What should I do about my career? General advice.

Tough choice. Can you really afford to spend the time/money on the additional training? Could you fall back to something in your current line of work if you had to? My first thought is to go for what interests, with realistic expectations of the consequences. I took a pay cut many years ago, just to get my foot in the door of the IT industry. So far it has worked out well in the long run. You are still young, so give it a shot.

I am trained in fashion, but lost my love of it a long time ago.

An opportunity have arisen for me to go and work in the costume department of a well known broadcasting company. To begin with the money wont be great, but once I've been there for a year or so the pay goes up to being very good. It would also give me experience in costume which could lead me to other places if I chose to leave and go elsewhere.

Like I said however, I have no real love for fashion design any more. I've been thinking for a while of trying to get into theatre production, but don't have any solid experience in the field. But I am passionate about it.

What do I do? The fashion route is the easier way, but the less fulfilling way. It gives me a steady income and experience. Whereas the theatre production route is more challenging but what I really want to do. I would probably have to train/get an education in that area which would cost time and money, the latter being something I don't have a lot of right now.

Should I be a realist or follow my heart?

I think if you can afford to go without a few things for a while, you should definitely go for it! Like you've said, you don't enjoy your job anymore and it sounds like the only reason you're still working in fashion is because it's easy and what you know. An opportunity like this may not come around again, and can you really say if you turned it down based on the fact the job you're in now brings in more money, you wouldn't regret it and wonder 'what if' down the line?

I was in a similiar situation last year, except it wasn't about a job, it was about whether to go back to college or not. I studied at college for three years, started at college with no qualifications and left with seven, but it wasn't good enough for my step dad. He wanted me to go back, gain a few more then go to university, I didn't and I knew that I had to stand firm because even though I studied and gained those qualifications, I was unhappy. I hated college, I wanted a job, I wanted to know what it felt like to earn my own money and be able to pay for my own things, rather than getting it from daddy but he said he was more than happy to pay for anything I wanted and he wanted me in college so he drove me to the college to enrol, I filled out all the forms, met my new tutor and told her I'd made the wrong decision. I walked out that door and I have never been back since.
From september-november, I started applying for jobs but I never actually knew what I wanted other than just having a job. Then it hit me, I studied in childcare too, I have experience with children as I have a little brother and sister and I love children, I could be a nursery nurse.
After a few unsuccessful interviews, I got offered training at the nursery I'm in now. A few days later the manager called me back and offered me the job. I'm currently doing an apprenticeship in level three of childcare now.
Do I regret going against my step dad's wishes and turning away from what I knew? Nope, it was the best decision I have ever made because I absolutely love my job. I love going to work everyday and I think if you're fortunate to be in a job you're passionate about, it makes going to work that much more enjoyable. I don't earn alot, I work forty hours a week, but because I'm happy it doesn't matter as much. Do what makes you happy, challenge yourself and your abilities, it's how we learn and grow. Don't turn this down based on your experience or lack of experience or money because yes money pays bills but money can't make you happy, anyways hope I have helped somehow xxx