I just found out that my 7 year old niece LOVES to play dress up, but she is outgrowing all of her dress up clothes. She already wears a size 10/12 and it seems like most of the dress up clothes are made for a size 5. I was thinking of giving some dress up clothes for Christmas . . . any suggestions?
Thanks for the answers! I don't know how helpful the thrift store will be for me, only because we only have one and it isn't that great with selection. It is pretty hit or miss . . . and mostly just miss! It is worth a try though. Otherwise I would have to drive an hour into the city. I really wanted to make her a personalized suitcase (trunk) for her and then fill it up. It might have to wait until her birthday in the summer, that way I can keep my eyes out for nice pieces at the thrift shop.
On a side note- I hardly think that one size up from what she would wear if she was average size makes her obese (she wears a size 10/12 instead of a 7/8). She is a tall girl and I guess that the word "bigger" was not a great way to describe her.
I started buying my daughter real clothes for dress up just in bigger sizes. I usually go to a thrift store and look in the size 14/16 for cute dresses she can use and the prices are pretty good too.
When I worked daycare, we used to buy old prom and wedding dresses at goodwill shops. We'd wash them and then cut the bottoms to make them shorter. It worked great, because it turned them into one size fits all.
Check out thrift stores and costume shops. See what's on sale and clearnace. Considering the fact that a lot of people (us included) donate their Halloween costumes, you may find a bunch of great things at the local consignment and thrift stores.
Add to the outfits with plastic accessories (think Claire's) and put it into a trunk for her to decorate and she'll love it!
Yep, thrift stores. While you are looking at clothes, check out jewelry and other accessories.
Goodwill and garage sales! I've found some great stuff.
I gave the same gift myself under the same circumstances and I did a black dress/white dress in her size from walmart for cheap and then got her a TON of accessories like scarves, hats, jewlery etc. She already had a bedazzeler so she got to dress up everything even more and had a blast.
Thrift stores!
I had saved many dresses from when I was younger; my GDs now play dress up in them!
I just came back from a Once Upon A Child and got two gorgeous gowns for $7 each. Floor length! Satin and velvet! Poofy! My daughter's in heaven.
Just be sure to grab something a size or two bigger than what she's wearing because she'll be putting them over her clothes to dress up.
By shopping at thrift stores you will bring her into a WELL kept secret! I discovered thrift stores in the late 90s. My mother was a 'lay away' person--I would have loved to scour the thrift stores as a kid!!!
It might be too late, but as of last week, all Halloween costumes at Toys R Us were 90% off at the store near me. So most costumes were about $3, and I'm sure there were plenty of big kid or adult dress-up type costumes. You might want to call your store and see if they still have their costumes for sale. Good luck!
Unless the child is extremely tall for her age, I suggest speaking with her parents about childhood obesity (diabetes). If she's just a really tall child, then just buy some great dress up clothes or go through your closet. Goodwill and other secondhand stores have some great hats, shawls, high heels...etc (be careful with the high heels....they could fall).
Unless the child is extremely tall for her age, I suggest speaking with her parents about childhood obesity (diabetes). If she's just a really tall child, then just buy some great dress up clothes or go through your closet. Goodwill and other secondhand stores have some great hats, shawls, high heels...etc (be careful with the high heels....they could fall).
