It’s the first weekly post for BudgetBounding! How exciting! For my first one, I’m going to keep it simple, and 100% doable but just about anyone, and I mean anyone. It’s Carol Danvers from the much anticipated new film (who’s counting down the days? I am!). While it is not her Captain Marvel look (I have her comic version in the pipeline, and thoughts about doing her Kree version WAY down the line), it’s a completely achievable look, and for cheap. Let me show you.

Cost and Materials
White T-shirt: $3 (I got mine at Walmart, but you can find them at craft stores)
Grey Baseball cap: $3 (again, from Walmart)
Patch: $6 (found on eBay but my local comic store has this patch for the same price)
Fabric paint: $0 (technically for this project. I bought a bunch for Hela a year ago. But a new one is about $3)
Jacket: $5-7 (thrifted)
Jeans: $0 (already owned)
Boots: $0 (I own a LOT of them)
Wig: Optional (I didn’t wear one for this)
Total: approx. $20. Not bad.

This a pretty basic cosplay. You take a NIN (Nine Inch Nails, in case you are not a fan like myself) shirt, a SHIELD hat, a leather jacket, jeans and you’re off. However basic it is, because it’s Captain Marvel, it’s going to be pretty recognizable. It’s also great if you want to do something low-key, or want to do go the premiere but are not allowed to cosplay in costume like many of the theaters around me.

The Shirt. I took a basic white t-shirt and used silver fabric paint to “stamp” the design on. I’ve had great experience doing this for a number of t-shirts. The trick is finding the right amount of paint to stamp correctly. It’s all trial and error, unfortunately. I will say: stay way from the “puff” version. “Slick” keeps it from looking like that 90s fabric paint of my childhood. It also holds up well in the wash. Of course, if that’s daunting, which I completely understand, you can purchase a NIN shirt or find some on eBay. They’ll be more money, but so far, I haven’t seen any outrageously priced. I’m sure closer to the premier we’ll see some, just like the Star Lord t-shirt (I also made mine this way as well).

The Hat. Another signifier is the hat. There are so many patches on eBay or Etsy, that you can take your pick. Mine is bigger, and lighter than the film version, but that’s okay with me. You can also take fabric paint to paint your design or fabric markers if you’d like. I made a TuneSquad hat this way.

The Coat. I love coats. Jackets, more accurately, so I’m always thrifting for jackets. If you keep your eyes open, you can find little leather ones like this one in thrift stores. Mine was only about $5-7, though I have paid up to $15 for a nice one. Also, watch the sale racks at stores. Sometimes you can find little gems. If you’re willing to take the time, and search, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on one.

The Pants and Boots. Now, I already own a lot of jeans, though I may go thrifting for a pair I can distress, and that have a more 90s look. It wouldn’t be hard, or expensive. Boots are the same way for me as jackets. I have a lot of them. Now is the time to buy them on sale though. Granted, any dark shoe would work in a pinch.

The Wig. I’m not blonde, so I’d need to do a wig to get the full effect. I didn’t put one on for these pics to show that anyone with any hair color can pull this one off. I, do, however, spend a bit more on wigs. I need a larger wig cap for all my hair and tend to favor Arda Wigs. I have purchased some nice ones on Amazon, and I’ll work on a post for that down the line, you have to do your research to get ones that don’t like like Halloween versions.

So you see… for very little money, and only a little time, you can throw together a cosplay that’s very “of the moment,” low-key, and fun. You can look fabulous, and not break the bank. Bonus if you add a little stuffed cat, Goose, to your look. Even more so if you have your own to pose with… my own furbabies were too busy sleeping for me to snag them.

Til next time!