Thread: What do you need to get started?

Since I'm a poor starving (and annoying, as many members must know by now) student I can't pay that much money on props and costumes.

It'll probably take me 3 months to get enough money to buy the corset I've been eying (Yes, I will be going with WKD's Dolly)...maybe I can throw stockings on top of that too, but other than that I'm totally skinned.

Again, since I'm "only" 17 I still have a whole year in which I can just get my act together, but I still want to get in contact with people who might be able to help me out a bit.

And all that in Cologne, Germany?

Oh, lord....

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hiya, you could always try ebay, get some real bargains on there :-) xx

Do you guys have cheap $2 shops in your city? You can get stacks of props there - canes, fans, wigs, and so on. You don't have to spend tons on burlesque !

Also don't be afraid to head into sex shops. I found a bustier for half-price that worked for a domme role I played on stage.

Be creative with what you have - sometimes wearing something a different way or embellishing it will add tons of style and originality. Look up T-Shirt Surgery (google the term, there's lot of sites) for ideas. Also take a look at indie crafter sites, they tend to cross-over with burlesque and can give you good ideas on making your own stuff.

Totally second eBay. I've also found lovely items from Velvet Garden, which is a second-hand market for Gothic-esque gear.

Most of the girls, and me, hand make their own costumes/props. Come up with a routine then the music, see if the two go together THEN think about the costume.

John

Get sewing!

Yes, its great to have nice corsets and stockings *sigh*, but there are lots of things you can make yourself quite easily! Fascinators, pasties, bustles... There are lots of tips on here, and best of all - it doesn't cost tons! x x x

Originally Posted by Gaelle

Since I'm a poor starving (and annoying, as many members must know by now) student I can't pay that much money on props and costumes.

Annoying no.... diverse yes and diverse is good :winkgrin:

Originally Posted by Gaelle

It'll probably take me 3 months to get enough money to buy the corset I've been eying (Yes, I will be going with WKD's Dolly)...maybe I can throw stockings on top of that too, but other than that I'm totally skinned.

Again, since I'm "only" 17 I still have a whole year in which I can just get my act together, but I still want to get in contact with people who might be able to help me out a bit.

And all that in Cologne, Germany?

Oh, lord....

Try your local markets for props once you have a routine in mind..... in the UK we have boot sales.... where people take their cars and sell items in a large market...

I would suggest that you do some research before making any decisions....enjoy browsing the forum.... everyone starts with these kinda questions... enjoy!

Yey to all of the above,
Hope this helps but what I have started to do when thinking about costume ideas is to set my self a budget and stick to it, LOL first of all come up with your ideal costume (if money was no object, within reason) then see what, if anything you already have or could customise or modify to fit your idea, then it's off to charity shops etc, look for stuff you can adapt rather than something very specific. Then get creative, easier said then done but very satisfying.
good luck you can PM me if you need any help
kx

Check out the FAQ's section, it's really helpful and has some great advice.

Originally Posted by The Merch Girl

Do you guys have cheap $2 shops in your city? You can get stacks of props there - canes, fans, wigs, and so on. You don't have to spend tons on burlesque !

We have £1 shops here but none of the ones I've been too sell anything remotely burlesquey, your stores sound fabulous!!!

Gaelle, until I get rich (I live in hope!) I'm gonna buy all my corsets for acts from cheap suppliers like Corset Boulevard. You can find their shop on ebay. There's a few threads on them so have a little search if you want to learn more.
I haven't bought from them yet and admittedly it sounds as if their corsets aren't exactly prize winning cinchers but for stage use they are pretty enough, easier to get off than heavy-duty corsets, and cheap cheap cheap!

If your age is still an issue I would just spend a little while planning out your act and what you will need for it, and you don't need to buy anything until you have that worked out. There is really no hurry and plenty of people get into burlesque much later than 18, I think I was about 22 when I discovered it.

I just did my debut act, and most of the props I used were actually homemade by myself using paper/pens/paint/cereal boxes etc. I did a housewife on Valium act, and my cleaning products were all bought from a £1 shop. The outfit I wore was vintage but I borrowed it off a friend who bought it (at £30) for her own photoshoot. I am going to buy it off her when I have the money as it's probably an act I will do again and again.