Posts filed under 'Kid's Fashion'
My youngest daughter is 22 months old, and really starting to assert her independence. Her main war cry at the moment is “WALK” every time she sees the buggy appear. I really don’t get it — she could be sitting comfortably in a buggy but instead she wants to exhaust her little legs stumbling down Parisian pavements! All part of growing I guess…
The problem with pushchairs is that you cannot put a kid in a long coat in them. The straps squish them and the coat rides up and they look so uncomfortable. Which is why I love her little cape from Half-Dot Brooklyn, a lovely little new brand that is, as the name suggests, based in Brooklyn. The cape is super practical, it is easy to put on and keeps her nice and cozy. She really looks like a little version of Sherlock Holmes in it — very cute.
- Emilie
Emilie in Paris
February 6th, 2010
I have such a bad memory for names, it’s just terrible. I don’t understand how people do it (remembering names) — it has something to do with immediately saying the name out loud as soon as you hear it, like ‘Nice to meet you, Eileen’, or ‘How do you do, Ronald?’. Doesn’t help me much though.
My little boy started school a few weeks ago, and you can imagine how difficult I regard the teacher’s job of remembering 20 to 30 names in a few days time. I decided to help her a little, and simultaneously boost my son’s confidence of course, by dressing him in a personalized T-shirt with his name (and a fire-truck) on the back. Although the teacher never said, I imagine she must have been immensely thankful for the help…
I got Pim’s personalized name T-shirt at Simply Colors, a good place because there are unlimited combinations of fonts, sizes, images and colours, and you can play with your design on-line and will see instant results. Another good place to go is the designer’s collection of Stuck on You, where there are plenty of cute designs available and the quality of the T-shirts is really good.
I’m thinking, maybe the whole world should start wearing clothes with their names on it — how easy that would make life for me!
xxx Esther
Esther in Amsterdam
February 4th, 2010
Most parents discover fairly early on that if they want to meet in a cafe with friends and have any hope of conversation (one that spans more than 10 seconds), then a distraction for the children in the form of a book/toy is imperative. It allows at least some semblance of communication between the adults whilst in the company of young children — where you can form a full sentence… in one go!!
Many cafes in Melbourne answer this need, providing crayons and butcher paper to occupy the kids. And that certainly helps! But Family Life Home & Café in Grattan Street, Prahran goes one step further. Not only is it a divine Balinese inspired space, incorporating a cafe and boutique, but it has a gorgeous imaginative play area for the children.
So… whilst you leisurely sip your cappuccino on a comfy couch, chat to friends, read the newspaper (without being interrupted every. single. sentence) and shop for hand-made toys, eco homewares, exotic recycled furniture and some great kidswear — the children are happily playing nearby in the enchanted forest or putting on a show in the gazebo! Happiness all around!
If you are visiting, be sure to check out the kidswear. Not only do they carry some great Aussie designers like Mill&Mia, Sudo and Jellyfish but they also carry a more obscure Balinese designer called Paul Ropp. His distinctive and vibrant pieces are truly amazing!
Family Life will also throw a fantastic kids birthday party, with every little detail taken care of!
- Sara
Sara in Melbourne
February 1st, 2010
I just love how Kellie from BB+++ keeps coming up with the utmost original ideas for her children’s clothing. There’s always something different, funky or unconventional about her pieces, but yet they are always very easy to wear.
Take the blue Mary Jane dress my daughter was wearing today. The blue knit top part has a semi-tight fit, but is super comfy due to the stretchy nature of the material. The lower skirt part of the dress is made from black cotton, and is detailed exactly like an up-side-down man’s dress shirt, complete with buttons and windsor collar. It is really a super cool dress, and if you fasten the buttons irregularly (or not at all, as my daughter prefers), you get a rather unconventional, sweet look.
A real recommendation if you have daughters (especially now that I noticed they are on sale)!
xxx Esther
Esther in Amsterdam
January 31st, 2010
About 40 years ago, a young Dutch couple, Willem and Marieke Olsthoorn, started a children’s label called Oilily. Marieke had a unique talent for design, and Willem had an independent feel for business.
They gathered an unconventional bunch of people around them to help grow their brand, all driven by the same mentality as Marieke and Willem: to make exciting and surprising children’s clothing without following trends or expectations.
Oilily was the first children’s brand that used bright, happy colours, a mix of patterns and plenty of special details. They were also easy to wear and care for, so children could really play in the clothes and move around freely. The clothes were truly very different than anything that ever existed before.
Every child growing up in the Netherlands in the seventies and eighties knew Oilily, and possibly had one or more Oilily outfits. It became a true fashion I remember — Oilily was super hot!! I begged my mum for an Oilily coat, and the boys at school proudly wore their stonewashed jeans with colourful Oilily sweat shirts.
