Girls' dresses: From simple to special
Little girls in sweet dresses are enduringly cute. Girls' dresses can be plain and simple – ideal for everyday adventures – or charming and sophisticated, with details like collars, ribbons and bows. Be warned, though: Unless you have a remarkably clean and tidy little girl, the latter style is best kept for special occasions. When choosing dresses for girls, don't neglect the dressing up box, either. Kids have wonderful imaginations, and a few special accessories or festive wear can easily transform your little one into a princess, a pirate queen, or a wicked witch.
Girls dress up for special occasions
For a special event, such as a wedding or an important family occasion, you'll want detailed girls' dresses. A cute Peter Pan collar, a beaded bodice, or a ribbon sash that ties around the waist are all charming extras that look lovely on young children. If your girl is going to be a bridesmaid or flower girl, there will already be a colour scheme to stick to; if not, let her have some input into the colour and style. Some little girls hate wearing dresses, but other girls love throwing them on. If you let her choose the colour, it will be a lot easier to convince her to put it on. Make sure that they are not too long. It's very easy to trip up in a full-length dress; for young children, knee-length is best. Add a pair of patent leather shoes and, if it's cold, some tights, for a picture-perfect style.
Kids' dresses for everyday wear
Everyday girls' dresses are best made of stretchy, hard-wearing jersey. This will allow your little one to play comfortably, with a full range of movement. A pair of trousers or jeans under a dress is an easy outfit that can be worn all year round and is ideal for climbing trees or jumping around in the park. Jumpers and cardigans will keep her warm and are easily taken off. A favourite film or TV character on a dress makes getting dressed fun. The best and most practical frocks for playing and adventuring are T-shirt styles. A bonus is that these comfortable, easy-to-wear dresses can usually be pulled straight over a child's head, without needing to use buttons or zips. This means that little girls can get dressed by themselves, developing confidence along the way.
