These classic dresses remind us just how fancy holiday attire was such an important part of the season’s excitement. For a look back, we’ve collected vintage ads and photos that showcase the charm of these sweet Christmas dresses for little girls — but forget the fashion trends those decades were known for. These holiday frocks were all about tradition, and many recalled the Victorian era.
Sweet sugarplums: Every little girl wants a dress for Christmas (1962)
Sweet as a sugarplum: A tucked shirtwaist top, a wide, gathered velveteen skirt and a bias-striped sash that ties in a big bow make this dress a very special one for celebrating Christmas Day. $7.98.
Gay as a candy cane: A cutaway velveteen pinafore buttons down the back over a crisp, candy-cane printed dress. The dress, with lace edgings, can also be worn alone. $8.98.
Demure as an angel: For the very feminine little girl who loves ruffles, pick this pretty white dress, with ruffle on ruffle and a wide, crushed-velveteen cummerbund. $5.98.
Crisp as a snowflake: All white, except for the bow, the sleeveless dress has a basque bodice and full, full skirt. The proud small owner can wear the separate bolero over other dresses. $7.98.
Bright as a holly berry: This holly-red velveteen dress has puffed white sleeves and a gilet with a Peter Pan collar to give it the young look of a jumper. It buttons down the back. $7.98.
Merry as a sleigh bell: Remove the vestee and you have a complete, striped dress. Reverse it and you have a striped vestee, perhaps to wear over a red or white dress. $6.98.
Vintage 1960s Christmas dresses for kids (1964)
1960s girl in red velvet dress for Christmas (1967)
New star in a magic car (1968)
Do look now. That’s Heather Ripley pulling up in a most amazing car. No, it’s not an old Rolls or a Stanley Steamer. It’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Ian Fleming’s imaginary flying car, that gets into even more adventures than his superspy James Bond.
In the new film named after it (starring Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Heather make their movie debuts together.
Heather, who’s nine and comes from Dundee, Scotland, took to modeling for the Journal with the same ease and naturalness she brought to her first acting assignment. On these pages, she wears our clothes for your own Christmas princess. All are Butterick Patterns. By Nora O’Leary, Patterns Editor.
Coat for a snow princess, left, of Anglo’s warm-as-toast wool melton cloth, trimmed with snuggly fake chinchilla, by Lawrence & Klauber. Butterick 5158.
Dress fit for a queen, below — it’s what Heather plans to wear when she meets the Queen at the movie premiere in London on December 16. Of imported Christmas-red cotton velvet, by Amity. Ruffled lace trim by Lowenthal. Butterick pattern 5042.
Retro Christmas outfits for kids (1969)
A red-on-white tiny polka dot patterned dress with red trim for her, and a red jacket and plaid flares for the boy
5 cute little girls in retro Christmas dresses (1971)
A covey of cousins in new dresses — dainty flowers challis and pristine pinafores. Dresses by Shutterbug, R A R Moppets and Youngland. Black patent leather Mary Janes shoes by Jumping Jacks.
Vintage 1970s country-style Christmas dress for girls (1972)
Cute red and green vintage Christmas dress (1972)
Vintage 1970s Christmas dress for girls (1973)
Provincial cotton print Christmas dresses & pinafores (1973)
ALSO SEE: Old-school cottagecore: The prairie dress had a big comeback in the 80s
Old-fashioned Christmas dresses for girls from 1974
From Ladies’ Home Journal (December 1974)
Our nostalgic new party fashions recall the clothes children wore in old-time storybooks. And it’s so much fun parading around in this look of yesteryear that even modern blue-jean fans are eager to dress up. Our collection is to buy or sew at home.
Vanessa looks very Alice-in-Wonderland in her lace-trimmed gingham dress with its detachable pinafore. By Ceil Ainsworth, Ltd.
Two best friends delighted with their new dressy dresses
Eileen’s long-sleeved Victorian frock (left) is done in a delicate wallpaper stripe – by Cinderella. Jennifer’s hand-smocked dress has a high ruffled neck, full sleeves and its own velvet sash – by Polly Flinders.
Demure old-fashioned Christmas party dresses
In this chapter of the children’s album, demure party dresses in an old-fashioned mood to sew in modern, easy-care fabrics.
Two sisters pose with the utmost seriousness for their family portrait. Deirdre (left) wears an empire-waisted dress with puffy sleeves in a floral wallpaper print fabric.
Colleen’s gingham dress (right) has a white-eyelet front panel edged with a ruffle and grosgrain ribbon.
High-necked portrait dress
Brooke’s high-necked portrait dress with leg o’ mutton sleeves is trimmed with prim pleating at the neck, bodice and cuffs and accentuated with a velvet ribbon. The floral medallion print fabric is an appropriately nostalgic choice. Simplicity patterns. [This is a photo of young model/actress Brooke Shields]
Old-fashioned holiday outfits for a little boy & little girl (1974)
Liam plays the dandy in short suspender pants with shirt, by Fischel. His sister, Rosheen, is impeccably turned out in a pinafore dress by J C Penney.
ALSO SEE: 1960s boys’ clothes: Retro fashions for kids
Cute Christmas dresses for little girls you can still buy today
- 2 Ways To Wear: Girls A-line swing dress with a belt.It can be belted to form an elegant special occasion look, or you can remove the belt to create a casual oversize look.
- Comfortable Fabric: Girls long sleeve dress is made of high-quality polyester. Skin-friendly, breathable, not stretchy, and proper weight. A good wardrobe choice for spring, fall, or winter.
- Unique Design: Ruffled round neck, shirred on the chest, and gorgeous tiered hem make it both fashionable and decorative. Above knee length, with lined. Big swing, flowy, and well drapes, perfect for...
- Note: Recommended to hand wash gently in cold water or machine wash on a gentle cycle in a laundry bag as sequins might fall off a bit. Do not bleach/ Hang or line dry, that will increase the...
- Unique Design: Sequin decorations on tulle hem sparkle in the light, show the beautiful and cute of girls. Ruffle sleeve add a dressier look, with various adorable patterns.
- Material: Girls tutu dresses feature a soft cotton top, comfortable and stretchy, The inner layer of the tulle has an extra cotton lining, bring your child comfortable wearing experience.
- Skin Friendly: Comfortable and stretchy fabric, with a seamless and soft inner lining, No itchy and full coverage of the toddler dress, ideal girls dresses
- Unique Design: Features three-layer cake tutu, super cute tulle dress, combines elegance and comfort for a chic look. For parties, headband and bag to make your girl stand out. For casual, easy to...
- Feature: Round neck, knee length and elastic waist of the girls tutu dress. Best gift for your little princess, suits for spring, summer, autummn and winter. Can be worn with jacket if it's cold
- High-quality: Soft, stretchy and comfortable, but non-see through fabric. No itchy and pilling with cotton blend fabric of the toddler dress, ideal girls dresses
- Stylish Design: Features Flutter sleeve and elastic waist tutu dress, classic and fashionable. Best gift for your little princess
- Feature: Crew neck, knee length, cotton lining and body of the toddler tutu. Pull-on style is easy for dressing, suits for spring, summer and autume
- Material: Soft, lightweight and breathable material for all-day comfort, no see-through and itchy mesh dress with premium fabric; White dress also has a lining, super safe
- Stylish Design: Unique contrast mesh with puff sleeve make your princess stand out at any special occasion, this girls dress also can collocate a coat in spring, autumn or winter
- Feature: 2 sides Pockets , polka dots contrast mesh, round neck, high waist, knee length and casual swing dress, every girl needs this party dress in wardrobe
