Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

CosRea Review

Monday, December 2nd

2024 Cosplay Store Reviews

Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award CosRea Review 5 Star Rating

CosRea

5 Star Rating
  • Offers high-quality costumes ranging from $145 to $2,500
  • Cosplays for anime, video games, Marvel/DC, and TV/movies
  • Offers detailed, elaborate Disney princess dresses
  • Provides free custom sizing and will pay for alterations if the custom costume doesn't fit
  • Offers free 5- to 10-day shipping on orders over $100 or 4- to 6-day Priority Express shipping for $29.99
  • Has a 14-day return policy for standard-sized costumes
  • Receives overwhelmingly positive customer reviews
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

CosRea is a cosplay workshop located in Suzhou, China, that focuses on making custom, handcrafted costumes, armor, and props. They started in 2003 as a small group of cosplayers and have grown to a team of 15 with separate spaces for design and production. Check out their "About” page to see photos of their workshop. CosRea creates both new costumes and unique designs, working with cosplayers and performers worldwide. Their goal is to offer affordable, high-quality costumes by using materials from local suppliers and passing the savings onto you.

Good variety for anime and movies

When browsing the categories on CosRea's website, you'll find options like Disney Inspired costumes and Cosplay Costumes, the latter of which covers a range of themes, including anime (sorted alphabetically from A-E, F-J, K-O, and so on), video games, and characters from the Marvel and DC universes, as well as TV and movies. There's also a category for High Detail Armor & Costumes, and another for Armors & Others.

Gorgeous, elaborate Disney princess dresses

We wonder if the women who work as freelance princesses at children's birthday parties (which you may have seen on TikTok) get their princess dresses here. For just $145, you can purchase an incredibly detailed Princess Belle Classic Brocade Ruffle Beauty and the Beast Cosplay Costume. It includes the dress, hair pins, gloves, and a wired petticoat/skirt hoop. The only thing missing is a description of the materials used, but it looks impressive in the official product image and in the customer reviews. This isn't the only Belle dress available - there are several versions inspired by what you might see in the parks and other appearances of the character. (The same is true for most other Disney princesses.)

Best Cosplay Stores

No filtering or sorting

It would be helpful if you could sort and filter the results in any given category since there are often many to choose from for each concept. Right now, you have to manually go through all the pages to find the price you want because they're all jumbled together without any clear order.

Descriptions are written in native English

All the info about policies and sizing on the website is super clear and fair. It's refreshing to find a Chinese cosplay website where everything is easy to read without any grammar mistakes. It does a lot for our trust in CosRea's careful attention to detail in general.

Custom sizing available

You can choose from two free sizing options: standard sizes ranging from 2XS to 2XL or custom sizing based on your measurements(yes, you read that right - custom sizing is free). They cater to all sizes, including requests for genderbent costumes and junior and kids' sizes. Chinese sizes run smaller than European or American sizes, so it's important to measure your bust, waist, and hips and compare them to their size chart.

Best Cosplay Stores

CosRea will pay for you to get alterations if your custom costume doesn't fit

CosRea wants to make sure you're happy with your custom costume. If it doesn't fit quite right, and you can prove the measurements are off with photos, they'll even pay for you to get alterations done locally. But hopefully, that won't be needed. When you order a custom costume, they'll make it to your exact measurements, so double-check those numbers. Sometimes, a costume might need a few tweaks to fit perfectly, so any extra info you can give about your body shape is helpful. CosRea promises to make your costume to your size, try to handle any special requests, and offer free fixes or money back for custom orders. They'll also check with you before making any big changes.

Free shipping on orders over $100

When you order from CosRea, keep in mind that it takes some time to make your costume, even if it's not a custom order. Usually, it's about 2-4 weeks to create your item, plus 3-10 days for shipping. You can pay using major credit cards, Visa Debit, or PayPal. Something that really surprised us to learn is that CosRea offers free 5- to 10-day shipping when you spend over $100. 4- to 6-day Priority Express shipping is only $29.99 extra. Most shipping methods let you track your package, so you'll know where it is and when it'll arrive.

