Participating in fandom is a reward in itself – just ask any Twihard who spent a few days in line to see his or her favorite actor. But cosplaying (short for "costume playing" as a character) takes fandom to another level. You don’t have to head to a convention to cosplay. Some diehard fans go to the theater decked out as their favorite Cullen, while others have fun hosting their own vampire shindig. Whatever the occasion, here's our how-to guide for donning the getups for Twilight-inspired costumes.

Bella Swan (pre-vampire)

What You'll Need: A few weeks sans tanning or some very fair foundation and plain Jane outfit - a simple long sleeve shirt and jeans.
To Make It Convincing: For the appropriate facial expression, pretend the world is coming to an end tomorrow. Otherwise, don't do very much at all. Bella Swan is the queen of inactive protagonists.
What to Say: Edward, Edward, Edward, Jacob, Edward, Edward, Edward …

Edward Cullen

What You'll Need: Messy bronze hair, amber-tinted contacts and a smirk.
To Make It Convincing: Clearly, you can't really read minds like Edward, but you can create the façade via a cheesy card trick or this simple numbers game.
What to Say: Even with some memorable dialogue like "Hold on tight, spidermonkey," Edward's a man of few words. Might be best to keep it that way.

Jacob Black

What You'll Need: One of those costume shirts with fake muscles and jeans shorts.
To Make It Convincing: Typical Jacob efforts consist of, well, the aforementioned muscles and jean shorts. If you're looking to go the extra mile, rock a (faux!) wolf skin headdress, too.
What to Say: For tacky Jacob, "Age is just a number, baby." Or, "There are a lot of red eyes around here," and "Have you seen Nessie?" will work just fine.

Renesmee

What You'll Need: If you and your daughter or kid sister want to team up, what better way than as Bella and Renesmee? For Renesmee, think preppy with knee socks or tights, sweaters and lots of plaid.
To Make It Convincing: Carry around a wolf plushie and call it Jacob.
What to Say: Don't talk too much. Less is more. Instead, raise your hand and look intensely at the person your communicating with.

Amazon Coven

What You'll Need: If you don’t mind wearing next to nothing, you can flaunt it as a member of the Amazon coven. Grab yourself some faux leather and beading and you’re good to go.
To Make It Convincing: Get some black face paint for the coven's battle look with the Volturi.
What to Say: Talk about yearning to return to your South American homeland, stating how "civilized life is too complicated."

Denali Sisters

What You'll Need: Go for wedding glam (think silver and gold lame that has some sparkle) or designer, ski lodge chic (trendy skinny jeans and a jacket with some faux fur). Either way, a platinum blonde wig is a must-have.
To Make It Convincing: Get a pair of amber contacts for that extra mileage.
What to Say: With a sly smile coo, "Edward and I go way back, like almost a hundred years back."

Jane

What You'll Need: A hooded black robe adorned with a big black ribbon in the front and blood-red eye contacts (for any of the Volturi).
To Make It Convincing: Appear wise beyond your years. One of the most fascinating things about Jane is that she was turned when she was barely in her teens. The result? A serious force to be reckoned with that you'd never see coming.
What to Say: What else, but "This may hurt just a little"?

Aro

What You'll Need: Black wig with a wicked widow's peak and all-black suit.
To Make It Convincing: As the Volturi bigwig, a band of followers could do the trick. If you're flying solo on Halloween night, find the most majestic looking chair in the room, plop yourself down and bark orders at everyone around you.
What to Say: Anything duplicitous. Aro's tone of voice usually packs more power than his words.

Caius

What You'll Need: A long black robe – perhaps an old graduation gown – and a red scarf. Caius' nearly white blond hair is key, too.
To Make It Convincing: Caius is a particularly ruthless member of the Volturi with an intense hatred for werewolves. Don't go destroying any werewolves at your Halloween party, but a watchful eye could be enough to sell the act.
What to Say: Any Bellas in the area? "She's a liability."

Alice Cullen

What You'll Need: Alice is a woman of many hairstyles, but the most memorable is certainly the cropped 'do she rocked in the first film. Bust out the scissors or find yourself a matching wig and top it off with Alice's family crest choker.
To Make It Convincing: Find your Jasper and hold on tight.
What to Say: You can't see the future, but that can't stop you from blurting out lines like, "Mirrors. A room full of mirrors!"

