Not So Everyday Everyday Dresses - Kit + Lili

As brands go, I have discussed a lot of European brands without mentioning any American brands.  I do love the European clothes, but there are some great little American lines out there that deserve mention and should be in every (in this case) little girl's closet.

Kit + Lili does basic, and does it extremely well.  But with a twist, since what Kit + Lili is really about is bold, brightly colored, fun and splashy prints.  They're a little reminiscent of Marimekko prints, but more current.  The prints, and particularly the colors, this season are wonderful.  Kit + Lili has picked the most exquisite shades of purple and lavender.  Just delicious.

Although Kit + Lili has some cute tops, skirts, etc., the real standout category in this collection is the dresses.  So great.  So easy.  Comfortable, simple dresses that are easy to wear but look truly special.  The Emi Dress might be my favorite.  It is so simple.  Just a solid jersey dress.  But in unusual and very wearable colors and with a beautiful cut.

So many of the print dresses are cute that I really just want a closet full.  I want the Natalie Dress in grape flora, the Chiara Dress in violet lattice, the Hanna Dress in silver pansy, the Lucie Dress in pink pansy and the Jane Dress in ink big circles ... just for starters.  To get a feel for the choice, the entire collection can be viewed (and purchased) on Kit + Lili's website.

This season Kit + Lili has some great contenders in the special dress department too.  All of the dresses can really be worn as everyday dresses (paired with Kit + Lili leggings) or as fancy dresses with some tights, dress shoes and combed hair.  But I'm in love with metallic silver and metallic bronze dresses.  Girls will go gaga for them.  But the simple and understated design keeps them from being flashy or kitschy.  The ideal party dress.

Items from the current collection are available at Kit + Lili, Garnet Hill, Chasing Fireflies, Twinkle Star and Little Luna Blue.  Some past season items can be found on Arte Bebe, Lil Swanky and The Pajama Squid.

Bold, bold, bold and fabulous - Agatha Ruiz de la Prada

I have to begin this post with a caveat: this is going to be a REALLY annoying post. I love Agatha Ruiz de la Prada. I love all of her products. But above all, I love her girls' clothing. There's really nothing else like it. Therefore I simply can't resist talking about. Even though it is extremely difficult to find in the United States (even online here). Sorry. Her children's shoes are adorable and those can be found various places (including Zappos, Amazon and Naturino Los Gatos). But the clothes are trickier. So first - a plea. If you have a boutique you love, ask them to carry this line! If not, anytime youhave a friend or family member going to Europe, make sure you hand over a shopping list.

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada is a Spanish designer. At this point her empire includes everything from office supplies to washing machines. But her clothing is at the core. Bright colors. Simple bold designs. Certain basic shapes like hearts, stars and clouds. These are the mainstays of the design. This season, she also uses a lot of owls. I have to admit, I have a thing for owls, and these are as cute as any I've ever seen. The sweatshirts are absolutely irresistible.

You can find the collection on a number of international websites. Check out Agatharuizdelaprada.com. Also, Modekids.at and Poppydoll.co.uk have most of the current season items. Closer to home, some past season items are on sale at Smug Baby, YOOX, Babyme.cc and Caramel Sucre. And there is a small company store in Manhattan at 466 Greenwich Street in Tribeca.

high style from across the pond

For anyone who loves European childrenswear lines half as much as I do, but is daunted by the prices, now is the time to act.  I'm all about buying ahead or buying last season's lines on sale, especially if the clothes have enough edge and style to withstand the test of time.  Right now, two of my absolute favorite lines are IKKS and Kenzo.  IKKS reliably delivers beautiful, grown up clothes that even a picky tween will be happy to wear.  The colors are generally sedate and conservative, but the clothes are all style.  Kenzo, on the other hand, delivers prints like no one else.  Takada Kenzo is truly the master of beautiful floral patterns in exquisite color combinations.  Years later, as I look back over my daughter's wardrobe, the Kenzo pieces are favorites that continue to stand out.

Many online boutiques have now put their spring/summer collections on sale.  Even if your

child doesn't need any more clothes this season, it can be nice to buy ahead for next summer and know you have a really special outfit waiting.  Izzy and Ash (www.izzyandash.com) has spring/summer IKKS items on sale for 50% off.  The abolutely stunning funky type dress is $38, and can be paired with leggings ($23), or makes a perfect flowergirl or formal dress (on Izzy and Ash this is called the girl's basikks white sleeveless dress).  Also check out www.smugbaby.com, www.achildscloset.com and www.trendytogs.com.   

