Helpful Tips for First Time Borrowers

Here is guide for pulling costumes for the first time. Our stock can be very confusing if you’re pulling for the first time and can be very overwhelming for first time costume designers. If you find it all to be too much to handle we encourage reaching out to our costume design student population for help designing as they are already familiar with our process.

1. See what is available to you for free

Sometimes you or your actor may have the very item you need for your project. It is best to explore every free avenue before setting up an appointment to pull costumes.

2. Make a list

Pulling from a costume stock as big as UT’s can be overwhelming. Before you make an appointment, it is best to bring a list of items you are sure you want to search for.

3. Bring your research.

There is no way to know what to look for if you don’t have research. Not only is it good to have research for yourself but it can help the stock staff point you in the right direction.

4. Bring measurements

If you have the measurements of your actors it will not only save you time but will also save you money. Pulling blindly can leave you paying for unusable items. The costume stock has tape measurers available for use. If you have any questions on the best way to measure a garment the stock staff will be available to assist.

 If you don’t have any measurements or a general idea of size you can find measurement sheet and guides online similar to this one

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5. Plan for transport

If you plan to pull a lot of items, we recommend bringing an assistant to help you take the costumes out. If you have access to a car you can bring your car to the loading dock at the back of the building and a stock employee can help you load your car.