Dress Clothing for Girls Buying Guide

Girls have endless opportunities to dress up. You've got weddings ,  birthdays, parties ,  fancy dinners, class pictures ,  church ,  sometimes because they like feeling pretty on a Wednesday afternoon.  Whatever the reason, you generally need to have their wardrobe prepared. Of course, you're going to need to take into account things like is it a black tie affair or just dressy? Seasonal temperatures, and of course, keeping dress clothes age appropriate for your little girl. And current fashions come into play, but many of the basics of children's clothing never change when it comes to dressing up. Fabrics change seasonally, and it's really a personal preference if you go with the popular fashion superstitions like white after labor day etc. And try to make sure that you and your child, grandchild, niece etc. can agree on her dress clothes.(the pictures come out better when she's happy about her outfit) but also because chances are that she'll probably wear that outfit more than once if she needs to dress up again, especially if it's in different social circles like family weddings and friend parties. So try to go with her sense of style whiles maintaining your budget ideal, and have fun with it. Of course, there's always that line between her personal taste like preferring dresses to pants, and multicolored monstrosities of outfits, and that's where being the adult is handy. And don't forget about shoes   and accessories ,  they are not only important for the overall look of the outfit, but also very pretty princess territory that makes dressing up extra fun.

Three Basic Options

Dresses   Pros: All-in-one outfit makes getting coordinated easier. Cons: Some girls find them uncomfortable or drafty. Popular Brands Ralph Lauren   Sweet Ivy   Hanna Andersson   Best & Co.	Skirt   + Blouse   Pros: A little more comfortable than a dress and pieces can often be worn separately. Cons: Less formal and pieces must be well coordinated. Popular Brands Burberry   Monkeywear   Susanne Lively	Blouse   + Pants   Pros: Comfortable and versatile. Tomboys will most likely agree to this option. Cons: Least formal. Popular Brands J Crew   Ivy & Moon   Garnet Hill   LL Bean

More Information

• Fabrics
• In the Summer look for these fabrics:
• seersucker  
• linen  
• cotton sundresses  
• Wintertime fabrics:
• satin  
• velvet  
• corduroy  
• Other types of Dresses:
• Flower Girls' dresses   also come in a variety of fabrics and colors. It's a good idea to check with the bride before ordering a dress for your girl.
• First communion dresses   tend to be all white. You may also need white gloves   for this occasion--again, best to check with your church before buying anything.
• Pants: velvet jeans and Tuxedo-style pants are easy to coordinate with many dressy holiday tops.
• Tops: cashmere sweater sets always look nice and are very versatile.
• A bit of sparkle on a sweater or top can be fun for dress-up occasions--but try to limit the sparkle to one piece of clothing.
• Skirts: Tiered skirts are a current trend. Skirts can work in a variety of lengths--comfort should count for something.

Current Trends:

• Velvet
• Lace
• Romantic touches: Bell sleeves, embroidery and bows

Covering Up

In cool climates, girls will need a dress coat to wear over their party clothes. Shopping Mommies loves the following brands: Burberry ,  Widgeon ,  Triologi   and Cozy Toes .  Current styles include coats with fur (and faux-fur) trim, and Chanel-inspired tweeds. Look for fun linings (hot pink or leopard) to spice up a sedate style. Alternatives: Dressy cardigan sweater   Shawl   or wrap

The Finishing Touches

Hair Accessories   Bows   Headbands   Barrettes	Dress Shoes   Mary Janes   are the perennial style favorite for dress-up. Ballet slippers   and t-straps   are other styles to consider.	Purses   Little girls often love emulating Mom and carrying a handbag.	Tights   A fun pair of stockings   can liven up a stiff dress. Tights and stockings will also keep little legs warm in the winter.	Jewelry   A locket ,  pendent ,  bracelet   or necklace   might be a nice touch. Some parents go in for earrings .

Related Guides

Gifts for Girls	Clothing for Kids	Clothing For Girls

Related Products

Barbie	Girls Backpack	Girls Sunhat

External Links

• For ideas on dress-up tea parties check out the Family Education Web site.
• About.com has a guide to help little flower girls prepare for the wedding.