Before long, Oilily was picked up by the international stars. Jerry Hall and Michael Jackson dressed their children in Oilily, and remember Rudy Huxtable, the youngest daughter in the Cosby show? She wore Oilily almost exclusively. Oilily became big, a worldwide hype — I remember the adult fashion, the bags, the perfumes…
Both Marieke and Willem stapped out of the company at the end of the nineties, and the decline of the company slowly started. It lost the quality, the special touch. And in 2009 the credit crisis put an end to the fairy tale… Oilily went bankrupt.
I saw the empty Oilily shop, here on the corner of the PC Hooftstraat in Amsterdam, it looked so desolate, so sad…
Imagine my surprise when I visited the Kleine Fabriek recently (the trade fair for children’s labels here in Amsterdam) and I saw Oilily amongst the many stands! Of course I went and asked what was going on. Well, good news: Willem and Marieke bought the brand back! They decided they were not going to let their beautiful brand go down, so even though they are now both in their late sixties, they decided to start all over again.
They pulled together a small team of designers, got some of their (also very talented) children involved, and presented their ‘first’ collection on the Kleine Fabriek: the Oilily Classic Collection.
And I liked what I saw. More muted colours, beautiful designs, very Oilily, classic in a way but with loads of pattern and details. Wonderful cuts, and great fabrics. Soft baby clothes (soon!!), practical kids outfits… Oilily is back!
The Oilily Classic Collection should be in the stores in June — I’ll keep you posted.
xxx Esther
Esther in Amsterdam
January 21st, 2010
Lately, whenever I see an item of children’s clothing I like or a beautiful piece of children’s furniture I hanker after, more often than not, it comes from the same place — Oeuf NYC. Oeuf is spearheaded by a French/American husband & wife team who design all these beautiful items, always with the same principle in mind: to make something great without taking advantage of the environment and the people making it.
I recently got this beautiful little jumper (pictured) for my daughter from the fab web shop Zebre a Pois. She pretends that she can fly when she wears it and I love it because it is beautifully made and I do like to shop ethically when I can. Sure it comes at a price and it isn’t always possible, but great to do when I can…
- Emilie
Emilie in Paris
January 19th, 2010
We do get really spoiled, writing for Babyccino… it so much fun discovering lovely new kid’s brands as a job and finding out more about them. Before I had kids I seriously had no idea that there were so many great brands out there, ranging from cheap and cheerful to seriously luxurious.
My newest discovery is Ola and Olek, the brain child of a UK designer who is doing some phenomenal designs for kids. The clothes are quirky, fun, simple and easy-to-wear (lets face it, the kids need to feel comfortable). Eliza, the designer, is really particular about the fabrics she uses — they are all great quality but also very practical. As much as she can, she avoids using fabrics that needs to be hand-washed or dry cleaned.
I only wish my kids wouldn’t grow so quickly and would get more wear out of their clothes. It seems like they only wear their clothes for a couple of weeks and then, at a blink of an eye, nothing fits anymore!
You can find the list of Ola and Olek stockists here!
- Emilie
Emilie in Paris
January 14th, 2010
Did you know that there are at least 10 sheep for every one person living in New Zealand!?! There are more sheep here than in any other country, except Australia. And apparently the New Zealand merino wool (all from the south island) is some of the best in the world — it’s extra soft and breathable, making it a good choice year round because it keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer months.
NUI Organics is a New Zealand-based company selling a beautiful range of organic wool baby clothes — so soft and so cozy. I love the cardigan with extra big hoody (pictured) and the simple wool dress with big wooden button. I just really love the natural colors and simple shapes of the whole range.
You can find the NUI Organics range at Elias & Grace in London (some pieces currently on sale!), or you can order online.
-Courtney
Courtney in London
January 13th, 2010
I am sooo jealous of Courtney and her family heading down-under for 3 months. While we will be dealing with the winter blues over here in France she will be skipping around Sydney in a little skirt and flip-flops!
Actually, I can’t complain as I did a similar trip two years ago and had a great time discovering Australia and Australian style. I love the fact that the style is so relaxed over there. Things aren’t taken as seriously and I guess, because life does revolve around the great outdoors, kid’s clothes are especially simple and fun.
The Australian Label Rock Your Baby is a great example for easy-going Ozzie wear. They just don’t take themselves too seriously: they make rock’n roll playsuits and T-shirts, with a couple of skull and cross bones thrown in for good measure. My daughter loves her new sailor dress, and maybe more importantly, I love it too!
A new website called Australian Design Store has decided to make it their mission to introduce all of us Europeans to Australian labels, so check out their site — they have some great little things!
- Emilie
Emilie in Paris
January 11th, 2010
Just had to share this little adorable dress that I found the other day at The Gap. Honestly, if you threw a Prada label on the thing it would be worth zillions. I love the Gap for basics but every now and then they put out something really great for kids.