I'm dying to snap up the Kenzo turquoise striped sundress - the garden party striped collared dress - at www.trendytogs.com for $45.  It is simply and comfortable, but breathtakingly beautiful.  You can find some summer Kenzo pieces for a modest discount at www.achildscloset.com or www.zandino.com.  There is a terrific selection of Kenzo at www.littleskyechildrensboutique.com, however, it is not yet on sale.  Check in with them, because they have a number of great lines. 

Or you can get a jump on fall shopping by buying last fall's collection on sale.  Peach and Plum (www.peachandplum.com) currently has IKKS' pink denim skirt and shirt with puffed sleeves on sale ($28.40 for the skirt and $26.80 for the shirt).  Zandino (www.zandino.com) hasn't put the spring collection on sale yet, but has some great fall items at a discount.  Naturino Los Gatos (www.naturinolosgatos.com) has a great fall Kenzo sweater dress and matching tights on sale.

Apologies ... I got so excited about the girls' clothes, I completely left out boys.  Check back next week for European boys' designers (IKKS has an AMAZING boys' collection).

all aboard with j. crew

I can't get over what great clothes J. Crew has been offering lately, and crewcuts is no exception.  Yes, it's a good resource for some high quality basic tees in interesting colors.  But visiting their swimsuit collection, I found a number of pieces there right now that I can't resist.  It's a little more subdued than some of the boutique collections, but is a great addition to any girl's wardrobe.

The knits are particularly wearable - both comfortable and affordable.  There are some terrific little jersey dresses for summer, and at $45 for the cotton flamenco dress, $42 for the stripe jersey halter dress and at $32 for the ruffle-neck shift dress, you can't go wrong.  Finish off the flamenco dress with the watercolor floral cardigan and you have a truly special outfit for any occassion.

For $29.50, the jersey ruffle skirt is one of my all time favorite pieces, comfortable, too stinkin' cute, and you can be sure she'll gladly put it on every day.  Pair it with any t-shirt, or top it with the short-sleeve cotton cardigan for a more polished party look.  Many of the t-shirts have subtle metallic embellishments, not too tacky but guaranteed to make them her favorites.  The sunflower tee features a little tulle skirt detail that is irresistible.

There are a couple of splurges at crewcuts this season that I find worth the money.  Personally I have never been a big fan of birkenstock style shoes, finding them too clunky to be cute, but when I found a fun floral pair broke down, and found they are every bit as comfortable as advertised.  J. Crew's nubuck sandals for girls with a flower embellishment have made them downright stylish.  By and large, the boys' collection is what you would expect.  It's cute and preppy, but by and large nothing out of the ordinary.  But the boys' utility jacket is so grown up and adorable, and looks even better on.  And your daughter can wear it too.  Paired with a girly skirt, it adds just the right casual and funky element.  Ok, it's $75, but if you can get at least two kids to wear it, I say go for it.

something truly special

Oilily.  Personally, I love it.  The more over the top, the better. But it can be a little much for some people.  And as children's clothing goes, it tends toward the super expensive.  But if you are looking to add a little flair to your child's wardrobe, spring can be the perfect time to dabble in the brand.  A little jersey dress or a great skirt may be in your budget - especially when paired with a tee for just $9.50 from JCrew.  

Usually Oilily is all color and frivolity.  This season, the collection has taken a turn toward the 70s.  For older girls, the Tigra-K skirt is the standout pieces, but their best skirts are for  toddlers.  Each one is cuter than the last.  The Twixy skirt with a horse applique is too stinkin' cute, and the print on the Tircle skirt is just gorgeous.  The Derit pants for babies make me want to have another one all over again.  If you don't have an Oilily location near you, a good selection can be found at www.littlelunablue.com.  If you are discouraged by the current season prices, some great past season items can be found online.  No one will know the difference.

Or try Oilily's offspring -- literally, the line is designed by the daughter of the Oilily founders -- Room Seven.  Room Seven is my go to line for fantastic spring skirts.  The fabrics tend a little more to the conservative side, but they are absolutely beautiful and can be dressed up, down, or downright offbeat, with the right top.

Room Seven is available on a number of websites:  www.mybeautifulsophia.com has a small selection from the current collection available at 30% off, and www.chasing-fireflies.com has last year's absolutely adorable bubble skirt on sale for $29.99 paired with gorgeous Room Seven tank tops at $24.99.  The only problem is deciding which color to pick.  That's where your child's coloring is a good guide.  I'm always tempted to pick my favorite, rather than remembering that with my fairskinned redheads turquoise and lavender are generally safe bets ... pink, no so much.

