Costume design: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What costume design is

A costume designer creates or sources outfits for theater, film, dance, events and photo shoots. The work starts with the character or the show, then moves through research, sketches, fabric choices and fittings with each performer.

Signs you need it

  • You are directing or producing a show and need costumes that fit the period or the theme
  • You are a performer who needs a costume that holds up under stage lights and movement
  • You are hosting a themed event and want outfits that match the design
  • You need a costume that is built for a character with a specific look or silhouette
  • You want a costume designed to be worn many times, such as for a touring group

What the pro does

  • Reads the script or talks through the character, the scene and the staging
  • Researches the period, the color palette and the look the production needs
  • Makes sketches and fabric samples for the director or client to approve
  • Sources or builds the costumes, adjusting them to the actors' bodies and movement
  • Holds fittings with each performer and makes changes in the workroom
  • Gives the cast and crew a care plan, such as how to clean, store and repair the costumes

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The number of costumes and the number of cast members
  • Whether the costumes are sourced, rented, altered or built from scratch
  • The complexity of each design, such as beading, armor or quick-change features
  • The number of fittings and the time needed for each one
  • The production length and how many performances the costumes must survive
  • Whether travel to the venue or a dress rehearsal is included

What a written quote should spell out

  • The number of costumes, the designs and how each one will be built or sourced
  • The number of fittings and the schedule for the cast
  • Whether rentals, purchases and alterations are included, and how each one is charged
  • The delivery, care and storage plan for the costumes
  • The cancellation terms and any changes to the design after approval

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Can I see costumes you have designed for shows or events like mine?
  • How will the costumes hold up to the number of performances we have?
  • What is your fitting schedule, and how many fittings does each actor need?
  • Do you source or build the costumes, and how do you decide which?
  • How do you handle quick changes and movement in the costumes?
  • Who owns the costumes after the production, and can they be reused?
  • What is your plan if an actor's measurements change during the run?

Red flags

  • Has no portfolio of costumes that were built for performance or live use
  • Will not show fittings or fabric samples before the final build
  • Promises a complete wardrobe for a large cast with no fitting schedule
  • Does not ask about the movement, staging or lighting of the production
  • No written terms for ownership, rental or what happens to the costumes at the end

What you can do yourself

You can make simple costumes from thrift store clothing, paint and basic hand sewing, and test each piece in movement before the show. Keep a costume log of pieces, sizes and care steps. Hire a costume designer for period work, large casts, quick-change costumes, complex builds and any costume that must hold up across many shows.

Licenses and permits

A license is often not required for costume design, but rules differ by state and city. Ask for a portfolio of productions the designer has worked on, plus references from the director or producer of those shows, and proof of training or theater experience.

Costume design questions

How far ahead should a costume designer start?

It depends on the production. Ask the designer what they need before the first fitting, and make sure the fitting schedule fits the rehearsal plan.

Should I rent or buy costumes?

It depends on the production length, the budget for the show and how often the costumes will be used. Ask the designer to explain the options and what each one involves.

Who is responsible for repairs during a run?

Ask the designer to set repair terms in writing. Many designers include a repair plan for the run, and they should tell you how to report damage during performances.

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