You are a children’s clothing retailer who wants to boost sales and diversify your product line. In 2025, smocked dress 12 months with a timeless and endearing look will remain a niche market with significant room for expansion in the children’s apparel market. So let’s explore what makes this type of clothing so special and how you can source the best suppliers to meet the growing demand.

Best way to expand your product line with smocked dress 12 months
Best way to expand your product line with smocked dress 12 months

1. Infant and children’s fashion trends in 2025

The market for children’s clothing is always changing to satisfy the demands of parents and other caregivers. Parents prioritize their children’s comfort, pleasure, and well-being when making purchases, and children have a significant influence on these selections. Here are the top 3 trends to follow:

  • Sustainable and Eco-friendly fabric

Children’s fashion market will still be dominated by sustainable natural materials in 2025. Fabrics such as organic cotton, linen and bamboo fiber are not only environmentally friendly but also safe for children’s sensitive skin. They have good sweat absorption, helping children feel comfortable in all activities.

  • Vintage and retro inspirations

Traditional prints, such as flower patterns, stripes, and polka dots, are making a comeback, offering a classic and nostalgic appeal. Vintage styles such as rompers, pinafores, and overalls are popular again, which combine historical beauty with modern comfort and functionality.

  • Customizable and personalized clothing

Parents always want to buy their children the best products within their budget. Not only are rompers and smocked dresses made to fit the baby’s body size, but each item is also customized to reflect the baby’s personality. The designed clothes are also mainly hand-sewn by skilled tailors using high-quality fabrics.

Vintage clothing is a major trend in children’s fashion in 2024
Vintage clothing is a major trend in children’s fashion in 2025

2. What makes smocked dress stand out from other types of infant clothes

Smocked baby clothes, especially the smocked dress 12 months have been popular for generations due to their timeless appeal, intricate detailing, and comfortable fit.

  • Smocked dress has a classic yet trendy look

The timeless design of the smocked dress never goes out of style. Parents who like vintage clothing may find this type of product appealing. Additionally, smocked dresses follow the most popular trend in children’s fashion: sustainable fashion.

  • Smocked dress is a high-quality product

Hand smocked dresses with intricate pattern are hand-embroidered by skilled craftsmen. Smocked dresses are sewn from high-quality fabrics, ensuring safety and comfort for children.

  • Each smocked dress has its own unique detail

The majority of baby garments on the market are mass-produced, while smocked dresses are made in small quantities and can even be tailored to the preferences of the buyer, giving them a “unique” dress line.

Smocked dresses’ unique features are made by hand
Smocked dresses’ unique features are made by hand

3. Smocked dress 12 months – best choice when expanding your children clothing business

There’re reasons why we affirm smocked dress 12 months is the best choice for children’s wear retailers when expanding their business. Here are top 3 reasons to note:

3.1. What do infants usually wear?

From 12 to 24 months old, children begin learning how to walk, run, and actively explore the world around them. Their clothing should be comfortable and allow for a full range of movement. Here are a few common choices when it comes to infant clothing: 

  • Dresses: one-piece clothing for girls, often worn with bloomers or diaper covers.
  • Bubble rompers: one-piece clothing that is designed for easy diaper changes, with features like gusset snaps or a three-strap closure.

3.2. Special features of smocked dress for infants from 9 to 12 months old

A few features make smocked dress 12 months stand out from other infant clothing 

  • They are made from soft fabrics such as knit, woven, cotton, etc. that are comfortable for children to wear daily.
  • The smocked details on the dress serve as decoration with high elasticity, ensuring that the child won’t feel uncomfortable when wearing it.
  • Smocked dress is one-piece clothing, easy both to dress and undress, and does not hinder diaper changing.
  • Many smocked dresses are produced by boutique brands or specialized manufacturers. They are made to order, avoiding the mass production of fast fashion, which harms the environment. This approach appeals to customers who care not only about the product but also about the story behind it.

3.3. Smocked dress is a niche market in the children’s apparel market

Smocked dresses are mid-end infant clothing with an affordable price, so its target is the customers who have a mid-range budget.

The characteristics of this customer base are that they love vintage style. They love traditional products with high craftsmanship. These customers are often concentrated in the Southern United States or among communities that value classic European children’s fashion. They are willing to invest in their children’s wardrobe with products that have a personal stamp, produced in small quantities.

Smocked dresses from Lotus Smock
Smocked dresses from Lotus Smock

4. How to pick a reliable smocked dress supplier 

Choosing a trustworthy smocked dress supplier is crucial for ensuring high-quality products and a seamless business relationship. However, there are many wholesale embroidery suppliers in the market today. Here’s some tips to help you choose the right ones.

4.1. Countries that account for the majority of the smocked dress production market

Globally, the top three exporters of Smocked Clothing are Vietnam, Peru, China, and India. In 2025, Vietnam leads the world in Smocked Clothing exports with 204 shipments, followed by Peru with 154 shipments, and India taking the third spot with 43 shipments. Most of the smocked clothing exports from the world go to the United States, Hong Kong, and Spain.

Smocked dresses from Vietnam are known for their fine weaving and intricate details and are made by highly skilled workers.

4.2. Things to note when selecting the product size for smocked dress wholesale

When selecting the product size for wholesale smocked dresses, particularly for a 12-month size, here are some important things to note:

  • Check carefully the size guide given by the manufacturer. Different manufacturers may have slightly different measurements for what constitutes a “12-month” size. 
  • Pay attention to seasonal needs. Depending on when the stock will be shipped and sold, consider how the dress’s size and trend align with the season.
  • Cost and Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs): Pay attention to the pricing of products and the minimum quantity required to ensure costs are controlled.

4.3. Lotus Smock: one of the top wholesale embroidery suppliers

Vietnam is a country with a rich history of hand embroidery dating back to 1000 years, which is the reason for a big and highly skilled labor population. Lotus Smock, as a company that specializes in premium wholesale hand embroidery supplies for children’s wear, offers high-quality handcrafted goods.

  • Our Product Line: At Lotus Smock, you can choose from a wide variety of products, including dresses, tops, rompers, and sets for infants to 10-year-olds, available in different fabrics such as linen, cotton, and more, tailored to your needs.
  • Our Strengths: Our products, especially smocked dress 12 months, are handmade by highly skilled workers, and we are committed to ensuring the quality of the final product. At Lotus Smock, you can especially customize your products to your liking, and we always have staff ready to assist you.
  • Our Pros & Cons: Lotus Smock’s products are handcrafted with high-quality finishing; however, because of this, they require longer production time.

Contact Lotus Smock at:

Lotus Smock: Vietnam top wholesale embroidery suppliers
Lotus Smock: Vietnam’s top wholesale embroidery suppliers

Smocked dress 12 months with its classic and vintage look is a top choice for children’s clothing retailers when it comes to expanding their product line. In the children’s apparel market, this product is a niche offering with significant growth potential. However, retailers also need to pay attention to their customer base to decide whether to stock smocked dresses or not.