Do’s and Don’ts of Fursuiting

Fursuiting has become one of the most iconic and exciting parts of furry conventions and the fandom as a whole, especially over the past decade. If you’re attending your first convention, you may not have interacted with life-sized costumed characters before. To ensure everyone’s safety and wellbeing, here are some important Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind throughout MFC. It’s important to remember that there are people underneath these wearable masterpieces, and we want to avoid any “faux paws!”

Do’s (Things you should do or consider)

It’s best to do this both verbally and non-verbally (for example, extending your arms wide to ask for a hug). Some fursuiters may have difficulty hearing through their fursuits and rely on non-verbal cues to communicate. Remember, cosplay is not consent and some fursuiters may prefer not to be touched or to have photos taken of them while in costume. Please ensure you respect the fursuiter’s choice to decline physical contact or photography whilst in suit.

Fursuit heads tend to muffle sounds, especially in an already noisy environment such as a busy hotel lobby. Combine your words with gestures like waving your arms or giving other non-verbal cues to help communicate with a fursuiter.

. If they are already interacting with someone else, please wait patiently for them to finish and they’ll be glad to give you their attention when they are free!

Especially those wearing realistic-style eyes (they often see through a very small area at their tear ducts!). If you find your wave or attempt to get attention has been ignored, it’s likely because they simply didn’t see you.

such as hallways or elevators. On that note, it is common courtesy to let fursuiters enter or exit elevators first – a small gesture that goes a long way and is greatly appreciated!

A simple compliment like “I love your suit!” can go a long way in brightening their day. Showing interest in their costume, such as asking who the maker is or what inspired the design, is a kind gesture and can really make their day!

Don’ts (things to avoid)

Always approach within their field of vision  (usually either directly in front of them or slightly to one side – directly in front of one of their fursuit eyes) to ensure they can see you and know you’re there.  Approaching a fursuiter who cannot see you can end badly for both you and them, as they may unexpectedly move in a way that injures one or both of you.

While “uppies” are fun, the fursuiter could have a medical condition, injury or have fragile costume parts that could be harmed in the process.

They can usually withstand incidental contact from a hug or by brushing past them, but elements like wings, antlers or props are often delicate and can break easily.

Even with the best intentions and the greatest care, one wrong move can cause costly or even irreperable damage to a fursuit. If you have just finished eating food or have dirty hands, please wash your hands with soap and water before touching a fursuiter.

If you haven’t bathed in the last twenty-four hours, or have recently been smoking, be mindful that smells can easily cling to fur and may be difficult to remove. If you have been smoking, wait a short while and wash your hands with soap and water before touching a fursuiter.

Sudden bright flashes can be disorienting and potentially harmful to fursuiters who may have sensitivity to bright light.

Many fursuiters have made their costumes themselves, often with no prior experience. If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

Additional thoughts

It’s also important to keep in mind that each fursuiter will interact differently. Not all fursuiters will talk, some will make noises or stay silent. It’s up to each costumer to choose how to portray their fursona and encouraging them to act against this choice is inappropriate and unwelcome.

Fursuiting is one of the most striking, creative and enjoyable aspects of the furry fandom, and we hope that these tips will help you to get the most out of your interactions with the many magnificent fursuiters at MFC!

Fursuiting in summer!

NOTE:

Statements in this guide are merely suggestions from the collective experience of convention staff, both fursuiter and non-fursuiter, and do not constitute medical advice. It is always recommended to consult with a medical practitioner before beginning a strenuous activity (such as fursuiting) for the first time.

One of the highlights of MFC for any fursuiter is the ability to wear your costume in and around the convention space, taking part in the various suited activities we have to offer! However, if you are unfamiliar with Melbourne (or even if you are!), it can come as a shock to learn that February is one of the hottest months in Melbourne. In fact, temperatures often average 26°C, regularly soaring above 30°C and rarely above 40°C! In fact, our hottest day on record was on February 7, 2009, an eye-watering 46.4°C!!

Taking precautions when fursuiting (hydrating, taking breaks, etc.) are important at all times to maintain your health and wellbeing. In hot weather, they become absolutely vital in preventing dehydration, heat exhaustion and even heat stroke. Remember, if your health gets bad enough that paramedics must be called, they will not hesitate to cut your fursuit off your body in order to save you!

