Retro Revival: Vintage Elements in Modern Children's Occasion Wear
In 2025, we’re noticing a resurgence of vintage styles in children’s fashion for formal occasions, taking centre stage among other trends this season. '80s and '90s retro-inspired elements are making a comeback in kidswear, adding a touch of nostalgia with striking details like ruffles, Peter Pan collars, puffed sleeves, scallops, bows, and embroidery.
We also see parents embracing these classic fashion elements for their children’s special occasions with ease, as they are reminiscent of the decades and eras in which they grew up. This era is all about whimsical, vintage charm meeting modern trends, and we’ve rounded up all the ins and outs of this delightful blast from the past.
Why Retro-Inspired Fashion is Trending for Kids
Fashion’s cyclical nature allows for old trends to resurface every 20 years, which is how long it takes for a generation to come of age and rediscover popular styles present at a time when they were too young to enjoy them. Therefore, retro children’s fashion has a nostalgic-driven factor tied to it, with parents being drawn to classic style elements that are evocative of their own childhood memories. It calls for a desire to reconnect with past aesthetics in a modern setting coupled with the influence of new generations eager to experiment with styles from the past.
Another factor is sustainability: clothes that possess a vintage-inspired touch are often made from premium quality and durable materials, promoting longevity and conscious fashion which align with eco-friendly practices. Classic fabrics such as denim, wool, and cotton, resist wear and tear over time and encourage garment repurposing, extending the life of each piece.
We cannot overlook the impact of runway fashion, as its trends often trickle down into children’s fashion. During New York Fashion Week fall/winter 2025, we see mini versions of classic silhouettes in kidswear. An evident embrace of retro-inspired styles with cropped leather jackets and trench coats, incorporating an edgy feel to children’s wardrobes. Retro embellishments such as puffed sleeves, Peter Pan collars, bows, and embroidered patches are also seen on the runway, aligning with the growing demand for vintage-inspired children’s occasion wear.
Lastly, platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest are trendsetting online spaces where parents, influencers, and kids' fashion brands showcase nostalgic elements in children's occasion wear. This in turn has made retro fashion more accessible, and henceforth, more desirable. Several mum influencers and celebrity parents dress their children in vintage-inspired pieces like girls’ ruffled dresses, embroidered cardigans with scallop trims, and double-breasted waistcoat suits.
Key Vintage Elements in Modern Kids’ Occasion Wear
Scalloped Edges
Scallop details are the rage this season; they’re seen all the way from fashion runways to recent children's fashion designs. Scalloped trims offer a charming, playful look without being overly fussy—known for their soft, rounded edges, resembling the shape of seashells, and they bring an effortless elegance and whimsy to any garment. In classic kids’ occasion outfits, scalloped trims help soften the look of more structured pieces while still giving them a sophisticated flair. This element is incredibly versatile and prevalent in collars, hems, and sleeves, adding a vintage charm to dresses, tops, cardigans, skirts, and shoes.
The versatility of this design makes it so popular because it strikes a balance between whimsical and sophisticated style. It adds a touch of youthfulness and innocence, making it ideal for children’s fashion as well as an easy detailing to incorporate in both formal and casual attire. Most importantly, it works equally well in spring/summer children’s collections as it does in fall/winter wardrobes.
Puffed Sleeves
Puff sleeves remain unrivalled as a trend that instantly transforms any outfit with a touch of elegance and flair. Over the years, they've gone through all sorts of reinventions, and currently they're making a comeback in today’s fashion, blending the past with the present. These sleeves bring a dramatic, retro edge to an outfit, ensuring your little one stands out while holding onto a fresh and contemporary feel—and who doesn’t want to feel like they’re wearing a piece of revived fashion history?
Vintage Silhouettes & Cuts
A straightforward way to incorporate retro-inspired elements into children’s formal wear is through classic silhouettes and cuts. For girls, the Spring/Summer 2025 collections highlight A-line dresses adorned with scalloped collars and puffed sleeves (reminiscent of the mid-20th century fashion). At Sirri, we also infuse our designs with playful patterns and delicate details, offering a fresh take on classic French aesthetics—such as our adorable full-length Peter Pan collar flower girl communion dress.
