The Dressing-up Box

19/07/2024

The costumes for our second production of Beauty and the Beast jn have just left ready for their performance on Sunday 21st. Good luck to the Fredrick Douglas Performing Arts Academy. There are still a (very) few tickets available: [email protected]

03/06/2024

End of term musical or play? Are you still searching for a costume for Matilda or Oliver? Are you trying to make one yourself? Don't stress out - pop in and see us, we will find you something to suit. Open Monday AND Thursday 2-5.30pm and Saturday 10-5pm

25/05/2024

Celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944 - Full costumes to hire, accessories to hire and purchase. Want to wave the flag for Britain? We have lots of Union jack flags and bunting too. Open today from 10-5pm.
WE ARE CLOSED BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY

18/05/2024

Bridgerton is back! If you are going to a Bridgerton themed event, we have lots of stunnng costumes and accessories. Open Monday and Thursday afternnons from 2-5pm and Saturday 10-5pm

11/05/2024

Going back to the 70's or 80's? We can transport you back in time with one of our groovy costumes! open today until 5pm

02/05/2024

It's the Great Dunmow Soapbox race this weekend! Cheer on the racers with Union Jack flags and decorate your area with bunting! Open today until 5.30pm and Saturday 10-5pm. CLOSED BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY.

27/04/2024

Getting ready for your Eurovision Party? We have national dress costumes and lots of items to cheer Olly on! Come in and see us - open today until 5pm, Monday and Thursday 2-5.30pm

22/04/2024

Our new animals have arrived! With Donkey from Shrek to farm animals and dogs we have the costumes. Fancy animal print instead? Come in and we will help you choose something fabulous!

13/04/2024

Going to a Masquerade Ball? We have masks in all shapes and sizes, from ornate venetian styles to Zorro. Come in for a personal fitting!

09/03/2024

The Easter Bunny is on his way! Organising an Easter Egg hunt? or dressing up for an Easter event? We have the perfect costume. Just need accessories? then come and browse our extensive retail range.

10/02/2024

Book Week is coming up fast! From full costumes to accessories we can help you find the perfect costume!

13/01/2024

The gorgeous six wives of

10/01/2024

Are you having a celebration? We have all the kit to hire ... from kilts and sporrans to tartan sashes; then joke 'Jock' tam o' shanters to buy.

06/01/2024

MISSING: Do you know where our lovely Titania costume is? (See photo) We have searched through our paperwork, and can't find any record of it being hired in the last two years .... if your drama group has accidently put it into store ... please can we have it back?
We are currently adding to so the workroom is full of gorgeous organza's and chiffons (photos to follow)

29/12/2023

Extra opening times so you can be ready for New Year.
We will be open on Friday from 2 - 5.30pm.

Lots of fabulous costumes and accessories to choose from

If you're going to the George at Shalford, it's fun to wear something beginning with the letter G.

We have a catalogue of costumes for various themes, so if you don't know what to go as, come and browse.

23/12/2023

The big day is nearly here .... Our Santa's have been helping out all over East Anglia, together with Elves and ..... the Christmas Pudding!

Wishing all our customers a wonderful Christmas. Come and see us next week for all your New Year costumes and accessories.

18/12/2023

Have you planned your New Year's Party yet? We have costumes for every theme (except super heroes!)
Are you having a ? They are great fun, and we have both costumes and accessories.
From Romans to ; Pop stars and film idols - we've got them all.

09/12/2023

The functions in London are proving very popular. We are also getting Dickensian costumes ready for Wivenhoe's production of Carol at the end of the month. We've just finished our eighth production of ! this year, so we're well and truely into the Victorian vibe.

27/11/2023

We are looking for people to join our team.

There are two part-time vacancies:
One is a housekeeping role, helping keep the shop clean, washing and ironing.
The second role is helping with the theatrical productions. It would involve selecting, measuring, and collating costumes for shows. An ability to sew would be an advantage. Might suit a gap year student.

If you're interested in either role, please email or phone the shop (details on our website)

20/11/2023

We are now taking bookings for our Santa suits. We have a choice of three qualities, with accessories to suit.
If you want a costume that you can touch, try on and know that it will fit you (and it's unique) ... come to us. Most costumes are made on the premises from quality fabrics; we wash and line dry (weather permitting) and use as little plastic as possible.
The Grimas range of make up that we stock is the highest quality. The water based face paints are unperfumed and gluten free - in 30 years we have never had anyone have a reaction to them.

03/11/2023

Halloween was great, but now it's on to the next thing: Children in Need; Dickensian outfits; Nativity plays ...

21/10/2023

.... you name it, we've got it!

13/10/2023

30/09/2023

The new Halloween retail stock has arrived, so the shop looks super spooky.
Special effects, contact lenses, make-up, wigs and of course COSTUMES.
Come and have a look

The Zombie bride

28/09/2023

Gosh we're busy! There seems to be lots of school events with children needing Tudor, Victorian and Stone Age costumes - happily we have them all.
Next on the calendar will be . We have lederhosen and dirndl dresses, you just need to find the beer!

Look out for our costumes at Harwich International Sea Shanty Festival. It will be a riot of Pirates, Bucaneers and Sailors.

11/09/2023

Goodwood was a huge success, despite the heat. We had customers from as far afield as Sweden!!
Hopefully everyone will post their photos.
The theme for this year's Dunmow Carnival is 'MUSICALS'; there are so many to choose from. If you are on a float, or just want to be part of the magic, come and see us.

26/08/2023

Just a reminder - we are closed on Bank Holiday Monday. Next open on Thursday 31st 2 - 5.30pm.
We still have a good selection of outfits for Goodwood Revival, as well as all the other costumes.

21/08/2023

We've still got lots of ideas and costumes for the Revival

12/08/2023

Tea dresses, uniforms, tweed jackets and a vast assortment of vintage accessories. All ready for the Goodwood Revival (8th - 10th September 2023) Come and have a look, and choose your outfit for a really exciting weekend.

05/08/2023

It's nearly time for the famous Goodwood Revival 2023 . Already we have people coming from all over the south east. If you are thinking of going, are you going to dress up? We have everything from the 1940s, 50s or 60s, from tweeds and trilbies for men, furs and frocks for the ladies, to uniforms for both sexes. We also have a wide range of accessories if you have the basics yourself. Come and have a look.