Several years I dressed up as Devil Hunter Yohko for cons.
I even won Con Ja Nai's costume contest one year.  (It helps
when your cheering section is sitting by the microphone 
measuring response.)  This and last year I went to Anime 
Central as Mai Shiranui of Fatal Fury.  Don't finish your 
costume the night before the event.  My belt bunched in the back and I had to be safety pinned into my costume last
 year.  It wasn't too expensive (not much fabric in that 
costume) But I know others who have spent over $400 on a 
costume before.  I found dressing up is a great way for 
people to remember you. You meet a lot of people.  I even
had dealers I met cuttin me deals.  If you have a lot of stuff to carry the best thing is to have a friend help you
with it.  I never went for the wig idea.  The first time I
 was Yohko my hair reached my waist so I just put half of
it up in braids and the other half in two ponytails.  My
little sister dressed up as Azusa.  Having a full cast
iis definitely as impressive as a well done costume. 
-Tabi