To have kept DD8 off school because I can't afford a costume?

[Barkus]

Every term there is a new Class Topic and a dress up day where the whole class is required to turn up to school in costume.

If you're not a crafty Mary Poppins-esque supermum who can produce a hand made costume over a weekend, you are forced to purchase a costume (usually from Amazon in the range of £12-£25).

AIBU to have kept DD off today because I am not a crafty supermum and cannot possibly afford the costume.

No I don't blame you at all, and I hope things improve for you.
I've not been in this position myself, but I remember my late mum telling me she was sent to school with her hand bandaged up so she wouldn't have to do cookery as her mum couldn't afford the ingredients. I think the constant costume events are really divisive. You only have to look at the racks of costumes on sale for world book day to see how it has been monetised.

Yes bit wouldn't have crossed my mind to buy a special costume in the 90s. I think they were rarer and no Amazon. More of improvisation with what we had or asking relatives etc.

I don't remember there being so many. Maybe mediaeval & Victorian day