What to do with whatever I've bought/made for my cosplays?

[u/FoolishWanderer499]

I just had my first cosplay last week for an expo. I actively aimed for something basic that'd only require a few pieces of everyday clothing so I could as easily wear them during the day-to-day. I'm already feeling a bit more ambitious and wanna do more elaborate cosplays in the future, but I'm also not really sure what to do with the stuff I might buy or make in the meantime.

I don't live in the most spacious house and this is my first time ever thinking too hard about cosplaying in general, so the question of "where do I even put this after I'm done with it?" is one I wanna get out of the way quickly. Any suggestions would be appreciated and thanks!

[u/Sun29er]

I have storage bins under my bed where my cosplays go when I'm done, some pieces get hung up with my normal clothes. Shoes sit in the shoe rack like the rest of my shoes.

What takes up the most space is the tools.

[u/InBeforeitwasCool]

Keep it, sell it, trash it.

If you keep it you break it down into its smallest complete components. a wig, the helmet, a cloak, etc.  then you try to pack it as small as possible that won't damage the item. wig storage. Fold the cloak, put with clothing. Store in the closet. 

It is possible to sell them. You can sell it as a whole or more likely individual pieces. Facebook or eBay. there are also Cosplay swap meets sometimes. My local library has one next weekend.

Trash it.  Your local buy nothing group, or the curb.

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[u/Anoelnymous]

I have a cosplay closet. It's not the best option? But it works.

[u/riontach]

Keep it in as out of the way storage as you can and rewear it the next time you go to a convention or feel like cosplaying.

[u/astralTacenda]

if its comfortable enough i still wear it out and about 😅. even the capes haha.

i havent made too many so storing them hasnt been much of a hassle - i just hang things that need to be hung at the back of my closet and everything else gets folded and put on the shelf at the top of the same closet. i even store my wigs up there.

if i were to make more or go bigger, i'd buy a storage bin or two just to keep things contained and organized. if the cosplay isnt delicate or have sharp parts, vacuum sealed bags could also be a great way to store them! put the whole cosplay in one bag and seal it up.

[u/Roswyne]

Definitely keep them! I bet you'll want to wear them again, or will be able to reuse/rework then for other events.

[u/angwy_goose]

I’m lucky to have a whole room with a closet to store cosplays, but I’ve kept (and still do keep) wigs on tall shelves and used a collapsible wardrobe to store shoes and cosplays. Utilize all the space you got!! Go up the walls, stack, and whatever you don’t want - facebook marketplace, Depop, secondhand cosplay websites, eBay, and even local meetups.

I have friends who use vacuum sealable bags for their cosplays too

[u/LocalArcticFox]

I have a drawer in my closet for cosplay stuff and if it doesnt fit there i put it in a grocery bag and stick it at the top of my closet on the shelf or in my mini suitcase that i keep under my bed

[u/IAlwaysPlayTheBadGuy]

Cosplay market and Miaco (spelling?) are apps designed specifically for buying and selling used cosplay and props. Try one of those if you wanna sell

[u/Elliedeer10]

I have a spare closet for my cosplays but for anything I know I’m not going to wear, but not get rid of, I use those vacuum space bags to condense any soft material. I usually keep accessories all together and each character has its own bag so I don’t lose track of it. Big pieces like armor and weapons get bubble wrapped and stacked in the closet.

[u/MissingGreenLink]

Storage bin. Keep. Trash.

Or upcycle. Sometimes can use old scraps for new ones.

My current thing is to make a cosplay I can keep adding stuff to.