Ask Papabear: The First Advice Column for Furries!
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  • Ask Papabear

Fursuiting Tips

3/4/2014

8 Comments

 
Hi Papabear! 

This is Dawnstar for another letter. For this one, I don't have any problems/concerns to report. This is more of a curiosity than anything really huge or important. 

I've been in the furry fandom for a good 4, going on 5 years now. I decided to join when I was 12 because I enjoyed drawing furries and I saw how much fun people who were in it were having. I'm really glad I joined because I love being a furry and all the stuff that comes with it. Through the fandom, I've met lots of awesome and interesting people and I've been taught to accept people no matter what or who they are. Being a furry is something that's joyfully permanent in my life. 

With that in mind, I've always wanted to go to a furcon. But I've been too young to go on my own, unable to afford a fursuit or build one, and none of them have been close to enough to my state. (Then I learned that there was a con only a few hours from my city. Knowing I couldn't get to it was a bit frustrating.) Eventually I'll be able to get to a con by myself because I can drive and I'm getting closer and closer to where I'm going to be moving out of my parents' house. Eventually when I get a job I'll be able to afford a fursuit or I will try to learn how to construct one myself.

But when this happens, how am I supposed to act when I'm wearing it? I've always wondered this and I haven't been able to figure out an answer on my own. I've seen people wearing fursuits, but it gives me little insight. 

-Dawnstar

* * *

Welcome Back, Dawnstar,

It’s important to note from the get go that owning a fursuit, even a partial fursuit, is not a requirement to attend a furcon by any means. I’m not sure that’s what you were saying, but it sounds as if you believe everyone at furry conventions wears a fursuit. That’s not any more true than it is in the general fandom. (And, while I’m on the topic, you don’t need a fursona to be a furry, either).

Okay, so now that that’s straightened out, let’s get into our time machine and move the dial forward a year or two.... You are now old enough to live on your own, you have a job, and you have a set of wheels. Not only that, but you have managed to build and/or buy your own fursuit and save money to attend the convention that is a few hours from your home. So, you get to the convention, check into your hotel room, and the first thing you want to do is climb into your fursuit and head out into the hotel lobby and interact with people.

Well, let’s put on the brakes a bit and back up for a second. 

First of all, you might want to check the program schedule at the con you’re attending. Many times you will see forums presented by experienced fursuiters on everything from fursuit making to general fursuiting behavior to performing on stage. I would recommend you attend one or two of these, especially as it’s your first time, before suiting up.

In the meantime, I can give you some tips, certainly. First....

Safety Tips

  1. Pretty much all fursuits have limited vision for the wearer. For this reason, it’s best (especially for the inexperienced) to have a handler. A handler is a pal who is not in suit and can help you navigate your surroundings, watching for hazards such as stairs, curbs, electrical cords, ottomans, and such. Handlers will also warn you of people approaching, hold your paw when you’re out at night or in dimly lit corridors, and fend off adults or children who might try to tackle you unawares or pull on your tail.
  2. Hydration is key. You will perspire a lot in a fursuit, so always have some water or other un-caffeinated beverage close by. Depending on the type of mouth (or other real-mouth accessible opening) your fursuit has, you might need a long straw. Your handler can assist you with this, too.
  3. If you get too hot, go to the nearby “headless room” or “fursuit room” that should be provided by any well-organized con. This is a room in which only fursuiters and their handlers are allowed. They should be well supplied with fans and water and a place to sit and catch your breath. Familiarize yourself with the location of this room before you suit up. In general, scope out the hotel or convention center or wherever you are suiting and become familiar with it before you get inside your fur.
  4. It can also be helpful to discuss with your handler a system hand signals to communicate your needs. 
  5. Note that when you are at a convention hotel, fursuiters are given priority to board elevators by the hotel and con staff who may be directing traffic there, the reason being that a fursuiter may need to get to his or her room quickly because of overheating or other urgent biological needs.
  6. In general, you would be wise to wear your fursuit multiple times before your first public appearance. Get used to it, and become familiar with your physical limitations while wearing it.

