Children's Clothing

Is it a federal parenting law that toddlers have to wear Robeez? They’re soft and flexible and all, but they sure are fug: Shiny and decorated with graphics that put me in mind of that horrible whiner Calliou. Shudder.

Simple’s Infant’s Weegee is a lot like Hanna Andersson’s popular Swedish moccasin, an all-in-one shoe-and-sock combo for the colder months. But to my eye this particular model is a lot more subtle than any of Hanna’s, which are all afflicted by the Hanna Andersson Eye-Watering Color Combo Syndrome. Simple’s Weegee, like Simple’s adult shoes, is made from eco-friendly materials, in this case suede from an eco-certified tannery, recycled plastic and natural latex, and a soft, plushy organic cotton fleece lining. They’re washable, comfy, and almost as soft as your infant’s tiny feet.

Simple Shoes Infant’s Weegee, $34

Their break-ups surpass our national divorce rate. Commitment is a huge issue for them; one mate always seems to be disappearing on the other for no apparent reason, which makes for a singles scene like no other. This is the world of baby socks.

With baby’s tendency to kick off a sock just about every time you leave the house, and the Bermuda Triangle action known to take place in just about every washer and dryer ever built, you’re left with a lot of tiny socks flying solo. A spare or two per set would be nice. Blindmice socks has got you covered. Their socks are sold in packs of three or five, come in 21 different color and pattern combos (for infants and toddlers) and are meant to be mismatched. (So the odd one out still gets plenty of action.) The soft ankle band won’t impede circulation and is designed to prevent the sock from falling off. However, if reality intervenes and one mate does abandon the other, it’s nice to know you’ve got a back-up.

As Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld once said, “Change is the healthiest way to survive.”
(BusinessWeek.com, 5/30/05)

Available at blindmicesocks.com.

When you have a baby in the dribbly stages, it seems like the purpose of bibs is to provide a clean circle to contrast with the rest of the splatter. You can get bibs that cover the whole front of baby’s shirt, but there’s still everything that lands in his lap, over his shoulder, etc. etc.

Modeled on vintage aprons that kept schmutz off women who logged in some serious kitchen hours, the Bibbie is capacious, covering the child’s entire front and back. Since it ties in the back and covers the body, baby can’t get it off. And since it’s structured and stiffened, when baby sits to eat, the Bibbie covers his whole lap, holding spaghetti and strained carrot drips. Another plus: the split-back construction grows with your child, so the Bibbie can go smoothly from infant feedings to toddler art projects to preschooler cooking projects.

Oh, and did I mention it’s pretty? It’ll stay that way too: it’s reversible, and washable. When it gets wrecked, throw it into the washing machine. There, it’s pretty again.

Bibbie, $35

It’s pretty easy to find mommy-and-me clothing, particularly if you’re into dressing like one of Santa’s helpers or some kind of gingham prairie girl. Daddy/kid matching clothing is a heck of a lot rarer; probably because Daddy won’t put up with looking like a giant tool.

Footsteps Clothing, however, a manufacturer with a specialty in kid-and-parent clothing, makes an excellent line of T-shirts in kid, infant, and adult sizes. Cutest of all: the Lucky Dad/Lucky Kid shirts, plain T’s in mod colors, emblazoned with the legend “Lucky Dad” or “Lucky Kid.” Here is a Father’s Day or birthday gift that won’t molder in the back of the shirt drawer.

Lucky Dad/Lucky Kid T-shirts, $10-24

Since the economy began heading south, we’ve become accustomed to hearing about people making drastic career changes in order to follow lifelong passions- bankers becoming bakers or yoga instructors. You get the idea. Designer Anne MacGilvray was ahead of the curve.

She sang with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, took a job at a cognitive psychology research lab and added the title “mom” along the way. And then about a year before the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the ensuing global economic meltdown, the multi-talented MacGilvray started thinking about creating an eco-friendly line of children’s clothing. Lucky us. Her Adooka collection is something to sing about. It’s clean and modern but also has a timeless quality to it. The “Eyes in the Dark” sleeper is a simple blue number with eyes on the behind and left side of the chest where a pocket usually sits. Check out the equally adorable Eyes in the Dark sleep sack for infants.

Then there’s a cream dress with a clematis vine and red bloom. A clever pop of color without being overpowering. These streamlined aesthetics are apparent in all of the brand’s layette and toddler pieces. Adooka is made from certified organic cotton fabric and low-impact, fiber-reactive dyes free of heavy metals and toxins. The snaps are nickel-free. MacGilvray also pays close attention to construction details that make life with a squirming baby easier: no back snaps or endless rows of snaps/buttons to be lined up at 3am changing time.

