Hey.
"Buds" (my way of saying buddies) from high school tell me that it is recommended that you dress up in cosplay when attending any anime event. I'm thinking "Really?"
I'm no Cosplay person. Not that I'm against it, I'm just too "Old" for that sort of thing (or at least in my mind). I've never saw a character from an anime show/movie and said that "I want to dress up like [insert character here].
It looks cool, but I never have been obligated to do that sort of thing.
I just can't think of a character that I would attempt to dress up as.
If you're wanting to try cosplaying, but don't wish to be too extravagant there are a lot of slice-of-life anime and such which use more or less "normal" outfits. You might start off with something like that and see if you enjoy it at all, then move on to more stylistic outfits as/if you become more comfortable.
As for the attending events, while I suspect those are ideal places to cosplay, I doubt it would be a requirement or even an expectation for all those attending to be dressed as a character.
...I might note that what I've stated is coming from one who have never cosplayed nor attended any anime events
so you might take it with a grain of salt 
I never cosplayed before but isnt it expensive to cosplay.
He told me...that which is incomplete seeks completion...yet...that which is incomplete is no better than that which is complete. Do you understand?
sometimes the fabric is expensive, yes, but in the long run it's cheaper than buying all of your costumes.
You're NEVER too old. i'm 25 and I cosplay.
It's not required to cosplay at a convention if you just want to go. You can try cosplaying as a simple character to see how you like it. There are a lot of people who don't cosplay at cons but cosplays do outnumber them. It can be really fun to be a part of a cosplay group, it's a fun way to make new friends and get your picture taken to remember what you did. Cosplay isn't for everyone but it's worth a try.
You Young'in Im 31 and I cosplay... Personally I love it because it is an awsome groundbreaker to meet people and start discussions, and I guess a cosplay is really wearing your fandom as loudly as one can.
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I agree with never being to old to cosplay, my moms loves doing it and she's in her late 40's.
Not always. In my philosophy, the local thrft store(s) is/are your friend. F'rexample, I was in the Goodwill store in Kenosha and I found an absolutely friggin' beautiful trench-coat that I wear for my Tenth Doctor costume. (Incidentally, that's me wearing it in the avatar. That Billy London suit cost nearly $200, and I've been wearing it to ChicagoTARDIS since 2007.) It was a Marshall Field's coat, nearly-unworn. And it was only $10.
And then there was the time at an estate sale, where I found a green jacket for only $2. I now use it in my (Chris Nolan-style) Riddler cosplay.
Generally, I try to take a good look at a character and say, "okay, how would this look in the real world?" Anime characters, while difficult, are an interesting challenge. There are some things you can get away with on painted cels (or on the printed page) but you can't get away with in reality. I may take liberties with some of the designs, but I go more for the spirit if not the letter of the character. Say you want to do...Vash the Stampede. I would tell you to go for "Guy Pearce in Memento but with the red coat and obligatory Nerf Maverick handgun."
Now, the coat itself I can't help you on.
I'll throw in my $0.02.
It is absolutely not necessary to cosplay at any event. However, I think that cosplaying can be part of the fun. It's also a great creative outlet.
With your musical background, you could always cosplay from BECK Mongolian Chop Squad.
You make a good 10.
English dubs rule! Spread the love, raise the profit, get more anime.
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Ah, bless your heart! Some say I make a good Craig Ferguson, too.