For boys, vintage-inspired fashion isn’t just about dressing up—it’s about bringing back that timeless charm with a touch of nostalgia. Picture a little gentleman in a tailored blazer, a dapper waistcoat suit, and trousers held up by classic suspenders—the kind of outfit that instantly makes him look like he stepped out of an old family photo, full of character and dripping in style.
It’s essential to remember that these outfits are designed with comfort in mind. Made from classic fabrics and patterns such as tweed and vintage herringbone that are delightfully pleasant to wear as well as effortlessly elegant. By choosing pieces that highlight vintage-inspired shapes and cuts, parents can create timeless, adorable outfits for their kids’ special occasions while combining the charm of the past with today’s fashion standards.
Nostalgic Prints and Fabrics
This year, timeless kids’ fashion trends are all about embracing fun while experimenting with texture and colour, and what says ‘unique’ more than nostalgic or customised prints? From classic polka dots and gingham (Vichy check) all the way to floral prints, these timeless patterns stir youthfulness and charm, making them extra special in today’s retro-inspired children's occasion wear.
One characteristic of vintage-inspired clothing is the explosion of colours, with unique blends of striking shades and hues. Contrasting and vibrant colour combinations bring forth the joy and experimental nature of retro, embodying the era’s essence at its core. It also gives off a whimsical vibe, invoking fun emotions and adding personality to your little one’s wardrobe while still adhering to today’s fashion.
Custom prints take the spotlight this season, with parents personalising their children’s outfits with unique, customised additions. Whether it's a custom print or embroidery highlighting the child’s name, their favourite animal, or toy (e.g., retro-inspired tigers, cars, and dinos), these incorporations add a fun, personalised touch to each look.
Moreover, traditional fabrics with texture, such as lace, tulle, velvet, and even embroidered cotton, are also making a statement. We are witnessing a revival of these fabrics in kids’ occasion wear, bringing a sense of retro charm and luxurious finish to each piece. These fabrics, once tied to special events like weddings, are now being reintroduced in playful, age-appropriate ways, making them ideal for both formal gatherings and joyous celebrations.
Chic with a Contemporary Twist
This trend is all about ballet-themed or inspired attire, since balletcore is making a splash in children’s fashion. Think soft, voluminous tulle skirt and tutus paired with structured tops and cardigans, finished with sleek leggings. Easily dressed up or down, this style is perfect for both daily wear and formal occasions. Additionally, this trend offers a fresh, contemporary take on the age-old ballet aesthetic.
Girls’ Tulle Skirt Dresses: An adorable, creative way to incorporate balletcore into her flower girl or first communion dress with soft layers of tulle while showcasing a sleek, modern cut that accentuates her silhouette.
Girls’ Ballet Flats with Embellishments: From ballet flats with pearls to ballet flats with sequins, ballerina shoes add a touch of vintage-inspired charm that's sure to complete any outfit.
Retro Accessories for a Timeless Look
A small yet impactful way to pay homage to classic styles while meeting modern fashion standards is by accessorising. A statement accessory is a perfect way to complete your little one’s outfit, and the same applies if you’re looking to showcase a vintage-inspired touch to finalise the look.
For girls, headbands with pearl embellishments or hand-sewn embroidery details offer headpieces a delicate, timeless elegance. Mary Jane shoes, styled with classic knee-high socks, lace-trimmed tights, or frilly socks, are a perfect way to incorporate vintage fashion elements into formal occasions such as weddings or religious celebrations.
For boys, we see black flat caps incorporated with waistcoat suit sets or trousers with suspenders, finished with a tweed dickie bow—an ultimate look that brings out the 1920s vibes, a classic Peaky Blinders outfit that oozes charm and elegance.
How to Style Vintage Looks for Modern Kids’ Fashion
By now you’ve probably formed an idea on what retro-inspired children’s fashion in 2025 looks like. But exactly how to best style your child, and what are the vital element pairings that will bring out the classic styles in miniature seamlessly?
Balancing Old with New: Pairing classic silhouettes and cuts with modern fabrics or the other way around creates a harmonious blend between timeless and contemporary fashion.
Pattern Mixing with Solids: If you’re looking for a vintage touch that isn’t plain outdated, consider pairing retro prints with a neutral or solid-coloured base in order not to overwhelm the look.
