There’s always an occasion for dress up: Christmas, Halloween, Easter, World Book Day, or the endless parties that seem to come around. We’ve picked dress up kit that will last all year round, so you don’t have to keep buying new stuff all the time. (Phew!) And let’s not forget how great this stuff is for imaginative play. If you use your imagination, you can take one or two pieces and use them time and time again.

1. Make it different

We know how it goes, there’s always the latest craze in fancy dress. Make sure you don’t lose them in a sea of Supermen or Elsas at that next party by thinking out of the box. This Colour-In Cape by Selfie Clothing is a perfect way to give a cool nod to superheros. A cape is always a great way to transform an outfit while still allowing them their 'comfy' play clothes underneath and we have lots of styles, from animals to fairies and dragons.

mIMI & lULA WIZARD CAPE

A cape like this one by Mimi & Lula will always elevate an outfit to dress-up status.

2. Make it last

My kids have a better social life than me! So to save time and tears (mine) I’ve turned to some awesome stuff that can be used over and over - just change outfits for a brand new look. Feeling feline? A pair of cat ears always looks great teamed with a tutu, while these cool Crowns by Mimi & Lula look lovely paired with just about anything.

Crowns by Mimi & Lula

Crowns by Mimi & Lula

3. Face paint fallback

World Book Day or that last-minute invitation, it’s a part of parenthood we non-creatives would rather avoid. The answer? Add face paints to your craft box. Look for kits that are sensitive skin friendly and water-based too, so they're easy to take off. Dress your kid all in black or white, add a pirate or an animal look and there’s a fancy dress outfit in seconds.

Natural Earth's Face Paints

Face Paints are a brilliant ace up your dress-up sleeve

4. Accessorise Accessorise Accessorise

For when they want to use their imaginations and dress up at home, encourage their creativity with some fun and easy accessories. Sparkly wands are great for getting their imagination flowing, and we sell different styles of wings that can turn turn them into a beast or a fairy and are usefully unisex. Glittery Glasses are another ace to have up your sleeve - great for discos or playing groovy professors - or a lightning quick transformation into Elton John!

Mimi & Lula Sparkle Sequin Wings

Wings make any outfit look pretty spesh.

5. Pretend Play Props

The props can do all the 'dress-up' work if you choose their pretend play kits to suit their interests. We've got loads of choice in our Dress-Up collection that can transform them into detectives, hairdressers, doctors - you name it!

Janod Doctor's Set

Is there a doctor in the house? A set like this one by Janod can transform them into a mini medic.

So there it is, a few ways to think out of the box when it comes to fancy dress. If you want more inspo, have a look at our Dress-up range and don't forget, if you need any more guidance, our Live Chat Team are always here to help, 7am-11pm, every day. Just hit that purple button, bottom right.