How to transform a store-bought cosplay

It won't surprise you if I tell you I have a huge soft spot for handmade costumes. Even when it's not made by a total pro, a handmade costume has a little something you just won't find anywhere else.

That said, you don't always have the time, the budget, or the desire to start from scratch. Buying your cosplay is a completely valid option. What matters most is that you're having fun on this whole adventure, right?

Depending on how much you spend, the quality of your costume will (obviously) vary. But even with a super cheap costume, there's still room to make it something a lot more personalized. That's exactly what I wanted to explore with Valky Design, a cosplayer who makes a lot of her own costumes... but also buys them pretty often too.

"Sometimes I prefer to make the costume because I think it'll be a fun challenge.

But sometimes I'll buy a costume because I love the character, and I'm just impatient to have it. If I make it myself, it'll take me 4 months. But the costume… I want it now!"

- Valky Design

So here are our 6 tips and tricks for transforming a store-bought cosplay and giving it a bit more of an edge.

1. Iron your costume

This is the absolute basics. If you really don't have time to pimp out your costume, at least take the time to iron it. A store-bought or online costume is often packed into a tiny bag, all (very) scrunched up. Removing the wrinkles alone can already make a surprising difference.

Be careful though — entry-level costumes are often made of polyester, a fiber that's pretty sensitive to heat. That means:

• Set your iron to the right temperature. You don't want to melt your fabric, right? Generally, it's marked on your iron based on fiber type. When in doubt, start on the lowest setting and test on an inconspicuous spot.
• Use a pressing cloth. That's just a piece of cotton fabric you slip between the iron and the fabric to protect it. It can be slightly damp to help smooth out stubborn wrinkles.

"Take the time to iron your costume. It doesn't take long. And if you're not sure it can be ironed, put a cloth over it to protect your fabric. That's it!"

- Valky Design

📌 An ironed costume will look a lot more polished than a wrinkled one.

2. Check the finishing details

Mass-produced costumes are made fast. And when things are made fast, little details can get missed… So take the time to do a check-up for:

• Trimming loose thread ends
• Fixing a seam that's come undone
• Checking that no buttons or ornaments are missing
• Reinforcing fragile elements before they fall off (buttons, big decorative buckles, jacket lapels)
• etc.

Also take the time to reinforce certain elements as needed, buttons for example, before they start falling off. You can also add a few hand stitches to secure elements that aren't holding as well as they should (like the big buckle on the back of your dress, or your jacket's lapels).

📌 A well-finished, sturdy costume will look more professional.

3. Adjust and alter your costume

Ok, if you don't sew at all, this might sound like a lot of work, but there are surely a few small things you can do (or have done) even if you're a total newbie.

The fit:

Store-bought costumes aren't always available in a wide range of sizes… I've even seen "one-size-fits-all" (for really low-end costumes). And we all know "one-size-fits-all" doesn't really fit anyone well in the end...

Valky recommends, if you're not sure which size to pick, going with a bigger size. It's easier to take a costume in than to try to let it out, right?

"I make adjustments almost every time. Costumes are made with generic measurements. I'll make adjustments so it fits better."

- Valky Design

So, if your sewing skills allow it, take the time to add darts where they're missing, adjust the leg width if needed, etc. Every little detail counts.

Elastics:

It's possible some parts of the costume are held together with elastic. Stretchy waistband pants or skirts, detachable sleeves, thigh-attached elements, etc.

Make sure the elastics are the right size. More often than not, they'll be too tight. And that's not only uncomfortable, it's not super flattering either (hello arm or thigh bulges!).

Take the time to swap the elastic for something a bit bigger if needed.

Lining and interfacing:

Store-bought costumes don't always come lined. It's obviously not always necessary to line your costume, but sometimes it's worth it. If your fabric is thin and light-colored, it might end up see-through. In that case, lining certain sections can really help.

Interfacing can also help give more structure to a section of your costume. For example, if your collar doesn't hold its shape as much as you'd like… you could slip in some interfacing (it can just be a piece of craft foam) inside to give it more body.

The closure system:

Some really low-end costumes close with little cords in the back… kind of like a hospital gown. If you're comfortable enough, swap that out for a zipper. It'll look a lot cleaner. But if installing a zipper scares you, add snap buttons (the kind you hand-sew), or install velcro (anything is better than a hospital-gown-style back!).

Changing the closure system can also mean swapping cheap-looking little ribbons that tie your bodice for nice satin ribbons instead. Or installing snap buttons that hold better (or adding more of them so it closes properly).

Valky notes that on the costumes she buys, she usually swaps out the zipper.

"I hate side zippers. They're always cheap invisible zippers. And on top of that, there are so many fabric layers that it's really hard to close your costume."