Colour Palette: Nothing screams vintage, after plaids and checks, more than a playful colour palette. From soft pastels such as blush pink, matcha green, lavender, and baby blue to muted, earthy tones such as mustard yellow and rust—these colours work best incorporated in small doses for an upbeat retro vibe or layered on top of a neutral base.
Layering: Layers are a great way to add a touch of retro to a child’s outfit. For girls, think cardigan with a delicate floral embroidery, boleros, or a cape-style coat. For boys, consider a classic double-breasted midi coat or accessorising with suspenders and a playful dickie bow.Below, we’ve combined a few looks that draw inspiration from various vintage-inspired trends for childrenswear.
Balletcore
Starting with the petticoat dress, we’ve paired it with a short-sleeved ivory bolero. You can also go with an embroidered cardigan, as long as you don't forget the tights with bows! Finish off the look with a pair of Mary Jane shoes—we’ve selected complementary ivory ones.
Nostalgic Glamour
For this style, pick a classic silhouette or a traditional fabric. We’ve selected this blush jacquard tulle dress and crossbody bag set and paired it with ivory lace-frill socks and rhinestone-trimmed Mary Janes. You can also layer the outfit with a bolero or midi coat in a complementary colour to add a touch of sophistication.
Retro Dapper
For our young gents, we’ve put together a few options to choose from based on the occasion’s level of formality and the weather. Starting with the beige chino trousers, here you can pair it with a floral print shirt that adds a touch of personality or opt for a classic white dress shirt if it’s a dressy occasion. The navy suspenders coupled with the flat cap are elegant ways to accessorise and complete the vintage dapper gentleman style. For layering, a navy double-breasted midi coat can be replaced with a structured blazer if the weather calls for something different.
Best Special Occasions for Retro-Inspired Kids’ Outfits
Special occasions offer the best opportunity to incorporate retro children’s fashion, as the focus on polished looks while maintaining classic style is prominent. Buying unique clothes that reflect popular styles of past decades is especially significant for holidays, religious ceremonies, weddings, and family gatherings.
Religious Ceremonies
Religious celebrations such as baptisms, communions, Easter, and Christmas call for dressing in modest and classic attire, ultimately granting vintage-inspired clothes superiority to modern garments. With their structured cuts and traditional fabrics, these pieces perfectly complement the significance of these events, ensuring your little one effortlessly stands out. For instance, think of christening gowns and communion dresses—a christening gown with heirloom lace detailing or a first communion dress with floral embroidery honours the occasion being held and becomes a treasured piece in years to come.
Weddings
As for weddings, children partake in essential roles such as ring bearers, flower girls, and page boys. It’s important that they dress in a way that allows them to blend in with the formality of the event, and what better way to achieve that than with vintage-inspired children’s formal wear that exudes confidence and charm? Think of a three-piece suit or an Oxford dress shirt and trousers with a dickie bow or tie for boys, and elegant, floor-sweeping dresses with a bow for girls. The key is to include a classic retro element that ties everything together. This can be done through accessories such as suspenders, hairpins, and Mary Jane shoes, or through traditional textured fabrics and embellishments such as embroidery or lace work.
Family Gatherings & Holidays
While these occasions allow for a more lenient dress code, it’s still crucial to dress in traditional yet festive clothing. This calls for classic, retro pieces that are easily incorporated in a formal or slightly laid-back way. Smocked dresses with embellishments to either the collar or sleeves bring out that vintage touch to a gown. Girl’s brocade dresses are also considered a nod to the past and tied to festive occasions such as the holidays. Dressed down with ease by throwing on a cute cardigan with embroidery detailing, bringing the look together with a cohesive, timeless touch.
For boys, fabrics like corduroy, which tend to be more of a smart-casual style, are associated with the ‘70s and ‘80s, ultimately making a dress shirt with corduroy trousers and a bow tie an effortlessly sophisticated festive outfit that isn’t too formal. It can be dressed up with ease by pairing it with a vintage herringbone blazer or a tweed jacket.
Vintage-Inspired Kids’ Occasion Wear: Shop the Look at Sirri
Here at Sirri, we pride ourselves on being a pillar of classic style in children’s special occasion wear. From elegant vintage-inspired dresses for girls to classic waistcoat suits sets for boys, our kids’ collections embody effortless sophistication and charm. Browse our vintage-inspired childrenswear online today at Sirri and make it the most stylish season yet for your bundle of joy.
