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Wardrobe assistant
Dresser
Wardrobe assistants help to make, find and look after clothes and costumes used in theatre, film and TV productions.
Average salary (a year)
£0
Starter
£0
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
41.0 to 43.0 hours
variable
Work Hours
freelance / self-employed
flexibly
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; a college course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role
University
You can take a higher national diploma, degree or postgraduate qualification to work as a wardrobe assistant. Subjects include
costume design, fashion, textiles, costume construction
These may give you an advantage later if you want to become a costume designer.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College
You could start by doing a college course to get some of the skills needed for this job, such as
fashion and textiles, art and design, T Level in Craft and Design (Textiles and Fashion option)
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship
You could take one of the following Advanced Apprenticeships to get into this role
Costume Performance Technician Level 3, Garment Maker Level 3, Fashion Studio Assistant Level 3
These can take up to 2 years to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work
You could start out as a production runner with a stage or screen company and get the experience and contacts you need to move into wardrobe and costume work.
You could also work for a theatrical costume hire company to get into the industry.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to build up your skills and to make contacts with people in the industry. Your contacts can be a good way of finding paid work later on. You can get volunteering experience through
student theatre and film productions, amateur or community theatre, dressmaking, casual work as a costume 'daily' or temporary helper on film and TV sets
More Information
Career Tips
Many wardrobe assistants work freelance and their rates can vary widely. The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) has information about recommended daily pay rates for wardrobe assistants.
Further Information
You can learn more about being a wardrobe assistant from Get into Theatre.
You can get further details about creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Design skills and knowledge
    The ability to work well with your hands
    The ability to work well with others
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
    The ability to come up with new ways of doing things
    Knowledge of the fine arts
    Excellent verbal communication skills
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
As a wardrobe assistant, you might
hire or help to create costumes and accessories, check, clean and iron garments ready for use, dress performers and help with costume changes between scenes, alter and mend items, store costumes and deal with returns once a production has finished
Working environment
You could work at a film studio, on a film set, in a theatre or at a TV studio.
Your working environment may be cramped and hot.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
You may specialise in theatre work, film or TV, but you could cross over between areas once established.
With experience, you could become a wardrobe manager or move into
costume design, set design, stage management
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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