Three kid girls' dress styles

In this article, we explore three girls' dress styles that are among the most practical and well-loved. We’ll also share some tips on which prints work best for each design and suggest a few details you can modify to personalise them.

Empire waist dress

I have always found this style very comfortable for my daughter, as it allowed her to move freely while staying well covered (especially when paired with leggings). The bodice is straight, and the gathered skirt starts from a high waistline, adding just a bit of volume.

For an everyday dress, soft, simple fabrics like printed jersey work well. However, this style is also suited to more elegant versions when using fine fabrics. In my opinion, the empire waist dress looks best with small to medium-sized prints, whether geometric or floral.

Dress with a ruffle

This design features a slightly flared shape, ending in a gathered ruffle at the hem. The proportion between the main body and the ruffle can vary, I personally prefer a modest ruffle height.

This style can be made with either soft or more structured fabrics, depending on the desired effect. When it comes to prints, combining a placed print with a pattern or using two coordinating patterns works particularly well.

A-Line dress

This design has no front seams and falls straight from the neckline, gradually widening towards the hem in an A-shape.

With a full front panel, this style lends itself well to large prints. Depending on the fabric used, very different effects can be achieved. For example, geometric prints work well with slightly heavier fabrics, while for a more romantic effect, you can use multiple layers of lightweight fabrics and print a large flower on one side.

Customisation ideas

It’s easy to tweak a few details to tailor these dress styles to your brand and collection. For example:

• add collars or frills to the neckline.
• incorporate a keyhole opening at the back with a button fastening; a keyhole opening at front wit h a jewel button is perfect for and elegant dress;
• adjust the sleeve length (long, short, or three-quarter) or their shape (straight, balloon, wings);
• customise the cuffs with a button, a tie detail, or an elasticated gathering for a delicate ruffled effect.

Even the model is basic, small modifications, along with different fabrics and prints, can make a big difference in creating unique and brand-appropriate designs.