If I was a fashion designer for girls' clothing (and my close friends will know just how ludicrous this statement is) my designs would be exactly like those of Kiss Katch, a new label from the UK.
I think Kiss Katch ticks all the boxes for girls. It’s practical – you could do some serious climbing in the playground in a Kiss Katch playsuit – but it is also cute and girly without being of the ‘over-the-top pink’ variety.
Designed by Tori Smallwood, a mother who clearly knows her stuff, Kiss Katch pieces are easy to wear and need as little ironing as possible (yay). It may be because I was born in the seventies, but I think the use of terry towelling in the Kiss Katch range is brilliant. The playsuits and beach dresses are perfect for summer outings (getting dressed after a swim has never been so easy) and the co-ordinating t-shirts, skirts and shorts are sporty and cute. It’s the small details that keep these pieces perfectly in the girl zone – for example small ruffles, a gathered pocket, pink striped lining and silver prints.
Playsuits are £28.05 and zip-up beach dresses are £29.75 and both are available in aqua or raspberry. Kiss Katch deliver to Australia.
In my opinion, dressing up is one of those things that's absolutely necessary in childhood. Not just 'fancy dress' dressing up but dressing up to feel pretty, dashing or, as my daughter would say, 'like a princess.' It's simply good for the soul.
Italian-based children's clothing company Il Gufo make clothing that is perfection for dressing up, for a big day out or a summer garden party. When I first clapped eyes on the collections, the first thought that came to mind was how the pieces could form a stunning littlie's wardrobe for a chichi tour of Italy (with parents in tow of course!). In saying this, Il Gufo's range oozes European high style with timeless dresses, blouses, skirts, shorts and tailored jackets.
The girls are covered with luxurious special occasion frocks suitable for weddings, christenings and big birthdays. Options for more casual, everyday clothing have the same air of sophistication. For boys, the range is a combination of long collared jackets, buttoned shirts and cuffed shorts, reminiscent of those old photos of little boys playing in Italian seaside villages.
To scoop up some of this swoon-worthy fare, head to Sydney's Arabella Boutique, the exclusive stockist of Il Gufo in Australia. If you're not in Sydney, you make contact via their website to order.
We first saw Toetum earlier this year at the Kids inStyle show and the label featured in our clothing roundup. The beautiful colours and original artworks which adorn the garments are nothing short of stunning and it's little surprise that Toetum love has been felt among Babyologists everywhere.
I Want Fabulous! and Toetum have joined forces
to offer Babyology readers a super buy one, get one free deal. Simply
purchase any Toetum garment and enter your choice of free garment (of
equal or lesser value) in the comments section at checkout.
This offer is valid for
one week from today at I Want Fabulous!, so get in quick and take advantage of this amazing offer!
Affordable and gorgeous Hoof shoes were featured on Babyology back in January. Lucky for us, they're now available right here in Australia through Ele-ahbaant, with prices ranging from $19.95 to $35.95. The highest price you'll pay for Hoof shoes is still a fraction of the cost of some other leading brands of shoe, and they're exceedingly hip so snap them up now!
There are plenty of styles to choose from for both boys and girls in baby, toddler and child sizes. I'll be hard-pressed to resist those checked Hunters up there - they perfectly match an outfit I've put together in shades of chocolate and beige for my beautiful four year old, who can carry off those colours, unlike his brother and I.
There's everything to love about Hoof shoes - they're cheap, pretty, and now there's no international shipping involved. Shipping is a teeny $5 from Ele-ahbaant, or free for orders over $99. More styles will be arriving soon!
Between the ever-present morning sickness and my ever-expanding girth, there’s not much this pregnancy that has me singing. Then I stumbled upon LaLa Shoes. And I’ve been trilling like a little bluebird in a Disney princess flick ever since.
How, I ask, can you not go gaga over baby shoes as seriously sweet as these? One look at the French-inspired Bordeaux linen shoes, with their too-too pretty bow ties, and I have my fingers crossed for a baby girl. Of course, if my husband gets his wish for a boy, I’ll still be singing a happy song because I can choose LaLa’s cheery Pepi wool felt booties instead.
The designer of these fabulous shoes sources all her linen from Paris and only works with 100 per cent wool felt that has a Oeko-Tex Standard certificate. So you can be sure the wool contains no kid-unfriendly chemical nasties that can trigger allergies or rashes.
All shoes are made to order in sizes to fit from three to 24 months. Felted shoes in sizes larger than 12 months are made with a convenient non-slip eco-leather undersole. