Dressing for a fairy tale ball... ideas on the cheap?

September 14, 2008 6:34 PM

What should a kindergarten teacher dress up as for her school's fairytale ball?

This is a question for a friend. She says, "we are having a fairy tale ball at school for the Kindergarten classes. I need to dress up like a character from a fairy tale. I need to come up with an inexpensive costume....which is where I'm hitting a wall. I can't see to come up with any good ideas!

"I've been to party and Halloween stores-- they have costumes if you want to look like a slut...inappropriate for school. I have looked online and found the same things. I've been to the thrift store thinking I could find an old prom dress....but they have had nothing lately, so any ideas that you think could work would be helpful. I need to go ahead a buy supplies if i need to make something so i can work ahead of time if needed."

My friend is quirky, funny, and fairly nerdy (and also exceptionally tall if that sparks an idea). Not your standard kindergarten teacher. Any hilarious and cheap ideas?

posted by parkerjackson to clothing, beauty, & fashion (15 comments total)

Got to be the wicked stepmother.
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:43 PM on September 14, 2008

Rapunzel? This costume would just require a very long wig.
Little Red Riding Hood - a basket and a red cape should get the idea across.
posted by Ostara at 6:46 PM on September 14, 2008

if she's known for her height, she could always go as a beanstalk. wear all green, and tie a toy boy--jack--to her leg.
posted by thinkingwoman at 6:53 PM on September 14, 2008

I'd suggest Cinderella's fairy godmother, simply because it works with her existing relationship with the kids - she's the senior, she empowers them, but also makes the rules. So being the fairy godmother may allow her to do her teacherly duties "in character".
posted by -harlequin- at 6:59 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]

Faint of Butt--as a stepparent, I'd have serious reservations about a teacher adopting that persona for a school-sponsored event. Lots of kids these days have stepparents who work hard to fight the "wicked" rep.

LOVE the beanstalk idea. :)
posted by dlugoczaj at 7:18 PM on September 14, 2008

Thinkingwoman's idea is great. You can find an inexpensive (and excellent, I must say) interpretation of the beanstalk costume here.
posted by halogen at 7:41 PM on September 14, 2008

Working link.
posted by halogen at 7:42 PM on September 14, 2008

A long nose=Pinocchio. Maybe she can wear shorts, suspenders, and a donkey tail.
No clothes at all=The Emperor's Clothes. Very cheap, indeed.
posted by HotPatatta at 7:54 PM on September 14, 2008

If she owns any boots, it would be inexpensive to wear cat ears (can be made from construction paper and a headband) and some facepaint and be Puss in Boots.
posted by Secretariat at 8:00 PM on September 14, 2008

I'd make sure it's a character from a fairy tale that she's read to the kids. I'm guessing that the purpose of the event is to encourage the kids to enjoy reading, and make them see that's fun! Seeing their teacher dressed up as a character from a story they know would be pretty cool. If she makes sure it's a character with magic powers, maybe they'll behave better, too. Bonus! (Just kidding)

With an ankle length solid colored skirt and a peasant blouse, you could look like many fairytale main characters. Do a black skirt, a white button down shirt, and wrap a couple of yards of red cloth around yourself and you're Little Red Riding Hood. Patchwork/mismatched clothes? Cinderella, before.

Does your friend have any renaissance faire/SCA friends? Plain garb could easily become a fairy tale character if you add a prop or two. She could also try checking with local theater companies to borrow something.
posted by booksherpa at 8:12 PM on September 14, 2008

"No clothes at all=The Emperor's Clothes. Very cheap, indeed."

Halloween does seem to have become an opportunity for grown women to publicly embrace their inner slut, but I don't think I've seen this one parading around on street parties just yet. Only a matter of time, I guess. Some men, on the other hand, seem to like to use the occasion to dress up as certain anatomical parts. I guess it could serve some educational purposes, but not for an elementary school, obviously.

That Queen of Hearts photo is a good idea, but instead, maybe make a giant playing card costume, with one of the faces cut out to make room for your friend's. Not the most original, but it should suffice the school party's needs, and will just take more time than it will money.

Personally, I'd like to see someone here come up with a costume that could take a playful but cynical shot at the enormously popular Disney Princess line...
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 8:14 PM on September 14, 2008

Thrift store. You can find old prom dresses there for literally cents on the dollar and you can gut/mix-match them to make it work. Lots of fairy princess, rapunzel, etc fodder available there. If either of you (or someone else) can sew even a little bit, you're golden.
posted by Medieval Maven at 3:38 AM on September 15, 2008

Is there a costume shop where she can rent one?
posted by radioamy at 10:57 AM on September 15, 2008

A few yards of tulle netting makes a great tutu. Paired with a shirt and leggings, you've got most of a fairy princess costume right there for about $10.
posted by judith at 6:02 PM on September 15, 2008

Great suggestions so far. I marked a few good ones, but please post if you have more! Just to recap, though, the goal is (1) appropriate for school and (2) cheap. Thanks everyone!
posted by parkerjackson at 6:04 PM on September 15, 2008