If you’ve ever searched for children’s costumes online during special occasions, then you already know how expensive it can be. Instead of splurging on costumes that are used only once in a while, why not create your very own kids’ costume wardrobe? That way, you can always dress up your children without spending too much money. Here are five tips on how to create your own costume wardrobe for your kids.
1. Minimizing Costs with a DIY Kids’ Costume Wardrobe
1. Shop Thrift Stores
Shop your local thrift stores: clothes that can be used as costume pieces can often be found at great prices. From full costumes to accessories, thrift stores offer a wide range of cost-effective options. Get creative with your choices to create an eclectic, one-of-a-kind costume.
2. Raid Your Closet
The items you already have in your closet can become a great part of your kid’s costume wardrobe. Recycle old costumes and clothes and get creative! Add accessories, like suspenders, hats, and wigs, to dress up an outfit and create an entirely new look.
3. Make it Yourself
No-sew projects are easy, economical, and fun solutions to create costumes. Items that can be easily modified include changing the hem of a skirt, adding extra buttons, or using fabric non-toxic fabric paint to draw designs.
4. Host a Swap
Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to a costume swap. Each family can donate costumes and accessories that are no longer used. You can also ask for recycled materials they no longer need for costume creation.
5. Hit the Dollar Store
Thrift stores aren’t the only place to find inexpensive costume materials. Stock up on simple costume pieces, accessories, and craft items at your local dollar store. These items can easily be transformed into immersive costumes.
2. Planning Ahead to Build a Reusable Kids’ Costume Collection
1. Shop Smart: Start your search for costume pieces well in advance of a special occasion. Don’t wait until the last minute to make a costume – this can lead to panic and overspending. Shop around and see which pieces you can find on sale and convert into a costume.
2. Use Personality to Guide Your Choices: Focus on building a wardrobe of kids’ costumes that play to your child’s individual interests. Look to the movies they love, the characters they’re drawn to, the colors they prefer. When kids are involved in the creative process, they’ll be more likely to love the final costume.
3. Reuse What You Have: When you are trying to be cost effective, build your costume from items you already have in your family wardrobe or closet. Look for pieces that you can mix and match. Try combining an old dress up costume with a pair of trousers you already have to create a new look.
4. Invest in Good Quality Garments: Buy pieces that can be reused or altered. Think of it as an investment in your kid’s costume wardrobe rather than a quick, disposable solution. Look for garments in natural fibers such as cotton or wool and mix and match to create customized and unique looks.
5. Have Fun with DIY: Don’t be afraid to get creative with DIY projects. With a few modifications, store-bought costumes can be transformed into something truly unique. Try adding a bit of glitter, ribbon, lace, and other embellishments to create a one-of-a-kind piece. With some imagination and ingenuity, you can create something special.
3. Creative Upcycling Ideas for Making Unique Costumes
1. Get Creative With Fabric Scraps
Rather than spending a lot of money on a new costume each year, why not create something unique out of fabric scraps? With an old sheet, scraps of lace, ribbon, and other trimmings, you can make a one-of-a-kind costume with a little imagination. An added bonus is that if you have two or more kids, you can recycle the same items to make each one’s costume.
2. Look to Hand-Me-Downs
As our kids grow, they need to update their wardrobes – including costumes! Put those hand-me-down costume pieces to work by repurposing them to fit the next family member. You’d be amazed at what you can come up with by switching out a few accessories, like hats, belts, and masks.
3. Get Thrifty
Thrift stores are a treasure trove for costumes! From vintage clothes to props, you can find a great costume at a fraction of the price of one at a costume shop. Consider adding a few pieces to a thrifted outfit to put a unique spin on it.
4. Re-use Halloween Costumes
Did you know that Halloween costumes often have a lot of pieces that can be used year-round? Anything from wands and wings to masks and shoes can be used again, while other items like capes – when detached from their Halloween costumes – can be used to create a host of characters.
5. DIY It!
Work with what you’ve got! Make a range of costumes from some of the following:
- Cereal Box Accessories
- Junk Mail Jewels
- Old Cardboard Boxes
- Re-purposed fabric scraps and sheets
By getting creative and upcycling what you already have, you can make a unique, individualized costume for your little one. The options are truly endless.
4. Using Sustainable Materials to Make Durable Costumes
Tip 1: Research Sustainable Brands
When you’re shopping for costume materials, make sure to look for sustainability-oriented brands. Look for materials made with recycled materials or natural fabrics like organic cotton, linen, hemp, and bamboo. Many companies now offer vegan materials for costumes, too.
Tip 2: Shop Second-Hand
One of the best ways to get sustainable costumes is by shopping second-hand. Visit your local thrift store, flea market or consignment shop to find unique materials that can help create unique costumes. Who knows - you might find the perfect pieces for your kids’ Halloween looks this year there!
Tip 3: Save Pieces From Previous Years
One way to create costumes while still being sustainable is by recycling pieces from previous years. Keep costumes from previous years in storage and update them when needed. Your kids can use the same costume pieces over and over again, with just a few tweaks.
Tip 4: Choose Durable Fabrics
When selecting materials for your kids’ costumes, make sure to look for materials that are durable and will last through years of wearing and washing. Natural fabrics like wool, linen, and silk are great for costume garments because they are hardwearing and can be machine-washed.
Tip 5: Make Use of Accessories
Your kids’ costumes can get a major overhaul with accessories. Hats, wigs, glasses, and jewelry are all great pieces to add to a costume to make it stand out. Try to choose vintage or second-hand accessories so that you can shop with a sustainable mindset.
5. Encouraging Kids’ Imagination with DIY Costumes
1. Get thrifty
Thrift stores offer the perfect place to find pieces for a kid’s costume wardrobe. Look into your nearest thrift store for pieces such as dresses, cloaks, coats, and more for a fraction of the cost. You can also upcycle used items with a bit of creativity, such as turning an old T-shirt into an elf cloak with some careful cuts and a bit of fraying.
2. Have fun with colors and patterns
Kids love bright colors and fun patterns, so don’t be afraid to challenge the traditional neutrals when it comes to costume making. High-energy colors like teal or pink can jazz up an otherwise dull costume, and a printed fabric can help basic outfits stand out.
3. Embellish, embellish, embellish!
Costumes don’t have to be plain; add a bit of pizzazz with some ribbons, sequins, glitter, or jewelry. A few simple accessories like a wand or a shield can also go a long way toward bringing a costume to life.
4. Make it fun and easy with “dress up” clothes
Purchase a few ready-made items such as tights, capes, masks, and hats if you don’t feel like creating your own costumes from scratch. Combine these items with everyday clothing for an easy, breezy costume. Or, if you’re feeling crafty, break out the needle and thread for an altered take on a “dress up” costume.
5. Repurpose existing items in new ways
A child’s evoking creativity often shines through the use of existing items. A bedsheet can become an angel’s robe, while a pillowcase can double as a witch’s cloak. It’s amazing how much a kid’s imagination can come alive when they’re allowed to invent their own costumes.
Creating a kid’s costume wardrobe doesn’t require a lot of time or money. Gather items from secondhand stores, upcycle existing items, and go wild with bright colors and fun embellishments for a unique ensemble. Let the little ones have fun and create their own wardrobe; you’ll be surprised at what they come up with!
Creating a costume wardrobe for your kids can be a fun and rewarding experience, as it will give them the chance to explore their creativity and release their inner artist. With the tips provided in this article, you and your kids can get inspired with new and interesting ideas and start building a costume wardrobe that is truly unique. It’s never too late to start the next great adventure. So, don your everyday wardrobe, go out and start dreaming up your next DIY costume masterpiece.