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Playing Dress-Up

Playing dress-up starts to be a big interest at around four to five. It is also a big component with Pretend Tea. Kids love to mix and match and come up with their own outfit and buying providing a variety, she OR HE! can dream up a different outfit during each playtime.

Where to shop? Flea markets, garage sales, antique stores (usually hats, gloves and purses bring low prices!), re-sale shops, Goodwill and Salvation Army stores, discount bins at your favorite clothing store and the children's dress areas at retail stores and toy stores.

What to buy?

Plenty of hats, especially straw hats you can decorate with ribbons and imitation flowers. Be sure to look for some men's hats too!

Tea length gloves which go the wrist bone are common to find; longer pairs are harder to find in child sizes but available.

Jewelry, especially pieces that can be put on over the head without fasteners, bracelets and clip earrings. This type of jewelry can be expensive if it is a true antique. Due to the risk of loss, don't use valuable pieces.

Some jewelry now comes with a plastic connecter piece (commonly found at Target) -- I don't recommend this as the connector piece is choking size once it becomes disconnected which my two year old can do! 

Shoes, are optional. Some kids love to play in them, others don't.

Ties, you might consider the clip-on type for easier play. Safety Tip ~ Don't use long ties that kids could tie around their neck and choke.

Boas/wraps will be found new at the retail toy stores.

Sunglasses or old glasses missing the prescription glass.

Blazers/Suit coats, can be found in older boys sizes or mens. I find that with boys go with a size two larger and it seems fun to play in... if you use an adult sized coat, they are just too big to be comfortable in for any length of time.

Capes. A necessity for boys! I would choose one WITHOUT a cartoon character so they can imagine themselves anyone! Make sure the neck has an easy velcro attachment so you're not constantly tying it.

Tutus. If your child takes dance than you have a source. Otherwise look for a local dance supply store. They will be cheaper and better quality here than at a toy store.

Dresses.

Adult dresses can be used, especially those that are "prom" or "bridal" oriented. They can be used as-is or cut down.

Complete child-size play dresses are also available from quality toy magazines, such as Let's Pretend but are usually expensive (over $50 each).

Be sure to save your Halloween costumes from year to year.

If you like to sew you can make plenty of quick and easy outfits. Choose patterns that come in pieces, such as an elasticized skirt and t-top made of shiny materials.

Search through your own closet, your parent's closet and your sewing scrap boxes for plenty of material to use.

If having guests, ask each girl to come dressed in an outfit of their own choice. You'll have plenty of fun "admiring" their glamorous choices!

For older girls, Vintage outfits from the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's are readily available at a pretty reasonable cost (depending on your location). Check that out for your "grown-up" girl!

How to Store it?

A vintage wardrobe trunk is a wonderful playroom accessory. These trunks stand on end and open to reveal two sides, one with drawers the other with a hanger. Look for trunks at your local antique malls, flea markets, garage sales, and classified ads. Tip ~ these trunks are LARGE, make sure they will fit within your inside doorways especially if you have a pre-50's built home.

Other options ~

Use a smaller vintage trunk, which would later become a "hope chest" for your little girl to store her personal items within. Expect to pay a minimum of $100 for a chest in good condition and the older the trunk the higher the cost naturally. Most have not been restored and those that have are often restored poorly. Safety tip ~ put a safety hinge on the trunk lid. These old trunk lids are quite heavy and can seriously hurt your child if the lid were to slam down on their head or neck.

Suitcases. Popular right now for interior decorating you may find them hard to find or too pricey. The trunks from the 40's to the 60's are especially pretty.

Standard Footlocker. These now come in a variety of colors including pink and purple! We've seen them decorated with paint or decals. Some even have wheels for easy movement.

Hat boxes decorated with flowers found at many stores in the jewelry section.

Toy boxes can be used also.

Wicker baskets are a decorative storage container.

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