Last Updated on January 27, 2025 by Eve Dawes
Get ready to turn heads in the cutest babydoll dresses to be seen in this Spring/Summer
Babydoll dresses are still in style this year, a trend led by Selkie that’s super cute and fun to wear. Having worn them back in the 90’s I couldn’t wait to slip back into this super girly look. The newest version of the Selkie babydoll dress trend checks a lot of the current fashion trends: puff sleeves, voluminous skirts, mini skirts and bold colors. It’s one of feminine looks you can really make your own by how you style it. Whether it’s a colorful, black or white babydoll dress worn with casual slides, strappy high heels and a structured bag like the Balenciaga hourglass bag. However, it’s styled, I’m here for it as they’re so easy to slip on with anything. They hide all of the food babies while making legs look impossibly long and slim in contrast to their volume. Here’s the best babydoll dresses from designer to affordable finds.
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Are babydoll dresses in style
Babydoll dresses are in style as seen at Selkie, Cecilie Bahnsen and spring/summer runway shows. As well as Ulla Johnson, Staud, Fleur Du Mal, and Loewe’s latest collections. Think more feminine beauty than the Megan the horror doll!
If you want to combine two trends in one, look for baby doll dresses with bubble hems or flattering corset styles like the one below. Bustier styles help to avoid them looking like maternity wear as a lot of them tend to be high waisted.
The best babydoll dresses
Selkie, Fleur Du Mal and Zimmermann do some of the best babydoll mini dresses. I’m really loving the details on Fleur Du Mal’s styles this season. Like their ultra flirty Bustier Babydoll Dress with on trend stunning crystal rhinestone details.
If you’re looking for a luxe for less option, I’ve found a lot of those too. Since I have a feeling this is a trend that won’t be around for long, it might not be worth spending a fortune on.
The Selkie dress I’m wearing is super fun but does run short (I’m 5’2″) and is a little sheer in the bust. So you’ll need to wear a bra or nipple petals and boy shorts or full briefs underneath. The skirt isn’t sheer though, so no issues there.
Another thing I love about baby doll dresses is that they hide food babies while accenting your legs. Making it perfect for brunch, lunch and dinners. If you wanting more arm coverage, I’ve added long sleeve babydoll dresses to the edit too.
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What’s a babydoll dress
It’s basically a short, loose dress originally intended for nightwear that looks doll or child like. Ok, that sounds a but weird! Stick to retro 60’s vibes and avoid marabou and ribbons to avoid looking too much like you’ve borrowed your kids doll clothes or are ready for a boudoir shoot and to make it more sophisticated but still playful.
The babydoll started out as a short nightgown invented by a designer called Sylvia Pedler in 1942 as a means of working with the fabric shortage during World War II…Pedler apparently hated that women began calling them babydolls and never used the term herself.
Glamour UK
35 best babydoll dresses from Selkie & other brands
The babydoll dresses the designers are releasing this season are obviously for going out not going to bed. So there’s no worry of you looking like you’re wearing your lingerie. Although nightwear as daywear is a theme as satin slip dresses and feather PJ’s are back in fashion as well.
If you’re tall and worried about your babydoll dress being too short, check out the versions from Tall collections like ASOS. The most important thing about this trend is to have fun with it. It’s not a dress that takes itself too seriously.
The best colorful babydoll dresses for 2024
Selkie are leading the way but there’s lots of other designer and luxe for less super cute and girly babydoll dresses this year. As well as lots of sale finds. They’re a fun way to give your wardrobe a playful pop of color. I think my personal favorite is the Fleur du Mal bustier dress has the prettiest crystal details and is on sale.
The best black and white Selkie dresses and babydoll dresses
Black and white babydoll dresses and the colorful bags to bring them to life. You can also always belt them to give it more shape and to change up your look to get more wear out of them.
How to style and wear babydoll dresses
Babydoll dresses look great with sophisticated styling. Think slicked back buns or ponytails, soft waves or straight center parted hair rather than tight curls to avoid looking to doll like and to show off the puff sleeve or sleeveless details. Keep jewelry pared back and minimalistic and go for sophisticated heels.
Babydoll dresses aren’t always the most flattering and can end up making most of us look pregnant. The less volume in the skirt the more flattering they tend to be which is why the puff sleeve Selkie dress didn’t work out for me personally. They look super cute on a lot of the models though, so might be worth giving a go if you’ve been wanting to try them.
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