Storing, Reusing and Passing On Costumes

A costume can be worn for more than one event. With a little care it lasts through several Book Weeks, gets handed to a cousin, or turns into something new. This page covers the practical side: cleaning, storing, sharing and reusing.

Clean it the way the label says

Check the care label before anything else. Costumes are often made of mixed fabrics, trims and glued-on decorations, and what suits one part may not suit another.

• If the label says hand wash, hand wash. If it says spot clean only, use a damp cloth and a little mild soap on the marks.
• If a costume has no label, treat it gently. Cool water, no hot dryer, and test a hidden corner first.
• Take off or protect anything that should not get wet, such as cardboard, foam, glued gems and battery lights.
• Air dry flat or on a hanger away from direct heat.
• Deal with stains soon after the event. Old stains are harder to shift.

Face paint and make-up marks are best treated early. If you use face paint at all, do a small skin test first and follow the instructions on the pack.

Store wigs and hats so they keep their shape

Wigs and hats lose their shape when they are squashed at the bottom of a box. A few small habits help.

• Brush or comb a wig gently before it goes away. Start at the ends and work up.
• Put a wig on a foam head, a jar or a rolled towel wrapped in a cloth. Cover it loosely with a bag that lets air in.
• Stuff a hat with tissue paper or a clean t-shirt so the crown stays round.
• Keep hats on top of a shelf or in their own box. Do not stack things on them.
• Store pointed or brimmed hats upright, or lay them flat with nothing on top.
• Keep everything dry and out of direct sun, which can fade colours and dry out fabric.

Capes, tutus and long skirts also crease less if they hang, or are rolled loosely instead of folded tightly.

Keep a dress up box

A dress up box is the easiest way to keep costumes in use. Children can play in it all year, and each event starts with something already to hand.

• Pick a box, chest or bin with a lid. Something children can open themselves means they will actually use it.
• Add plain pieces as well as full costumes: capes, scarves, waistcoats, crowns, belts, old hats and bags. Plain pieces can become almost any character.
• Sort by type or by character. Use a label on the outside so you can find things quickly.
• Tuck in a small bag of spare buttons, ribbon and safety pins for quick fixes.
• Go through it once a year. Wash what needs washing, mend loose seams and remove what no longer fits or is broken.

Before you keep or pass on any costume, check for loose beads, sharp edges and broken fastenings. Take off small parts that could come away, or set the piece aside.

Swap with other families

Children outgrow costumes quickly, and most are worn only once or twice. Swapping means everyone gets something new without buying it.

• Ask at school, a nursery, a library, a scout or guide group, or in a neighbourhood group. Book Week or World Book Day is a natural time.
• Set a simple rule, such as one in, one out. Everyone brings something clean and complete.
• Label sizes clearly. Include hats, wigs and accessories with the costume they belong to.
• Wash items before they go, and say if anything has a small flaw.
• Agree who takes home what is left, or where it goes. A charity shop or a local drama group is often glad of it.

If you pass a costume to a friend, a short note on the care label instructions is helpful. It saves the next family guessing.

Re-theme a costume for next year

A costume does not have to stay the same character. Changing a few pieces can give it a fresh life.

• Change the accessories. A different hat, wig, bag or prop can shift a character completely.
• Change the colours with new trim, a new sash or a different cape.
• Take off badges, patches or ribbons that tie the costume to one story, and add new ones.
• Use a plain base. A simple dress, tunic or waistcoat can be a fairy tale character one year and a book hero the next.
• Let the child suggest what to change. They usually have ideas, and they are more likely to wear the result.

Use fabric glue, fabric tape or a few stitches, and do not cut into the original if you might want it back. Keep the extra pieces in the dress up box, so next year's costume starts with a head start.