Cosplay Fabric Guide: Recommended Fabrics/Materials for Cosplay & Costumes

Hello! This time, I want to share about materials I usually use to make cosplay costumes. There are so many types materials for making costumes. Choosing the right one is also not easy. You have to be careful if you want to select materials for costumes. OK! Let’s get started!

When there is an order for a cosplay costume commission, I recommend materials for the costume. I also look at what each part of the costume looks like. Is it a dress, blouse, pants, skirt, or bodysuit? Then, I will look at the character or costume reference the client gave. After that, the client and I will discuss, because the client also plays a significant role, whether is comfortable with the material chosen, whether it matches the reference, and most importantly, the result!

Here is the list of materials to make cosplay costumes:

Canvas
Canvas is a polyester blend material. This material is strong, thick, and textured, one of the suitable options for the Noctis Final Fantasy XV costume. I can also use this material for tote bags, pouches, shoes, and other crafts.

Chiffon
Chiffon is a lightweight, sheer, see-through, and fall fabric. I use this fabric for clothes with draping techniques. This fabric is perfect. This fabric also gives a luxurious and elegant impression. It is pretty tricky to cut and sew, and you must be extra careful when wearing and washing it. Usually, chiffon is used to make party dresses, scarves, and blouses.

Cotton
I typically use 100% Japanese cotton because it has the smoothest texture, absorbs sweat, and is slightly more expensive than regular cotton. This material is comfortable in tropical areas. It is also readily available at fabric stores. This material is suitable for making seifuku. However, this cotton is easily scuffed. You have to press it diligently during the sewing process per part.

Drill
This material is a blend of cotton and polyester. The texture is more substantial than cotton and also thicker. They are generally for uniform material.

Flannel
This material can be an option for those who want to make winter-style capes and coats but don’t want to use wool. The material tends to be thin and light. Some flannel types are warm but not easily wrinkled. This flannel fabric has many motifs. One of my favorites is the Tartan / Plaid pattern.

Faux fur
I use this material for combinations according to costume references. When cutting the material, you have to be very careful. And the type I use is synthetic fur.

Jacquard
Well, this is the mainstay material even though the price is expensive. The texture is mainly embossed, sometimes using metallic gold thread; the motifs and colors are pretty and luxurious. Many say it’s like curtain fabric. The inside of this fabric is usually rough and itchy, so you must use a lining if you want to use this material. The price can be pretty high. Usually, I use this material by request.

Lace
Lace is one of my favorite materials, whether for a Victorian-style costume, lolita, or maybe just fringe, or put in several places for details, for example, under the wrist, collar, or pocket. This material is better known as brocade. The price varies, ranging from tens of thousands to millions IDR. The impression obtained is also luxurious and elegant. Usually, for party dresses, I use 3D lace, cut it out, attached it to the dummy with needles, and then sew it one by one.

Gold Thread Fabric
This fabric is similar to a jacquard. The material is stiff and itchy because of textures and fibers. For typical colors, there are silver and gold. It is usually for carnival costumes.

PU Leather
Polyurethane Leather. Also known as Synthetic Leather, Pleather, Faux Leather, etc. I use many types of synthetic leather for cosplay costume orders because, in the workshop, it is often for the base and details of costumes, armor, props, accessories, etc.) There are so many types, ranging from soft, glossy, thick, thin, stretch, textured, glitter, shimmer, and even some that are so shiny that you can look at them.

Neoprene
They are known as scuba if in the fabric store, suitable for bodysuits, gloves, and skirts, this material impression neat. Scuba has a different thickness, from thin to thick.

Organza
Usually, fabric stores call it organdy if it has a smoother texture, is more transparent, and has more waves. In comparison, organza is not as transparent as Organdi. Organza also has a diamond texture, glitter, and many textures so you can choose according to your needs. I usually use it for circle skirts, hanfu, hanbok, and other traditional-modern clothes.

Sateen ~ OUR MOST FAV MATERIAL~
The satin I usually called duchess, more commonly known as bridal satin. This type of satin is thick, and the glossiness is not excessive. The price of bridal satin varies from tens to hundreds of thousands.

Shantung
I rarely use this material, usually by request. This material is suitable for making hanbok, traditional Korean clothes. This material is easy to find in fabric stores.

Spandex
I usually use it to make bodysuits, both plain and printed. It is also commonly used to make gloves, socks, or stockings. Alternatively, you can use a jersey, lycra, or scuba.

Suede
This material is a type of leather commonly used for shoes. But if it’s for costumes, it feels warm. Unlike velvet, the fur is shorter and not as smooth as velvet. The impression is heavy when using this material. It is Suitable for a long cape / long robes like royal clothes.

Taffeta
Like shantung, the texture is smoother, and the fibers are not as thick as shantung; this material is quite stiff for a fresh skirt and is also very beautiful. Also, if exposed to light, it will change color or the chameleon effect. 

Tulle
This makes the costume so fuwa-fuwa~ I use hard tile for the inside of the skirt (petticoat) to give a puffy and blooming effect. Fine tile to make a tutu skirt is also beautiful! Fine tile is also commonly used for transparent parts of clothes; the term, so as not to clog, can also be used for the base of the dress and then overwritten with lace/brocade.

Velvet
This material is suitable for costumes that are long coats or Victorian style. For circle or double-circle skirts, the velvet will have a luxurious impression.

This post will continue to be updated. Hopefully, it can help you choose materials for costumes or other clothes!

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Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about costume consultations and want to make cosplay costumes or characters (anime, games, manga, movies, etc.). We’re accepting cosplay commission (worldwide shipping)