My favorite time of year....

Well, kids, San Diego Comic-Con has come and gone. And even though I wasn't there, I can still enjoy my favorite part of the con-sphere via the magic of the internet. No, it's not the panels or the previews. It's the costumes! (Obviously!)

Now, I could wax poetic about why I love convention cosplay. I could compare it to ball culture as an expression of defiance against the generally-accepted socio-normative standards of dress. I could discuss how it empowers social outcasts. Or I could just show you a few of my favorites.

Some good "sexy [thing-that-isn't-usually-sexy]" costumes:

(I also saw a group of ladies doing a Sexy South Park group cosplay and what I think was a Sexy Wampa (although, admittedly, it was hard to tell. It was basically just a furry bikini). But, while they were certainly creative, they weren't as well done as those.)

These are my two favorite more-or-less plain clothes with a little costume-y something costumes:

Here, I had to pause and give props to these, not just for good costumes, but for great makeup:

And finally, a costume that I've already seen getting some buzz around the blogosphere, but with good reason. I mean, wow:

Of course, there were so many more good and great (and awful) ones. Some good-looking Cylons, many impressive X-men, and a tenth Doctor that I wouldn't mind having the phone number of... Far too many to list! You can check out the 1100+ photo gallery here.

And you thought sewing on sequins was bad....

Came across this article about a costume restoration that left me feeling both impressed and

disgusted:

"A Victorian dress made from 1,000 beetle wings that was worn by one of the

most famous actresses of the era has been restored at a cost of £50,000.

The emerald and sea green gown - worn by Ellen Terry when she played Lady

Macbeth at London's Lyceum Theatre in 1888 - will now go on display in Smallhythe

Place, Kent.

It is covered with the iridescent wings of the jewel beetle which the insects naturally

shed as part of their life cycle."

Check out the whole article right here: A flyaway success: Victorian dress made from 1,000 beetle wings restored at a cost of £50,000 [Daily Mail] And try not to think about the bug-crunching noise it would make if you accidentally sat down while you were wearing it.