Nestorbot
Arts & EntertainmentISCO 3435

Costume attendant

A costume attendant is a person who dresses actors and extras on a film set or in a theatre and answers for the condition of the costumes.

Check your gapsCheck yourself in a minute ↓AI risk: 21/100 (low risk)

Check yourself in a minute: costume attendant

Rate 5 of the 12 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

document costume stock

follow work schedule

assist with dressing

ensure continuous styling of artists

wash costumes

About costume attendant

Before a performance the costume attendant prepares the costumes, hanging them in order, outfit by outfit, with underwear, shoes and accessories, then helps the performer dress and checks that everything matches the costume designer's intention. The art director's instructions are followed throughout.

The attendant also keeps performers' appearance continuous. They read the script, note what a character wears in which scene, and see to it that after a break in filming everything returns to where it was: the same undone button, the same mark on a sleeve. These notes are needed because film scenes are not shot in order.

The attendant carries out costume changes in the wings, selects costumes from stock and keeps records of the costume stock, so that every item can be found quickly. Costumes are washed, cleaned and repaired, and after a shoot stored correctly and safely.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a costume attendant.

1

Costume Preparation and Organization

  • Analyze scripts to identify costume requirements and continuity needs
  • Select appropriate costumes for each actor and scene
  • Preset costumes and organize them by scene, actor, and change sequence
2

Actor Support and Dressing

  • Assist actors and extras with dressing and changing into costumes
  • Ensure proper fit and comfort of costumes on performers
  • Perform quick costume changes during production to maintain schedule
3

Continuity and Styling

  • Ensure continuous styling and appearance consistency across scenes and takes
  • Document costume details for continuity purposes with photos and notes
  • Verify costume details match between scenes to maintain visual continuity
4

Costume Maintenance and Care

  • Wash, clean, and maintain costumes in proper condition
  • Perform repairs and alterations to costumes as needed
  • Store costumes safely and properly to prevent damage and deterioration
5

Costume Inventory Management

  • Document and track all costume stock and inventory
  • Maintain detailed records of costume locations, condition, and storage
  • Organize costume collection for easy access and efficient production workflow
6

Collaboration and Communication

  • Follow directions and guidance from the costume designer and artistic director
  • Communicate with actors regarding costume fit, comfort, and changes
  • Coordinate with other production crew members to ensure smooth costume transitions

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (12)

document costume stockdocument costume stockKeep records of the costumes held in stock. Track all relevant properties of the costumes and how they are used.follow work schedulefollow work scheduleManage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.assist with dressingassist with dressingAid clients to choose clothes for different occasions, ensure that the chosen clothing pieces are clean and ready for wearing, and help the client with putting them on.ensure continuous styling of artistsensure continuous styling of artistsEnsure that artists are consistently styled during the production of a motion picture. Make sure that their look remains the same.wash costumeswash costumesMake sure that costumes are clean and ready for use when required. Take care to preserve the costumes in good condition as long as possible.select costumesselect costumesFind the right costume for a certain role and actor.perform costume changeoversperform costume changeoversPerform quick costume changeovers during rehearsals and live performances.analyse a scriptanalyse a scriptBreak down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.follow directions of the artistic directorfollow directions of the artistic directorFollow the instructions of the director while understanding his creative vision.dress actorsdress actorsDress performing artists.maintain costumesmaintain costumesCollect, check, maintain and repair costumes.preset costumespreset costumesMake sure the costumes are set in place for the performers before the performance.
Optional (17) — show
dressmakingdressmakingThe craft of sewing clothes and dresses by following a pattern. This includes the assembly of cutout clothing parts.lighting techniqueslighting techniquesThe characteristics of techniques used to create atmospheres and effects on camera or on stage; the equipment required and appropriate setup to use.manage consumables stockmanage consumables stockManage and monitor consumables stock to ensure that the production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.work with the camera crewwork with the camera crewWork with the crew responsible for the camera operation and movement to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.use manual sewing techniquesuse manual sewing techniquesUse manuel sewing and stitching techniques to manufacture or repair fabrics or textile-based articles.attend rehearsalsattend rehearsalsAttend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.work with the director of photographywork with the director of photographyWork with the director of photography on the artistic and creative vision that needs to be followed during production of a movie or theatre production.measure the human body for wearing apparelmeasure the human body for wearing apparelMeasure the human body using conventional methods or scanning technologies.draw up artists' measurementsdraw up artists' measurementsDraw up the measurements and sizes of performing artists for clothing purposes.analyse the need for technical resourcesanalyse the need for technical resourcesDefine and make a list of the required resources and equipment based on the technical needs of the production.adapt costumesadapt costumesAdapt, stitch or sew stage outfits for performing actors.organise costume fittingsorganise costume fittingsOrganise fitting sessions for the actors and decide on the required actions. Assign the right size costume to each actor.sew pieces of fabricsew pieces of fabricOperate basic or specialised sewing machines whether domestic or industrial ones, sewing pieces of fabric, vinyl or leather in order to manufacture or repair wearing apparels, making sure the threads ...plan transport operationsplan transport operationsPlan mobility and transport for different departments, in order to obtain the best possible movement of equipment and materials. Negotiate the best possible delivery rates; compare different bids and ...draft styling scheduledraft styling scheduleDraft the schedule to indicate where, when, and how the actors should be styled.work with the lighting crewwork with the lighting crewWork with the crew responsible for the lighting setup and operation to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.photographyphotographyArt and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

dresser4 shared essential skillshair stylist4 shared essential skillsmake-up artist4 shared essential skillsboom operator3 shared essential skillscamera operator3 shared essential skillssound editor3 shared essential skillsstand-in3 shared essential skillsvideo and motion picture editor3 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a costume attendant do?

Costume attendant help dress actors and extras. They make sure everything is as the costume designer envisioned and ensure the continuity of appearance of the performers. Costume attendants maintain and repair these costumes. They store them correctly and safely after shooting.

What skills does a costume attendant need?

A costume attendant needs 12 essential skills, including document costume stock, follow work schedule, assist with dressing, ensure continuous styling of artists, wash costumes.

Will AI replace costume attendant jobs?

The AI disruption score for costume attendant is 21/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: follow work schedule, draw up artists' measurements, manage consumables stock. Most resilient: perform costume changeovers, dress actors, assist with dressing.

Quick Facts

SectorArts & Entertainment
ISCO GroupLegal, social, cultural and related associate professionals
Essential Skills12

What are you missing to work as costume attendant?

The free skill gap analysis compares your skills with what this occupation requires and shows where to start.

Check your gaps