Pretty Easter dresses for girls and their grown-ups

By Barbara Schmidt

March 23, 2016 at 11:38PM
Amaya, left, wears bunny ears headband, $46, and felt flowers (as belt), $95, from Oh Baby!; Hepburn lace dress, $130, from Goodnight Moon, and Yeehaw perforated cowboy boots, $32, from Target. Bailey wears Pretty In dress, $98, from Goodnight Moon. Meridith wears Nordstrom Signature and Caroline Issa floral dress, $795, from Nordstrom.
Amaya, left, wears bunny ears headband, $46, and felt flowers (as belt), $95, from Oh Baby!; Hepburn lace dress, $130, from Goodnight Moon, and Yeehaw perforated cowboy boots, $32, from Target. Bailey wears Pretty In dress, $98, from Goodnight Moon. Meridith wears Nordstrom Signature and Caroline Issa floral dress, $795, from Nordstrom. (Vince Tuss — Special to the Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

What to wear for a brunch, egg hunt or church services this Easter? Dress styles are as dreamy and bright as the young spring sun. Pastels and pure white dominate the color palette, and lace makes a strong showing. Everything flows in drapes and soft pleats.

For accents, look for items with feathers and/or sparkle. Flowers on belts and headbands lend a festive touch. Stripes and gingham pop up to keep things from getting too prim or fussy. For little girls, more fun comes in pairing whimsical socks and shoes with classic styles.

These looks will take you well past the holiday and down the bunny trail to warmer, greener days.

Barbara Schmidt is a trend spotter and stylist who works around the country. Reach her at barbara@studiobstyle.com.

Meridith left: Eliza J gingham dress $138, nordstrom.com. Amaya Right: feather Lily Crown, $60 ohbabystyle.com; Cornflower Eyelet Pleated dress $59, goodnightmoon.us. Pink berry containers, $8 for set of six; Easter grass $1.70; one dozen white art eggs, $3 all from michaels.com. Easter dress shoot. Photographer Lauren Krysti, laurenkrysti.com Art Director and Stylist Barbara Schmidt, studiobstyle.com Hair and Make-up Artist Fatima Olive, wehmann.com Models: Meridith Gould, moorecreativetalent.c
º Meridith, left, wears an Eliza J gingham dress, $138, from Nordstrom. Amaya wears a Lily feather crown, $60, from Oh Baby! and eyelet pleated dress, $59, from Goodnight Moon. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Amaya left: Floral headband $95, white t-shirt with hand-screened bunny $45, feather Tutu Topper, $40, Glinda Fairy skirt $100, cotton legging $36 all from ohbabystyle.com. Meridith right: Olivia Palermo purple puff blouse $128, nordstrom.com; Pink satin pant $28, luluvintage.com. Easter dress shoot. Photographer Lauren Krysti, laurenkrysti.com Art Director and Stylist Barbara Schmidt, studiobstyle.com Hair and Make-up Artist Fatima Olive, wehmann.com Models: Meridith Gould, moorecreativetalent.
Amaya wears a floral headband, $95; white T-shirt with hand-screened bunny, $50; feather tutu, $40; Glinda skirt, $100, and cotton legging, $36, all from Oh Baby! Meridith wears an Olivia Palermo + Chelsea 28 blouse, $128, from Nordstrom and satin pants, $28, from Lula Vintage. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Amaya wears a Glinda skirt, $100, from Oh Baby! and bunny socks, $1, from Target.
Amaya wears a Glinda skirt, $100, from Oh Baby! and bunny socks, $1, from Target. (Special to the Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Berry containers, $8 for set of six; Easter grass, $2; pencil set of 12, $8; one dozen art eggs, $3; 32-count mica eggs, $2, and honeycomb art paper, 60 cents per sheet; all from Michaels. Sheet stickers, $1, from Target.
Berry containers, $8 for set of six; Easter grass, $2; pencil set of 12, $8; one dozen art eggs, $3; 32-count mica eggs, $2, and honeycomb art paper, 60 cents per sheet; all from Michaels. Sheet stickers, $1, from Target. (Special to the Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

Barbara Schmidt