General Maintenance

  1. Fursuits can get pretty smelly. The main reason for the smell is bacteria in your sweat. Treat your fursuit after each wearing with a healthy spray of antimicrobial disinfectant, such as Lysol.
  2. Washing: Many fursuiters never wash their fursuits, unless they get mud on them or some such. But, if you do wash your fursuit never never never just put it in a clothes washing machine. You’ll almost certainly ruin it. Instead, hand wash in cold water in a tub using a detergent free of bleaches and alcohol (e.g. Woolite). Do not scrub your fursuit, especially being careful of detailed areas around the zipper, claws, etc. Actually, there are a lot of things to be cautious about, so here’s a useful link: http://www.stormfirestudios.ca/careguide.html#cleaning. You can also discuss care with your fursuit maker if you have one made.
  3. Feet: You need to be aware of wear and tear on the bottoms of your feet. Now, my feet have special hard soles on them that are almost like the bottoms of shoes, so I don’t worry too much, although I do avoid walking on rough surfaces. For more delicate feet, you might want to make yourself some sandals (http://dia.critter.net/tutorials/sandals/) or even special shoes. Just be cognizant of the wear you are putting on your footie pads.
  4. Storage: Store your fursuit in a safe, dry, clean place. I have a large storage tote for mine. Don’t just toss it in the corner of a closet, which is a good way to damage it.

Fursuiting Behavior

  1. Deheading: In general (an exception might be a furry party) you should try to avoid taking your head off in public (this is one reason why there are headless lounges at conventions). A good fursuiter tries to create the illusion that he or she is really that character. Could you imagine going to Disneyland and seeing Mickey Mouse in a parade and he suddenly takes his head off to reveal an underpaid teenager with acne and oily hair? Even if the guy inside Mickey is handsome, it’s a bit weird to dehead in public). When you’re in suit, try to stay in character, try to become your fursona—so don’t decapitate yourself. Another exception? Well, in my first fursuit parade (FurtherConfusion) I was not used to my fursuit and had not yet acquired such useful accessories as underarmor (many furries wear a balaclava) and cooling vest. Nervous, I suited up about an hour before I should have, and by the time the parade started I was already overheating, even with water. Well, the parade went okay, but at the end of the route I felt dizzy and nauseated and my heart was racing. I felt like I was going to pass out (and you often do see this at furcons). Rather than become seriously ill, I sat down and took off my head. I think that was fine. Better to have some good sense and get needed air than call an ambulance!
  2. Talking: This is a point of some contention with furries. Many feel that you shouldn’t talk while in fursuit. Some say it’s fine. Me, I have no objection to it, other than to say that talking in fursuit looks better if you have a moveable mouth than if you don’t. Do what is right for your character and for you. If you do talk, you might want to adopt a special character voice.
  3. Do Not Approach Others Unless They Approach You First: This is especially true of children because you could really freak a kid out if he or she is not expecting a big furry animal to approach him or her, but it’s also appropriate with adults. Be respectful. But, if someone approaches you and, say, asks for a hug, be free to do so if you’re okay with that (me, I definitely am okay with that!)
  4. This should go without saying, but don’t exhibit lewd behavior in public. And definitely (if you have one) do not wear a murrsuit (fursuit with genitalia or access holes—dear Lord).
  5. Interacting with Children: Related to the above, do not handle, pick up, hug, or otherwise have physical contact with the little ’uns unless you get a clear nod from their parents. And, if you DO get the nod, do not pick the kid up or do anything that could possibly result in the child being dropped or injured. There are ways to interact with kids that are fun but remain at a slight distance. Some gestures, like knuckle bumps and high fives, can work just fine. Posing for pictures with other furries or with nonfurry hotel guests is also a lot of fun. Also, when working with children, it can help to get on your knees to try to see them more at their level so as to also appear less threatening.

Performance

  1. The best fursuiters are the ones who really get into their fursona and really know who that character or alter ego is. You are, in essence, a costumed actor. Don’t just shuffle your feet around, wandering aimlessly about the lobby—perform! What quirks or unique traits does your fursona have? Express them, really make your character come alive!
  2. One thing to note is that when in a fursuit your gestures will appear somewhat muted by the layers of material surrounding you. Also, because your face will be rather frozen in expression (unless you have a primo fursuit head with animatronics or other coolio devices to make your ears, eyelids and such move) you will have to make up for this in different ways. Learn the art of body language, and then exaggerate your movements—really gesticulate in a broad fashion. Moving your head in expressive fashion can help a lot too.
  3. Walking: I emphasize this because a lot of fursuiters just walk about like normal people and it just doesn’t look that interesting. On the other hand, I have seen some very good fursuiters who walk in such a way that is faithful to the anatomy of their fursona, sometimes in almost alien ways. This is particularly true of fursuiters of the hooved, avian, or draconian variety who really get into their unusual anatomy. Be that as it may, experiment with the way your character walks as an expression of who he or she is.

Well, this has gotten a little lengthy, but I hope it has helped. I have probably missed something, so will ask my readers who are fursuiters to feel free to add further tips.

