/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

>put together semi-popular coords back in the day
>made a few props that people liked
>took break from lolita due to weight gain (pls no bully) mostly bc my dresses no longer fit
>went through financial rough spot and couldn't afford anything new anyway
>stabilized weight and then bought some new dresses in a more mature style that fit me
>still don't have a lot of money to accessorize
>the print/styles are specific and difficult to work with
>more classic and goth whereas before I was a sweet lolita so none of my old stuff really goes thematically
>see lots of gorgeous things online that I love
>but too poor to buy
>choose to try to replicate some of them
>go on aliexpress to buy a lot of crafting goods
>feeling confident for saving so much money at first
>tfw now I'm afraid that what I've bought will actually turn out cheap looking and tacky

And that's only for one coordinate. I just don't have the money for this shit anymore, and it feels so unfair because I still want to put in the effort.