About Us
Daddy’s Little Dress Shirts beginnings.
It all started in 2017 with a simple idea—repurposing men’s dress shirts to create custom clothing for children. At the time, my husband was working in fashion, crafting custom shirts for men. When the cuffs or collars of these shirts wore out, we saw an opportunity: Why not turn this incredible fabric into something new? We had no idea how that small thought would turn into something so much bigger than we could have imagined.
As soon as the shirts began arriving, so did their stories. At first, they were from doting dads and loving grandpas, excited to pass on their shirts in a meaningful way. But soon, we started hearing from families touched by deeper stories—American soldiers who had given their lives for our country, fathers taken too soon. These weren’t just shirts. These were pieces of history, filled with love, sacrifice, and memories.
And just like that, we realized we weren’t just making children’s clothing. We were creating family heirlooms—keepsakes that could be cherished for generations. Each shirt we transformed carried with it a story, and it was our honor to bring that story to life in a new, meaningful way.
We are truly blessed to have a business that’s filled with so much love, purpose, and meaning. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to each and every one of you for allowing us to create something special for your little ones.
The Woman Behind the Seams
Maria Cielo Mandaro is the creator and founder of Daddy’s Little Dress Shirts. A fourth-generation seamstress from the Dominican Republic, Maria’s love for sewing and creativity is in her blood. But beyond the needle and thread, Maria is also a mom to two beautiful girls, Sophia Cielo and Penelope Luna—the heart and inspiration behind everything we do. It’s because of them that this business is not just a company, but a passion project that’s grown into something much bigger than we ever dreamed.
Where Your Daddy’s Little Dress Shirts Come From
Every single one of our dresses is made with love in our studio in Exmore, Virginia. We like to say that our pieces are “handmade and heartmade”—they’re not just sewn together with skill, but with all the love and care we can pour into them. We carefully select each shirt, reverently cutting and stitching every piece, always mindful of the memories it holds. We treat each shirt like a piece of family history, and with every stitch, we’re crafting something new, beautiful, and full of meaning for your little ones.
Our Growth and Achievements
What started as a small, humble project has now become a growing business with a global impact. We’ve been honored to have our work featured in Parent Latina Magazine, on The Today Show, and News 12 New Jersey. These opportunities have allowed us to share our story with families across the country who understand the meaning behind our creations and have welcomed us into their homes.
Perhaps one of our proudest moments came when we partnered with Brooks Brothers, one of the oldest and most respected fashion brands, to create a sustainable line of dress shirts. These shirts are designed with sustainability in mind, allowing us to repurpose high-quality fabrics and continue our commitment to a more eco-friendly future. This partnership not only elevates our mission but also strengthens our belief that fashion can be both beautiful and sustainable.