14-day return policy

Here's a simple breakdown of CosRea's return policy for you. If you buy a standard-sized costume, shoes, or wig without customization, you can return it within 14 days for a full refund (minus shipping) or exchange it for something else. Just make sure it's in perfect condition when you send it back. You'll need to cover the return shipping costs, but CosRea will handle any mistakes on their end for free.

Best Cosplay Stores

Tons of positive reviews

CosRea has a dedicated reviews section on their website. While it's hard to tell if they keep all negative reviews, it seems they do. You'll find that 82% of the 1,325 reviews are positive, which is pretty darn good. People on other websites have praised CosRea's customer service, calling it "remarkable" and "unrivaled." Customers say the costumes usually arrive on time and match the photos well. The quality is described as good, though not always top-tier - these costumes are affordable, and after all, you get what you pay for. Most negative reviews mention sizing issues, which is common for cosplay companies. Overall, customers seem pretty happy with their purchases.

Our top pick

CosRea likely has the most customer reviews of any cosplay company we've seen. Their offer of free shipping on orders over $100 is both unique and generous. Unlike some companies that disappear after an order arrives, CosRea seems to follow through on their promise of post-purchase customer care. The website is professional, and their costume designs are genuinely beautiful. Overall, CosRea leaves us with the best impression, and we'd recommend them as our top pick for cosplay costumes. They earn 5 out of 5 stars.

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.

The Best Cosplay Stores Compare Cosplay Stores Compare Cosplay Store Reviews What are the best Cosplay Stores Best Cosplay Store Reviews

Cosplay Store FAQ

Dressing up as a character has been around for about 100 years, but the term "cosplay” - a combination of costume and play - first came into being in the mid 1980's in Japan. While cosplay was initially based primarily on Japanese anime characters, it has expanded into characters from movies, TV, and literature as well.
Not at all! As a matter of fact, most cosplayers are adults. While in the US it is most popular to cosplay at a convention such as Comic Con or Star Wars Celebration, there is a district in Japan - known as the Harajuku District - where people do their everyday activities while in cosplay.
We recommend planning months in advance. You'll want to shop around for the costume that fits both in size and budget. Since you are possibly going to be ordering from China, you'll want to make sure you leave plenty of time for your costume to be made - often retailers make them as they are ordered - as well as ship from overseas.
In order to get a screen-accurate costume, you'll probably want to order from a retailer that has access to the fabrics that will have you looking your best. Also, there aren't a lot of brick-and-mortar stores to choose from. If you decide to go with a store in China, that would add a lot to the cost of your costume to fly over there yourself!
Yes! Most cosplay costume stores give you the option to send in your exact measurements and they will make your outfit according to those. Some of them have that option available for any costume, and others only for the higher-end - and more expensive - choices. Either way, if typical sizing doesn't really fit you the way you'd like, there are plenty of possibilities for you.
That depends on the retailer. We definitely recommend checking out the policy before you buy to make sure you know their terms. Some of them make it easier - and cheaper - to return an item than others.
They certainly can be. Because of the desire to be "screen accurate” and to act the part - and not just dress up for a night - it can be an expensive hobby. However, it doesn't have to be. While some costumes can cost you over $1,000, there are plenty of good ones that will run you more in the $200-$400 range. If you don't care as much about the types of fabrics, you can possibly go cheaper as well. No matter which way you go, don't forget the extras such as shoes, props, wigs, or masks, that don't always come with the initial outfit.
You can dip your toe into the world of cosplay or you can go all out. How much or how little you do is completely up to you. For example, have you ever heard of the 501st? They are a group of cosplayers that spend hundreds - at least - on their screen-accurate Star Wars cosplay. In order to be accepted, your costume has to pass an inspection! They often have special luggage just for their attire as well. Once you're part of the group, you get to go do charity events with them to raise money.
Compare the Best Reviews

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!

Compare Cosplay Stores

Select any 2 Cosplay Stores to compare them head to head

best-cosplay-stores
The Best Reviews of Cosplay Stores