Princess Dresses

How to choose the right princess dress

Most children have a favourite princess already, so start there. After that it comes down to three things: how often it’ll be worn, how comfy it is, and whether it’ll survive a party with a chocolate fountain. Everyday dress-up gets very different treatment from a one-off birthday outfit, so it’s worth deciding which you’re buying for.

Dress-up sets vs single dresses

Multi-dress sets are brilliant value if your little one changes character every ten minutes, and they’re handy for playdates when friends want to join in. The trade-off is that the fabric is usually thinner and the details are printed rather than sewn on. A single, better-made dress is the smarter pick for a special occasion or a World Book Day costume.

Princess costume sizing and comfort tips

Sizing is where princess costumes most often go wrong. Many listings run small, and tulle skirts have no stretch at all, so size up if your child is between ages or likes wearing a jumper underneath in winter. Our size guide explains how to measure height and chest properly.

• Look for soft linings around the neck and arms, as glitter and sequins can scratch.
• Velcro fastenings are easier than zips for small hands doing it themselves.
• Check the hem clears the floor, especially for younger children on stairs.
• Expect a slight chemical smell from new costumes; a gentle hand wash or airing usually sorts it.

Finishing the princess look

A dress does most of the work, but the extras make it feel magical. Princess dress-up shoes, a tiara, a wand and a bit of sparkle from our fancy dress accessories range go a long way. A plaited or flowing fancy dress wig is a fun swap if their hair doesn’t match the character, and a little glitter from our face paint collection adds a final touch.

Siblings want to get involved? Brothers can join as knights or pirates from our boys’ fancy dress range, and spooky princess looks work brilliantly for kids’ Halloween costumes too. You’ll find even more ideas across all kids’ fancy dress, or you can browse by theme.

Disney princess dresses vs unbranded styles

Officially licensed Disney princess dresses tend to cost more and the prints are spot on, which matters to some children far more than others. Unbranded “inspired by” styles often give you more dress for your money and are perfectly fine for imaginative play. If your child is particular about the exact shade of blue or yellow, it’s worth paying a bit extra for the real thing.