The first couple of years of my 4-year-old’s life, I missed out on taking professional Christmas pics in September because I didn’t have her Christmas dress yet, and I ended up settling for whatever I was able to find. I quickly learned, though, that the best time to find a special occasion dress is when you are not looking for it. (The same rule applies to grown-ups!) So since then, I’ve picked up the cutest Christmas dresses at the after-Christmas sales from the year before, or throughout the year as I find them. I bought the girls their Christmas/Thanksgiving/New Year outfits this past spring, and I am obsessed. Now, they have a photo shoot coming up and I need to narrow them down, but instead of being able to decide, I find myself browsing and discovering more and more adorable options. So I thought I would share them with you. Based on my very biased, informal, but reasonably thorough research, here are the most darling dresses for your preschooler this holiday season. And if these options are too dressy for your holiday plans, check tomorrow’s blog for more casual, affordable options.
For now, the dressy stuff!
1. Halabaloo Winter Roses Velvet Dress/Silk Blossom Dress, $98 each: Halabaloo is my current favorite brand of kid couture, and I can’t seem to stop buying their adorable special-occasion dresses. These are so lovely, and the cranberry hue makes them a classic choice for Christmas. My 2 year old (she’ll be 3 by Christmas) has the first dress, and my 4 year old the second.
2. Halabaloo Ivory Silver Circle Bow Dress/Ivory Girls Sweater and Skirt Set, $69-99 (on sale): This collection has to be seen to be believed. The fabric is an amazing intricate silver on cream brocade with some weight to it, and the bows are a matte silver lame. Just gorgeous! Eva has the darling little dress and Lola has the sweater and skirt set.
3. Halabaloo Silk Cascade Skirt Set, $120: This is so adorable and fun that I am literally fighting with myself to not buy it. Sigh. It’s versatile too, because the top would look so cute with jeans. I am so practical I can’t even stand it!4. Halabaloo Velvet Bouquet Dress, $108: This girly, swirly dress reminds of the bubble dresses I loved back in the day, but with a decidedly little girl slant. The red velvet is rich but the rosettes keep it youthful.
5. Halabaloo Ivory Rosette Dress, $84: Okay, I might as well call it a Halabaloo show, but I only have one more on the list after this… I promise. It’s so hard to narrow them down! The editor in me is not kicking in on this topic! This head-turning sheath is a swirl of ivory with red rosettes. Sigh.
6. Halabaloo Snowbunny Sequin Dress, $78: It’s hard to see the detail in this picture, but this over the top dress is made of a snowy white faux fur studded with sequins and topped off with a pink sash. Dreamy!
7. One Kid Necklace Tee, Tulle Skirt and Star Tights, $26-66: Every year, One Kid comes out with a stunning top-and-tulle skirt combo, and this year they don’t disappoint. This beautiful set features amazing detail on the necklace tee, the tutu skirt has rows of ruffles, and the tights pull the whole look together.
8. Shining Stars Dresses, $74 each: Girls love to sparkle, and they will shine in these glittery, yet little-girl-worthy dresses. I love that their is a dropwaisted style for the big sister, and an empire waist version for the baby sister.
9. Precious in Pink velvet dress, $84: Don’t know who makes this delightful dress, but the soft pink and crystal bow make this a subtle and unexpected choice for the holidays. So sweet.
10. J. Crew Rosalie Dress, $68: Layers of silk ruffles make this dress special enough for Chrsitmas but the sleeveless, surprisingly unfussy style makes it comfortable and versatile enough for school or church.
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