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).

gwen stefani rocks out celebrity style

I am always surprised to find a celebrity clothing line that I really like.  I don't know why the whole concept seems so inherently wrong to me.  But of course some celebrities are in fact multi-talented, or at least have good taste and know how to work with the right collaborators.  Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson's women's line, Elizabeth and James, has some great pieces, and I really think Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. is fabulous. So it's no surprise that her Harajuku Lovers collection is as good as it is.  I just love the kids' tshirts.  The Japanese inspired graphics which feature "Gwen" and her back-up dancers (Angel, Love, Baby and Music), are cute and fun, and for those who care about these things, absolutely on trend right now.

This blog is a bit shorter than usual, since I think the clothes (primarily t-shirts) speak for themselves. The line is pretty focused and consistent.  I have liked some of the past season collections a bit better than the current one, so you may find it worth digging around on ebay.  The online selection otherwise is a bit thin, so I'm offering a fairly thorough list of websites that carry the line.  The selection is most extensive in sizes 2-6, or if your daughter fits in junior sizes.  Admittedly, at full retail the collection is on the expensive side but, as always, there are certainly bargains to be had.

Perhaps best of all, the same tshirts are available in women's sizes.  This is one instance in which I'm willing to do the mother-daughter thing ... however, I draw the line at actually wearing the same shirt at the same time.

Find online at:

www.tuttibella.com

www.theretrobaby.com

www.shopkitson.com

www.trenditikes.com

www.cutelittleclothes.com

www.izzyandash.com

www.jenklairkids.com

www.plumdenim.com

www.twirlkids.com

www.lalaling.com

www.maddiescloset.com

www.shopbabytrends.com

and a few pieces are online at Macy's and at Bloomingdales

boys, boys, boys

It seems there is an eternal struggle within mom's of boys, between the feeling that boys always wear tshirts and jeans and therefore it doesn't make sense to spend money on their clothes, and the desire to find a different, cute wardrobe for their sons.  Even while exercising fiscal restraint, it is absolutely possible to find wonderful clothes for your little man.  

The reality is, that with some exceptions, the more interesting part of your son's wardrobe will most likely be his shirts.  Take a good pair of dark jeans from Gap, Old Navy, or perhaps Tea Collection, add a great tshirt, and I guarantee you will receive complements galore on your stylish boy.  Some terrific brands for boys include Kingsley, Mini Fine, Appaman and Glug.  (As an aside, O.D.C.Y. was a short-lived fantastic skate punk inspired line.  As far as I can tell, it is now defunct, but a few styles are available at a steep discount at www.theboysstore.com.  If I were you, I would rush there and snap up a couple of things.)

I am a huge fan of Kingsley.  Simply put, their shirts are impossibly cool.  I'm pretty sure no one messes with a boy in Kingsley.  The prices, however, tend to be pretty steep.  If you can swing $40+ for a t-shirt, by all means go for it.  But if not, it's absolutely worth searching around for a shirt or two on sale, or picking up a couple at clearance at the end of a season.   A number of styles are currently on sale at www.shopjuicebox.com  including the "wuz dat" tshirt on sale for $27 available in sizes 4, 5 & 6.  Looking ahead to fall, www.tuttibella.com has a fantastic "king of rock" long sleeved tshirt available now in a number of sizes for $25.99.  Several other cute fall styles are available at www.pureboyclothes.com.  And www.sonsanddaughters.com has a number of shirts both long and short sleeved on sale.  Be advised that Kingsley runs REALLY small, so order a size up.

Mini Fine tshirts are slightly less edgy and less expensive (somewhere between $20 and $30 at full price), but extremely wry.  Www.tuttibella.com has a fairly broad selection.  The shirt with Pigpen (you remember, from the Peanuts) that says "conserve water stay dirty" is absolutely adorable.  If you're in the market for something less commercial, Glug and Appaman are worth a look.  Both offer simple and original graphic designs with themes that appeal to young boys like animals and transportation for around $30.  Appaman's bulldog and motorcycle shirts have become classics.  (Their retro windbreakers and track suits are also absolutely precious!)  This season Glug is offering some great robot shirts.  However classic Glug styles, their animal and bug tshirts - the spider, ant and tiger - are particularly charming.  See www.appaman.com and www.glugbaby.com respectively for a list of retailers.  But if you go right now to www.theredballoon.com you might still be able to grab the red ant, eagle or spider tshirt for just $15!

Suggested stores:

The Boys Store - www.theboysstore.com (Appaman, ODCY)

Petit Patapon - www.petitpatapon.com

Juice Box - www.shopjuicebox.com (Kingsley, Mini Fine)

The Red Balloon - www.theredballoon.com (Glug)

Tuttibella - www.tuttibella.com (Kingsley, Mini Fine)

Pure Boy Clothes - www.pureboyclothes.com (Kingsley)

Sons + Daughters - www.sonsanddaughtersinc.com (Appaman, Kingsley)

Little Fashions  Boutique - www.littlefashionsboutique.com (Mini Fine, Appaman)

Little Boy Chic - www.littleboychic.com (Appaman, Kingsley, Mini Fine, Monster Republic)

Small Concept - www.smallconcept.com (Appaman, Kingsley, Monster Republic)

Moxie Kids - www.moxiekidsonline.com (Appaman, Glug)

not so basic basics

the building blocks of a wardrobe (part 1)

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 navigate the world of children’s fashion.  It’s like having a personal stylist.

Don’t want your kid to look just like everyone else?  But don’t want to break the bank on clothes that are likely to last 6 months either?  The key is mixing affordable basics with a few standout pieces.  The result can be a distinctive and personal style at the right price.

For those of you who hadn’t noticed yet, JCrew has become fashionable again.  And their crewcuts division can be a terrific resource for some quality basics at a range of prices.  The item not to be missed this season is the Chelsea tee for girls available in a number of bright

but sophisticated colors.  And now they’re just $9.50 each.  Crewcuts also has some adorable tank tops.  If your child likes to mix it up a bit, Junk Food tees are another great option. 

 

Once a strictly boutique brand, Junk Food now produces a line of kids tees with retro graphics for the Gap.  And if you’re quick, they’re on sale for another 10 hours at www.hautelook.com.  So you can indulge in a special skirt or pair of printed trousers, and with a couple of basic tops to match, you know you’ll get your money’s worth.