/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

>>8735903
Ebay has some really good stuff for cheap, look for bids. I've gotten super cute jewellery and accessories for less than 10p shipped. Clothes are more hit and miss, but still worth checking out.
Learn to modify clothes. Go to any charity shops in the area and buy stuff. Doesn't matter if it's too big, just make sure it's the right colour scheme/pattern for what you're putting together, don't get anything made from shitty fabric, and make sure it's not stained. Darts are easy to sew by hand. You can turn a frumpy grandma dress into a decent classic lolita skirt, make normalfag tshirts into kawaii screenprinted shit, and make clothes you already own fit your look better. pjhime @ blogspot has a tutorial for turning ugly clothes into cute ones.
Good lace goes a long way. Crochet cotton lace can be bought for cheap and makes a good addition to plain pieces, as long as you don't go full retard and hotglue it all over your clothes. Cute buttons can replace ugly ones on stuff you already have (again, make sure it matches). Make basic accessories, like collars, and use them to dress up your clothes. It's not hard to go online and print out a pattern that you can use over and over again.
Also, learn to do your hair and makeup. Cheap makeup is fine (apply eyeshadow wet to make the colour stronger) and just keeping hair clean and fluffy will make your whole look come together. Wigs aren't necessary.
For shoes, stick to things like boots and cute wedges that match everything in your wardrobe. If you want, make simple accessories for your shoes to dress them up, like pic related's. Again, it'll help pull everything together.
If you think you look stupid, tone it down. Loose chiffon tops with shorts and wedges, printed dresses with plain stockings/tights and boots, and very simple larme-inspired makeup are the best starting point imo. It's cute but hard to screw up.
Look at ita and coord threads for inspo. Stick to one printed piece in the outfit at first.
Good luck.