That alone is worthy of an encore performance.

For a list of stores and to shop online, visit adooka.com.

With comic-book epics still popular on the big screen, it can be tough to separate superhero play from licensed characters and violence. But superhero play need not be aggressive. Pretending to be a superhero who flies, has special powers, and saves the day is a wonderful way for children to try on different roles and experiment with power. However, when kids strap on a Batman belt or a Hulk fist, they tend to stick to “scripted” play, following the plots of movies or TV shows. Equip them instead with non-commercial superhero gear and watch their play expand.

Of course, any superhero game starts with a great cape. Many boutique designers and Etsy sellers make homemade capes but the two best makers we’ve found are San Francico’s Baby Leo Designs, and Pennsylvania’s BabyPop Designs, both mom-owned companies that make capes of impeccable quality. BabyPop’s capes are a bit simpler and lower-priced, a mere $16-40 depending on what options you order: organic fabric, a matching cape for your kids’ favorite doll, complicated designs. They’re also customizable: your child can pick out his or her favorite colors and get an initial or two stitched on.

Baby Leo’s capes are not customizable but the materials are lush and finger-friendly: velvet chamois, high-quality satin, gorgeous graphics like lightning bolts and flowers. Both cape designers have easy-release velcro fastenings for comfort and safety, and all will make an exhilarating swish as the young superhero moves faster than a speeding bullet.

Visit babyleodesigns.com or BabyPop on Etsy.

Paris Hilton has been supplanted by a new media “darling” that’s made of 100% polyester - the Snuggie. The “Blanket with Sleeves” first rose to prominence via television infomercials. This celebrity fleece went on to get mentions on Oprah, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Ellen Degeneres Show and Today. It’s no wonder 5 million of these things have been sold.

Now there’s a kid-size version available at Toys “R” Us. Snuggie for Kids is 54″ x 42″ and is suitable for a child up to five feet tall (a pretty tall child). It’s available in pink and blue and is perfect for reading, watching TV and just hanging out with the family. It could also prove its worth at the stadium come football season. Not exactly an item we expect to see gracing the pages of next month’s Vogue, the loose-fitting garb is chic in an Obi-Wan Kenobi kind of way. And because no member of the family should be left out, there’s now also Snuggie for Dogs.

May the fleece be with you.

Available at toysrus.com.

All the “Diva Baby” tees are going into the re-gifting pile, thank you very much. You’re looking for soft, sweet and simple for your diapered un-diva.

Sama Baby, a cuddly collection produced in India using organic cotton and Earth-friendly dyes. Sama, an ancient Sanskrit word meaning balance, calmness and serenity, accurately describes the calm and eco-oriented onesies, gowns, blankets and bibs ornamented with an elephant or cloud. Options for boys or girls, in classic blue or pink, carry through the eco-lifestyle look.

Om.

Available at samababy.com.

Your pint-sized fashionista is putting up a fuss. There’s no way (NO WAY!) she’ll spoil the sleek look of her favorite outfit with an ugly, bulky belt.

To the rescue: Invisibelt Girl, a scaled-down version of the revolutionary Invisibelt, a clear, flat-buckle fastener that’s nearly undetectable under form-fitting tops. The new smaller-sized cincher features the same sturdy support, easy adjustability and notch-free construction as the original, but this inch-wide wonder extends from 20 to 38 inches in length, making it appropriate for girls — and possibly even a few bold boys — ages 4 to 16.

Best of all, unlike the grownup style, it’s served up in a range of fresh colors (neon pink, sheer grape) and cool designs (skulls with bows, purple peace signs) that can be worn exposed or concealed — a bonus that will surely win over even the most belt-skeptic tot.

Available at invisibelt.com.

It’s Mommy-and-me movie day, and the theater is full of rambunctious toddlers all wearing the same navy Polo shirt. As soon as the lights go dim, you wonder if you’ll ever locate your little bugger.

Help him light the way: Booby Trap, a new Los Angeles-based children’s brand, does glow-in-the-dark duds. Marco Rached’s hand-illustrated designs adorn the jumpers, rompers and tees — some are a bit spooky (the bloody face is better left for big kids), while others are more abstract.

Lights out.

Visit boobytrapshop.com.