This family-run shop that makes girls' dresses out of the most beautiful Indian fabrics and I'm so happy to have found them. The A-line Amparo chevron patterned dress is gorgeously constructed from hand-loomed Ikat fabric, then lined with cotton so it has a nice heft to it. Perfect for summer, but it will be fantastic for the early days of school too, with a cardigan over top or a long-sleeve tee underneath. It also comes in a pretty blue dress that will make you want to fly off to the Mediterranean, stat.
In fact, I love a lot of the offerings at the Ode Kids shop which blend modern styling with traditional Indian fabrics--either Ikat weaves or block prints--all from the designers' homeland. And I'm inspired by the photos on the site of their trips to India and to see the artisans making the fabrics by hand.
Dress sizes go from 2-3 to 5-6 and I'd say they're really right in the middle; my daughter is not quite a 6 and the 5-6 sample fits her perfectly with just enough room to grow. They also wash really nicely in the machine--no puckering or shrinking--although they do recommend that you handwash to preserve the fabrics. (I'm not much of a handwasher.) My only complaint: I want them to go even bigger. Say, my size? -Liz
Find beautiful girls' dresses in artisan Indian fabric online at Ode Kids



