Work With What You've Got

As a newcomer to cosplay, you can't expect perfection. Even professional cosplayers encounter problems from time to time. Sometimes even the best planned cosplays can still go wrong. People can gain or lose weight right before a big event, items can get lost or destroyed in the mail, pieces can tear and props can break, and sometimes designs can just fail to work out the way you plan.

Unfortunately, the pads of my Judge Anderson costume didn't dry in time, so I

had to make do with just my badges and green utility pouches (not pictured).

 



There is nothing wrong with reusing or repurposing old costumes. Sometimes, you will find inspiration well after the first time you wear a costume. Instead of thinking about what you could have done differently, think about what you still can do to make it the costume you were dreaming of.

This cosplayer decided to modify her steampunk Ariel costume.

 

If you plan to attend cosplaying events regularly but you don't have the time or funds to create a variety of diverse and complicated costumes, you can get away with reusing certain basic pieces. You can also piece together your ensemble using a generic store-bought costume or items from your closet. As long as you make it your own, it doesn't really matter where each of the elements come from.

With a few accessories and some theatrical accents, you could easily transform a number of costumes for very little money and still look great. Plus, cosplayers love to discuss the creative process and explore new ideas!  Here are just a few:
 

A generic Cleopatra or Greek goddess costume can

easily be transformed into a Queen Gorgo (300) costume.

 

 

 A basic cotton nurse costume can be dyed and

distressed to look like a nurse from Silent Hill.

 

 

The same dress could be used for both a Wednesday Addams and Moira O'Hara

(American Horror Story) costume with a little tweaking as well. 

 

 

Even men can modify everyday costumes like turning a gangster

 costume into Jack Skellington (Nightmare Before Christmas).

 

 

If all else fails, you can turn just about any regular costume into a zombie.  The possibilities are endless!  What ideas can you think of?