Our Favorite Smocked Birthday Dresses

By Southern Living Editors

These sweet smocked birthday dresses will have your little one party-ready in no time at all. They couldn’t be cuter in photos (and, of course, there will be photos). These dresses are heirlooms in waiting. You probably have a closet full of smocked dresses passed down from family and friends. They’re priceless. If you want to continue the tradition and update it a little, browse these new smocked classics. Your little one will want to pass these sweet dresses on to her little ones decades from now. (One even comes with a matching bonnet!) Smocked dresses are a Southern staple, and whether they’re embroidered, patterned, or sleeved, nothing beats a cute smocked dress for babies and toddlers. You can even get them customized with your child’s favorite things, from animals and foods to spaceships and flowers. These birthday dresses are fancy and celebratory, but they’re also comfortable enough to run around and play in. From blowing out the candles and munching the birthday cake to playing tag and running around with friends, your birthday girl will have a day (and a dress!) to remember.

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Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

1 of 21

Liberty of London Floral Dress

bloomingdales.com

Buy it: $66, bloomingdales.com      

This cheery dress is made from a gorgeous Liberty of London floral fabric.

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2 of 21

Classic Hand-Smocked Dress with Yellow Spring Ducks

amazon.com

Buy it: $42, amazon.com

Little yellow ducks for your little one.

3 of 21

Beverly Smocked Dress in Pink Windowpane Seersucker

smockedauctions.com

Buy it: $36.99, smockedauctions.com

Every Southern summer calls for a dose of seersucker.

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4 of 21

Hand-Smocked Colorful Fish Dress

amazon.com

Buy it: $35, amazon.com

An under the sea-inspired frock for your future marine biologist. 

5 of 21

Mouse Ears Smocked Bishop Dress

smockedauctions.com

Buy it: $36.99, smockedauctions.com

This dress will let her celebrate with her favorite character.

6 of 21

Green Checkered Bishop Dress with Yellow Spring Lemons

amazon.com

Buy it: $37, amazon.com

There’s nothing sour about this lemony checked dress!

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7 of 21

Pink-Striped Watermelon Smocked Dress

smockedauctions.com

Buy it: $36.99, smockedauctions.com

Summer birthday? Watermelon dress.

8 of 21

Smocked Sailboat Dress in Red Stripe

smockedauctions.com

Buy it: $36.99, smockedauctions.com

She’ll be sailing into happy birthday memories with this sweet frock.

9 of 21

Feltman Brothers Smocked Lace-Detailed Dress

dillards.com

Buy it: $64, dillards.com      

She can wear this one to all the fancy functions your family is invited to this year.

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10 of 21

Girls' Hand-Smocked Dress in Blue Sunflower

amazon.com

Buy it: $31.99, amazon.com

She’ll be beaming sunshine in this sunflower-adorned frock.

11 of 21

Feltman Brothers Rose Bouquet Smocked Dress

feltmanbrothers.com

Buy it: $71.99, feltmanbrothers.com

Classic roses make this smocked dress timeless.

12 of 21

Burt’s Bees Baby Organic Smocked Bubble Dress

amazon.com

Buy it: $19.95, amazon.com

Keep things simple and comfy in this smocked outfit.

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13 of 21

Pink Gingham Smocked Ice Cream Bishop Dress

The Bella Bean/etsy.com

Buy it: $28, etsy.com

For the little girl who loves ice cream more than birthday cake.

14 of 21

Cupcake Birthday Dress

etsy.com

Buy it: $49.50, etsy.com

Is there anything cuter than embroidered cupcakes?

15 of 21

Girls’ Smocked Dress

bloomindales.com

Buy it: $89, bloomingdales.com      

This dress is so cute and comfy, she’ll want to wear it every day.

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Petit Ami Smocked Gown & Bonnet Set

dillards.com

Buy it: $28, dillards.com

This smocked gown comes in mint, pink, and white, so she has her pick!         

17 of 21

Ralph Lauren Smocked Striped Dress & Bloomer Set

bloomingdales.com

Buy it: $95, bloomingdales.com      

This fancy smocked, striped dress with a crisp Peter Pan collar is beyond timeless.

18 of 21

Party Cupcakes Hand-Smocked Bishop Dress

etsy.com

Buy it: $62, etsy.com

Cupcakes don’t just belong on the dessert table, they belong on this cute dress.

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19 of 21

Heirloom White Dress

etsy.com

Buy it: $49, etsy.com

Pink horses prance across this pink-and-white smocked dress (with smocked sleeves, too!).

20 of 21

Smocked Birthday Dress

etsy.com

Buy it: $29.95, etsy.com

It will be a birthday extravaganza with this cake- and presents-adorned dress.

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