Cosplay – the art of dressing up as a fictional character – was once mocked as a hobby, but now with an estimated industry value of over $17.8 billion USD, it’s become a huge part of the costuming industry. Despite the big numbers, however, cosplay can also be accessible to those with limited money to spend, partially in thanks to the growing number of DIY fashion tips available. With a little bit of time and some crafting skill, you can easily jump right into the cosplay crowd.
Choose Cosplay Wisely
It’s a little hard to build a giant rig of armor or wings while on a limited budget; the more extravagant costumes can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. Help yourself out by choosing a favorite character with a simpler recognizable outfit. It’ll be more comfortable for you while still counting as dress-up. If your favorite character has extensive details, consider what they might look like out of their sci-fi suit, or come up with a creative take to represent those details using streetwear.
Start With The Basics
Look for a DIY costume guide to make sure you have all the relevant pieces, and then pick up what you can on the cheap. Consider thrifting common pieces, like shirts or jackets, and embellishing them yourself. There’s inspiration everywhere for reinventing common clothing into something new, and a few dollars can get you an entire outfit if you’re creative with it. Maybe your dream cosplay is Iron Man’s shiny armor, but if you’re on a budget, grab a swank suit off of the discount rank and you can definitely be Tony Stark.
Get Crafty
If you’ve got some crafting skills, you can easily use your do-it-yourself skills to help cut down on cost. Even if you’ve never sewn before, it’s easy to pick up tips on how to modify pieces you’ve found elsewhere or work with fabric to get what you want. Stores like Jo-Ann Fabrics and Michael’s often offer inexpensive training classes, and employees are a good resource when you need to know what fabric glue to choose or how much of this lace you might need.
It Isn’t Just The Outfit
“Costume” is part of the word cosplay, but a real costume is more than clothes. Use wigs, creative makeup, and attitude to give your character some extra pizzazz without breaking the bank. The right accessories can really enhance an outfit, and careful hair and makeup will take your cosplay from average to stunning with just a little work. Details can really matter!
You don’t need to spend big money to join the cosplay community; in fact, most cosplayers start out with simple costumes and work their way up as they become more enamored with their craft. It’s easy to make a recognizable cosplay with a little bit of cash, some luck, and some skill. Even you can be Captain America – even if it’s just for a day.