Toddlers Party Dresses

Of all children's clothes, toddlers' party dresses are probably the most fun and delightful to shop for, whether for your own child or someone else's. With such a wide array available in stores and on line, the only agonizing part about shopping is making a selection.

The basic look of toddlers' party dresses hasn't changed much since the 1920s. This is the age when masses of layers, ruffles and frills look the most adorable. They are also practical, because at this age, the girls are still wearing diapers and the frills hide the bulge. What's created is a crinoline effect, making the look that much more charming.

A classic dress appropriate for Easter or any summer outing features puffed short sleeves, a fitted bodice detailed with ribbons, ruching or some similar design element, and a poufy skirt that comes to about knee length. Many feel that the dress is not complete without a wide sash tied with a bow. Traditionally, the bow is at the back, but many dresses will have the bow in front or slightly off center.

More modern dresses have a simpler design. They are sleeveless and slightly more A-line, often falling below the knee. Design elements focus less on ruffles and frills and more on bright patterns and fun styles like sailor collars. Colors can be less pastel, more vivid. But cuteness is never compromised!

Parents know what those who don't have toddlers forget – a charming dress is not likely to stay clean throughout an entire party. Popular fabrics in toddlers' party dresses include organdy, linen, taffeta and velvet, all of which require dry cleaning. Since the dress may only be worn once or twice, it's probably not a major concern, but if you expect to attend a lot of parties, you may prefer a dress that can at least be washed by hand.

If a stain does occur and tears follow, club soda really does a lot to quickly lessen the worst of it, so all the accompanying caregivers might want to have a little bottle handy, just in case.

Part of what makes shopping for toddler dresses so much fun is that no trying on is necessary. Once you have the child's measurements in hand, you can just grab a spouse, friend or family member and hit the shops. Of course, you can also shop online, but it can be nicer to feel the fabric and assess its impact on delicate skin.

One way to be sure clothes will be safe for a toddler's skin is to buy organic. Even designer toddler clothes can be made with chemical-laden dyes and other problematic factors. Buying organic does not have to be more expensive. If you look at clothes on a site like Pristine Planet, you'll see competitive prices, although the selection is limited. But there are a number of other sites selling organic children's clothes. These include:

• Best Baby Organics, which carries dresses made in the USA in lovely floral patterns

• Dam Tam, a UK-based company that makes clothes from organic cotton including a flowery party dress that is adorable as well as comfortable.

• Nature's Baby Blankets, which among other items has a classic "bubble" dress in organic Egyptian cotton that comes with matching bloomers. They also sell dresses that can be monogrammed.

Because a party dress is something that will only be worn a few times before it's outgrown, you should consider looking for something second-hand. It's the ultimate way to be low-impact and save money. Of course, the best way is if you have friends with children and everyone trades, but you should also look into neighborhood clothing swaps and even sources like Craig's List. Unless a dress is hand-made or otherwise very special and individual, there is no reason not to pass it on.

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