I adore a beautifully hand-smocked little girl’s dress. Nothing sweeter.

For The Love of Smocking is a shop on Etsy that has some of the most classic smocked dressed I’ve seen in a long time. Nothing kitschy or theme-y. Just great fabric (lots of floral and calico), puff sleeves, peter pan collars and traditional smocking.

Behold:

There are quite a few more in the For The Love of Smocking shop right now – ranging from $25 to $70 (for sizes 3 mos. to 5 yrs.).

Another Etsy shop – Gumdrop Grove – has some gorgeous smocked dresses as well:

The one pictured here is listed at $58 – which is about the same ballpark for most of the dresses in this shop.

Are you a smocked dress fan? Do you know how to smock? Is my affection for smocking nostalgia or old-fashioned?

We have sufficiently established that I love very classic little girls’ dresses and shoes. Ready for a few more?

Elephantito has some of the sweetest little girls’ dresses around. Very traditional, but not old-fashioned. (And don’t even get me started on how cute their mary janes are. The gold and silver ones? To die for.)

Corduroy jumpers (just like my mama used to make…), reg. price $50 (see sale info below)

Simple cotton tunic, reg. price $66

Holiday tweed dress, reg. price $68

And did I mention that right now (as of January 6, 2010), they’re offering 45% off clothes?! FORTY-FIVE PERCENT, PEOPLE! What are you waiting around here for?! (Use code HAPPY at checkout.)

Sophisticated but fun fabrics. Attention to detail like I’ve never seen. Meticulous contrasting linings, reverses and edging. Beautiful construction. All of these describe Hoot Baby’s lovely designs for little girls.

Dresses, tunics, skirts, bloomers – all of Hoot Baby’s pieces look delicious enough for a special occasion. And yet, they’re fun and not fancy, frilly or stuffy – so they’re equally up to the task for a playdate, I’m sure.

Take a peek at their website and at their etsy shop. And then I dare you not to buy something…

So…..I’m back. Took a little unexpected hiatus there for a week or so. Life. Kids. Whatnot. I’m sure you know how that goes.

Anyway. I’m back! While I was gone, I bought a new dress for myself. Had an outdoor fundraiser to attend. In late June. In Kansas. Holy humidity and heat…My choice was ultimately a patterned shift. Comfy and cool.

And a shift is comfy and cool for your little girls too. I’m loving these at kookie’s website. 100% cotton. And lined! Love the wide white collar…

Take a peek:

available at kookie, $52.

I stumbled upon the Sweet Funky Vintage website today via Megan’s post at Velveteen Mind. And I absolutely adore the fabrics they use. Very unique. Very fun. And everything is made-to-order.

You definitely won’t see these little numbers coming and going this summer.

Check it:

All available at Sweet Funky Vintage, $30 – $48.

Maybe it’s becoming abundantly clear that I love Indian-inspired dresses and tunics for little girls? What? Too many? Never!

This spring/summer line of little girls’ dresses by Pink Chicken is right up my alley though! I had to show them to you. Had to.

Buy Pink Chicken for your little one at Tuttibella and Arte Bebé.