What Does an Additional Costumer Do?

An Additional Costumer joins the costume department for specific prep days, crowd calls, fittings, shooting units, or workload peaks. They pull and organize garments, assist fittings, dress performers, track assigned continuity, make approved alterations or repairs, manage returns and laundry, and follow the department’s labeling, paperwork, confidentiality, and chain-of-command systems without changing established design decisions.

Day to day, Additional Costumer work commonly includes Receive a clear assignment and locate the correct racks, bags, performer records, and continuity., Assist fittings, dressing, changes, checks, resets, repairs, laundry, and returns., and Photograph or document assigned looks using the department’s approved system.. The exact balance changes with the production schedule, crew size, and the point at which the role joins the project.

The most useful skills are Fast wardrobe organization, Dressing, Continuity, and Garment care. Together, they help the role make dependable decisions, communicate a clear handoff, and respond to notes or changing conditions.

Common tools include Garment racks, bags, labels, and dressing kits, Basic sewing, steaming, and repair tools, Continuity camera and costume database, and Laundry and care supplies. The role also relies on Costume continuity record, Fitting notes, Check-in and return list, and Alteration or damage note so decisions, approvals, continuity, and delivery requirements remain traceable.

Additional Costumers build experience across productions and may move into regular Costumer, Set Costumer, Key Costumer, or specialty positions.

The scope changes with format, budget, location, crew structure, and the production's technical method. The role can involve crowded fittings, background processing, early calls, weather, quick changes, laundry, and physically moving racks and cases.