Child's play

Remember the fun of dressing up and playing make-believe when you were a child? A simple costume could transform a humdrum day and transport you to a world of adventure and intrigue. Old sheets became a gown fit for a princess; a daisy chain served as the crown, and some of mum's old lipstick - applied with great reverence - completed the fantasy.

These days, children are a little harder to please. Suggest the above and you'll be told to "get a life!" - and from a four-year-old, that's a sobering injunction. Imagine then the delight in discovering an Aladdin's cave of fantasy clothing tucked away in a corner of the recently-opened store, Avoca on Dublin's Suffolk Street.

The Lucy Locket label - imported exclusively by Avoca from England - includes costumes for nymphs, princesses, fairies, kings and mermaids, and colours are vibrant - deep lavenders, rich greens of every hue, striking pinks, and lashings of gold and silver, together with sequins and ribbons. Garlands of flowers and halos start at £5.95, and there are wonderful children's shoes for £16.95, in white or multicoloured sequins, or plump for some mermaid shoes at £21.95.

Boys are somewhat neglected, but there are some great wooden shields and swords, as well as some royal cloaks and crowns.

So what are the other options when your child comes home with an invitation marked "fancy dress"? The traditional boxed outfits, available from most large toyshops, offer a variety of costumes, including ballet dancers, Barbies, nurses, princesses and fairies and, increasingly as we approach Hallowe'en, witches outfits. These normally retail at about £19.99 and also offer a good choice for boys, who can chose from Star Wars, Batman and Spiderman costumes. For younger kids, Teletubbies and Barney suits are available.

All are available from branches of Smyth's, Toymaster, and Roches Stores. Even Marks & Spencer has made a gesture towards fantasy wear, although I haven't noticed any in stock of late.

For the real enthusiast, there's always the do-it-yourself option with the help of a dress pattern from the Simplicity range. Amazingly, they devote a huge amount of space to the whole area of fantasy wear, for both adults and children. Adults are invited to enjoy their Titanic range called "A Night to Remember", and other patters are themed under labels such as "Groovy Gang" and "Far-out Friends". Pages of the Simplicity brochure are devoted to children, and feature native American, Hallowe'en and Christmas costumes, and an historical range. Oh, and there's also a selection of patterns for making fantasy clothes for your dog. No really.

You can dress your canine friend as an angel, a fairy, a devil (cover your ears, Lassie!) or Santa Claus. Prices cost approximately £7. Add in the price of fabric and accessories, and you have a fancy outfit for your little prince of princess at very little cost.

For those not adept at needle and thread, there's the old traditional methods of crepe paper, bin liners, tinsel and cast-offs. A trip to any pound shop will supply the requisite glitter and makeup; you can even get false nails there too. The trick is to sell the idea to your offspring. And if you're good enough to convince them that home-made is best, you probably should think of a job in sales.