LilSugar

Trendtotting: Sesame Street Goes Hipster Chic

babysugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:00:29 -0800

We might not know how to get to Sesame Street, but we know how to dress like we do. In honor of the groundbreaking show's 40th anniversary, American Apparel has created a line of t-shirts and underwear featuring line drawings of popular Sesame characters for both tots and adults. While a partnership between the conservative, kid-oriented Children's Television Workshop and the risque shirt manufacturer may not seem obvious, the retro-inspired shirts are just too cute to pass up. Elmo, Big Bird, Grover, and Abby Cadabby all grace the line, which includes some number graphics that would make excellent birthday attire.

Children's Sample Sale Sites Feed Moms' Shopping Needs

babysugar — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:00:22 -0800

Mamas who love spending dough on their lil ones know how quickly a barrette here and shoes there can add up. While some save cash by shopping at discount or consignment shops, others can't give up their love of designer duds for their tots. Over the past year several online sample sale sites have set up shop offering significant price reductions on clothing and gear for expectant moms and tots.

The Mini Social, bTrendie and Zulily all send daily emails to members, informing them of the one or two sales they are hosting that day. Sale products tend to focus on boutique brands – such as celeb baby favorite Splendid Littles, eco-friendly toy company Plan Toys and baby gear giant Graco to name a few – and prices can be as much as 50 percent off of retail stores. But interested buyers have to act fast and be willing to compromise. The sites tend to only have a limited supply of the goods that can sell out in a matter of minutes, and the available colors and patterns may not be the most current.

Do you shop the children's sample sale sites?

Vintage Absorba Adds Retro Cool to Lil Wardrobes

babysugar — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:00:31 -0800

While fashion may come and go, here are some brands that just stand the test of time. Absorba, the French childrenswear company, has been making stylish infant and toddler clothes since 1949. Known for extra-soft fabrics and cute designs, the brand easily made the transition from French nursery staple to American mama favorite.

In honor of the company's 60th anniversary, Absorba is re-introducing a handful of the early designs that put it on parents' radar. The bold, reto-modern prints may remind you of your own childhood favorites, but they will blend right in with styles that are already in your lil one's Summer wardrobe. I'm loving the tee shown here, but check out the line below and tell me what catches your eye!

Do You Dress Your Kids to Stand Out in a Crowd?

babysugar — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:00:16 -0800

Celebrities may have the life when it comes to travel and services at their disposal, but when they want to blend in with the crowd, it's another story. When visiting a busy park or crowded museum, many mamas dress their tots in bright colors so they are easier to spot in a crowd. Celebrity parents may take the opposite approach, putting their lil ones in muted tones to help them blend in. At least that seems to be the case with the Jolie-Pitt clan as they make their way through Venice's tourist sites.

Do you dress your kids in special clothing when going to a crowded place?

Designer Duds For Lil Ones

babysugar — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:00:22 -0800

Break out the credit card because these pieces are going to cost you! Fashion Week may showcase the next season's styles and trends for mama, but that's not the only audience designers have in mind. Many of the fashion world's leading style-makers are creating collections for the next generation – at a price. Though most of us can only drool over the designs, take a look at what designers have in mind for the junior set.

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Toms Shoes Brings New Collection to Neiman Marcus

babysugar — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:00:08 -0800

Combining fashion and philanthropy is a popular practice in the adult clothing world, so it is no wonder that the idea has worked its way down to the mini set. When we first introduced you to TOMS Shoes, the small company was just starting its mission of donating one pair of shoes to a child in need whenever a pair is purchased.

Four hundred thousand donated pairs of shoes later, the company has teamed up with luxury retailer Neiman Marcus to debut an exclusive new collection of rubber soled, slip-on canvas shoes. The fashionable and fun new styles include camouflage, madras and glitter for lil twinkle toes and range from $44 - $60. Being philanthropic has never been so fashionable.

When Did You Switch From Baby to Real Clothes?

babysugar — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:00:48 -0800

A newborn's closet is usually filled with an assortment of onesies, footies and sleep gowns that are perfectly suited for a wee one who spends most of his day (and night) catching some Zs. Gifts from family and friends often fill in the gaps with a cute piece here and there. But, when a new mama enters a children's store, her eyes are sure to wander over to the lil outfits that line the shelves. From dresses with bloomers to mini jeans and tops, the shrunken versions of grown-up clothes are enticing.

Some moms wait until their tot is old enough to sit up on his own before taking them out of the one piece outfits, while others jump right to them and never look back. When did you make the switch from baby clothes to real ones?

Bambeeno Cashmere Blends Keep Kids Well Dressed

babysugar — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:00:00 -0800

Cashmere may be soft and cuddly, but it isn't practical for babies. What mama wants to stress about her lil one spitting up or dripping ice cream on their Sunday best.

Rather than put a total kibosh on the super-rich wool, designers are incorporating cashmere into more kid-friendly weaves. Bambeeno Cashmere, which made a name for itself with its adorable eco-friendly designs, is now incorporating the lux yarn into cotton pieces. The 90 percent cotton and 10 percent cashmere rompers, sweaters and blankets come in perfectly preppy designs with stripes, scalloped edges and sailboat motifs (starting at $64). The new blends will keep mom from chasing after her tykes with a wipe too, as the pieces are all machine washable.

Interview With Jenna Lyons: The Mom Behind CrewCuts

babysugar — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:30:33 -0800

Lots of moms see voids in their children's closets, but a select few have the power to change them. Our girl Fab put her Lil hat on during Fashion Week and talked to J.Crew's Creative Director, Jenna Lyons about her source of inspiration for Crewcuts, an Obama girl favorite!

FabSugar: Crewcuts, is that how you wanted to dress (3-year-old son Beckett)?

Jenna Lyons: I think we were looking to find a way to make it feel - kids’ clothes are either like Little Lord Fauntleroy or totally casual. There’s really nothing in between. So, we were thinking, what would a little J.Crew girl or guy - what would you want them to look like? That doesn’t mean a mini me, but that sensibility - a little bit of humor, a play on texture and color and not taking yourself so seriously - and whimsy and some surprise. And there’s no surprises in kids’ clothes at all. And I don’t want him to look like he’s going to the queen’s court - I just don’t get that. I’m not into that at all. So, that is definitely something...I think having a child helps a lot - kind of figuring out what you think is great about kids’ clothes. What I find is missing is sort of how we add things to the line and the team that works on that is amazing. But we also cultivated a team that’s from adult apparel, not kids’ clothes. It makes a huge difference. It’s about the way we fit it, but we don’t think about designing it for a kid, you know? We just design something we think is cute and then we scale it to work.

FabSugar: Make it really small?

Jenna Lyons: Don’t make that neckline too low.

Sonia Rykiel Extends H&M Line For Tots

babysugar — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:00:31 -0800

Mommy and me dressing appears to be gaining popularity. While some designers have been creating the look for years, family dressing recently took center stage on Project Runway and is now filling displays at H&M stores across the country.

Sonia Rykiel, the Paris-based "Queen of Knits," is returning to her roots in her new partnership with discount fashion store H&M. The designer, who started her line when she was pregnant and couldn't find comfortable sweaters to cover her growing bump, just introduced her Spring collection for H&M, including a handful of precious designs for tots (18 months to 8 years). The black, yellow, hot pink and baby pink pieces ($4 - $70 each) feature feminine details, such as ruffles and bows that match mama's pieces in the collection.

Check out the entire children's line below and let us know what you think!

To see the rest of these colorful frocks, read more.

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