Just some helpful stuff that I have picked up along the way.
#1 tip for over all cosplay and accessories!
The #1 tip I can share is, to think outside the box. Don't look at something for what it is, but what it can be. Unless you want to cough up the dough and get your outfit from ebay, Amazon, or some other online store, you need to see those plain clothes as "something that can be perfect with a few adjustments".
Take my vkei outfit for example, It was just a long sleeve shirt and pants that I tweaked. I cut the neckline large, added a silver belt cut in half for the straps; I then added a false zipper to it, for the arms I just cut the sleeves and using what bit I cut, made those straps. The pants I cut and using a bit of fabric from the bottom of the legs, I made the straps. For the "skirt" I used the waist-band of a pair of jeans and a bit of the pant leg, pleating it as it was sewn. I then took different patterned fabric and made the music notes, along with making the letters from white and red fabric.
And the shirt was loosely based off of one of Mizuki's shirts from Ai Ore! love me.
Tip for cosplay wigs
I have bought plenty of wigs online, and I have noticed a few mistakes some people have made. When buying a wig online, if you want it cheap, don't search the name of the anime or the character. When you do that, you basically pay for the name! Example, type in "Lelouch wig".
Of course there are cheaper ones then this, but I just want to show some of the outrageous prices there are out there.
Of course there are cheaper ones then this, but I just want to show some of the outrageous prices there are out there.
That's right $59.99 plus $7.99 shipping. And why is it so much?
That's right, cause it says "Code Geass Zero Lelouch Lamperouge Cosplay wig
Now type in "short black wig" and see what you find
$16 and free shipping!
1. It's cheaper, 2. It has free shipping, and 3. It's styled better in my opinion. Sure you might have to style the bangs a little bit, but trust me, a little styling is well worth the $51 difference!
Bottom line, it's cheaper to search the basic length and color that you need, then to search the anime or character. You might have to style it a bit, but it's well worth it.
Also! Check your stores around the different holidays (especially Halloween) Though they are not the greatest of quality, stores do sell pretty good ones. I bought one this past Halloween at the dollar store; it was really thin, and too long for what I needed it for, so I cut it to the length I required, then, taking the scrap hair, I glued layers in it to make it fuller.
With it I have been able to cosplay as 2p England, Punk England, and Fem Germany from Hetalia. (I can also cosplay as normal England, Pirate England, and America I just don't have the cosplays done lol)
Bottom line, it's cheaper to search the basic length and color that you need, then to search the anime or character. You might have to style it a bit, but it's well worth it.
Also! Check your stores around the different holidays (especially Halloween) Though they are not the greatest of quality, stores do sell pretty good ones. I bought one this past Halloween at the dollar store; it was really thin, and too long for what I needed it for, so I cut it to the length I required, then, taking the scrap hair, I glued layers in it to make it fuller.
With it I have been able to cosplay as 2p England, Punk England, and Fem Germany from Hetalia. (I can also cosplay as normal England, Pirate England, and America I just don't have the cosplays done lol)
And these are some wigs that were bought around St.Patrick's day
This one was bought at K-mart for $10 around Halloween time
This one was bought for $6 at the Flea Market around Halloween time
This one was bought at the dollar store for $4 on sale around Halloween time
And this one was bought for $3 at the thrift store (it needed some tlc but I got it looking good ^.^)
Shopping for cosplay materials/accessories
The biggest tip I can give here is...THRIFT STORES, FLEA MARKETS, YARD SALES, AND STORE SALES! I find literately 99% of all my cosplay clothes and cute accessories at thrift stores, and really there is only like 4 in my town. This is where the "think of what it could be" comes into play. I have found soooooo much stuff at thrift stores. My entire Len Kagamine cosplay came from one.
(except the shoes lol, I made the headphones from foam and a kid's fake headphone mic thing. I made the arm and leg things from pant legs.)
(except the shoes lol, I made the headphones from foam and a kid's fake headphone mic thing. I made the arm and leg things from pant legs.)
Plus you never know what cute little things you will find at all these places!
From a thrift store.
From a thrift store.
From: Flea Market
The goggles are from, a yard sale, robe is from a thrift store
"Spirit" seasonal closing sale
I have gotten so many complements on my cosplays just because of the texture! One of my friends (who also makes cosplays) told me she liked mine more then online bought cosplays cause they didn't feel like the cheap fabric they give you lol.
Bottom line, in my books it's better to buy cheap and tweak, then to kill your poor wallet by buying expensive stuff online.
Bottom line, in my books it's better to buy cheap and tweak, then to kill your poor wallet by buying expensive stuff online.
Homemade special effect prosthetic
If you find yourself short on cash yet need some sort of prosthetic for your cosplay, look no further then your own home (at least if your home is like mine lol). Combo layers of fabric paint and good ole tacky glue can make a prosthetic that looks just as good and playable as a store bought one.
Easy Homemade Body/Face Paint
Need to turn yourself purple for that night elf cosplay? Or maybe you're going to be Frankie Stein and need that cool mint color. Here is a simple and easy body or face paint recipe that is waaaaay cheaper then buying a bunch at the store.
Body lotion+Food coloring
For this I used some body lotion, mixed with a drop of green food coloring, and then brushed some green eyeshadow over it. It washes off with soap and water, and moisturizes your skin lol. And no it doesn't stain ~.^
Body lotion+Food coloring
For this I used some body lotion, mixed with a drop of green food coloring, and then brushed some green eyeshadow over it. It washes off with soap and water, and moisturizes your skin lol. And no it doesn't stain ~.^