- Valky Design

She recommends simply swapping the zipper for something discreet, without it necessarily needing to be invisible. You know, it's not that big a deal if the zipper shows a little, as long as you can close your costume without a fight. 😉

📌 A well-fitted costume will give you more confidence.

4. Add personality

Store-bought costumes often have pretty basic decorative finishes: flat prints, glued-on faux leather appliqués, molded plastic ornaments. Replacing or enhancing these elements is often what makes the difference between "drugstore Halloween costume" and "costume with personality."

There are tons of options for things you can add depending on the style:

• Slip a crinoline under your princess costume to give it real, gorgeous volume.
  
• Add layers of chiffon to your skirt to make it even more fairy-tale-like.
• Add decorative trim along the hem of your jacket to give it more style.
• Swap out generic buttons for something with more character.
• Replace glued-on faux leather elements with 3D pieces (printed or foam) to create real texture on your costume.

"For Yae, most of the elements that should have been three-dimensional were just patches... So I went out of my way to find 3D files and print them, to add onto my costume."

- Valky Design

If you have access to a 3D printer (or know someone who does), 3D printing files can really transform a store-bought costume.

If you have a Cricut or Silhouette-type machine, you can create vinyl or felt appliqués to add patterns, crests, or textures to your costume. My cut files have plenty of options for that.

I also have a collection of embroidery files that can be perfect for personalizing a store-bought piece.

📌 A costume with more personality also gives your character more personality.

5. Weather your costume

What's weathering? It's the alteration of a piece by time. It means giving your costume more history: wear, shadows, strategic dirt, highlights of light. It transforms a "fresh out of the bag" costume into one that tells a story.

It doesn't apply to every costume, but in some cases, it can be really interesting to rough up the outfit a bit, add shadows and highlights, or bring out certain details with a bit of paint.

If you want to learn more about weathering, I have an article about it. Go check it out, it'll give you some ideas.

📌 A weathered costume will have more life than one fresh out of the bag.

6. Don't forget your props

Having an accessory like a wand, a staff, a cane, or a blaster (depending on your costume, of course) can really complete a costume and give it character. Try putting your character in context to figure out an element that would nicely complement your costume.

And if you already have something, make sure it looks good.

Reinforce your accessory:

Make sure every part of your accessory holds up well and isn't too fragile. When in doubt, a few little dabs of hot glue (discreetly, please!) can really work wonders.

Repaint your accessory:

I've often seen props that weren't half bad… but gods, they clearly weren't painted with much love. In that case, it's up to you to give it a little love. It could be just a few touch-ups. Or you could decide to start completely over. In that case, I'd strongly recommend applying a coat of plastic primer. It gives you a solid base for the paint and makes a huge difference in the final result.

Pimp out your accessory:

Beyond repainting part or all of your accessory, there might be other details you can change.

• Wrap real fabric around your katana's handle instead of the molded texture that clumsily tries to fake that effect.
• Add real wiring onto your Ghostbusters backpack…
• You could even slip in a few lights at strategic spots for a guaranteed wow effect!

These are the kinds of things that'll give a lot more style to a prop that didn't cost you a fortune.

Carrying your accessory:

Obviously, if you're a mage with a staff, you'll just carry your staff wherever you go…

But if you chose a fan, a revolver, or a plush toy to complete your costume, make sure you have a way to free up your hands when needed.

• A strap to secure your fan to your wrist, or a holder on your belt.
• A holster for your revolver.
• A velcro system to attach your little stuffed monkey to your shoulder…

Whatever it is, the idea is to make sure you can free up your hands easily. Plus, it'll probably add an element that gives even more personality to your costume. 🤓

📌 A costume with well-integrated accessories is a more complete costume.

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And if you still have a few questions...

Is it worth modifying a really cheap costume?

Yes, most of the time. Ironing, checking the finishing details, and a few basic adjustments can transform pretty much any costume, even the most budget one. More advanced modifications (zipper, lining) are worth it if you plan on wearing the costume more than once.

I don't sew at all. What can I still do?

Tons of things! Ironing, checking the finishing details (trimming threads, reinforcing with hot glue), painting props, weathering... none of that requires a sewing machine.

And for sewing adjustments, ask someone to help you, start small, and go one step at a time. It's by giving it a try (even slowly) that you'll realize it's not as complicated as it seems. 😉

Do these tips apply to LARP costumes too?

Absolutely! In fact, some tips are even more relevant for LARP: weathering in particular, to give your character some history. And the sturdiness of elastics and closure systems, because a LARP weekend is tough on a costume!

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With a bit of time and attention, a store-bought costume can really become something personal and memorable. The key is choosing the modifications that'll have the biggest impact on your specific costume (not necessarily doing everything all at once).

A huge thank you to Valky Design for her tips and photos.

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In the meantime,
Happy sewing! Happy crafting! 🤓✂🐙