Let’s play dress-up

One of my favourite childhood memories, is of the morning of my fifth birthday. I woke up supremely excited, not only because I knew presents awaited me, but also because it was the day of my long-awaited fancy dress party.

Now, fancy dress may seem run-of-the-mill amongst the very sophisticated party circuit of today, but this wasn’t just any old fancy dress party. My Dad and teenage brothers braved looking ridiculous for the day by dressing up as waiters, just so that my 5-year-old friends could have our cocktail sausages in style from a foil silver tray.

This was the crème de la crème of fancy dress parties, or so my 5-year-old self thought. So, for such an occasion, I needed something fabulous to wear, and it seemed I was in luck.

That morning, my mum took me downstairs to our living room where the curtains were closed, shrouding the whole room in darkness. My mum gave my dad the signal to open the curtains and as the light poured into the room, there, hanging on our shabby old clothes rack was the most beautiful empire line, cream satin princess bride dress I had ever seen.

My mum had spent weeks making it for me, with faux pearl and diamante detailing that in my innocence I thought were real. My dream dress was a reality, and over the years nothing had come close to rivalling it. That was until I saw the ethereal dresses by British brand I Love Gorgeous.

Popsicle peach dress

They design the most exquisite clothing for girls that I have ever seen, making me long for my childhood again. If they made their clothes in adult sizes I would wear them myself, so timeless and chic are the styles. Luxurious moss crepe, silk chiffon, georgette, and soft cotton voile are the fabrics of choice, with Indian inspired prints and trims to add touches of glamour. The clothes are very wearable, but have elements of ‘dress-up’ in their detailing, ranging from soft chiffon day dresses that can be paired with tights and a cardi, to extravagant Marie Antoinette inspired gowns perfect for bridesmaid dresses and can be kept in the dressing up box for generations to come.

So, in a world gone crazy for everything Hannah Montana and High School Musical, it is refreshing to see independent brands opting for a more classic-inspired and less trend-obsessed collections for children. These are the designs that don’t have a shelf life; these are the dresses to rival my dream dress.

I still have my princess bride dress; a sparkling reminder of my childhood hanging in the wardrobe, just as joyful as the first day I saw it. It goes to show that some things really are timeless.

www.pixiechildrenswear.com

Pixie Childrenswear, 6 Albert Hill Street, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RF, 0161 445 5230