Thankfully, there are many ways to take proper precautions and limit the effects of our Aussie summer sun, to enjoy your fursuiting experience as much as possible. These tips are also useful if you aren’t fursuiting, but are susceptible to high heat.

Hydration, Hydration, Hydration

We cannot stress this enough!! Fursuiting even in cool weather quickly causes your core temperature to rise, and in a hot environment this will happen almost straight away. As your body heats up, it loses water through perspiration in an attempt to cool you down. That’s why, as the temperature rises, it becomes critically important to hydrate before, during and after fursuiting to replace fluids lost through sweat.

It is recommended to hydrate with water before and during fursuiting, as they work the best for hydration and cooling you down, don’t damage fursuits as other liquids can do, and is readily available at conventions. After fursuiting it’s important to also incorporate drinks that will replenish electrolytes and salt lost through sweat, such as Hydralyte or Gatorade. Ensure you stock up before the convention so you’re never caught short! If you know you will be fursuiting outside for a while, it’s important to take some water with you (ideally with a handler if one is available).

Pam’s Pointers: Before going to a convention, see if you can find and purchase a drink bottle with either a straw or a small enough neck that it will fit inside your fursuit head. That way you can take regular sips of water without having to take your whole head off!

Wear your fursuiting gear

For fullsuiters, this is the most essential tip for staying comfortable in your costume. Compression wear, such as Under Armour HeatGear or similar brands, is highly recommended. The skintight, breathable fabric wicks sweat away from your body, improves airflow, and helps keep you cooler under all that faux fur. Avoid fabrics like cotton or wool, which are fantastic at insulating and trapping heat. This keeps all of the heat close to your body and can quickly make fursuiting unbearable!

It’s recommended to bring at least two full sets of compression clothing, including a long-sleeve shirt and leggings, and to bring additional sets if you can. After one is used, you can wash them in the bathtub or shower, hang them to air dry, and reuse them later during the convention.

Pam’s Pointers: You also sweat through your head! To preserve your fursuit head (which can be notoriously tricky to clean!) it’s also recommended to wear a balaclava. Also remember to tie any long hair up into a bun close to your head, don’t let it sit against your neck!

Take regular breaks

Taking regular breaks is important for any fursuiter, but essential if you’re new to fursuiting and still learning your limits. How long someone can remain in fursuit varies greatly from person to person. Hot, humid weather can quickly drain your stamina, so it’s a good idea to take a break at least every 45 minutes or so. If in doubt, take a short break!

If you can. head to MFC’s Headless Lounge and remove as much of your fursuit as possible (whilst remaining decent!), grab some water, and cool down. Staying hydrated and giving your body time to recover will help you last longer in your suit. If you’re away from the convention space, look for a shady area to sit down, pop your head off and drink some water to cool down.

Pam’s Pointers: During the hottest parts of the day (around 11:00am-3:00pm) make sure to factor in more breaks to keep cool! You may also want to suit earlier/later in the day to avoid the heat. Our Fursuit Catwalk is at 4:00pm-5:30pm on Saturday for this reason!

Invest in cooling accessories

Stay cool and comfortable while fursuiting by investing in cooling accessories. Many fursuiters install mini fans in their fursuit heads or wear/carry portable fans for improved air circulation around their head, which provides some relief from the heat. Cooling vests are another excellent option, they are usually made out of mesh with pockets for inserting ice packs to keep you comfortable for a few extra hours. Top-rated brands like EZ Cooldown, Glacier Tek, HyperKewl and FlexiFreeze are popular choices with great reviews.

Extra prep for the fursuit walk

If you’re new to MFC’s fursuit walk, be prepared to wait on Saturday morning before we head off. It can take up to an hour from muster time to take a fursuit photo and set off on our route due to the large number of participants. The parade goes outdoors and around the back of Novotel Preston to a local park area, so make doubly sure to stay hydrated while walking.

Pam’s Pointers: Our headless lounge is only a few metres from the courtyard where we muster fursuiters for the walk, so it’s encouraged to visit and cool off whilst waiting for the walk to start!

Summary

These tips can help you stay cool and enjoy your fursuiting experience during Melbourne’s warm summers. Thankfully, most areas of Novotel Preston are air conditioned for everyone’s comfort. If the temperature outside starts rising, try to fursuit indoors as much as possible, and avoid the high heat of the middle of the day. Above all, if you begin to feel fatigued or too hot, don’t try to push yourself, but stop and cool off.

Stay safe, stay cool, and most importantly, have fun!