Stores:

www.everythingbuttheprincess.com - good Room Seven assortment on sale

www.littlelunablue.com - fairly extensive selection from Room Seven spring 2009 collection

www.babyskyeboutique.com

www.forgetmenotkids.com - some beautiful Room Seven skirts and blouses on sale

www.dragonfliesandladybugs.com - Room Seven on sale

www.room7usa.com - see the official website for a list of stores

living the high life -- with tropical style

The unseasonably brutal temperatures that hit the northeast -- even my energizer bunny of an 11 year old son refused to go outside, declaring that it is too hot -- have made me unable to resist talking about Wati.  

Wati is at her strongest with her spring/summer collection, and it always brings to a perpetual resort getaway or a Mexican siesta.  The fabrics are compulsively light, floral and colorful.  Perhaps Wati's most distinguishing feature is the wonderful embroidery which gives the clothing a little extra something.  And for frustrated mothers of tween girls everywhere, the collection goes up to a size 12 (and the sizing is fairly generous).  Every girl needs the Talia dress in a couple of colors - it is an easy, light and pretty dress, in a flowing cut that every girl can wear.  It is comfortable enough for everyday, but nice enough for a party.  And it retails for just $44.95.  Wati also offers a simple dress with spaghetti straps, the Suzanne dress, in a grey flower print and an orange polka dot print that my daughter just lives on on hot days.  Again, the price is right, just $40.  

This season the collection includes a cute plaid shorts in a couple of lengths and some great floral skirts, which you can pair either with Wati's tops or with some simple t-shirts.  Some of the most beautiful tops Wati designs are her tunics.  They are easy, fashionable, flattering, and work with shorts, jeans, leggings, or even on their own.  Once you get your daughter started on Wati, I think you'll find you want the whole collection.  While most of the colors in the collection are sweet pastels -- light blues, bright oranges, pinks and yellows, lavender and white -- the tunics can have an edgier feel just by paring them with the right bottom or shoe.  In these clothes, your budding preteen can be, on alternating days, both a sweet little girl and much more grown up and hip, with just the slightest tweek of her outfit.

Check out the entire collection at www.watidesign.com.  The offer a list of local retailers or you can contact them to find out who carries the styles you're interested in.  You can find the Talia dress and the Suzanne beach dress online at www.trendytogs.com, as well as the Juliet and Sofia skirts and the Molly pink plaid shorts.  They are also available at www.cutelittleclothes.com, at www.honeysandheroes.com and at www.MyLilDarlingsBoutique.com currently for 20% off with code SAVE20. 

she's a real spring chicken

If you haven't finished compiling your children's wardrobes for spring, there are some great finds to be had.  Check in every Wednesday as we help you to navigate the world of children's fashion.  It's like having your own personal stylist.

For stylish little girls, nothing beats leggings and a dress for transitional spring attire.  Pink Chicken has some of the cutest dresses around (www.pinkchicken.com for stores).  The line offers leggings too, so she can put on that sleeveless dress she’s dying to wear now, and it will carry her into summer.  While Pink Chicken dresses are ideal for the under 4 set, add not just leggings, but a great pair of boots, and maybe even a thermal top underneath on cool days, and the outfit has just the edge your tween needs (while still being entirely age appropriate).

Who can resist the Sasha dress in the big tulip print?  White cotton is covered in giant tulips in gorgeous shades of lavender and peach and tied in the back with a fabulous bow.   Gap’s paisley leggings, just $12.50 or two for $20, in white with gold dots, look like they were made to go with this dress.  My daughter throws a natural waffle knit shirt underneath on cold days (Indera Mills’ basic thermal shirt and pant set available at www.essentialapparel.com for $9 works perfectly - and can act as long underwear or pajamas in the winter).  Pair it with cowboy boots, or even black biker boots, and she’ll be the coolest kid on the block.

Suggested stores:

www.chichibean.com - an extensive collection of Pink Chicken spring dresses through size 6

www.mybeautifulsophia.com - a couple of styles of Pink Chicken in sizes 2-6 are currently on sale 

juicekidscouture.com - carries some Pink Chicken styles all the way through size 8

www.gap.com - for great leggings at the right price

Girls' boots should be their own topic, but as of this writing www.endless.com had a few styles of Geox boots on clearance.  Frye and Dr. Marden can be pricey, but they're classics!  And www.cavenders.com is a great spot for cowboy boots.