any member of the Felidae. They are one of the most popular choices of mascot, and both stylized and realistic cat suits are commonly used in film and on stage, due to the frequent cultural depictions of cats. They are also used for advertising, entertainment and educational purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Furry convention</span> Formal gathering of members of the furry fandom

A furry convention is a formal gathering of members of the furry fandom – people who are interested in the concept of fictional non-human animal characters with human characteristics. These conventions provide a place for fans to meet, exchange ideas, transact business and engage in entertainment and recreation centered on this concept. Originating in California during the mid-1980s, as of 2016 there are over 50 furry conventions worldwide each year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uniform fetishism</span> Sexual fetishism relating to uniforms

Uniform fetishism is a particular type of clothing fetishism in which an individual is sexually aroused by uniforms. It is a form of sexual fetishism. Uniform fetishism has been associated with a variety of different uniforms, including schoolgirl and cheerleader uniforms, French maid uniforms, and uniforms associated with police or military organisations.

"Fur and Loathing" is the fifth episode of the fourth season of the American crime drama television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and the 74th episode overall. Written by Jerry Stahl and directed by Richard J. Lewis, the episode first aired on CBS on October 30, 2003. The episode was influential in introducing many outsiders to the furry fandom and presented harmful stereotypes about the community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clothing fetish</span> Sexual fetish relating to particular type of clothing

Clothing fetishism or garment fetishism is a sexual fetish that revolves around a fixation upon a particular article or type of clothing, a particular fashion or uniform, or a person dressed in such a style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plushophilia</span> Stuffed toy animal fetishism

Plushophilia is a paraphilia involving stuffed toy animals. Many plushophiles modify their plushies with a hole or holes reminiscent of those found in sex toys, to allow them to sexually interact with their plushies. Plushophiles are sometimes called plushies, although this term (plushies) can also refer to non-sexual stuffed toy animal enthusiasts, and to stuffed toy animals in general. It is a form of object sexuality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Costumed performer</span> Meetable or cartoon costumed performers

A costumed performer or suit performer wears a costume that usually, covers the performer's face, typically to represent a non-human character such as a mascot or cartoon character. These range from theme park "walk-around" or "meetable" characters, the mascots of corporations, schools, or sports teams to novelty act performers. Some costumes cover the performer's face especially those in theme parks.

Animal costume may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creature suit</span> Type of realistic costumes

Creature suits are realistic costumes used to disguise a performer as an animal, monster, or other being. They are used in film, television, or as costumed characters in live events. Unlike mascots, they are often made with a high degree of realism. In contrast with prosthetic makeup, which is applied to an actor's skin, the wearer is not normally visible outside their movements controlling the costume, although in some cases, part of the wearer's body is still visible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fursona</span> Personalized animal character created by the furry fandom

A fursona is a personally claimed persona resembling an anthropomorphic animal adopted by a member of the furry fandom. Fursonas can provide numerous roles for the creator. According to The New Science of Narcissism, 95% of those in the furry fandom have at least one fursona; with the Anthropomorphic Research Project estimating that the average furry has between two and three fursonas over the course of their life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yiff</span> Slang term used in the furry fandom

Yiff is a slang term used in the furry fandom to refer to pornographic content of anthropomorphic animal characters. It is considered a tongue-in-cheek term in the furry fandom. The term is also used as a way to insult members of the furry fandom, such as in the phrase "yiff in hell". Additionally, the term is also used in the plushie fetish community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Original character</span> Type of fictional character used in fandoms

An original character (OC) typically refers to a type of fictional character that is created by a member of a fandom. They are a non-canonical character created by the author of fan fiction, a fan artist, or creator of another fan work, who exists within a certain fictional universe and may interact with existing characters or locations. The term can also be used in a wider sense to refer to any fictional character. There are also gender-specific acronyms like OMC and OFC.

References

  1. 1 2 Riggs, Adam (2004). Critter Costuming: Making Mascots and Fabricating Fursuits. Ibexa Press. ISBN   0-9678170-7-2.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Hay, Mark (July 27, 2017). "Who Makes Those Intricate, Expensive Furry Suits?". Vice. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  3. ↑ Hay, Mark. "Furry Suit Makers Go Mainstream Making Mascot Suits". Forbes. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Brown, Meg (March 26, 2017). "The Fursuit of Happiness". Terrain.org: A Journal of the Built + Natural Environments. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Wall, Kim (February 4, 2016). "It's not about sex, it's about identity: why furries are unique among fan cultures". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  6. 1 2 Tierney, Allison (December 12, 2016). "'It's Not a Fetish': An Interview with One of the World's Leading Furry Researchers". Vice. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Furries Tell Us How They Figured Out They Were Furries". Vice. March 27, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  8. ↑ "'Furries' Descend On Golden Triangle". WTAE-TV. June 16, 2006. Archived from the original on July 3, 2006. Retrieved June 30, 2006.
  9. ↑ Maass, Dave (October 7, 2007). "Fluff Piece". Santa Fe Reporter. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2008.
  10. ↑ Parker, Sydney (July 9, 2015). "The Fursuit of Happiness: High Fashion in Furry Fandom". Racked. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Ordering".
  12. ↑ "Scaleworx Creations | Bring Your Scales to Life". Sxaleworx. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Furscience 2019 Studies". FurScience. International Anthropomorphic Research Project. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Fur Real". North Coast Journal. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  15. ↑ "The one fur cent: inside the lives of the world's richest furries". www.newstatesman.com. February 14, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  16. ↑ Ashcraft, Brian (May 4, 2020). "SonicFox Got Not One But Two New Fursuits". Kotaku Australia. Archived from the original on May 5, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
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