Costuming on a Small Budget:Thrift Shops

Recently I have been budgeting for graduate school. Creating my own little budget got me thinking about costumers who must work with a measly amount of money to create masterpieces on stage. It can be done, but needs a few tips and tricks to look perfect. 

Every costumer works with a budget, this article is to help those who receive their budget and cry little costumer tears. This is to help with the itty bitty, teeny tiny budgets. 

For one reason or another sometimes a costumer's budget is smaller than s/he would like. Ideally this smaller budget accompanies a small cast with few costume changes set in modern day, but if it does not (which will probably be the case) there are a few resources at our fingertips.  

Thrift Shops

As Macklemore and Ryan Lewis state, there are some pretty cool and inexpensive finds at thrift shops if you take the time to hunt them down. 

Back more than eight years ago I attended a workshop that focused on costume thrifting. To the right are two pages from the lovely handout the instructor, Karen Chandler, gave us. In the class and packet she shows how to take thrift shop finds like a prom dress and salvage each piece to create period looks. 

(For the purpose of this article I am only going to focus on two eras. Take what is here and expand to whichever silhouette you need. If I shared them all we'd be here for weeks)

Top: Regency Era
What to look for when thrifting?

• Uniform coats
• Large women's jackets to create wait coats
• Empire dresses
• Bridal slips
• Gloves

By taking a modern empire dress (in an appropriate color and pattern), changing the sleeves (as seen above right), and adding a neck "fill" (depending on time of day), one could easily create an inexpensive Lizzie Bennet knock off. 

Bottom: Victorian Era
What to look for when thrifting?

• Women's white blouses (high necks are preferable, but easily created)
• Full prom dresses
• Short velvet jackets
• Gloves

Depending on which part of the Victorian era the play is set will dictate the silhouette of the outfit. 
Earlier - Hoop skirts (hula hoops anyone?) 
Later - pictured right

There are many different pieces you can buy "for parts" at thrift shops as well. If you have the ability to dye, embellish, or frankenstein (such a technical term) them, many pieces can be quite the investment. 

Modern shows are obviously the easiest to shop for at most thrift stores, but with a little help, many period shows can also be created. 

Check back next week to get the lowdown on- 
Costuming on a Small Budget: Closets and Charitable Patrons

Tip: Make sure you know if your payment for designing comes out of your costume budget. It sounds odd, but some theatres will hand you a lump sum and expect you to be paid out of whatever you have left over.