Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let down your hair!

Awhile back, we reached out to The Whimsy Factory regarding a potential giveaway because their products are seriously more than adorable! We were thrilled when we got an email back saying they would not only do the giveaway for our readers, but that my daughter Ruby would get her very own Rapunzel dress to serve as a review piece.

First of all, let me say that when my sister asked if I wanted to test out the Rapunzel dress for my princess-obsessed daughter, I was more than thrilled.  I am delighted to do this review because I believe creative play is so important in a young child’s life. Creativity brings out self-expression and social development in a child.  Being creative is more than arts and crafts – it’s singing, dancing, and dressing up. The range of possibilities for creative play is endless.

The snowy morning that we received the package in the mail, ironically we were watching Tangled.  I couldn’t believe how fast it appeared on my doorstep.  I ripped open the package and the gasps from my child were enough to make me weepy with excitement. I don’t know who was more excited… Rapunzel herself or Rapunzel’s mother.

We tried it out…and…

The first thing I noticed while putting it on was the fact that it was STRETCHY! There were no buttons, zippers, clasps, or velcro to mess with.  I literally slipped it over her head like a pair of pajamas, and Voila! Rapunzel! She immediately started twirling around repeating, “I’m beautiful!” over and over…and my goodness, she was beautiful.  Oh, and I have to mention that my daughter is always complaining about things being itchy.  This dress has already been worn for many hours around the house and not once has she complained. The quality of this dress is practical and comfortable, perfect for little ones with sensitive skin.  There is no glitter to leave a trail, or tight sleeves to leave an arm-ring. She could sit in it and dance around easily and comfortably.

According to The Whimsy Factory blog, “Our gowns are not indestructible. They can certainly be harmed or destroyed, and while washable they are not stain resistant any more than any other fabric. But we only choose dress ups that are well made and give you a fighting chance at longevity, durability, and practicality. Did you see our post earlier this week about our Rapunzel dress? The waist seam in that gown (and many others) is completely encased and reinforced, making it both stronger and less itchy than many other dress ups.”

As far as size goes, we ordered Ruby a Medium. She is a two-year-old, tall for her age, wearing 3T clothing, and I wanted the dress to be something she can grow into. The Medium fits ages 3-5, and it was perfect for present and future wear.

Overall, we found that the costume we received was high-quality and obviously kid-tested and parent-approved. Avoid the cheap-dress-mess and trust the experts when outfitting your little ones with something they’re super excited about. No one wants to deal with the tantrums that inevitably follow the destruction of a poorly-made costume. Read all about that in The Whimsy Factory’s humorous little article:  “The short, sad life of a sub-par (but par for the course) dress up dress.”

How can you get your own?

Just in time for the holidays…you can order your costume online at shop.thewhimsyfactory.com. What I love best about The Whimsy Factory’s website (besides their adorable little models) is that, when ordering each product, they give a thorough description of WHY they chose to sell that particular costume. And it’s all stuff that we, as parents, actually care about (for example, the fabric isn’t easily snagged or there are no awkward closures or that sequins is more durable than glitter). Isn’t that nice of them? Being that this information comes from the mouths of real-life mothers, I trust their judgment completely and appreciate their selective and particular nature.

Costumes range from $30-40 and shipping is $5 per item. Free shipping is offered on orders of $100 or more. Items arrive 3-5 business days after order is placed.

To save on shipping fees, The Whimsy Factory also makes numerous appearances throughout the Twin Cities at craft and vendor shows. Be sure to check their online calendar to catch them in your area to see the costumes up close and personal before purchasing.

About The Whimsy Factory

The Whimsy Factory, LLC is owned by Heather Fairbanks and Alison Amundson, who have been friends since being roommates their freshman year at the University of Minnesota. Over the years, they had casually talked about starting a business, but it wasn’t until August of 2014 that Alison said, “Yes!” when Heather suggested it seriously. After buying her daughter traditional dress up clothing that itches, rips and tears, Heather found a few products that she loves and wanted to share her findings with a wider audience. Together, Heather and Alison built an online boutique with a thoughtfully-curated collection of children’s costumes. Their customers include parents, grandparents uncles, aunts and friends of young children (currently offering sizing for 1 to 9 year olds) who love to play dress up and want to feel comfortable while doing so. A majority of their costumes are machine washable.

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