Bear Hugs!

Papabear
8 Comments
Phobia Rat link
3/8/2014 07:44:11 am

This is probably the most solid advice of fur-suiting and fursuit behavior.
You covered all the bases and I even learned a little myself. I hope they got the answer they wanted!

Reply
Artiewhitefox
3/20/2014 02:43:33 pm

That dear Lord made all of those parts. People wanting to harm people showing them have the devil in them hating what God made.). 1 Corinthians 12: 23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
The parts that are seen by people as being uncomely not having have any honor are seen by God as being comely worthy of honor. People call those parts indention and whatever degrading name. People giving ungodly judging makes people condemn everything they can think of.
This is godly judging. King James Bible Luke 7:43: 40And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged

Reply
Tycho Aussie link
3/26/2014 11:51:52 am

Hi Dawnstar,
Papa Bear's got some excellent advice there.
I think the statistics of attendees to a con and the number of fursuiters stands somewhere around 20%. That means 80% of the people there are just there to enjoy each other's company and see the fursuits and interact with these characters. I would suggest that you NOT get a fursuit as an admission ticket to a con, or I am afraid it will sit in your closet when you are not at the conventions. Worse yet, it'll sit in your hotel room because you feel intimidated by it. SInce they are a pretty big investment (both in cost and in emotional attachment), figure out beforehand how you intend to use it before you invest. Public fursuiting is growing as a subset of the fandom, and that's generally where I enjoy this hobby the most: Reaching out and using these wonderful tools to the benefit of our community. However it's not for everyone. Before you do anything, you have to put together a firm plan. Like Papa Bear writes, attend a con or two first: You might even run across a friend with a fursuit who will let you try it out to see if it's really something you want to do. Fursuits can be fun, but they are also big, hot, vision limited, and stick OUT like nobody's business: So you have to be willing to fill that bigger-than-life character with jumbo-sized personality and be prepared to entertain the people who gather around you.

Reply
Lilly link
10/26/2014 12:44:48 pm

I started my liking of fursuiting and furrys
When I was 8.
I'm personally a furry myself, and I'm
Almost I'm middle school so it's
Hard to make or buy fursuits or go to fur cons
So when I fursuit in public or at a con
I need tips.
I live with my parents and they won't let
Me go to cons for some reason.
And I have really messy pets like
My annoying cat, pink. And I think
That would be a problem with fursuits
Because they would tear them up!
So if there are any good storage ideas
Tell me!
And if you have good tips also contact me!

-Lilly

Reply
Tycho Aussie link
10/26/2014 01:16:38 pm

Hi Lilly,
Some fur cons are more family oriented than others, A fur con is one of those places with not so many kids, but instead has lots of young adults (and older adults). There are bright colors and artwork, but the entertainment is usually geared more for college-aged people. So, it is a place that you would want to visit only in the presence of your parents.

It's likely true that getting a fursuit or making one as a middle school student might be tough, but it's not impossible. Again though, the first and most important part is getting your parents to be on-board with the project. If they are not, then well, they are not! It's very much like when I was in middle school: 7th grade I think, when I saw my very first dirt bike: A Suzuki RM125. I wanted one SO BAD!! ..and never could understand why my dad said no. Mostly it was because he didn't know motorcycles and was afraid I would get hurt on them. So I ended up waiting until I was grown up, and then I got my motorcycle. I didn't get mad about it, I just got patient. I've been riding motorcycles ever since, and they are fine with it. So, be kind, be patient, and be respectful of their decisions. The trust that you build with them will make whatever you do in the future all the more sweeter. (including fursuiting). I know, because I've been there.

Reply
Lilly link
10/27/2014 06:29:39 am

Hi, tycho Aussie!
Thank you for that,
My parents think fursuiters and furrys
Are stalkers.
They also think the furry society is stupid
And dumb,
And that there are horrible furrys in the
Furry community.
But from my side of view I see them
As nice,funny,cute, and creative furrys!
I'm thinking about basing a fursuit
Off of my dog, bear.

-Lilly

P.s: if you have an email tell me so
I can email you if I have questions.

My email is:
Lesproles@icloud.com

Reply
silverpaww
11/2/2014 05:36:53 am

Also I have heard that when taking pictures with children, or anyone keep both hands out in the open so parents can't say you did anything to their child.

Reply
Kaida
1/2/2015 06:54:55 am

Thankyou so much! This site really helped. My goal for now is to bring my Fursona, Kaida the dragon, to life as a fursuit. I envy Fursuiters' abilities to make people's day just that little brighter.

Reply



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