Rethinking Dress-Ups

I grew up with two grandmothers who absolutely nailed the dress-up game. Nanny had a quaint selection of aprons and scarves that I would transform into gowns and prairie attire (naturally). Minka had two HUGE blue bins filled with years worth of bridesmaids dresses, designer bags, and quirky hats.

Character Costume Craze

Working in playrooms now, we see a lot of store-bought character costumes. Don’t get me wrong, these are fun for sure. They enable kids to embody the princesses and superheroes they see in movies, but with an existing character comes an existing narrative, struggle, and goal. They don’t get to dream those up on their own.

Playful Solutions

Our practical application isn’t to get rid of all your Disney and Marvel costumes. We’re simply suggesting that you diversify your dress-ups! Throw in some professional uniforms like a doctor or firefighter so your children can explore what it means to help and be a community member. Take a trip to the thrift store with your kiddo and pick out some funky pieces they enjoy. And finally include old clothing that you loved at one time! These are always crowd favorites and more sustainable and ethical than new items.