In today’s morning internet troll, I came upon a little link on IMDb. It’s a nice link that I hope a few of you will appreciate: Dressing Up in Film Love.

Elisabeth Rappe explains why she and her sister enjoy making and wearing costumes. They like the challenge of an authentic recreation. They hunger for the perfect fabric. It’s a valid and popular way to approach costuming and cosplay.

Her methods are not my methods. We both enjoy the process and the results. That’s all that matters in my book. I have no problem making a slightly less accurate costume. Heck, I’d buy it already made…if it existed. For me, the fun is figuring out how to make it. How would an untrained individual like myself go about making this thing that artists, stylists, and designers made? That’s what I like. Can my hodgepodge pass? Yes or no. Hopefully yes.

So while Elisabeth and others hunt down leather rope, I’ll braid some cheap leather strips from the hobby store. While someone goes about embroidering an Ariel patch, I’ll just paint it, thank you.

That’s working with the talents you have. Don’t ever feel like less of a costumer or cosplayer because you use plastic buckles instead of hammered bronze. Don’t feel lazy because you used fuse paper instead of sewing. Some of us didn’t get the sewing gene. Certainly, don’t feel bad if you bought your costume. There are some darn fine licensed costumes on the market these days. There’s no reason you shouldn’t take advantage of that.

Anywho. (Yes, I typed Anywho. I picked it up from my 10th grade History teacher.) The point of posting the link was to show you that there are different levels of involvement. And that’s okay.

What brings you to costuming?

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