Children's Book Week & The World Book Day

It seems as if there is some confusion as a few people have asked me if the Children's Book Week, is the same event as The World Book day. I have done a little research and as far as I can tell they are different events:

Children's Book Week
In 2008 the 77th Children's Book week was held in October which focuses on reading for pleasure amongst children of primary school age and is one of many campaigns aimed at getting children to read organised by the BookTrust. The Booktrust is an independent national charity dedicated to encouraging people of all ages and cultures to engage with books and the written word. As far as I can tell there is no link with fancy dress costumes and Children's Book Week.

World Book Day
World Book Day traditionally took place on 23 April (Shakespeare's birthday and St George's Day). In the UK this date clashed with the Easer Holidays and so to allow schools to take part, this was changed to the first Thursday in March. Many schools organise fancy dress days where the children can dress in a costume representing their favourite book character, so outfits like Harry Potter costumes, Peter Pan costumes, Wizard Of Oz Costumes, Alice in Wonderland Costumes and Snow White Costumes are popular.

For more, check out: World Book Day Costumes & Ideas 2009.

World Book Day: Peter Pan Costumes

As an idea for a world Book Day costume theme, I think that any Peter Pan costume would make an excellent choice. The magical story of Peter Pan, written by J. M. Barrie, tells of a naughty boy who refuses to grow up and his adventures on an island called Neverland is a classic and one that every child should know.

The Peter Pan Costume & Look
What is interesting is the way that most of the Peter Pan costumes all look pretty similar to each other, even though the author never really described Peter's appearance in much detail. It was probably his intention to allow the reader to use their imagination.

Most of the Peter Pan costumes available on the web are green and consist of a fleece like shirt and darker green trousers. Most costumes also come with the hat and feather to complete the look.


Apart form the actual Peter Pan costume, you could also wear a Captain Hook costume, especially if you would rather dress in a pirate costume. Or as a girl, a Tinkerbell costume would also really work.

UK Shoppers
Peter Pan Costumes on Amazon.co.uk Amazon have a good selection of Peter Pan costumes, including Captain Hook and Tinkerbell costumes and so are worth checking out.

Peter Pan at Jokers' Masquerade - joke.co.uk also have an excellent selection of Peter Pan Costumes, as well as Captain Hook & Tinkerbell for both children and adults.

US Shoppers
Peter Pan Costumes on Amazon.com - Like the UK, Amazon.com have all the Peter Pan themed costumes for adults as well as children that you could ever hope for.


Check out this post for more World Book Day Costume Ideas.

Sexy Leg Avenue Costumes for Valentines Day

Of all the manufacturers of sexy fancy dress costumes, Leg Avenue are not only the most well know, but probably the best. They have a huge range of sexy costumes that are just perfect for valentines day.

The Popularity of Leg Avenue Costumes
Back in October 2008, I wrote about the most popular searches on Google related to fancy dress, and the fastest rising search at the time was "leg avenue" indicating the ever increasing popularity of this small company operating out of LA in the USA. Leg Avenue started out in the hosiery to lingerie business, but quickly expanded into other areas including Halloween costumes and they now sell sexy woman's costumes as well as lingerie, shoes and swimwear.

Their designs mix fashion with fantasy, Leg Avenue Costumes are sexy and fun and as they say themselves: "Whether it’s feeling glamorous and sultry in our lingerie or fulfilling a fantasy in one of our costumes, our goal is to make each woman that wears Leg Avenue feel confident and sexy.", "No one does sexy costumes better than Leg Avenue."

Britney Spears wearing a Leg Avenue Pirate Costume
Because of the high quality of their costumes, many celebs have worn Leg Avenue outfits, including Alyssa Milano, who dressed in their fairy costume, Stacy Keibler who dressed in the Leg Avenue Rag Doll Costume and Vanessa Minnillo who wore the Capt’n Booty sexy pirate costume. A major coup for Leg Avenue was when Britney Spears was photographed wearing their sexy Pinky Pirate costume. (See Photo Below)




Sexy Costumes For Valentines
So if you are looking for quality sexy costume here are few of the many Leg Avenue costumes available, that I have found for sale on the web:

Sexy French Maid Costume
I guess one of the classic sexy costumes is a French maid outfit, Leg Avenue have 7 different French maid costumes in their catalogue, from the simple French Maid Garter Ruffle Bustiea costume, to the deluxe quality 5 piece French Maid costume that includes Underwire Bra, Puff Sleeves, Aprn Skirt, Stocking & Duster.







