Posts Tagged ‘11’

You have enough smocked frocks, cargo pants and graphic tees to outfit a pint-sized army, but your kids’ wardrobes are still lacking style.

Kaiko, a new line of functional but unique basics, may very well fill the void. Created by two Japanese-born, New York City-based moms with backgrounds in fashion and costume design, the collection features distinctive separates made from soft, natural materials — like organic cotton jersey, linen, wool and indigo dyed denim — often sourced from Japan. Many of the pieces are reversible or multi-purpose. A halter-style flower garden top, for example, doubles as a skirt with a sash, while a pair of gauze and plaid pants look equally great worn inside out or outside in. The pieces can be easily pair together or mixed with your tot’s existing closet staples for a chic global playground look.

No one has to know you didn’t travel to the Far East to get it.

Visit kaikokidsnyc.com.

He now insists on dressing himself, which could result in any number of looks: superhero cape with pajama bottoms, swimsuit and snorkel, baseball cap and Dad’s best tie.

Make sure his special DIY style is at least coordinated. Benny & Moon is effortlessly cool with vintage-inspired duds for ages 18 months to 7. Launched earlier this year with a preppy-boho mix of bell-bottoms, cap-sleeve party dresses, cotton jackets and collar shirts, the Chicago-based collection’s summer line draws from classic Americana and childhood vacations on the shore.

You’ll be over the moon.

Available at bennyandmoon.com.

Too bad you didn’t save your old baby frocks, because as your mom says, they don’t make ‘em like they used to.

Rediscover classic clothing: Belle Heir is a throwback to the hand-stitching, smocking, pin-tucks and pleating of an earlier time (perhaps when children were seen and not heard). Original vintage pieces for newborns to 5-year-olds include precious little rompers, short sets and dresses from the late 1800s through the mid-1900s. Items are classified by the condition they’re in (like new, near perfect, gently used), and measurement details help you figure out the fit.

How thoroughly modern.

Available at belleheir.com.

Sugar, spice, everything nice — it’s easy to forget her mischievous ways when she’s dressed so sweetly.

Saurette, a new girl’s line inspired by women’s RTW, captures the essence of spring with its classic yet carefree separates (using natural fibers like cotton, silk and cashmere). Designer Lisa Kanouse does wearable pieces with empire waistlines, blouson sleeves and large floral prints and an added touch of whimsy (ribbon trim, beading, embroidery).

It’ll put a little spring in her step.

Available at saurette.net.

With spring in the air, now is the time to look around and enjoy nature — which can be found everywhere, even on your shirt.

Check out the collection at Shirin Kids, an edgy-but-soft line of tees, tanks and onesies. Designer Shirin Roubeni poured her passion of pairing nature and textiles into the shirts that are hand silkscreened with water-based inks (yielding a semi-transparent look). The children’s collection is a takedown of Shirin’s adult line, including some precious mommy-and-me couture.

Available at shirinkids.com.

The whole mommy-and-me identical dressing thing makes you a little queasy — are head-to-toe matching ensembles really necessary?

What about plain old coordinated? MamaOm does cute, comfortable organic Pima cotton dresses in girls‘ and women’s sizes. The age-appropriate designs come in a color palette of kiwi, tan and mora, that look great together. Or opt for the cover-ups, bikinis and other eco-friendly accessories, big and small.

Just don’t let her near your sunglasses.

Available at mamaom.com.

You’ve managed to find a few organic clothing lines with a palatable palette and decent design, but they are few and far between — a bib here, a jumper there.

Speesees is a big enough brand that you’ll be able to outfit your kid entirely in eco-friendly fabrics and kind-to-the-planet prints. Baby basics get a touch of flare with bold colors and sophisticated silhouettes featuring a well-placed bird, horse or tree on the kimonos, bloomers, booties, hooded towels and hankies. The collection uses 100-percent organic cotton, and they’ve even gotten rid of plastic packaging in favor of compostable biobags.

Fair trade? Check. Fair play? You bet.

Available at speesees.com.

Your family holiday tradition of wearing festive pajamas never gets old. The kids look forward to a new pair, and you love picking out the cutest ones each year.

Little shining stars will stay that way in these classically cool PJs from Elephant Couture, a new kids’ clothing line from celebrity photographer Leslie Hassler. Global travel inspired these cotton designs (conceptualized in New York and manufactured in India) that are made with all-natural fibers and colorfast ties to keep it green. The collection maintains a funky bohemian style, from India ink dresses to patch T-shirts. And kids will find a new friend in the sweet handmade toys, from giraffes and hippos to of course, an elephant.

Don’t forget.

Available at elephantcouture.com.

Cutesy, edgy, trendy. Every line has got a look, even if it’s only a size 6 months. Whatever happened to clothes that simply look good and feel great?

Try Kicky Pants, which lets kids crawl and cuddle without constraint. The collection includes wearable basics like maternity tops, non-toxic toys and a line of bamboo basics, made from an eco-friendly sustainable crop that grows sans fertilizers or pesticides. Opt for these super sweet staples, or go for the slightly flashier print cotton coveralls, polos and pajamas.

And resist being labeled.

Visit kickypants.com.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could get your little girl’s back-to-school (or, back-to-preschool) clothes in one place — without the crowds and toddler meltdowns?

You won’t find spiral notebooks and crayons, but online shop Emma & Avery has got enough designer duds to last the season. Velvet polka dot dresses, cashmere sweaters and ballerina flats from the likes of Baby CZ, Dominique Rouzier and Buzz Buzz Tweet Tweet are sweet enough for special occassions, too.

But what’s more special than her first day of school?

Available at emma-avery.com.