Birthday Party Dresses for Girls

A birthday dress has one job above every other: she has to be able to move in it, all afternoon, without asking to change. There will be dancing, games, cake, and at least one moment where she is the centre of a photo circle — the dress needs to survive all of it looking as good at five o'clock as it did at the start.

What works: dresses with movement built in — a sequin overlay that catches the light on the dance floor, a full skirt made for spinning, a soft fabric that will not wilt after two hours of running around. Colours she will actually pick herself, not just the ones a parent would choose.

What to avoid: anything too delicate for cake, frosting, and floor games. Closures a young child cannot manage herself at the bathroom sink. A dress so precious that “don't get it dirty” becomes the theme of the party instead of her.

Every dress in this collection is made to be genuinely worn, not just worn for the first ten minutes of photos. Sizes 12M through 10Y.