Historical costumes without sewing (2023)

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Florence-Nightingale-Costume

For this you need a white apron and either a black long-sleeved dress or a long black skirt and a long-sleeved black top. Also tie a square piece of white fabric over the head and decorate with a paper lantern (draw it on cardboard orPrint out a picture of the actual lantern Florence Nightingale carried).

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Costume by Samuel Pepys (Diary of the Great Fire of London)

Start off with a chic white shirt with a blazer and pants. For shoes, draw a buckle on cardboard and attach to plain black school shoes. A long and curly wig would be ideal if you have something like that in the dress-up box, but the most important accessory here is a journal; Make it look like an old book and authentic by wrapping a book in black or dark red paper.

Egyptian costume

For this you will need a long white cotton dress or robe (made from an old sheet) tied with some blingy and gold. Thread some gold beads onto a string to secure around the head. If you have time, you can buy or rent a Cleopatra-esque wig.

Chimney sweep costume

Great for a boy who hates dressing up! Roughly cut the bottom of some brown or gray pants to wear with canvas shoes. Add a scruffy white shirt; You could dye one in tea to make it look more authentic! (To do this, place a tea bag in a bucket of warm water and soak the shirt in it.) Apply some dirt or brown/black face paint to your face and hands to make it look like you've climbed a chimney. Complement it with a flat cap and of course a “sweeping brush” (a static duster would be perfect).

Victorian girl costume

A long, dark dress or skirt with a long-sleeved blouse. As an accessory, add a scarf around the shoulders and a headscarf around the head, all of which you can easily find in a charity shop! If you can't get a long dark dress/skirt for a child, get a knee length adult dress and tie the waist with a belt. Trainers or ballet flats would be ideal.

Victorian boy costume

If you or a friend have taken a boy to a wedding and have decided on all the suit and boot attire, you probably have most of what you need on hand. Choose dark trousers, a dark vest and a white or cream shirt. Attach a bow tie or tie an adult tie in a bow around your neck. Make a top hat out of paper (Get step-by-step instructions online). School shoes on feet would be fine.

Viking costume

Brown pants and a brown shirt (an adult size would be ideal to add some length and create a tunic look). Attach some aluminum foil to a hair tie to cover her hair. Alternatively, if they're wild, cover a plastic bowl with foil to wear as a hat. Draw a paper sign on cardboard for them to hold (they might be happy to help decorate!).

Roman costume

Use a light colored dress or an old white sheet to make a toga; Glue some gold trim or ribbon around the hemline and neckline. If possible, cut the section into a square shape. Use rope or braid some shiny yarn together to make a belt for the dress. Wear sandals or flip-flops on your feet.

king costume

Don't have to stick to a specific time frame? Royal is your failsafe option! Opt for dark pants, a shirt, and a cape or robe (use a piece of fabric and tie it around your neck). Make a crown with your child by cutting out a cardboard template (zigzag line along the top) and glue it to gloss paper and sequins.

Queen's costume

Go for a long dress or skirt and top with a cape. Make a crown (see king) or tiara by hanging a hairband with sequins and beads. Glue shiny sequins onto ballet flats or sneakers for the shoes. Long braids secured at the parting with handles always give a very royal look!

evacuee costume

Customize the school uniform in minutes with a few accessories. For boys, a flat cap would be ideal; Girls could wear a beret. A coat over it (ideally something traditional looking like a duffle coat) or gray school shorts/skirt, a white shirt (with tie for boys) or blouse and then the all important basic “gas mask” bag (a small brown handbag maybe?) and a Identification tag (cut out of brown cardboard and tie with string).

Rat costume (for the Black Death theme)

Gray or black tights or leggings with a gray or black long sleeve turtleneck shirt. If they like wearing makeup, paint their face gray with black whiskers and a pink nose. Make ears by gluing triangles onto a hair band. For the tail, cut off a gray narrow leg and stuff it with cotton. Clip it to the back of tights or leggings. Sneakers or black ballerinas would do your feet good.

Medieval British costume

Use a knee length baggy adult dress to make a long tunic. Fasten a rope around the waist. Drape some fabric around the body and shoulders as a shawl. Add some material over the head and place a hair band on top to secure. Sandals would be ideal.

Suffragette costume

You will need a long white dress or skirt with long sleeves (an adult knee-length white skirt should work if it cinches at the waist). Make a sash out of thick white fabric or paper. The suffragettes' colors were purple and green, so add a ribbon in purple and a ribbon in green, and write "Votes for Women" (in green) on the sash.

Prehistoric Britain

Cut a plain dress so that it only has one shoulder. Tie a rope around your waist as a belt. Create a very messy hairstyle (your kid will probably love brushing out their hair). They could carry a long stick (perhaps the handle of a broom). Barefoot would be ideal (although totally impractical!).

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