Sexy Nurse Costumes
For those of you that may be feeling a little under the weather on Valentines day, Leg Avenue have a whole host of quality naughty nurse costumes. One of my favourites is the deluxe 3 piece nurses costume that has a high neck top with stud popper fasteners to front, skirt with attached lace pinifore and headpiece. Both headpiece and top include embroidered badge and the skirt has an elasticated waist. Top and skirt includes spandex for a more 'stretchy' fit.


Shoppers in the UK:
Leg Avenue Costumes for Sale

Shoppers in the USA:
Leg Avenue Costumes for Sale


Related Valentines Posts:
Below are some other articles that I have written on valentines day costumes that you may find interesting:

• Cupid Costumes for Valentines Day

• Valentines Ideas: Sexy Lion Costumes

Harry Potter Costumes

With the popularity of all the Harry Potter novels written by British author J. K. Rowling and then the film and merchandise spin off's, it is no wonder that one of the most popular fancy dress costumes for World Book Day was last year and will probably be again this year a Children's Harry Potter Costume.

For anyone who has been living in a cave, the story of Harry Potter is basically about the adventures of a boy wizard named Harry Potter during his struggle against an evil wizard named Voldemort, who killed Harry's parents. Even though you are born a Wizard, Harry and his friends, Ron Weasley and Hermoine Granger attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, to learn the skills necessary to become a successful wizard.

Harry Potter Costumes
As you would expect, there are plenty of kids Harry Potter fancy dress costumes available, all of which consist of his basic costume, that being a robe. For the deluxe version pictured, the costume comes with the maroon and black hooded robe with clasp with an embroidered Gryffindor badge over left breast. Unfortunately as with many of the harry potter costumes that I have found you will also have to buy the Harry potter glasses, wand and possibly a wig and tie separately. (You could also just use you school tie)

Other Potter Characters Costumes
Other than Harry's costume, you can also find Dumbledore Masks and costumes, Voldemort costumes and masks, Hermione Granger costumes and Death Eater Costumes.

UK:
Harry Potter Costumes on Amazon.co.uk

USA:
Harry Potter Costumes on Amazon.com

World Book Day Costumes 2009

This years World Book Day in the UK and Ireland will be on March 5th 2009. The rest of the world celebrates the day on St.
George’s Day, 23rd April every year. The reason that the UK celebrates it on a
different day is because here there is a large involvement with the
schools and it is placed during the school term.

One of the main aims is to encourage children to read more by making books and reading more fun and by providing them with the opportunity to have a book of their own. There will be a number of events associated with this day and one of them
being Fancy Dress.

World Book Day Costumes

The idea of getting kids to dress up in fancy dress costumes, with a book theme, I think is excellent. Dressing up is always good fun. It is hoped that this fun with the costumes will also encourage children read more, to find out more about the character of the costume that they are wearing.

Costume Ideas for World Book Day
So what fancy dress costumes are there that come from a book, or have a book theme, here are a few fancy dress ideas that I can think of. If you can think of any more ideas, please feel free to comment below.

