Fancy dress that keeps coming out of the box
Children’s costumes are often bought for one occasion: a birthday party, Halloween or a dress-up day at school. Afterwards, most of them end up in the dressing-up box. That is where they earn their keep, pulled out again for a sleepover, a visit from cousins or a story acted out in the living room.
Choosing by character
Before you look at colours or fabrics, ask your child who they want to be. The answer is often a princess or a witch.
Princesses
The princess dresses combine tulle with fabric. A princess turns up in so many stories that a dress like this rarely stays in the box for long.
Witches
The witch dresses are black and orange, with a lace-up look and tulle trims, which makes the character clear at a glance. A witch works for Halloween as well as for any fancy dress party, so a witch dress tends to come out of the box more than once a year. If you like, add a broom from the cupboard and a saucepan for a cauldron.
For the youngest
For toddlers there are soft animal costumes with padded 3D details and a hood that, according to the manufacturer, can also be worn on its own.
World Book Day and school dress-up days
In the UK, World Book Day each spring is one of the busiest dates for children’s costumes, as pupils come to school dressed as characters from books. Princesses and witches turn up in countless stories, from fairy tales to modern picture books. A dress from the dressing-up box is therefore often a good starting point, and a prop or the book itself does the rest.
Everyday play
Once a dress is on, there is no need for an occasion. A princess holds a tea party for the soft toys, and a witch stirs a potion in the sandpit. At bedtime, a story turns into a small performance whenever the character appears in the book. Keeping the costume within reach, rather than folded away in a wardrobe, makes those moments easier.
Getting the size right
You will find the size in each product name or description. For outdoor events in winter, leave room for a jumper underneath. If the costume is meant as a surprise, the size label on clothes that fit your child now makes comparing easier.
For reception and infant classes
In a dressing-up corner, the dresses change hands several times in a morning. Three characters are enough for a whole story: a princess, a witch and a fairy who has to choose whose side she is on. A few single pieces next to the dresses mean nobody has to wait for a turn.
A costume as a present
For Christmas or a birthday, a costume is a present that gets tried on the moment the paper comes off. If you already have a dressing-up box at home, a new dress adds a character without starting from scratch.