Buying a costume or making one your self?

Me an a few freinds have decided to go as a group. We all want to go all out on our cosplay, as in finding everything an making it ourselves. I know a bunch of people who would do the same. Go out find the materials and craft it to what you want. But on the other hand a lot of people get already made outfits for your character an overall it doesn't look bad at all. But what do you guys do when geting your outfits together? Build one yourself? Or go an buy a ready made costume of your character?

well i rather make my costume cuz buying have no effort to it but when you make it you get that feeling that you did a good job

I do some of both. Sometimes there is a character and I cannot get the time to make it myself, or I may buy part of the costume while building the rest on my own. Sometime I make the entire cosplay on my own using found objects I have and tweeking them to make what I need. Sometimes it is nice to buy a costume if you cannot get ahold of the materials or time to make it yourself and at least you know that your costume will be accurate and correct, but if it nice to personalize the costume and make it your own, nobody says you have to be exact when you make your costume and that's the wonderful thing about cosplaying. You can cosplay however you want!

When you don't have time to make your cosplay costume, I think you can buy one by a good website. Now xcoser.com can offer you some high quality cosplay costumes.

I usually buy an outfit, but add something extra from myself. So I guess I do a bit of both.

You can usually find outfits similar to characters just in the high street, as quite often mangakas are inspired by street fashion. Then, you can just add the finishing touches...I find that the hair is the hardest part!!!

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Originally Posted by Thefringedninja

I find that the hair is the hardest part!!!

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You can easily fix the hair by using a wig, and put (a crapload) of hairgel/plaster in it, to form the hairdo. I once sacrificed my own hair and while it looks pretty cool you can do it naturally, most people don't want to grow their hair/fiddle with it that much.

I've always bought my costumes. I know how to sew and I've sown my own masquerade dress for Ponyo once. But I haven't the money or time to make my own costume. When I say make my costume I actually mean making it from nothing but purchased fabric. No pre-bought stuff to throw together. I do not consider those home made costumes. For it to be home made you must buy all of the fabric, sew all of your elastic and zippers on as well as any details and embellishments.

Unfortunately those who talk about making their own, don't know how to even operate a sewing machine. smh.

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Originally Posted by Samuru

You can easily fix the hair by using a wig, and put (a crapload) of hairgel/plaster in it, to form the hairdo. I once sacrificed my own hair and while it looks pretty cool you can do it naturally, most people don't want to grow their hair/fiddle with it that much.

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Thanks for the advice :) I've gone out and bought loreal hairspray and gel (the strongest type) as they were on deal! xD I hope it is enough!

I'm making my costume this year :P http://youtu.be/FKDAYvtvrOs

I am getting my mum to make my next cosplay cos I can't sew. It will be a fun little project for us. I recently bought a Tohru Honda costume online, it was custom made and I'm really happy with it. I think both are fine, though most comps won't let you enter unless you made at least most of your costumes yourself!

i do both and goodwill is a cosplayers friend

I tipicaly make most of it and purchase stuff i can alter.

I always make my outfits (and usually most of my friends and family's as well haha!) I can only really make something that lasts a few conventions though, but making it, especially if I'm making it with someone, is the best part of the outfit for me. However, if I ever needed something to look really professional I would probably buy one and then maybe customise it. =]

Well here's the thing:

Buying a costume:
- - Spend not much (under $80): You're going to get an "Okay" costume that at least people can recognize.
- - Spend more: You'll get a pretty decent costume that will look good and you'll have fun in.

Making a costume yourself:
- - Spent very little time on it: Oh gods I've seen so many bad costumes! But you can't get better without trying.
- - Spent a decent amount of time on it: You'll end up with the same results as probably spending not much on buying a costume, if you have the right sewing skills. It's HARD and takes many many hours.
- - Spending TONS of time on it: This is the only way you'll get a costume that has people fawning over how great it is. It's a lot of work but could be worth it.



It really depends on what your goal is, in the end. Buying a costume is okay if you have money but no time or sewing skills, but don't pretend like you made it. XD Good luck!



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Cons: Anime Midwest (July, Chicago) - AniMinneapolis (June, Minneapolis) - Anime-zing! (May, Iowa)

personally, if you can make constume by yourself, it's much better than buying one. You can choose the material and make or design it easily (small details). However. it requires your sewing skills and your time more while you can save time when you buy a costume

I think it depends on the costumes. sometimes, the costumes' design and tailor are difficult,if you do it by yourself, it will take you a long time but the results are not good as you expected, and some other costumes are easy to make.