WIP (work in progress)

WIP stands for work-in-progress: a costume or prop that is still being built, and sharing one is a normal part of cosplay culture.

WIP is shorthand for any costume, prop, or accessory you are still actively making. Posting a WIP online lets you share your process before the finished piece is ready, and the cosplay community uses the term so often that you will see it in hashtags, forum threads, and convention conversations alike. Sharing WIPs is genuinely useful beyond social posting. Keeping your own record of each stage — a photo, a quick note about what worked or did not — gives you a personal build book you can return to for future projects. Many makers find that explaining a tricky step to an audience, even a small one, helps them spot problems earlier and get helpful feedback while there is still time to fix things.