I brushed on some of this advice with #KingstonStorm at this year's King Con Kingston 2021 during their panel discussion about 'How Accurate does a Costume have to be?'
but I wanted to write a more in depth article giving my personal advice on starting cosplay with a budget (please plan a budget!)
So first of all what is 'cosplay' anyways!?
Cos-play = costume play representation of a character; either of original design or from a source of media. Although the costumes may look similar the cosplayer (performer) takes no direct responsibility or representation of that copywritten/trademarked character and the company that owns it’s conception.
Advice #1: Ask away!
Search cosplayers in your community - or random cosplayers on Instagram & Facebook. Seriously! It may seem intimidating to ask for help from someone who has been involved in cosplayer in 2 or 20 years but the reaction and answer should still be the same - we help & learn from each other!
I got started asking for advice from my hometown local icon Woodstock Spiderman. I asked about cost, shoes, materials, which companies were better quality and which were cheaper, I wasn't afraid to ask and he wasn't afraid to answer. If you don't ask than you won't know (and most within the community are just excited to have a new cosplaying friend to talk to/hanging out.)
I've asked The Girl with a Great Smile (a.k.a January/Jordan cosplay) a ton of questions and if I don't ask personally than I watch her videos to learn from her. And you know what? We became friends - I consider her my sensei. So even if it's just watching others and not talking (yet) it will always help.
Advice #2: Why are you cosplaying?
It's a funny question to ask, and don't worry if your answer changed through the years, but it is an important question to ask because it will determine the kind of materials you buy.
If you plan to cosplay for fun than the sky is the limit!
If you plan to enter competitions/masquerades than you may want to consider buy more durable and expensive materials.
If you want to start entertaining at parties & events (individually, in a group or a company) than you need to spend more money on higher end materials or at least products to make your finished design look as best as possible. Children are innocent but critical at times - they may have seen another Spiderman before you and judge between the two. Also to join a group/company you may have requirements to meet to make sure that all characters are as authentic and consistent looking as possible.
Advice #3: Comfort vs. Accuracy
Once you decide why you are cosplaying, for whatever reason, you still need to consider how much you are willing to build (or buy) and how much you are willing to compromise.
Things you need to consider when making compromises should be:
- can you see, breathe, walk and/or sit okay?
- will you be able to get in/out of your costume by yourself or will you always need help?
- do you have proper airflow in your costume so you don't overheat?
- how comfortable will it be to wear? for an hour? for several?
- transportation? do you need to make your costume collapsible to transport?
- can you hide some pockets/a pouch or will you need "handler help" to hold important things like ID, passes, phone, wallet..etc.
Advice #4: Plan out your design
It's always good so that you can stay on track to plan out as much as possible what you want to make out of what materials, how big something should be, how things will attach and where things need to be like breathing/vision holes. Planning out your cosplay can be a full scale diagram or as simple as a list starting from the head and down to the feet. If you can't draw don't let it deter you from planning out what you need/want so that you don't get ahead of yourself or miss something.
Advice #5: Pattern everything
Remember that old saying 'measure twice, cut once'? Well it doesn't only apply to sewing! If you pattern out the shapes you are making then you can measure properly so that when you make the final piece it is the right size. Its not fun to waste materials because your first batch was too big or too small or won't fit properly. Also if you ever need to do it again or someone else wants to buy/use your patterns then you still have them in the future.
You can make patterns with anything available like construction paper (my preference) sewing paper, newspaper and a lot of cosplayers use plastic wrap then cover it in duct tape.
Advice #6: Make way for the one time buys
You may have already made budget plans for your materials but you also should plan for your start up tools. Buying things like gloves, work mats, safety goggles, respirator mask, Dremel, wood burner, soldering iron, wig stand, a UV resin lamp (or 3D printer) and model dress form for starters can but a big chunk into your finances if you don't set aside for it to begin with.
Advice #7: Emergency budget
For the sake of your sanity it is always best to try to put aside an emergency chunk of money for any unexpected happenings. Things like remaking an entire piece or buying a last minute product/material or even starting the whole thing over can not only mentally drain you but also your finances.
Advice #8: Math as an Adult
If you're trying to stick to your budget than it is a good idea to double-check a 'good deal when you see one.' Sometimes clearance or sale prices are actually more expensive than what I could get it for at regular price and/or with a coupon. If you’re shopping online then always look at the shipping costs (and possible tariff/duty tax.)
Advice #9: Dollar stores are awesome!
Don't be embarrassed to buy materials or parts you need from dollar or thrift stores. Even cosplayers that have been crafting for years or have sponsorships still use sale/deal items to save on finances. And sometimes you find really cool or authentic looking things! I buy most of my EVA foam from the dollar store (they're sold as "camping mats" in the summer all rolled up.)
Advice #10: Halloween is not just once a year!
Just like shopping at dollar and thrift stores take advantage of Halloween stores and seasonal aisles in 'big box stores.' Wrong colours can be painted over, sequins can be removed and stitching can be taken out. If you find something you need or like than it can always be changed later to fit into your costume.
Advice #11: You do not have to build it all..
Just because it is your first cosplay or you are still new to the community do not think it means that you have to do ALL of the work. There is no clear cut margin of you MUST build it all - you can build, print and buy pieces and parts however it fits into your comfort level and budget. Of course if you are planning to enter competition/masquerades then it is better to practice and enhance your skills so that you do build as much as possible.
Advice #12: Watch other cosplayers
Search the hashtag #cosplaywip - meaning work in progress. Again I'm serious! There are tons of cosplayers out there that journalize their creation progress on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube and many post their patterns for people to use/buy. If you are stuck then try googling the character you're creating with 'cosplay' behind it to see what others have done to help get inspiration or tips.
Advice #13: Don't be afraid to ask for help
If you are running low in your budget or just having a hard time finding what you need/want you shouldn't be afraid to ask to borrow from family, friends or other cosplayers. Sometimes we get so excited that we buy multiple or in bulk so extras can happily be given. Don't be embarrassed to ask for a pair of shoes or a belt.
Advice #14: Reduce, reuse and recycle
It may be discouraging or disheartening at first but recycling or reusing your cosplay parts can sometimes come in handy. If you are running low on storage space but want to continue creating new costumes than sometimes you have to give up older costumes (a fun way to say goodbye is with a final photoshoot before you start to take it apart.) Or again if you are having problems finding the pieces or parts that you need you will sometimes realize that you already have it in a different costume. Along with the Girl with a Great Smile fellow community member Shoestring Cosplay does an amazing job at creating cosplay on a budget with recycled and reused materials.
Advice #15: Take your time
Unless you are building a cosplay in time to go to a specific convention (yay con crunch) than do not be discouraged if it takes longer than you anticipated. Life happens.. burnout happens.. Sometimes you need to take a break from a project in order to prioritize other things and that is okay.
Advice #16: Level up!
If your cosplay does not turn out 100% like you had planned, whether it is your first or your 100th costume, the great thing about cosplay is that you can always upgrade pieces/parts or the whole thing later (reduce, reuse, recycle.) I've found that the community gets more excited seeing 'glow up' improvement when you post how proud you are of yourself then with the initial design sometimes.
If you have any other advice you think should be included in this list, or have any questions about cosplaying please feel free to leave a comment!
Additional Advice: Create a Cosplay Emergency kit!
These are the things that I keep in my kit:
- white & black thread each with their own sewing needle
- one red & black pen and one sharpie permanent marker
- sewing pins
- safety pins
- laundry detergent to-go pen
- bandages & gauze
- a mini measuring tape
- a lint roller
- mini scissors
