March 2010 Notable Toys — Costumes & Accessories

Fashioned from bright green lamé material, the Dragon Cape transforms a little one into a great, fierce creature of legend. The hood picks up to form horns, and bright yellow plates trail down the back into a long, pointed tail. 
— Ten of 37 specialty retailers who participated in a March 2010 survey said Creative Education of Canada is their top- selling line of dress-up clothing.

This hat from Jacobson Hats makes a ferocious statement with a bright red, wide-open mouth of shark teeth. The wearable plush shark is modeled after a Great White, and could be used in pretend play games, puppet shows, or any time when a situation needs a little silliness.
— “Jacobson Hats sell well,” said Gage Brownell, manager of Belmont Toys in Belmont, Mass., when asked about his top-selling dress-up items during TDmonthly's March 2010 survey of 37 specialty retailers.

Whether used for a multi-media Halloween costume or good frightening fun any time of year, the musical Monster Mash skirt offers a funky dimension to dress up. The skirt, which is knee length and finished with multiple layers of colored tulle, plays music at the push of a button. This piece in Acting Out's line of musical dress up plays the 1960s hit “Monster Mash,” and the music continues with motion but stops automatically if the child is still.
— “We sell Acting Out, their petticoats and things. We sell a lot of those,” said Jill Brown, buyer at Kidoodles Toys in Norman, Okla., of the store's top-selling dress-up clothes in March 2010.
— Out of 37 retailers, two listed Acting Out as the supplier of their best-selling dress-up items in spring 2010.

Made of airy, sumptuous 100-percent silk, the Rainbow Fairy Skirt is designed to create magic with every move. Fully reversible, the skirt is finished with a satin rose detail on both sides, and its multiple layers come to a fluttering pointed hem.  The waist is elastic for ease and comfort of wear.
—  “We do great with Sarah's Silks; they have great skirts,” said Eric Masoncup, owner of Geppetto's Toy Box in Oak Park, Ill., of his top-selling dress-up items during a March 2010 survey.
—  Two of 37 retailers named Sarah's Silks as their top-selling line of dress-up clothes in spring 2010.

With details and fabrics selected with careful attention to both look and tactile feel, Creative Education of Canada's Sequins Fairy Dress is a costume and play tool all in one. This sleeveless dress has a skirt of soft, multi-tiered tricot and matching petals over the shoulders. The bodice of the dress is elastic with sequins, allowing a great fit for growing girls.
— “You can't beat Creative Education of Canada,” said Sheryl Guidera, owner of Kaleidoscope the Parent Teacher Store in Capitola, Calif., of her top-selling line of dress-up items in March 2010.
— “We've stayed with Creative Education of Canada for quality and value, delivery and service,” said Barbara Paeth-Haas, owner of The Durango Kid in Durango, Colo., in spring 2010.

Little Adventures tutus are simply designed in fluffy layers. The two-tone tutus are soft, comfortable and, best of all, 100 percent machine washable. Launch date: 2010.

Transform a little girl into a magical fairy with this Sugarplum Fairy Dress. Featuring 18 individual organza petals, each is finished with rolled over, metallic edge. The petals are attached to a satin underskirt that has scalloped finish. The Sugarplum Fairy dress has a flexible size and good for twirling.

This red T-shirt is 100-percent cotton and features a shiny silver lightning bolt plus a detachable cape in shimmery silver. Since Little Capers are not licensed or specific, children are free to imagine their own super hero identity and powers.
— Shannon Komsky, owner of Tough Cookies in Sherman Oaks, reported strong sales of Little Capers in her store in fall 2009, and recommended them as an ideal gift for kids who already have everything. “Technically its clothes,” she told TDmonthly, “but kids get to use their imagination and play with it.”
— Online Reviews: Leighann of Multi-Minding Mom appreciated the gender-neutral shades and the potential for imaginative play, and MomGadget Eliza liked that the superhero outfit is small enough to drop into a purse on the go, so her little girl could become a superhero at any time. On Thingamababy, a reviewer described the apparel as awesome and well made, but noted the capes could perhaps be a bit wider, and the shirt sizes seem to run a tad small.

This one piece design is made for a Knight on the go. Just slip this soft, comfortable shirt on and you are back in the dark ages. It has a hood and sleeves made from a black, soft fabric with a hint of metallic to give it the look of true chain mail. The front is made of black and red crushed velvet with a royal crest.

This one-person costume is made to create a scene wherever it goes. The wearer appears to be trapped in a bamboo cage being carried by a full-grown gorilla. "This is the first year [it's] offered anywhere for under $1,000. And it attracts LOADS of attention," Brian Kelly, President, HouseHaunters, told TDmonthly. It won 1st place (most creative) at the Maplewood Halloween festival in New Jersey in 2008. Launch date: May 2010.

This beautiful Pearl Princess Cape (51915) is made with shimmer organza on one side and reverses to a shiny bridal satin on the other side. The collar has a lined scalloped finish with satin ties. This gorgeous cape is trimmed in silver with a scalloped bottom edge and it’s adorned with hand stitched pearl drops. Transforms any little girl into an instant Princess.

This Renaissance Gown (32305) is the most deluxe costume in the Great Pretenders collection for Creative Education of Canada. With a two-tiered tulle fixed to the lining, the skirt has all the volume fit for a real queen. A gorgeous layer of shiny bridal satin in a beautiful magenta color makes this dress a dream come true for any little girl. The puffy sleeves are lined and are finished with an extravagant double ruffle. The top of the dress is made with stretched steamed velour, which allows for flexible sizing.

These 95-percent cotton, 5-percent spandex, fingerless gloves have the look and feel of men's briefs. They can be slipped on underneath gloves for extra warmth and protection from chaffing, or worn on their own as a vaguely inappropriate fashion statement. Launch date: January 28, 2010.

This chef set lets kids feel like experts in any pretend kitchen.

This chestnut suede-like (100% rayon) 2-piece outfit features authentic looking trim on bodices and a head piece.

Bright red velvet-like flocked vest, black and white striped pants with drop crouch, swagger style yellow satin belt, black taffeta scarf, eye patch and white poly-cotton shirt make this pirate garb fun for boys or girls.

This lovely dress features velvet leotard and tulle skirt. It comes in aqua or pink.

Designed for children ages 3 to 8, Pipperoos' creative drama kits include dress-up materials and an illustrated storybook. The Sea Play Octopus Kit features a Opus the Octopus costume and Pipperoos' first book, The Key in the Sea. While listening to the story, children can pantomime, act out the story independently, or explore the theme with related activities listed in the book. "Pipperoos' creative drama products encourage active participation in reading, storytelling, and learning," Jennifer Hastings, co-founder of Pipperoos, told TDmonthly.

Designed for children ages 3 to 8, Pipperoos' creative drama kits include dress-up materials and an illustrated storybook. The Sea Play Shark Kit features a Mark the Shark costume and Pipperoos' first book, The Key in the Sea. While listening to the story, children can pantomime, act out the story independently, or explore the theme with related activities listed in the book. "Pipperoos' creative drama products encourage active participation in reading, storytelling, and learning," Jennifer Hastings, co-founder of Pipperoos, told TDmonthly.

Designed for children ages 3 to 8, Pipperoos' creative drama kits include dress-up materials and an illustrated storybook. The Sea Play Jelly Kit features a Julie the Jelly costume and Pipperoos' first book, The Key in the Sea. While listening to the story, children can pantomime, act out the story independently, or explore the theme with related activities listed in the book. "Pipperoos' creative drama products encourage active participation in reading, storytelling, and learning," Jennifer Hastings, co-founder of Pipperoos, told TDmonthly.