cosplaying, is it okay?

The answer is YES! What you are doing is known as "found item" cosplay, were folks do exactly what you did to create a costume of their choice. Its how many cosplayers get their start and its an easy (and inexpensive) way to determine if cosplaying is for you. Don't let anyone tell you no, they're just being snobby.

There may be some people that are dressed perfectly that have a little attitude towards home made cosplay, or so I've heard... BUT I think it is a great idea to do what you're doing. You're saving money. I've heard of people spending 1,000 on a costume.. sometimes more. You're doing what you can afford, which is what I would do. Cosplay is about having fun. Sometimes these thrift buys can look great. They can look more realistic than a sewed costumes if it is for a character with regular clothes or with a uniform. Have fun! :)

Yup, it's totally fine. My first cosplay was Cissnei (a Turk from Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII) and since the Turks wear suits, there was no way I was going to be able to make one, so I bought it, spent hours building her weapon and went. Some people even just buy their cosplay from someone who makes them. It's totally fine. I mean, I generally prefer homemade, but if there's pieces to it that are just normal everyday wear, why spend all the money on fabric to make it, when it's already readily available for cheaper?

If you are planing to enter into a contest then I would wait till you have it put together. A lot of people take cosplaying very serious and you wouldn't want to appear as though you don't care or do not know what you are doing. If you are just wanting to dress up as your fave character then go and have fun!

Yes, you are trying hard. Think about it, you can buy them online which is what a lot of people do.. that means no means of own imagination or hard work. This is your first time and when i first cosplayed i put clothes together myself too.

YAY!

HAVE FUN

The point of cosplaying is to have fun. Who cares if it looks like crap. Honestly, it sounds like you are actually putting some pretty good effort into it (Well, better than me, anyway)

i would wait until i feel like my outfit was perfect, but i'd still be anxious to wear it. I suggest just trying to make it to the best of your abilities for now. If you're going to Comic-con or some con, ask friendly cosplayers how they made theirs' and tips on how to. Also go online looking for tips on how to make a good outfit and how to pull it off.

well it depends.

if your going to a convention it doesnt matter, people just dress up and hang out there and its a lot of fun :) you just chill.

if your doing an actually cosplay event, i would wait until its perfect

this will be my 2nd year cosplaying at a anime convention (anime detour), which one are you going to?? :)