Girls' party dress for the holidays? Tips for a dress she'll actually keep on: sizing, winter layering with a long-sleeve top and jacket, and ordering on time.
Looking for a party dress for your girl for Christmas, New Year's Eve or a family celebration? You want something that looks festive, but that she can also play, sit and dance in. A stiff dress with scratchy tulle often ends up on the sofa after an hour. In this guide you'll find out how to choose a dress she'll actually keep on, how to make a sleeveless dress ready for winter, and what to keep in mind for sizing and ordering.
Kids are honest: if something pinches, itches or feels too warm, they want it off. So focus on these points:
Stretch in the fabric. Fabric that gives a little is more comfortable at the table and while playing. A simple fit. An A-line falls loosely from the chest and leaves room to move. No tight waists or buttons down the back. No scratchy details. Sequins and tulle look festive, but they often feel rough on the inside. Easy to wash. A party dress has a lot to survive: chocolate, gravy, lemonade. A dress that can go in the washing machine saves a lot of hassle.
A bold print does the same job as glitter: the dress looks special straight away, without anything itching.
LauBelle has two girls' dresses with the Cyber Princess print: a futuristic princess bear with a colourful afro, a tiara and a tiny parasol on the front, and a colourful geometric print across the upper back.
The Cyber Princess Bear dress in white is light and cheerful. White with a colourful print looks lovely at Christmas and goes well with a light party outfit for the rest of the family. The Cyber Princess dress in black has a deep black base with orange trim along the neckline and armholes. Black looks a little more dressed up and is practical if the dress needs to stay looking good for longer.
Both dresses are made from a silky-smooth stretch fabric (95% polyester, 5% spandex), with a crew neck, a sleeveless cut and an A-line silhouette. They cost €39.95 each, and you can see both in the girls' dresses collection.
To be fair: these dresses were designed as summer dresses. But a sleeveless dress is actually easy to style in winter, because you can layer almost anything under and over it. Here's how:
A long-sleeve top underneath. A close-fitting long-sleeve top in white, black or a colour from the print instantly turns it into a winter dress. Choose a thin fabric so the A-line still falls nicely. Tights or leggings. Black works with both dresses. With the white dress you can also pick a colour from the print for a playful touch. A jacket on top. For the trip to the grandparents or a party away from home, a short jacket works better than a long winter coat, because the dress stays visible. Our kids' print bomber jacket has a zip, two pockets and ribbed cuffs, collar and hem. Go for a black version with the black dress; with the white dress, a white monogram looks great. Warm feet indoors. Celebrating at home or with family? Then kids' slippers with a plush lining and a non-slip sole are a practical finishing touch. Her feet stay warm and she's less likely to slip while dancing.
Tip: lay out the whole outfit a week ahead and let her try it on once. That way you know everything fits, and there's no discussion on the day itself.
The dresses come in toddler sizes 2T, 3T, 4T and 6T and in kids' sizes S, M, L and XL. A few tips:
Check the size chart on the product page and measure a dress that fits her well now. That's more reliable than going by age alone. Torn between two sizes? The stretch fabric gives a little, but with a long-sleeve top underneath, the larger size is often more comfortable. She can also wear it for longer. Think about length. With tights underneath, a dress can be a little shorter. Without tights, for example in summer, pick the size where the dress reaches around the knee.
The bomber jacket's size chart is on its product page too, with length, chest and sleeve length per size. For a jacket worn over a dress, size a little more generously so a long-sleeve top fits underneath.
Every LauBelle piece is only made after you order it. That means no big stock sitting around, but it does mean a longer delivery time than you might be used to. Making it takes 3 to 5 business days, followed by shipping. Standard shipping is free and takes 7 to 10 days; with Express (€10 extra) it's 5 to 7 days.
Want the dress at home for Christmas Eve? Order well in advance. That saves stress and leaves time to try it on.
Size not quite right after all? You have 15 days to return an item. And if it's your first order, the code LAUBELLE10 gives you 10% off.
A party dress also makes a lovely present, for example from grandparents or an aunt. A few things to keep in mind:
Check the size with the parents, or choose the larger size if in doubt. Give the gift before the party, so she can wear the dress that same evening. Pair it with something small, like the slippers. Then she has a complete party outfit for at home straight away.
After the party you'll want the dress clean again as quickly as possible. Wash both dresses cold (max. 40 °C) on a gentle cycle and let them air dry, out of direct sunlight. Don't tumble dry, so the fabric and print stay at their best. Turning the dress inside out before washing is extra kind to the print.
That way your daughter has a party dress she won't just wear at Christmas, but also in spring with a long-sleeve top, and on its own in summer.
