One of the most exciting things you get to do when you have a baby girl is to dress them up and show them off. But finding good-quality dresses that are worth the cost is a lot harder than you would think.
We’ve struggled with this ourselves. We’ve purchased baby dresses that fall apart in days or weeks or handwash-only designs that are too hard to care for. We’ve wasted money on dressy outfits we couldn’t even pull over our baby girls’ heads.
We wanted to find some better options — and help you do the same. We scoured the internet to find the best baby dresses money can buy. We’ve come up with 10 beautiful dresses made with quality stitching and fabrics in styles that are comfortable for little girls and easy for parents to dress them in.
Stop wasting your time and money on dresses you and your baby will hate. Check out these gorgeous designs instead.
- For sensitive skin
- High-quality value pack
- Organic cotton
- Eco-friendly inks
- Azo-free dyes
- Nickel-free snaps
- 100% cotton
- Cap sleeves
- Trusted brand
- Comfy, durable fabric
- Pull-on closure
- Pleated swing skirt
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Flower lace embroidery
- True bright white
- Button closure
- Comfort for any occasion
- Super-soft fabric
- Gentle on skin
- Includes coordinating dresses
- Optimal for everyday use
- 2 dresses with tulle and bows
- Long sleeves
- Trusted Carter's quality
- High-quality fabric and stitching
- Darling design
- Fade-resistant fabric
- Handcrafted
- Machine washable
- Adorable celebratory dress
The Best Baby Dresses of 2023
Here are 10 beautiful baby dresses for you to consider.
1. Touched by Nature Organic Dress
Best Newborn Dress
Newborn babies are usually the most sensitive when it comes to fabrics. These dresses are 100% organic cotton, which will help reduce the potential for allergic reactions.
The dresses are machine washable and don’t come with attached diaper covers — making washing and diaper changes super easy. There are many different style options, so you can choose the colors you like best. The best part — they come in packs of two.
2. Parade Organics Kimono Gown
Best Baby Kimono Dress
If you have a winter baby, you’ll probably be looking for something to keep out the cold. For winter newborns, kimono gowns are a great way to keep your little one warm while also keeping the convenience of a onesie.
These dresses are super eco-friendly. They are GOTS certified, meaning they don’t contain pesticides, and the manufacturer must meet strict environmental and labor standards.
3. Carter’s Baby Summer Dresses
Best Summer Dress
Summertime means a lot of time outdoors. If you live where the temperature climbs, it’s important to ensure your baby gets a lot of airflow and doesn’t overheat.
These dresses are sleeveless and made of 100% cotton for comfort and easy washing. They’re designed to slip on and off without you having to button or zip anything during changes. There are two in each pack, and they come in several cute color options.
4. Peony Long Sleeve Cotton Dress
Best Winter Dress
For those who live in places where winter seems to last a lifetime, it’s still possible to find adorable dresses. This one is long-sleeved and made of a sweatshirt-like material for added warmth.
There are seven different color options — all in solid colors for easy pairing with any pants pattern. They are machine washable for easy cleaning. Sizes start at nine months and run to 3T.
5. Romping House Baby Girls Formal Dress
Best Formal Dress
At some point, you’ll find yourself looking for a fancy dress for your baby, and this is a great option. It’s made from high-quality cotton and available in a gorgeous shade of ivory.
It comes with a matching floral headband. Formal dresses usually need to be hand-washed, which is the case with this dress, to protect the beautiful flower embroidery at the top.
6. KicKee Bamboo Swing Dress
Best Infant Dress
Once your child grows out of the newborn stage, dressing them is even more fun because they don’t have diaper blowouts every five minutes. Comfort and quality material are still super important, though.
These dresses are 95% bamboo viscose and 5% spandex, making them soft and stretchy for easy movement. There are so many adorable styles and color options, but you only get one dress at a time.
7. Hudson Baby Cotton Dress
Best Budget Dress
These dresses come in a pack of four — giving you more bang for your buck. They’re 100% cotton and machine washable. Sizes range from newborn through to toddler years.
Because they’re short-sleeved, you can have fun with layering. For chill mornings, throw a jacket on top. When the afternoon warms up, take it off, and they’re ready to go. Each dress in the pack has a different style, but each set only comes in one color scheme.
8. Simple Joys Toddler Dress Set
Best Toddler Dress
Anyone with a toddler knows that these are the years they start to really show their personality. And a lot of them love to dress up.
This dress will give your little girl comfort and the chance to express herself. The top is 100% cotton, and the skirt is 100% tulle. Even with the tulle, it’s still machine washable.
Two dresses are included, but the color options are limited. Size ranges from 2T to 5T.
9. RuffleButts Hoodie Swim Cover-Up
Best Swimsuit Cover-Up
As your baby grows out of the newborn stage, heading to the pool or the beach is a great way to get them outside during the hot summer months.
This swim cover-up offers both zippered and non-zippered dress options. It has three color and style options, but they all come with a hood to keep your baby’s wet head warm. They’re hand-wash only to protect the terry cloth material that makes them so soft.
10. Grace & Lucille 1st Birthday Dress
Best Birthday Dress
Your baby girl’s first birthday is really something to celebrate. It’s also a chance to make her feel special.
These dresses are handmade in a poly-cotton blend, so they’re easy to clean — still a significant factor for a one-year-old. They come in a ton of different color options, but all with the word “one” written across the front, to celebrate the birthday girl.
What’s Comfortable?
In many cases, babies are all about comfort, while parents are all about fashion. But these two don’t necessarily have to clash since brands are starting to do more to ensure clothes are comfortable and functional.
What are the questions to ask yourself when looking for a dress?
Pull-Over or Snap-Up?
Most baby dresses are pullover style — you put them on your child by pulling them over their head. However, some babies don’t like the momentary darkness that comes with this. If so, look for dresses that snap at least halfway up.
Attached or Separate Diaper Cover?
Many baby dresses will come with an attached diaper cover underneath. This can be convenient if your baby tends to lose their diapers easily. However, it can also cause the dress to feel too tight, depending on your baby’s torso length.
Cotton or Something Else?
The majority of babies don’t have problems with 100% cotton dresses. These days, however, other materials are popular as well. If your child doesn’t like other materials on their skin or they get a rash, it may be better to try one before buying a pack (1).
How to Size a Baby Dress
Every parent knows the difficulty of translating baby sizes from one brand to the next. I remember my child being a size 3T in some stores while fitting in a 5T in others.
In that case, how do you know what size your baby is? While every brand is different, there are some things you can do to minimize the chances of having to return something.
- Buy a flexible tape measure: Many brands will give you chest or leg sizes in their sizing guide. If you have one of these guys, a quick loop around your child’s body or length may give you all the necessary information to make the right decision.
- Overestimate: If you aren’t sure what size your baby is, use the next size up. For example, if your child is four, try a 5T. Worst case scenario, it’s a little too big, and they’ll grow into it over the season.
If you aren’t sure if you’re measuring your baby’s head and chest correctly for clothing, watch this video.