Boys Costume ideas for Book Week:

• Harry Potter Costume
• Robin Hood Costume
• Dennis The Menace Costume
• Wizard Of Oz Costume
• Child Tin Man Costume (Wizard of Oz )
• Child Scarecrow Costume (Wizard of Oz )
• Aladdin Costume
• Peter Pan Costume
• Noddy Costume
• Wombles Costumes
• Paddington Bear Costume
• Puss in Boots Costume
• King of Hearts Costume (Alice in Wonderland)
• Zorro Costume
• Dracula Costume
• Frankenstein Costume
• The Cat in The Hat Costume
• Jungle Book Costumes
• Oliver Twist Costume
• Wind in The Willows Costumes
• Peter Rabbit Costumes
• Costume ideas from the Bible
• Gulliver's Travels
• Dr. Dolittle Costumes
• Pinocchio Costume
• Aladdin Costume
• Winnie The Pooh Costume
• Lord of The Rings Costumes
• Jack & The Beanstalk Costume (Jack & a Giant Costume)
• Pirate Costume
• Young Bond - James Bond Costume
  

Girls Costume ideas for Book Week:

• Alice in Wonderland Costume
• Queen of Hearts Costume (Alice in Wonderland)
• Little Red Riding Hood Costume
• Cinderella Costume
  
• Snow White Costume
• Tinkerbell Costume
• Teen Dorothy Costume (Wizard of Oz)
• Heidi Costume
• Witch Costumes - From many books including Winnie The Witch & Shakespeare!
• The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe costume ideas
• Little Miss Muffet
• Goldilocks & The Three Bears costumes
• Princess & The Pea Costume
• Beatrix Potter Books - Think Rabbit costumes
  

Where to buy World Book Day Costumes
Amazon.co.uk has an excellent range of fancy dress costumes for children:
Children's Costumes on Amazon.co.uk

Cupid Costumes for Valentines Day

With February the 14th fast approaching, I thought what would be the icon for Valentines day that you could also dress up in as a fancy dress costume? Cupid, of course! In Roman mythology, Cupid is the god of erotic love as well as beauty and so I think a cupid costume makes an excellent fancy dress idea for Valentines day.

After a little research on the web... hey presto, even though the mythological version of cupid is a boy, there are quite a few cupid costumes for both males and females! The male ones tend to be on the funny or novelty side, where as the women's cupid costumes are mostly sexy outfits.

Sexy Cupid Costume
One of my favourites has to be this sexy cupid outfit, that I think would make such a fun "gift" to give to the man of your life on Valentines day, just imagine the look on his face when you surprise him with this sexy cupid costume pictured

Funny Cupid Costume
If you are going to a fancy dress party around or on Valentines day, you just have to wear is costume. This novelty cupid costume comes with wings, sash, tunic, a bow and arrow and the padded costume. From what I can see on the web, the wig and sandals may also be included as additional accessories.

Where to buy Cupid Costumes for Valentines Day

UK:
Amazon.co.uk have a good selection of Cupid costumes although I could not find many male versions.
Cupid Costumes on Amazon.co.uk



USA:
Amazon.com have a good selection of Cupid costumes although I could not find many male versions.
Cupid Costumes on Amazon.com

Wrestling Costumes

A friend that I work with had what I thought was a great fancy dress idea: Wrestling Costumes. I thought that there would be hundreds of The Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan costumes for sale, but doing some research I actually found the range of any sort of wrestling costume to be pretty poor. What wrestling costumes I did manage to fine are below:



Nacho Libre Costume
The Nacho Libre Deluxe Costume is for me probably the best commercially available wrestling costume on the market. The Nacho Libre costume comes from the film of the same name and is about a friar in a Mexican monastery played by Jack Black who secretly dreams of being a Mexican Wrestler or Luchador. The film is loosely based on the true story of Catholic priest Sergio Gutierrez Benitez.


Sumo Wrestling Costumes
I also managed to find a few Sumo wrestling costumes like the one below, which is pretty cool:


Where to buy fancy dress wrestling costumes:

I managed to find these costumes on:
Amazon
BuyCostumes.com

Other than that, I suppose as a guy you could always get yourself a tight little Speedo costume, cape and a mask and make your own Wrestling costume!! :-)

As for female wrestling costumes, I am afraid that I could not find any:

Sexy Womans Wrestling Costume
Here is a Fancy Dress idea for any Costume manufacturers out there: why not create some sexy wrestling divas costumes like the one pictured below as I am sure that they could become popular. Imagine a wrestling couples costume combination, what a tag team that would make - awesome!