Cosplay is an expensive hobby, I will just say that much. Best thing about it is that it doesn't have to be expensive! With some patience and determination, you can get your cosplay to any level you desire.Where does the expense in Cosplay lie?
This could be many things ranging from Costumes, Commissions, Supplies, Comic-Con Tickets, Hotels, Parking and more!
- How does one manage and budget all of that?
- No Costume, No supplies?
We all want something that sometimes we don't necessarily have resources for or don't want to break the bank. Closet cosplays are perfect in these situations because they take absolutely no effort and they're just as recognizable today. There is no right or wrong when going about this!!
My go to website is Carbon Costume which features a variety of DIY guides for Cosplay and Halloween
Tickets - I don't usually opt for the VIP sections, I don't actually take advantage of the autographs or any of my favorite celebrities. If you are looking to meeting your favorite celebrities, take advantage of the early bird sales. The closer you get to con, the more you will wish you bought it earlier.
Parking - I use an app called ParkWhiz, most conventions had designated parking but using this app ahead of time can get you a guaranteed spot. Simply look up the location of the event and search the app until you find a parking lot that is suitable for you. Simply pay for it and you are ready to go!
When you get to the parking lot, you will simply show the attendant the phone when you enter. Sometimes you don't have to show them during the entrance but you can when you leave to "pay"
Commissions - Costume Stores are OKAY!!!! it's okay to buy your costumes!! sometimes we don't always have the money for the expensive ones we see on Etsy or Ebay. This costume below was made using $6 plasterwrap and a $22 nurse costume from Party City. Everything there always includes a 20% discount when you go on their website and print it out. So I bought a bottle of blood to add to the dress. I don't buy anything online unless I've used it before. I used a bandage wrap for my head and got 3 for $1 at the 99 cent store. As for the Nurse dress, you can find the exact one here: Nurse Costume
Example:
Supplies:
- Harbor Freights - 6mm Foam Eva
- The Costume Castle *California - where I get my blood, latex bottles and face paints.
- Party City - Not all cities seem to have halloween items all year round but I typically buy my blood and latex from them as well.
- TNTCosplaySupply - this is a website but they have an office in Irving, TX; I buy all other thicknesses here for Foam and Foam Clay which includes sizes 2mm up to 48mm!
- Joanns, Michaels, Hobby Lobby - they are ALWAYS on sale. USE the discount on the website to print in store or show on your phone. Always get atleast 20-40% off original purchase.
Hotels - I only stayed in a hotel for comic-con convention that was in Vegas. I have some sort of weird anxiety that prevents me from going out and sleeping in other buildings like a hotel. Thankfully, comic-cons do have packages for hotels which will help bundle everything together. I usually keep the hotel visits to the cons I really want to experience.
Sometimes I look ahead of time and I will book for those days. Early is better!
For those who want to make cosplays and don't know where to start , Carbon Costume is your best best!!!!
Good Luck :):)
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