Best source for play dress-up clothes?

[NicaG]

Does anyone have recommendations on where to get dress-up clothes or sets? Everything I find is either too girly/princessy or too expensive. I'd like to spend around $80 for just a basic set with a couple outfits and maybe a hat and shoes. Thanks!

[Mosaic]

We've put together awesome sets from Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.

[gagin37]

Originally Posted by Mosaic

We've put together awesome sets from Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.

that's what I am doing too, for ds's upcoming birthday. thrift stores and ebay.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Yup, thrift stores here too. I also hit the sale racks after Halloween. So many fun things for DS's dressup bin at that time of year. I also added his Halloween costume (a homemade bumblebee) to his bin last October too. I found a flouncy tutu at Old Navy on clearance that I put in there, he has playsilks, Mardi Gras beads from our local Mardi Gras parade, a nighgown that looks like a "princess dress", an authentic boys dress shirt from India (so gorgous) that I found at our local Salvation Army, a rainbow clown wig that I had kicking around from before having him, a pair of fairy wings that I bought at Claire's Boutique (hair doo-dad and cheap jewelry place locally), a fully decked out Girl Scouts vest with a bazillion badges sewn onto it from the S. Army too, and a few other things I can't quite think of right now. He is always digging in there and coming up with all sorts of fantastic outfits to be whatever he wants to be. He put on the Indian shirt, the Girl Scout vest, some beads and a fireman hat yesterday and announced that he was an "official fireman, ready to go put out fires!".

Definitely no need to spend big money, and honestly, when you spend less, you get more creative, and the dress up bin ends up so much more fun!

[quantumleap]

I was just going to suggest post-Halloween sales too! Our thrift stores are not awesome, but I have found a few things there. Also, you may or may not have a Micheal's (craft store) locally, but I've found a few things on sale there for 2-5$ - different animal hats and tails, one of those masquerade ball masks, etc. We also include old Halloween costumes as well as strings of beads. The dollar store would have things like plastic glasses. DD is currently obsessed with glasses (completely broke mine!), and I keep meaning to get her her own plastic pair (although, I'm sure the appeal is much decreased when they aren't your, legally blind without them, MAMA'S glasses). I've got a tutu half made currently. The web has a billion sets of instructions for "no sew" tutus that you can make out of ribbon or elastic and a bit of tulle (cheap!).
Fun, fun! I love putting this all together. Even though I think she'd love it now, I'm attempting to hold off and save the whole caboodle for a Christmas or birthday (end of Dec) present. I still need to find a box or trunk or something to store it in, and I'd love to find a mirror at the thrift store. We have a little corner that could easily house a few hooks, a neat little trunk and a mirror as a dress up corner.
Anyway, op, just keep your eyes peeled and open to ideas from random sources. You're bound to come up with some fun stuff.

[NicaG]

Thanks for all these great ideas, you mamas are inspiring me!

[Masel]

My DD has a bunch of scarves that I got at garage sales. They have been dresses, capes, sarongs, veils, headdresses etc.

[tbone_kneegrabber]

yeah thrift stores. I am currently on the search for a x-small scrub shirt and smaller lab coat (found larger ones already) and if I don't find one soon I'll just alter a bigger one (I mean for $1.95, I can spend an hour making it a bit smaller!)

small women's blazers, or boys suits are really great and open ended.

get a vest or two and either embellish or not

and then you can often find cheap prom dresses at the thrift store this time of year if that has appeal.

Also cap and gowns (well the gowns more) are very open ended, your a wizard, your a professor, your a whatever

At ds's preschool all the clothes are from the thrift store and I just shorten some of the dresses and the graduation gown by cutting off the bottom, didn't even hem it or anything and they are a success.

[Abraisme]

Check on Ebay, people often sell large lots of dress-up clothes.

[ASusan]

Maybe try etsy? I bet a seller there would make you a "custom" set of dress-up clothing (maybe assembled from what they already have in stock).

Which reminds me, I haven't had my etsy fix lately...

[dawncayden]

I hit the thrift shops, garage sales and shops on November 1 (huge Halloween sales) and craigslist is sometimes good.
I also add stuff that I don't use anymore...purses, sunglasses, shoes, bandanas, necklaces.