2. Research

Every costume creation should start with research. If you don’t research, you’re doing something wrong. Then again, the intensity and time invested into this step depends on your intentions: is the costume for a local party? Do you want to take part in a cosplay competition? Would you like to have a nice memory in form of presentable photos? The thumb rule is - the more complicated costume it is and the better done you want it, the more you should research before starting the actual work.