One of my enduring and favourite memories from when I was small was delving into the dressing up box at a friend of my parents’ house in an old Elizabethan house in Warwick. I say dressing up box but really I mean a huge chest of drawers which was stuffed to the brim with old clothes belonging to the couple whose house we were visiting.

There were clippity high heels and old fur stoles and coats, feather boas and long evening gloves…and that’s not even the half of it. There were boxes of paste jewellery and a floor skimming velvet cloak with a hood and piles upon piles of hats all of which dated from the 40s and 50s. Today it would probably be a vintage style hunter’s dream. Suffice to say, we were entertained for hours.

A dressing up box is something that I’ve considered creating for Hector too; granted he’s a bit small at the moment but I have a feeling that he’s going to like acting out different characters if his penchant for trying out my various hats and daddy’s plethora of shoes is anything to go by.

With this in mind we thought we’d share a post on perhaps slightly unusual but fun fancy dress outfits for kids and toddlers including props…away from the ever popular Frozen/princess/Disney/Marvel Comics themes which we know will forever be beloved of littles.

Days Of Yore

Most kiddos are not going to be enthused by the vintage delights of the 40s. Instead they’re be more enamoured by more distant days of yore, of King Arthur and his band of knights, of dragons and magicians.

I’m a huge fan of the brand Numero 74 – founded by two cousins, one Italian and the other French. They produce a huge range of kids clothing, bedding, furniture and of course dressing up outfits including this ‘Lancelot’ costume complete with mock chainmail hat, sash and chevalier bib. I absolutely blinking love it and I know that boys and girls alike will love defending their castles in this garb. Pair it with this yellow shield with matching lion motif and they’re kitted up and ready to go.

Those after a little bit more magic in their lives will probably go gaga for this velvet beauty from Molly-Meg. This teal cape is embellished with the sweetest golden glittery appliqué stars and is fully lined in satin. Finish off with a bespoke wand engraved with a favourite spell or the name of the wizarding wand bearer; Harry Potter would be proud.

For the fiery characters allow me to present the ‘ride-on dragon‘ complete with red foil wings. Rather handily this costume can easily worn over any outfit and has adjustable straps to accommodate growing littles. The wings have wrist loops to maximise flying action and the body and legs are made from soft plush fabric.

I actually bought Hector one of Hubble and Duke’s black leather crowns for his first birthday from Nor-folk along with one of their Wonder Years t-shirts (but that’s another story). I was really impressed with the quality and whilst it sits on his shelves for now he does regularly ask me to pop it on his head so I know it will be a dressing up staple in the years to come. They also make a gorgeous golden version too!

Professions

I fondly remember playing Doctors and Nurses when I was small but I was never lucky enough to have this awesome kit from Tea & Kate. You know times have changed when you no longer have the red and yellow plastic version (with a stethoscope that always twisted really awkwardly!) and instead an assortment of wooden replica instruments including a syringe and various chisels (!) is included. There’s even a mobile phone for emergency calls too!

This set of racing googles and hat very easily lends itself to piloting exploits or vintage rally car racing. Either way the need for speed is real. All that’s required now is a creative adult to get crafty with some cardboard to make a plane or old car and they can zoom to their heart’s content…the child that is, not the adult. 😉

If being speedy gonzale isn’t your little’s thing then perhaps suggest they get snap happy with this wooden camera instead. Made from Guatambu and Incense wood the prop has a leather grip and zoom feature. Anything that keeps them away from the camera phone is a good thing in my book…

Dress up doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes it’s just a carefully placed small accessory and suddenly kids get in the zone. This set of three badges from Meri Meri can cater for three kiddies playing Cowboys. Folks there’s a new sheriff in town!

I’d be lying if I said that there wasn’t a small part of me that wishes that I was tiny again so that I could sport this dusky pink romper from Hubble & Duke and pretend that I was Odette from Swan Lake. I mean just look at it. ADORABLE! Pair with these ballet moccasins for the ultimate cutesy style.

Animals And Beasties

Possibly my favourite get-up of this entire round-up has got to be this cutesy flamingo tutu costume. Embellished with six large pink felt feathers and a hand dyed top with a tutu underskirt for volume, I’m slightly gutted that they don’t make this in bigger sizes. Available in sizes up to 6 years, baby costumes include a bodysuit and toddler sizes and above include a long sleeve shirt.

For those looking to indulge their inner bat allow me to present this bat mask and accompanying wings… Available at Molly-Meg the wings have lace ties and underwiring so that they can be tweaked to suit personal flying styles. The mask also has black tape ties for easy adjustments.

Granted these Cat and Rabbit masks from CuriousFair are for adults but they do cater for bespoke requests so I don’t see why they couldn’t be adapted for smaller heads…both would most definitely be an investment buy though so for older children rather than more boisterous toddlers. Made from real feathers with a hand-painted finish – sometimes with glitter! – they are lightweight and are secured to the head with an elastic and ribbon fastening. If a mask is a bit full on then it’s worth taking a peek at their ear headpieces instead.

Staying on the woodland theme Lottie is a big fan of the brand Animalesque who make masks that are more younger child friendly. I adore their blue rabbit pom pom bedecked version and their owls. The penguins are pretty special too and would be a hit with Hector given that it’s one of his favourite animals. Be sure to check out their tails and waistcoats as well.

Lastly let’s finish off with the King of the Jungle – the majestic Lion – specifically this woolly mane version from Not On The High Street. Perfect for an animal themed party and crafted from wool and felt, the same company also provide lion dresses or dungarees for the full outfit. The costume fits around the head like a headband and fastens under the chin with an orange ribbon so can be adjusted to fit heads big and small.

Amazing right? I’m wishing as I type that every single one of these fabulous outfits was available in my size and that I had a few fancy dress parties lined up in my social calendar. Unfortunately it’s not to be but a girl can dream can’t she…

Do any of your littles love dressing up? What’s their favourite outfit? Do you secretly wish you could make believe with them too…Why not tell us in the comments box below.