I have vivid childhood memories of visiting my aunt’s house for the first time and discovering her trove of costumes in the basement. My aunt Kay was a talented seamstress and lovingly made all of her kids halloween costumes. All I remember were tubs of brightly coloured fabric feathered boas, top hats and a crazy jungle of accessories to cater to any imagination.
Later in life as a parent, I came to see the real value in costumes and dress up play. We too would build our own trunk of costumes built from everyday objects and other crafted treasures. I would watch with fascination as my son would craft costumes from scraps of fabric, sticks and ribbon. Peter Pan would evolve from layers of carefully placed clothing with twine to hold his wooden sword.
Finding everyday objects and transforming them into something else is an integral part of play and expanding a child’s imagination.
Sarah’s Silks have been designing Playsilks and other natural, eco-friendly wooden and silk toys for over 29 years. Playsilks have been created as an open ended companion to imaginative play and can be used as a cape to become a superhero or queen. Worn as a skirt, used as a veil, belt or sling for your doll. Wrap the silk on your head and provide a fortune reading, Drape the silk over chairs to create a fort. Use the Silk as a sunshade or in a play stand.
Creative Education is a Canadian owned company that has been producing costumes and accessories since the 80’s. They produce new collections every year and I am more and more impressed with the fabric details and choice used for every character. Quality of production is outstanding and with competitive pricing, This line of costumes is beautifully made at an affordable price.
Meri Meri is a San Francisco brand that has been producing everything from decor, partyware, and dress-up for years. They are inspired by colourful childhood imagination and this shows through their dedication to quality and fun design. Their costumes often come with accessories to complete the outfits.