#between this and a taobao order i wanna make

[placesyoucallhome]

So apparently, distant worlds is coming to my local theater, because I almost crashed my car suddenly hearing the middle of Answers blasting out of my speakers

[dangerous-ladies]

hi!! i know you guys typically make your cosplays, but I was wondering if you have any tips for buying ones? (I saw the nozomi one on your store) I'm currently unable to make my own due to lack of resources but i still really wanna cosplay!! thank you for your time and have a nice day!!!

We don’t buy very often –– in fact, I think the only ones we’ve bought in the past ten years are a couple Love Live school uniforms (the Constellation ones), an official Cospa K-on! uniform, wedding Kotori and a Green Lantern zentai. We have no personal experience with Taobao or anything; all of ours have just been through direct retailers (i.e. Cospa) or wholesale sites.

As such, the advice we can offer is slim, but here we go!

Take sizing seriously. If you’re buying wholesale or from Asian sellers, sizing runs very small. Shirts that fit around the chest might still have very narrow arms or other quirks typical to Asian clothing. When in doubt, size up. If you’re providing your own measurements for a custom piece, double-check your measurements; sometimes an issue with a final costume isn’t because the seamstress did anything wrong –– it’s because the measurements provided were inaccurate. Along the same lines, when taking measurements make sure you’re wearing the same undergarments that you intend to wear with the costume. If you are wearing a push-up bra or corset or shaper with the finished costume but measured without, the fit will change.

Do your research. Look at reviews and gather as much peripheral information as you can from others who have ordered or left reviews. Much heartache can be avoided by knowing not to order from a company or individual with a poor track record for product delivery, known quality issues, or history of scamming.

Take pricing with a grain of salt. Sometimes you get surprisingly decent quality for a cheap price. Other times you get something below your expectations for a fair bit more. Remember that if you’re buying wholesale, odds are someone was paid mere dollars to put that costume together, and if you’re commissioning an individual, they’re likely vastly undercharging themselves. (I’ve rarely met commissioners who charge enough to be making even minimum wage.) Be graceful if an item you didn’t pay much for isn’t stellar quality.

Keep in mind that many individual commissioners these days are young and inexperienced, or haven’t decided to pursue it as a serious profession. Sewing (or prop making!) professionally is a job, and many people open commissions as an extension of their hobby (or a need for quick cash) rather than any intent to make a career out of it. I have commissioned props from probably about a dozen people; the difference between the work of professionals and the work of students making ends meet or adults trying to make a buck off a side hobby is a vast chasm. That isn’t to say their work isn’t worthwhile –– I love a lot of those pieces! –– but I am never surprised when they blast past deadlines, have rough edges, or too-hastily-shipped paint jobs, never send progress updates, or take weeks to respond to inquiries after long silences. In my mind, as long as I get a passable piece in the end, these are the costs of going with hobbyists, but I think it’s an important thing for anyone to keep in mind.

- Jenn