Monday, December 2nd
2024 Cosplay Store Reviews
Bad Wolf Costumes
- Prices range from $15 to $700
- Wife and husband team based in the USA
- User-friendly Etsy shop
- Average review score: 4.8
- Free shipping
- Detailed, customizable descriptions
- Categories: Costume Sets, Capes/Cloaks, Hats & Hoods, Ready-Made Costumes
- Patterns and sewing courses available offsite
- Made-to-measure for all ages and sizes
- High-quality materials
- Friendly, passionate customer service
Bad Wolf Costumes is an Etsy store with lots of great options if you're heading to a Renaissance faire. It's run by a married couple, Katherine and Alex Beard, who bonded over their love for cosplay. Since 2012, Bad Wolf Costumes has made 5,230 sales and is based in Colorado. They only offered 23 products at the time we shopped, but what they lack in numbers they make up for in quality.
Etsy's design makes it easy to navigate the shop
Etsy is a multi-billion dollar company, and its user-friendly interface shows it. At the top of Bad Wolf Costumes' seller page, you'll see an attractive photo banner showcasing their products. Below that, you'll find their shipping track record and their impressive average review score of 4.8. You can sort their 23 items by price, newest listing, or view by category. The products are divided into the following categories: Costume Sets (4), Versatile Fantasy Capes (4), Fleece Capes/Cloaks (6), Linen Capes/Cloaks (2), Hats & Hoods (3), Fabric and Supplies (1), and Ready-Made Costumes (3). On each individual product listing, you can read reviews about the store's entire offerings or just that specific item. Often, the reviews include photos.
Detailed product descriptions
The product descriptions at Bad Wolf Costumes are lovingly detailed. For items with color customizations, like the $155 suede-like Versatile Fantasy Cape of the Wizard, you can see color swatches of all your options. The descriptions include styling options, the feel and weight of the material, details about buttons and embroidery, and how the fabric drapes.
No exchanges or returns possible
None of Bad Wolf Costumes' products are eligible for return or exchange because they're made to order and tailored to your measurements. This is understandable, so make sure you read reviews carefully, look out for comments about fit, and take your own measurements accurately before ordering, especially since these items are not cheap. On the bright side, all their products come with free shipping. Also, since every piece is made to measurements you specify, they'll work for children and adults alike.
Mostly RenFaire fare
Most of this store's products are fantasy or Renaissance-themed, with one exception: a women's Star Trek Skant uniform. Interestingly, they also sell the collar piping for men's Star Trek uniforms, but not the uniforms themselves. More on that later. Pricing ranges from $700 for the Skant Replica to $15 for the collar piping. You can purchase a hooded cloak in a color of your choosing for $110 or Elven Mage Robes with intricate embroidery and trim for $450. We were especially charmed by the $325 linen-blend Medieval Monk Costume. (Go for it in black if you're cosplaying the Grim Reaper.) Another standout is the $55 Renaissance Hat adorned with genuine ostrich feathers and a fancy button.
Patterns and sewing courses offered elsewhere
If you're doing the mental math of 5,300+ costume pieces sold since 2012 and thinking cosplay costuming sounds like a lucrative business to get into, you might want to know that Bad Wolf Costumes sells their patterns on a separate website (linked in their shop description). Remember the Star Trek costume conundrum? If you have some sewing skill and you really like the way the jumpsuit looks in customer review photos from when it was available for purchase in their store, its pattern is on that website, so you can make your own. No sewing skills? They offer courses and are actively expanding their catalog.
Highly rated for general fantasy cosplay
The average item review for Bad Wolf Costumes, based on 1,162 reviews, is an impressive 4.8 stars. Customers often mention that the materials look even better in person. They also praise the seller for being kind in their communications and for the great attention to details paid in the costume designs, like a silver clasp that secures a cloak well. The pieces are packaged nicely and said to feel authentic. Items arrive right on time with what the seller estimates. Overall, we'd recommend Bad Wolf Costumes for anyone looking to step up their RenFaire game. If you're in the market for character-specific cosplay or from genres other than fantasy, though, you'll need to continue your search elsewhere.
More Cosplay Store Reviews
The 10 Best Cosplay Stores
Where Can You Find the Best Cosplay Costume Stores?
If you've ever wanted to step into the shoes of your favorite superhero or anime character, cosplay costume stores can make those dreams a reality. These shops are for everyone - from convention-goers and trick-or-treaters to social media stars who've turned cosplay into a full-time gig. Yep, you heard that right - some TikTokers are actually making a living by donning spot-on costumes and entertaining millions of followers. (Pro tip: your lighting is just as important as the accuracy of your costume.)
These stores solve a bunch of problems for cosplay fans. Instead of spending weeks trying to craft that intricate armor set from scratch, you can order a ready-made version that looks like it jumped right out of the screen. It's a real time-saver, and let's face it, not all of us have the skills to DIY everything.
Cosplay Store FAQ
Continued from above...
Now, not all cosplay shops are cut from the same cloth. Some focus on specific genres - think Superhero Central with more Spider-Man suits than you can shoot a web at. Others offer a bit of everything, from anime to video games to Disney princesses and beyond. You'll find budget-friendly options for those watching their wallet, as well as high-end replicas for the serious collectors or pros.
The level of customization can vary widely too. Some stores stick to standard sizes, while others will tailor-make your costume to fit like a glove. And the attention to detail? It can range from "pretty good" to "is that the actual movie prop?"
When you're shopping online for your next cosplay masterpiece, keep these things in mind:
- Quality and accuracy. Check out the product photos and customer reviews. You want to make sure your Mandalorian armor actually looks like beskar, not painted cardboard. Real talk: a well-made, accurate costume can be the difference between "wow, can I take a picture with you?" and "uh, what are you supposed to be?"
- Sizing and customization. Look for stores that offer custom sizing or alterations. Nobody wants a wardrobe malfunction mid-convention. A perfectly-fitting costume not only looks better but is way more likely to hold up during those long days of posing and mingling.
- Shipping and returns. Make sure that awesome costume will arrive before your big event, and check what happens if it's not quite what you expected. Cosplay events wait for no one, and you don't want to be stuck with a dud costume.
- Customer service. A responsive support team can be a lifesaver when you're trying to figure out if that bodysuit will fit your unique shape. Good customer service can make or break your shopping experience, especially when you're investing in a pricey costume.
- Price vs. Value. Remember, the cheapest option isn't always the best deal in the long run. A higher-quality costume might cost more upfront, but it'll last longer and look better in those Instagram shots.
Top Consumer Reviews has checked out and ranked the best cosplay costume stores out there. We've looked at everything from product quality to customer service to help you find your perfect cosplay match. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned nerd, we hope our reviews help you find the ideal store to bring your favorite characters to life - and who knows, maybe even launch your own cosplay career!
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