The dress runs true to size, and it’s just such a sweet little party dress. The photo really does not do it justice at all. There are also matching shoes (that I would pair with cropped jeans) for maximum cuteness. Why don’t they make this stuff in my size? No fair.
-Dina
Dina in New York
January 8th, 2010
The Antoine and Lili flagship stores must be some of the cutest rows of shops I have ever seen. I was walking past them today and they were so bright and cheerful on a grey winter’s day!
They can be found along the canal St Martin, an area which, for a long time now, has been attracting lots of little shops and restaurants. If the rumours are to be believed the Antoine et Lili shops were actually the first independent shops to open up in this area, turning the area into a trendy little spot.
Anyway, if you are in Paris and like kitsch and bright colours, Antoine et Lili is a must. The kid’s store especially is a bright, bright space with great toys, presents and clothes from the world over. It is definitely not minimalist, but colourful and loud! I also love the homewares shop were you can find great Mexican waxcloths and fabulous melamine plates for the whole family.
Antoine et Lili
95 Quai de Valmy
Paris 75010
Tel:+33 1 40 37 58 15
- Emilie
Emilie in Paris
January 8th, 2010
I know Paris is well-known for being an expensive city, especially when it come to clothes. However, it is possible to find some bargains, especially come the new year: the winter sales start on the today!!
But it isn’t only during the sales time that you can find bargains. We also have a few local high street shops that have a great selection! Here is a list of a few places to visit next time you are here in Paris or in other French cities cities:
•It may sound strange to buy your kids clothes at a supermarket, but the Monoprix supermarket chain has a great range of baby clothes called Bout’Chou and CFK for older kids that seriously can rival any design brand. (Unfortunately their website is terrible, so you need to go in person to see what is available.) A lot of my kids’ clothes are from here. Super cute tunics, trousers, dresses and knitwear makes these a hit with a lot of Parisian mothers.
•Du Pareil Au Meme, otherwise known as DPAM, has now become an international brand, but if you cannot find it in your country of origin, do check it out! It has a great range of clothes, from newborn to pre-teenagers. The shops are often grouped by three, one catering only for newborns (clothes and all equipment), one for all age ranges and one specializing in shoes…
•A little shop I love called Alice A Paris has some lovely items at very reasonable prices. The collections are very classic and practical (The little dress in the photo is from there). The shop is in the 6th arrondissement and you can also buy online.
•Another place worth checking out if you like classic clothes is a shop called Natalys, which specialises in baby things up to the age of three. The same group runs a chain of shops called Sergent Major for older kids. I don’t always find what I want in there, but it is definitely worth a look if you happen to be over in France.
•Last but not least, one of my other favorite shops is called Vertbaudet. I mostly order off their website, but they do have some shops scattered around Paris, and all over France for that matter.
Happy shopping!
- Emilie
Emilie in Paris
January 6th, 2010
I must admit I’ve never been the biggest fan of children’s jewellery… but having seen Arabelle’s beautiful children’s collection, I’m afraid I have to eat my own words! The jewellery is so sweet and so tastefully done, all handcrafted in 18ct yellow gold (or silver if you prefer). The collection is inspired by traditional childhood toys and associations. (The bracelet pictured was inspired by a traditional abacus counting game with five beads — four pearls and one gold — which slide along a gold bar.)
What really wins me over about her jewellery is that all the pieces are adjustable in length (with different clasps incorporated into the pieces). So they really are a keepsake which can be worn forever. It makes a great gift for a special occasion (baptisms, Bar Mitzvahs, birthdays, etc.).
And the exciting news: Arabelle is very generously giving away a Ricochet bracelet (pictured) worth £190 to one lucky reader! Just leave a comment below by January 20th, and we’ll pick one winner at random!
Good luck!
P.S. You can find the Arabelle children’s collection at Dragons of Walton Street in London.
P.P.S. Congrats to Siobhan from Germany who won our last give-away: the fabric wall stickers by I Love Mae.
This give-away is now closed. Congrats to the winner, Naomi (and her daughter Roo).
Courtney in London
January 5th, 2010
A big issue for parents in Australia is protecting your child from fierce UV rays, especially in summer when the sun burns skin all-too-quickly. Many children (and adults) wear “rashies” at the beach. These tops provide high UV protection and saves you having to reapply sunscreen every couple of hours. The only problem is that they don’t always look good — or they can be quite expensive. Enter Babes in the Shade, an Australian business that has come up with some cool and affordable designs. They also have shirts with easy-to-use zips.
