World Book Day 2013 Costume ideas.

Ideas for World Book Day Outfits 2013

It is almost that time of year again – World Book Day. On the 7th March 2013, school children across the UK are encouraged to dress up as a favourite book character.

When it comes to World Book Day, parents tend to fall into 2 distinct categories; the ones whose hearts sink when that letter comes home and the ones who rub their hands with glee at the thought of the wonderful creative opportunity offered by a day of fancy dress at school. If, like me, you fall into the former group, try some of these ideas to avoid a)unwanted stress and panic b)tragically disappointed face on your child.

Although it can be fun to make your own costumes, if you are that way inclined, it can be too time consuming for many busy parents. Here in Urmston we are very lucky to have a specialist Fancy Dress shop, Affordable Fancy Dress, based on Church Rd in Flixton. I popped in to have a chat with owners Philippa Knight and Sam Hickson to find out which  costumes are looking popular for this year’s WBD.

Affordable Fancy Dress’ Top 5 costumes for WBD 2013

1. Ratburger by David Walliams

2. WW2 Evacuee  (Carrie’s War, Goodnight Mr Tom)

3. Pirates (Peter Pan)

4. The Hobbit

5. Where’s Wally

Other popular choices, according to Phillipa and Sam, are costumes deriving from the Wizard of Oz, The Hungry Caterpillar, Horrid Henry and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (I was quite taken by the Oompa Loompa outfit!)

Check out the images for inspiration and read on for more ideas…

Alex Rider

Worst Witch costume idea

The Illustrated Mum

Mary Poppins costume

Willy Wonka costume

How to train your dragon

Paddington Bear

Tom’s Midnight Garden

Hetty Feather costume

Where’s Wally

Evacuee costume

Horrid Henry

Ratburger costume

Rainbow Fairies

Evacuees from Carrie’s War

How to train your Dragon

Just William

Oompa Loompa

Hungry Caterpillar Costume

Where’s Wally

Peter Pan pirate

Pippi Longstocking

Tiara Club

Ideas for girls’ costumes for World Book Day 2013

 

Carrie from Carrie’s War – 1940’s evacuee style clothes with suitcase, gasmask and name tag.

The Hungry Caterpillar – Affordable Fancy Dress stock a costume that is extremely cute! See the images above

Little Princess – white nightdress and crown

The Worst Witch –Witch’s hat, black cape over black pinafore with red sash. Broomstick and toy cat.

The White Witch (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) -White fur fabric or velvet as cloak, crown, wand and box of Turkish delight.

Pippi Longstocking – pipe cleaners in plaits, stripy odd socks, dress with patches, put freckles on face.

Tiara Club – party dress, tiara, feather boa, or fake fur shrug/jacket

Hetty Feather/Sapphire Battersea – Victorian clothes, mob hat & pinafore

Meg and Mog – witch costume plus cuddly toy cat

Sleepover Club – pjs & dressing gown

Dorothy (Wizard of Oz) – blue gingham dress, red shoes, hair in plaits, toy dog for Toto.

Rainbow Fairies –  possibilities are endless! Fairy wings with appropriate colour/themed accessories.

Mary Poppins – Long black or navy skirt, white shirt with brooch/red bow at neck, hat, umbrella and carpet bag or similar.

Laura from Laura’s Star – nightclothes plus teddy and gold star with plaster on it.

Fern from Charlotte’s Web – jeans, shirt, toy pig, toy spider and, if feeling ambitious, cobweb made from pipecleaners.

Railway Children – Edwardian style clothes (ankle length skirt, high neck blouse, lace up boots, pinafore and wooly cap) accessorise with red shorts/bloomers on a stick!

Pony Club Secrets – jodphurs, riding hat, jacket & crop.

Camicazi/Astrid from How to Train your Dragon – brown/black/grey skirt or dress with leggings underneath, brown Ugg type boots, sword and shield, Viking hat or bandana.

The Illustrated Mum – Fake tattoo arm sleeves (available Amazon uk) long hippy style skirt, denim jacket

World Book Day outfit ideas for Boys

Horrid Henry – scruffy clothes & messed up hair

Just William – old fashioned school uniform; shorts, knee socks, crooked tie and school cap. Catapult and/or peashooter.

Burglar Bill – eye mask, black trousers, black and white stripy top, swag bag

Alex Rider – jeans, black bomber jacket/denim jacket, baseball boots, sunglasses, chunky watch, torch, spy accessories

Tom from Tom’s Midnight Garden – pyjamas and dressing gown

Cowboy or Indian from the Indian in the Cupboard.

Pirates – Captain Hook or the Night Pirates

Puss in Boots – Cat costume or face mask and either boots or customized wellies.

Dracula – any Halloween vampire cloaks, fangs, gelled back hair.

Harry Potter – cloak, glasses, wand, lightning scar, maybe a toy owl?

King Babar – elephant mask, crown, smart suit

Hiccup from How to train your Dragon – Viking hat, sword, shield, drab coloured clothing and book about dragons.