Unexpected Costume Department Tools Used on Film and TV Sets

A finished costume looks effortless on screen. Behind each frame sits a working system of radios, labels, reference photos, chargers, cleaning supplies and small repair tools.

Needles, scissors and tape measures are only part of a costume department kit. Many of the hardest-working items come from production offices, hardware shops, pharmacies, laundries and stationery cupboards.

These unexpected costume tools keep information clear, garments organised and the team ready when the shooting day changes direction.

1. Two-way radios

A radio labelled “costume” sums up much of the work behind the finished image.

Costume teams need to know where cast are, when rehearsals begin, when the camera turns over and how much time sits between set-ups. A radio keeps the truck, base and on-set team connected without a stream of phone calls.

Good radio use is brief and specific. The aim is not to fill the channel. It is to pass on the right information before a fitting, costume change, reset or final check becomes urgent.

Useful radio kit often includes:

• a labelled handset

• a charged spare battery

• an earpiece

• a secure belt clip or pouch

• a clear note of the production’s assigned channels

The strip of tape matters too. Radios move between departments, vehicles and charging stations throughout the day. A simple department label helps equipment return to the right place.

2. A phone camera and continuity records

The phone in a costume pocket is often a continuity tool before it is a communication tool.

Continuity photos record how a costume sits at a specific point in the story. Useful images show more than the full outfit. They capture sleeve position, fastenings, jewellery, footwear, tucked or untucked layers, rolled hems, distressing, blood, dirt and wear.

Clear file names and organised folders turn a camera roll into a working record. Scene numbers, character names, script days and look numbers help the team find the right reference under pressure.

A small power bank, charging cable and waterproof phone pouch also belong in the working kit. Digital continuity is only useful while the device stays charged, protected and easy to reach.

3. Masking tape and permanent markers

Masking tape is one of the least glamorous costume department tools, yet it solves a steady run of small problems.

It labels radios, hangers, garment bags, laundry baskets, shoe boxes, accessories, change areas and temporary storage. It also gives the team a quick surface for notes without marking the item underneath.

A clear label might include:

• character or cast name

• costume or look number

• scene or script day

• clean, worn, wet or distressed state

• return destination

• special handling notes

Use a marker suited to the tape, and keep handwriting large enough to read from a rack or across a truck. Tiny labels create extra work.

4. Label makers and colour coding

A label maker brings order to long-running jobs, large crowds and repeated costume changes.

Printed labels suit storage tubs, shoe boxes, accessory trays, laundry systems and permanent rack markers. They reduce guesswork when several people share the same workspace.

Colour coding also helps separate characters, units, story days or garment states. The system matters more than the colour choice. Every team member needs to understand it, and the same logic needs to follow the costume from fitting room to truck, set and laundry.

The best system is easy to read, easy to repeat and simple enough to survive a busy day.

5. Bulldog clips, pegs and elastic bands

Office and laundry supplies earn a permanent place in many costume spaces.

Bulldog clips hold paperwork to hangers, group jewellery cards, secure accessory notes and keep small packets together. Laundry pegs pair gloves, socks or removable costume parts while garments dry. Elastic bands bundle hangers, cables or soft accessories during transport.

These items support organisation rather than on-camera fit. Any tool touching a garment needs a quick check for pressure marks, rust, dye transfer or snagging.

A clip looks harmless until it leaves a dent in velvet or a mark on leather. Use barriers, soft packing or a different storage method for delicate pieces.

6. A small hardware kit

Some costume problems sit closer to a hardware bench than a sewing table.

A compact kit might hold:

• small screwdrivers

• pliers

• tweezers

• a hole punch

• spare buckles and fasteners

• cable ties

• hook-and-loop tape

• spare laces

• a torch

• a measuring gauge

These tools help with loose spectacle arms, belt hardware, shoe fittings, small props worn on the body and accessories built from mixed materials.

The work still needs care. Sharp edges, adhesives and hard tools stay away from cast and finished garments unless the task calls for them. Repairs involving electrical parts, specialist safety equipment or load-bearing pieces belong with the relevant department or qualified technician.

7. Cleaning tools borrowed from everywhere

Costume care often relies on ordinary items used with unusual precision.

Soft toothbrushes lift dry dirt from textured soles and hard-to-reach trim. White towels reveal dye transfer during spot tests. Mesh laundry bags keep small pieces together. Spray bottles deliver a controlled mist for pressing or planned costume states. Makeup capes and face covers protect necklines during quick changes.

Other useful cleaning items include:

• lint rollers and garment brushes

• cotton buds and soft cloths

• stain-removal supplies

• disposable gloves

• shoe wipes

• absorbent paper

• zip bags for isolated wet or soiled items

Every treatment starts with fabric knowledge and a test in a hidden area. A fast cleaning fix is no help if it changes colour, texture or finish.

8. Power banks, chargers and spare cables

Modern costume work runs on batteries as much as thread.

Phones hold continuity images, fitting notes, measurements, schedules and contact details. Tablets carry costume bibles, change charts and reference files. Radios need charged batteries. Portable lights support checks in dark holding areas, vehicles and location units.

A labelled charging station stops cables from drifting across departments. Spare leads, plug adaptors and a compact power board also reduce end-of-day confusion.

Battery care sounds like a production issue, yet it directly affects costume communication and record keeping. A flat device at the wrong moment breaks a useful part of the department’s workflow.

9. Zip bags, pouches and carabiners

Small storage creates speed.

Clear zip bags separate jewellery, spare buttons, tags, fasteners and character-specific repair items. Pouches keep frequently used tools together. Carabiners attach lightweight bags to a rack, belt loop or larger kit, so the essentials stay close without filling every pocket.

The contents need labels. A bag full of unnamed pieces becomes a puzzle after several costume changes.

Keep sharp tools capped, needles secured and liquids sealed inside a second bag. Organisation protects the costume, the performer and the person reaching into the kit.

10. Micro fine tagging tools

A micro fine tagging gun starts life as a retail tool, yet costume teams often use it for controlled, temporary fixes during fittings and shooting days.

It is useful for tasks where hand sewing takes too long and a standard safety pin adds bulk or shows through the garment. Depending on the fabric and construction, micro fine pins assist with securing layers, holding a temporary adjustment or keeping a small detail in place.

Always test the needle and pin on a hidden area first. Avoid fragile, open-weave, coated or highly valuable fabrics unless the material has been assessed. Remove temporary pins carefully and account for every sharp item at wrap.

For COSPRO, this type of tool reflects the wider point: useful costume equipment is not always designed with a costume department in mind. The value comes from selecting the right tool, knowing its limits and applying it with care.

What makes a tool useful on set?

A useful on-set tool earns its place by solving a clear problem without creating another. It needs to be quick to reach, compact enough to carry and quiet around filming. It should also be safe near cast and garments, easy to identify and dependable under pressure.

A strong kit is not the biggest kit. It is a considered selection packed in a consistent order, so every item has a purpose and is easy to find when time is tight.

Review the kit after each job. Replace anything blunt, leaking or damaged, restock consumables and remove items no longer serving the way the department works. New tools belong in the kit when they solve a recurring problem rather than simply looking useful.

The unseen system behind the costume

A costume department does more than dress a performer. It tracks story, protects garments, communicates with set and responds to change throughout the shooting day.

The finished look receives the attention. The radio with masking tape, the labelled zip bag and the charged power bank do not. Their work still appears in every clean change, accurate reset and quiet last look before the camera rolls.

Unexpected costume tools support the part of the job audiences never see: keeping the design intact while production keeps moving.

Browse COSPRO’s specialist wardrobe tools for fittings, costume trucks, styling work and shooting days.