Cosplay is becoming more and more popular, and so many people want to make their own cosplays. So many people don’t know where to start looking for their materials. I know I didn’t. Here’s how I budget and shop for my cosplay materials.

The first thing you should start with is a budget. How much money do you want to spend on the cosplay? When answering this question you need to take into account several factors. First, how much money do you have? Next, you need to assess the cosplay that you want to do. What materials do you need, and what do those materials cost? If you find that a cosplay would be too expensive for you to do set it aside and come back to it when you have the means. Cosplay doesn’t have to be expensive, and that’s why a budget is so important. Once you have a budget you can begin to look for materials.

Now that you know what you need, it’s time to find it all. The first thing I do is look on Amazon and assess what my cost could potentially be. Once I have an idea of that, I shop around. I never immediately by the first thing that I see. Always shop around and find the best quality item for the best price. Remember, it doesn’t need to be expensive. You can make something that cost 50 cents look amazing.

When I’m shopping around for my materials I always start with Amazon, but once I’ve found everything I need there I go to the store to find a better price. I always start with Walmart. Walmart has a lot of the same items as craft stores for a better price. It’s a great way to keep your cost down. If I can’t find something at Walmart, then I look at Joann Fabrics and Michael’s. Sometimes you need something very specific, and that’s when I resort to the internet. I also make sure to check thrift stores. You never know when you’ll strike gold and find the perfect piece for your cosplay.

Shopping for cosplay materials can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Remember to have a budget and to shop around.  Those two things make locating the right materials much easier. What do you struggle with when shopping for your cosplay materials. If you’d like to read more about cartoons, cosplay, media, and more please subscribe to Media Mania.