Carlisle Cullen

What You'll Need: Go Dr. Cullen with a lab coat or casual Carlisle with a button-up and a scarf. Either way, you'll need his slicked back blond locks.
To Make It Convincing: No meat for you! As the leader of this "vegetarian" family of vampires and a doctor that must come in contact with human blood, steering clear of the urge to sink your teeth into some flesh is key.
What to Say: Anything to keep the peace.

Esme

What You'll Need: Esme favors a practical but classy mom look. She’s always ready to defend her family. Think jeans, a stylish top and maybe a leather jacket To Make It Convincing: Carry some sandwiches and extra clothes for the wolfpack. Wear Esme’s iconic Cullen crest bracelet.
What to Say: Randomly state how Carlisle is the love of your life and how happy you are that Bella is now a member of your family.

Charlie Swan

What You'll Need: Mustache and a cop coat with a Forks PD badge. Can't find that? A white t-shirt and flannel button down will do.
To Make It Convincing: Like father, like daughter. To really embody Charlie Swan, little effort's needed as, well, he's a bit aloof. Bella disappears for three days in New Moon and he merely jests, "You're grounded for life." Highly unlikely!
What to Say: "Want to go to the diner?"

Rosalie Hale

What You'll Need: Long blonde locks, Cullen crest necklace and an attitude.
To Make It Convincing: You can walk around crushing salad bowls, but it might be enough to remember that under Rosalie's harsh exterior, there's a classy woman with an unfortunate past.
What to Say: Have an arc. Start harsh with "Get a whiff of that. Here comes the human." For post Renesmee, carry around a baby doll wrapped in cloth and constantly coo at it.

Emmett Cullen

What You'll Need: A good baseball Emmett is a crowd pleaser, so a "C" cap cocked to the side with a warm-up jacket works. If you're looking to get a laugh, go cafeteria Emmett and get decked out in all white and carry around a bag of eggs.
To Make It Convincing: Have some fun. Emmett's the most lighthearted of the Cullen siblings, so no brooding for you.
What to Say: Nothing, unless you're challenging Bella to an arm wrestling match.

Leah Clearwater

What You'll Need: Give a pair cut-off jeans that dirty, "broken-in by the forest" look. You'll also need a cut-off T-shirt.
To Make It Convincing: Glower, and get a wolf pack temporary tattoo. Just make sure you don't put it on upside down.
What to Say: Keep asking people if they have seen your little brother Seth, and tell anyone who will listen that you and Sam really belong together.

Jasper Hale

What You'll Need: Shaggy, dirty blond hair and a shirt buttoned to the top.
To Make It Convincing: Jasper's got a soft spot for human blood and a tough time controlling the urge. What's your vice? Picture it lurking around the corner at every moment and as Jessica describes, look like you're in pain.
What to Say: Silence is golden unless you have something valuable to offer.

Sam Uley

What You'll Need: Jean shorts--only.
To Make It Convincing: As it's impossible to forget the "muffin scene" from New Moon, load up on incredibly oversized muffins and give them to your werewolf buddies. However, even with a basket full of muffins, Sam's a hardened pack leader, so keep the expression stern.
What to Say: Whatever is necessary to keep your pack safe.

Jessica Stanley

What You'll Need: Something trendy – anything that'll liven up Forks' gloomy atmosphere. Topping the outfit off with a headband is a must.
To Make It Convincing: Your typical high school go-getter, Jessica's peppy and friendly, but concerns of social status and appearance are always in the background. It's high school; who can blame her?
What to Say: What better excuse is there to gossip than dressing up as Jessica Stanley?

Mike Newton

What You'll Need: A wannabe preppy-jock hybrid, Mike needs jeans, a button-up shirt and his letterman jacket.
To Make It Convincing: Channel your inner Michael Cera, spot the girl of your dreams, follow her around like a puppy dog and then make a fool of yourself awkwardly trying to court her.
What to Say: "Where's Bella? Has anyone seen Bella?" over and over again.

Victoria

What You'll Need: A flaming red wig. Go original Twilight with a "Kiss Me I'm Irish" T-shirt and faux sheepskin cape. Her sexier Eclipse look is all about a distressed 1800s frock coat coupled with skinny jeans and boots.
To Make It Convincing: Get a pair of red contacts and practice a sadistic, girlish laugh.
What to Say: Approach the nearest person and ask seductively, "How would you like to live forever, and be a part of my army?"