Costume Attendant

Your Fit

Income

$54K

Preparation

Some

Growth

5.0%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Costume Attendant?

A Costume Attendant is responsible for managing, maintaining, and organizing costumes for theatrical, film, or television productions. They ensure that each costume is ready for use, fits appropriately, and meets the aesthetic requirements of the production.

Sample job titles:

Costumer, Dresser, Wardrobe Assistant, Wardrobe Supervisor

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Costume Attendant.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Costume Attendant earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Costume Attendant.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$36K per year	$42K per year	$54K per year	$69K per year	$79K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $11K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Costume Attendant do?

Work environment

Costume Attendants typically work backstage in theaters, on movie sets, or at television studios. Their work environment is fast-paced, especially during productions, requiring flexibility to work various hours including evenings, weekends, and possibly travel for location shoots.

Quick task list

Assists in the design, selection, and construction of costumes.
Fits costumes to cast members and makes necessary alterations.
Maintains and organizes costumes, including cleaning and repairs.
Coordinates costume changes during performances or shoots.
Collaborates with directors, designers, and other production staff.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Theatrical Costuming: Specializing in costume design and maintenance for live theater productions.
Film and Television Costuming: Working on movie or TV sets, often involving more detailed and varied costume requirements.
Historical Costuming: Focusing on creating and maintaining period-specific costumes for historical productions.
Dance Costuming: Designing and maintaining costumes specifically for dance performances, considering movement and functionality.
Special Effects Costuming: Working with costumes that incorporate special effects, often for science fiction or fantasy genres.

Description

Costume Attendants play a crucial role in the visual storytelling of a production. They work closely with costume designers to bring a character's wardrobe to life, which involves a deep understanding of the script, character development, and the overall vision of the production. This role requires a blend of creativity, attention to detail, and practical skills like sewing and costume construction.

The job is hands-on and can be quite demanding, especially close to and during performances. Costume Attendants must be able to work quickly and efficiently, often under tight time constraints. They must be adaptable, able to solve problems on the spot, such as making last-minute repairs or adjustments to costumes. Good communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as they work closely with a diverse team, including actors, directors, and other production staff.

A career as a Costume Attendant offers the opportunity to be an integral part of the creative process in the performing arts and entertainment industry. It's a role well-suited for those who have a passion for fashion and costume design, enjoy collaborative work, and thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Contributing creatively to the visual elements of a production.
The excitement of working in the entertainment industry.
The satisfaction of seeing costumes come to life on stage or screen.

You might make a good Costume Attendant if you are...

Creative, with a strong interest in fashion and costume design.
Skilled in sewing and making alterations.
Detail-oriented, ensuring costumes are accurate and well-maintained.
Able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
A good communicator, able to collaborate with a diverse team.

Pros:

Creative and fulfilling work in the arts and entertainment industry.
Opportunities to work on a variety of productions, from theater to film.
The excitement of a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

Cons:

Often irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.
The pressure of tight deadlines and quick changes during performances.
Potentially limited job stability, depending on the production schedule.

How to become a Costume Attendant

Typical education

Although formal education beyond high school is not always required, many Costume Attendants have some post-secondary training in fashion, costume design, or a related field. On-the-job training is common, and experience in sewing and costume construction is highly beneficial.

High school preparation

Courses:

Art and Design to develop a foundation in creative skills
Home Economics or similar courses for sewing and fabric handling skills.
Drama or Theater to understand the production environment and costume use.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participating in school theater productions, particularly in costume design or wardrobe roles.
Joining fashion or sewing clubs.
Volunteering or interning with local theaters or community arts programs.

Preparation after high school

Pursuing a certificate or degree in fashion design, costume design, or a related field.
Gaining experience through internships or apprenticeships in theater, film, or television.
Building a portfolio of costume design and construction work.
Attending workshops or courses in specific areas like historical costuming or special effects.

More resources

Costume Society of America (CSA) - Provides educational resources and networking opportunities for costume professionals.
The United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) - Offers resources and training for theater production professionals, including costume design and technology.
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) - Offers courses and programs in fashion and costume design.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) - A union representing professionals in the entertainment industry, including costume attendants.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.