Schools in the UK have to include certain historical eras as part of the school curriculum. Schools will accomplish this in many different ways. Some will arrange for a drama group to come in to the school. Others will ask the children to come to school for a day dressed appropriately for the era being covered. Some lucky children will have the opportunity to attend a re-enactment day in costume, these are normally held at local historic houses and are tremendous fun for all the children involved.
Props n Frocks is keen to form long term relationships with schools as we understand how much the children really benefit from dressing up in the respective era they are studying. We also understand that some parents really struggle to be able to send their kids into school in costume. We try to help in 2 ways. Firstly, if you are a teacher, parent or Governor, ask your headteacher to contact us at Props n Frocks and we can issue your school with its own unique discount code for all purchases on the website. Secondly, we have developed a range of accessories that will help you to put your own costumes together at home for these drama days.
We often find that many schools ask their parents not to purchase a costume. From the amount of people who come into our retail shop, and from our feedback both online and in the shop, many parents just do not have the time or the inclination to do so and look to purchase a fancy dress costume for convenience. Childrens costumes are relatively cheap to purchase, and you can order it online and it can be with you the next working day (depending on the time you place your order).
In each of the sections below, we will outline the costumes that are available to purchase for Historical dressing up days, but also give some ideas on how you could make your own, very cheaply, at home.
This page will look mainly at Historical dressing up days that are held at school, if your child needs to dress up as a book character, take a look for a long list of
book character costume ideas for children.
Please make sure that if you do purchase a kids outfit that it complies with the law that governs all childrens costumes. Props n Frocks Fancy dress only supplies childrens costumes that fully comply with the current legislation, you can be sure your child's safety is our primary concern. If you want to read all about the law that governs kids costumes, just read all about kids costumes & the law
Kids Tudor Costumes
There are many Tudor costumes on the market. We tend to find that most of the time children are asked to dress up as a poor peasant style of costume. This style of costume is easy for your child to wear all day long. If your child is going on a trip in the winter, try and buy a slightly larger size so you can put additional layers on underneath.
It is also possible to purchase wealthy style costumes, especially for the young girls (who love going as a Princess or a Queen). As these dresses tend to be longer in length, do check that they will not cause a trip hazzard.
Basic dress requirements for children:
Boys Tudor Costumes
For the boys a plain white long sleeved shirt, a sleeveless waistcoat or a body warmer, cut down trousers at the knee or tucked into long socks. To help parents make up their own Tudor costume at home, we also now stock a Tudor Boy's Costume kit. Ths kit includes a Tudor style hat and coin purse.
Girls Tudor Costumes
For the girls, long full skirt, white shirt, bodice or waistcoat laced up the front and a small coif (hat) in white or cream material. As part of our Tudor accessories range we now stock a Tudor Peasant Girl's Costume Kit - this includes a coif hat, pinny and a coin purse.
If any mums would like to make a costume, Simplicity supply patterns for the dressmakers among you.
Kids Victorian Costumes
There are many Victorian costumes on the market. A lot of schools will do a Victorian Christmas event / Carol Service towards the end of the year, so it may be worth investing in purchasing a costume, especially if you know that you will get some more useage out of it.
We tend to find that most of the time children are asked to dress up in a poor style of costume. This style of costume is easy for your child to wear all day long.
It is also possible to purchase wealthy style costumes, especially for the young girls (who love going as a rich lady). As these dresses tend to be longer in length, do check that they will not cause a trip hazzard.
Basic dress requirements for children:
A Victorian costume may be fairly easy to put together at home.
Girls Victorian Costumes
Girl will require a long length skirt or dress with a white full pinny. To help parents make up their own Victorian costume, we also now stock a Victorian Girl's Costume kit. Ths kit includes a Mop Cap and a full length pinny. To get a rich child costume, why not recycle an old bridesmaid dress?
Boys Victorian Costumes
Boy can wear shorts, white collarless shirt, a scarf and a cap. We do stock caps on their own and also a waistcoat and cap set to help you to put your own costume together.
Schools will often link Roman & Egyptian together. There is probably more of a selection of childrens Roman costumes available to purchase, but we do stock a lovely Egyptian Boy & girl costume.
A costume for this era can easily be made at home. All you need is an old pillow case (white) and cut a hole for the head and 2 arms.
To create a more Roman style of dress, a belt is used to secure the waist and you have a basic costume. Braiding and a drape over one shoulder can be added, but is not essential.
We also sell a good range of Egyptian accessories to make it nice and easy to put a costume together at home. Just use the basic pillow case costume and then add some of the following:
* Collars
* Belts
* Arm Bands
* Snake Armbands (Asps)
* Headpieces
We stock a great selection of Roman accessories including:
* Shields
* Swords
* Armour Sets
We stock a great range of
Boy's Roman Costumes
Kids Viking | Saxon Costumes
Up until recently it was impossible to purchase a childs Viking costume. Luckily that problem has been sorted, and although there is not a huge choice on the market, Props n Frocks has designed a lovely Viking costume for girls and boys that we always keep in stock.
Girls Viking Costume
Girls need to wear a longish dress with an apron (normally tied with rough cord) and a cape. If you look at the image of the Girl's viking costume (above), the cape should be tied up in the front
Boy's Viking Costume
Boys need to wear a tee shirt and long trousers. Tie some ribbon around the lower leg, so that it looks as if the trousers have been tied on to his legs. Complete the look with a cape. If you look at the image of the Viking costume (above), the ties on the legs are not tied up around the model's legs.
We do stock a value Viking helmet that is ideal to complete these outfits.
Kids 1940s Evacuee Costumes
1940s are a recent addition to our childrens range of costumes.
Girls 1940s Costume - wear an ill fitting dress with a plain woolen cardigan.
Boys 1940s Costume - wear plain shorts, grey shirt, woolen pullover, grey socks pulled up to the knees.
Complete both outfits with a cardboard luggage label (with your child's name printed on it) and a gas mask (available to purchase) in a cardboard box tied up with string.
