World Book Day – Let’s Make It Circular
Photo by Josh Applegate on Unsplash
As we near the end of half-term for some (how did that happen so fast?!), it's time for the annual parental scramble - what are the kids going to wear for World Book Day? (6th March). While we love the excitement of bringing our favourite book characters to life, let's be honest: the pressure to buy a brand-new costume every year isn’t great for our wallets or the planet.
We’re here to say: there’s a better way! Let’s ditch the throwaway culture and get a little more creative, sustainable, and savvy with our World Book Day costumes.
It’s not just costumes that can be given a second life - books themselves should be part of the circular economy too! In the UK alone, the second-hand book market is thriving. In fact, the global second-hand book market is expected to grow by 6.5% annually, showing that more and more people are choosing pre-loved books over new.
Many communities now run book swaps, either informally among friends or through schools, libraries, and local cafés. Not only is this a cost-effective way to get your hands on new reads, but it also helps keep books in circulation, reducing waste and making reading more accessible to everyone.
And speaking of second-hand bookshops, I have to shout out my local gem - it’s so good that I often have to remind myself the books are second-hand! The selection, the atmosphere, the joy of stumbling across an unexpected find - it’s everything a book lover of any age could wish for.
The (Hidden) Cost of World Book Day Costumes
It’s all fun and games until you find yourself panic-ordering an overpriced, mass-produced costume that arrives the next day in a mountain of plastic. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. While it’s amazing to see kids excited about dressing up, many of these costumes are worn once, tossed aside, and contribute to the ever-growing pile of textile waste. Plus, let’s not forget the cost - buying a new outfit every year adds up.
So, what’s the solution? It’s time to rethink how we do World Book Day. The good news? There are plenty of easy (and fun!) ways to put together a fabulous costume without the unnecessary waste or cost.
A More Sustainable Approach
Let’s get creative!
👗 Raid Your Wardrobe – You’d be amazed what you can pull together with clothes you already own. A stripy top? Boom, you’ve got Where’s Wally. A blue dress? Say hello to Matilda. Get creative with what’s already at your fingertips!
♻️ Buy Second-Hand – Platforms like Vinted, eBay, and your local charity shop are full of pre-loved costumes waiting for a second life. It’s cheaper, greener, and often means you can get a better-quality outfit than the flimsy supermarket versions. And it doesn’t have to be a costume – sometimes one new pieces or accessory is all your need to transform your little one into their favourite character/
🔄 Swap with Friends – Got a costume from last year lying around? See if a friend wants to swap! Many schools even have Facebook groups or WhatsApp chats for costume swaps - because let’s face it, kids rarely wear the same outfit twice.
🎭 DIY It! – Time to unleash your inner craft queen. Cardboard, fabric scraps, and face paint can go a long way. Got an old bedsheet? That’s a ghost from any number of books. A red hoodie? Little Red Riding Hood, done.
🏫 School Costume Libraries – Some schools now have costume collections where parents can borrow and return outfits. If your school doesn’t have one yet, why not suggest it?
Popular World Book Day Costumes (That You Can DIY!)
Need some inspo? Here are some of the most sought-after characters and how to make them happen without the fast-fashion guilt:
📖 Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, or Ron Weasley – A school uniform, a tie, and a makeshift wand = sorted.
📖 Matilda – A blue dress, a red ribbon, and a stack of books make this an easy win.
📖 The Gruffalo – Brown clothes, homemade ears, and some face paint do the trick.
📖 The Cat in the Hat – A striped hat and bow tie can be DIY’d in no time.
📖 Alice in Wonderland – A blue dress and white apron = timeless classic.
This year we’re doing Paddington Bear – a red bucket hat, red wellies and thanks to Vinted, a bargain navy duffle coat with toggles, paired with a little suitcase we already have - just need to make the marmalade sandwiches on the day!
Let’s Keep It Circular
World Book Day should be all about celebrating stories, not unnecessary spending or waste. So this year, let’s embrace the circular economy—swap, borrow, get creative, and make memories with outfits that can be loved again and again. Let’s keep World Book Day fun, creative, and planet-friendly!