Goodwill is so awesome for costumes. ^_^ I've put together a few costumes for under $30 at Goodwill. I should be able to get the skirts and modify them, and probably a shirt that will work. I've also already found an affordable corset on eBay that should work. It's just the cape, bracers, and gloves I'll have to have done custom, and the mask will probably be the big-ticket item. I'd like to get it done in a really durable material, because this would be a signature costume, something I'd wear to everything (like Halloween parties and Renaissance Fairs, as well as conventions). I was looking into commissioning these guys:
[link] , though I haven't even asked for a quote yet, since I'm sure it'll cost an arm and a leg. >_o