/cgl/

I'm new to costuming of any sort, and plan to do my first for NYCCC in October.

However, after researching all the stuff needed, it's made me realize this costume will cost me a very sizeable chunk of cash to assemble, mostly because I don't know how to sew/make shit at all, and it's a more realistic costume than cartoon-y.

My question is: Is it normal to buy shit? Like entire costumes worth of stuff, and spend a decent sums of money on this stuff? Or am I just a retard who's doinitwrong?

Pic unrelated.