-Natalie
Natalie in Sydney
January 4th, 2010
Little Lunalu is new UK webshop with a cute collection of kid’s clothing, accessories, toys and other baby essentials. They’ve just designed their own range of cute Bugaboo buggy covers (foot muffs and matching canopies) so you can customize your buggy and keep your babies nice and cozy this time of year. The buggy covers are reversible and come in five different designs — a great way to give an older buggy a face-lift, or personalize a new one.
I also love their collection of kid’s Hunter Wellies (my favorite!) and darling Moccasin booties. Cute!
And lucky for me — they’re in the process of setting up a shop in London… so stay tuned.
-Courtney
Courtney in London
December 30th, 2009
You cannot get a more classic, sensible French brand than Absorba! I grew up wearing Absorba underwear, T-shirts — the lot! During my childhood Absorba was synonymous with sensible cotton basics. I would have never considered it fashionable… I can even remember begging my mum to upgrade me from Absorba to Petit Bateau (I guess I was a little bit label conscious back then)!
Absorba was started by a French couple in post-world war Europe who had visited the USA and realized the lack of simple, white comfortable cotton clothes for European children. I’m sure my mom grew up wearing this stuff, so no wonder she dressed my brother and me head-to-toe in it.
Absorba is now celebrating its 50th birthday and has brought out a limited collection of its finest retro pieces. And surprise, surprise — now I find it ultra fashionable! Cool, bold prints and cute cuts – I do love the ’70s revival, especially when it comes to kids clothes.
- Emilie
Emilie in Paris
December 29th, 2009
If you’re familiar with Amsterdam weather you might know that it can rain. A lot! I’m not sure why London is so known for its grey weather when in fact I’m pretty sure it can be even worse in Amsterdam!
Since we Dutchmen tend to cycle everywhere, it’s necessary to be equipped with good raincoats and wellies. My husband takes our daughter to school on the back of his bike every morning, so this raincoat by Toby Tiger is not only very cute but it’s also a very necessary garment. The pink dot flowers brighten up even the darkest day, and the matching wellies look so very cute!
It’s really well made, fully lined with soft cotton for extra warmth and the hood is detachable. Good quality for money!
These raincoats in different patterns with matching wellies can be found at the Toby Tiger website.
xxx Esther
Esther in Amsterdam
December 28th, 2009
These baby loafers and ballet slippers by Australian-based company Czarque are exquisite and so, so chic. My only gripe is that they were not around when my children were babies!!
They are delicate and soft, understated and …. just so very adorable! Not to mention, they come in the most gorgeous of textures (honestly, I’m not sure that these pictures do them justice). They are perfect for the special occasions in life or ‘just because’. After all, there is nothing more frustrating than spending money on something special for your children only to have them outgrow it after two wears. What a waste!
Czarque baby shoes are handcrafted in Australia in the finest quality Australian leather and they all feature soft, flexible brushed suede soles that are perfect for babies’ delicate feet (from newborn size to age 2). As a first shoe I think that they would make the sweetest keepsake.
They are available at Bon Bon Tresor for both local and international shipment.
- Sara
Sara in Melbourne
December 17th, 2009
Well… it’s almost summer here and we all know what that means: summer clothes! I always find it exciting shopping for summer clothes – it’s the promise of hot days on the beach, long balmy evenings, lashings of sorbet, endless swimming and those delicious summer fruits…. and as much as we complain about the heat (oh, do we ever, and don’t even get me started on those pesky flies) it really is my favorite time of the year! Now, the first place I will head to is Seed.
Seed is one of those kid’s labels that you can always rely on to deliver the essential basic pieces (the plain t-shirts, the perfect pair of cargo shorts, the classic linen shirt) and then some more. No logos, no excessive detail or styling, just lovely comfortable, clean-cut classics and always with a modern directional twist… think playground chic!
Seed’s gorgeous signature stores are located throughout Australia and Hong Kong. For the rest of the world, international shipping is available online.
-Sara
Sara in Melbourne
December 10th, 2009
I was recently in a shop and saw a little girl wearing a fabulous dress. It was one of these little dresses that looked comfy and yet chic, could be worn at any occasion and was special without being showy… I had to ask her mom where she got it. She told me about this little children’s clothing label called Oona L’Ourse.
Oona L’Ourse has been around for almost 20 years and has managed to stay small and personable! Why? Because of the beautiful, great quality timeless products they’re known for. Oona L’Ourse really is a great example of European style. It is a bit exclusive but the team strives to make all their clothes locally here in France.
The collections are not sold anywhere else than in the atelier and on the website. If you spot anything on the website that tickles your fancy just send an email with your request. Alternatively, the atelier in the 16th arrondissement in Paris is open every Tuesday and Thursday for you to go and have a browse.
Oona L’Ourse
46 rue de la Source
75016 Paris
Tuesday and Thursday from 11.00-18.30
- Emilie
Emilie in Paris
December 8th, 2009
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