Costumes can get expensive to make the more elaborate you get. I mean when you look at professional grade stuff made from the best materials by the most skilled artists...you know it was probably a bit more than $100. But I believe in the power of creativity! We can make facsimiles of expensive costumes without breaking the bank.
Plan Ahead and Research
The best thing you can do is give yourself enough time to work out the difficult parts of the costume before construction. Pre-production is worth while! The research you do should help you find the best solutions, materials and tools to make it work. Giving yourself a long time also with other aspects. (Oddly enough, most of the tips are at their core related to planning ahead and researching.)
Write Down Costs
So I've been through a few diet programs. Most of them have you record what you're eating and how many calories. I hate doing it, but it does make me realize how many calories I'm taking in within a certain margin of error. Same thing with supplies and materials or a costume project. Taking inventory of what you need and doing a cursory price check online can give yourself a rough idea about how expensive it is. Now just like with my dieting, I'm not always great about writing down costs. But when I do, I can take solace in that maybe it's not as expensive as I thought or...
Pace Your Spending
You don't have to buy everything at once! This is again why giving yourself enough time is important. Work your way up to buy the most expensive thing you need to get (a benefit to writing down costs) and then feel no financial pressure when you get it.
Work in Phases
So you know for some events you can have MOST of the costume done and still have a good time! You'll likely be recognizable too! During the planning, if you identify the most iconic or important piece of the costume, make that the priority. Currently, I'm working on a Mandolorian costume. I've got the helmet completed and a yard of shaggy fabric. Just those two things were enough to make me recognizable as the Armor Maker in that series! (You can always do an amusing spin with a half-finished costume.)
Buying Local vs Online
There's always a bit of a trade-off somewhere when purchasing something in person versus online. By buying locally in-person, you get the item immediately and do not have to pay extra for shipping. However, the selection of materials in your local area may vary! This is what makes the internet a great place! It brings items from around the world to your doorstep. The internet may be the only place to acquire certain materials or tools. For me, if I can find it locally, that's my first place to go. However, if I must shop online, I try to buy directly from merchants and avoid resellers if possible. Big conglomerates like Amazon and eBay are convenient buy may not always have the best price (and they can kind of screw small businesses.)
Bargain Hunting
So a lot of local and online stores will pester you with pop-ups to join a mailing list or rewards program. While it's not advised to open a new credit card with a store, but you will get coupons and sales notifications with mailing lists. Bargain hunting isn't always super effective because it is unpredictable and sometimes a confusing deal is making you buy more than you intend. But coupons, rewards and sales aren't the only way to save a little money. You may consider purchasing materials in bulk. It may be pricey up front but buy a big roll of EVA Foam and you may be set for multiple costumes! (Bulk purchasing is really best for making lots of things. Like if you're going to be making lots of fursuits or something.)
Lastly, try to buy directly from the manufacturer. Distribution centers or resellers markup the price to make a profit so if you can, try to buy directly.
I will say that bargain hunting is not a reliable or super effective way to budget but it is a common method and it requires time. Yet another reason to plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time.
Purchase a Handmade Item
Sometimes it's just not in the cards. You may not have the space to safely use a tool or you lack a skill and it would take too long to learn. (We can't do it all!) Or even if you have the ability to create it, the cost of materials put it together would be more expensive than purchasing. There are lots of talented crafters out there and even some produced things. For example, you could make your own cat ears, purchase some cat ears someone else made by hand, or purchase them from a party supply store.
Don't Buy Cheap Tools
When it comes to materials or supplies, sometimes you can get away with a "cheap" brand. But tools, you'll want to invest with a little more discretion. Obviously, if you are using it for one project and never want to use it again, then of course, the least expensive option works. That said you also don't need to get the most expensive brand either. (You can work your way up or make it an investment.) Anyway, the reason for getting decent tools is that those are the things that need to last between many projects. It's also what you need to improve your skills. Cheap tools are prone to breaking (which means needing to spend money to replace it.) Personally, middle of the road was the best route.
Invest in YOU
Speaking of investing. While tools are nice to invest in, having the skills to use them is even more valuable. Developing skills takes practice which requires throw away materials and time. But in the future, being skilled in a thing means fewer mistakes, getting more out of your tools and materials, and confidence. A skilled artist is not defined by their tools. They can make something great with Clay or Play-Doh. Becoming more practiced also means you can complete tasks faster.
Take a course, get a book or follow some tutorials.
Money Tip
Now for something directly about money. This one may be a bit of psychology but it doesn't hurt to open a "fun money" account along with a savings or checking account. You can open accounts for free easily enough. I find this to be a helpful trick to help save up for a particularly big purchase and spend guilt-free. It doesn't cut into my normal needs. Personally, I use a separate bank for my fun money savings account. Because it takes time for the money to transfer over it makes me careful about spending.
This is not a necessary thing to do if you're good about compartmentalizing and tracking funds, but it's a helpful trick. Out of sight out of mind.
And that should cover it. Those are my tips for cosplaying on a budget. Plan ahead and take your time.
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