Tips on How to Cosplay on a Budget
New to cosplay and not wanting to break the bank? Or, are you a seasoned costumer seeking to sew on a comfortable budget? What ever your interest, this article will provide you with some tried and true money saving suggestions. Get the costume you want, on a budget that would satisfy even the thriftiest cosplayer.
To begin, let’s say you are indecisive and have not picked a character to cosplay yet for fear of cost. The first place a budget cosplayer should start looking for that bargain costume is… their own home! Several characters, in anime, sci-fi, even comics, sport simple costumes that can be pulled directly from the closet! As an example, K from Gravitation wears a white collared shirt, slacks held up by suspenders, and a tie.. All of which can be found in most closets! If you do not find a piece in your own, you will like as not find it in the closet (or goodwill donation pile) of a friend or relative who would be happy to let you borrow it! Closets are a wonderful overlooked resource and provide, by far, the most affordable way to fashion a costume.
If the cosplay you have found, or initially had in mind, does not mimic modern fashion well enough to be pulled from your wardrobe, then it is time to consider a more inclusive budget. Before you rush out to the stores however, look over your costume. You might not be able to pull the entire thing off the hanger, but there might be some parts you can. Be creative and take liberties when you look, alterations can save both time and money!
Once you have determined what you need, it is time to compile a list. This list will help facilitate your budget as it will give you an idea of what you are looking at. It can also help you prioritize the items necessary for your cosplay. By prioritizing, you might find items, or details, that can be cut out to help cut down on cost. Now, list in hand, you are ready for the stores!
The first major purchase, and generally the most daunting, is often fabric. Here, a cosplayer tends to over spend in one of two ways, if not both; buying too much fabric and/or buying up the first fabric that is similar to the costume they are looking to make. (Check out sites like SkyCostume, they have loads there: http://www.skycostume.com/)
To avoid the first err, use a pattern (you don’t have to purchase it) that is similar to the design of your cosplay for reference. On the back, patterns often have an estimated yardage based on an individual’s measurements. This will give you a fair idea of how much cloth you should purchase. In avoidance of the second err, do not be afraid to shop around! Check the price per yard on any cloth you believe might work, most fabric stores have a discount rack also Wal-mart sometimes has cloth that sells at a dollar a yard. Another resource for material is your local thrift or goodwill store! When the fabric is acquired, it is time for the budget cosplayer to accessorize.
Accessories tend to be another place where the costumer can go overboard. Generally, they will commission the items or purchase them. Rarely, do they consider the more cost-effective option… making them! Mold and bake clay is a perfect alternative for jewelry, metallic details, and small pieces of armor. If the accessory is something larger, like a weapon, shield, or mask, use paper mache and cardboard!
With the cloth bought and accessories taken care of the last thing you will need to consider in your budget… is a wig. Is it necessary to complete the costume? Often times it is not but, if you find that it is, this is another item you really should shop around for. Look for a wig that looks full, but monitor the price. If you are ordering online, keep a sharp eye out for the shipping and handling. Quality wigs have been bought, new, for twenty dollars (including S H;).. So, it is possible to get one within a budget, you just need to look at all of your options. Also, if you order ahead of the time you have scheduled to wear the costume you can save on the shipping and if you style the wig yourself, easily done with a comb and hairspray, you do not have to pay the expense for one premade!
Now, you have all the items necessary to complete your cosplay and it is time to put it together. For those who know how to sew, this would be where your expendetures end! Those who do not know how to, however, have one more thing to factor into their budget, glue. Low temparture hot glue, is the recommendation here. It adheres to any variety of fabric and tends to run cheaper than fabric glue, which has been found to be costly if you want it stick.
Be by it thread or glue you are ready to piece together your cosplay and, hopefully with the aid of this article, have got there without breaking the bank. Save on budget cosplayers!
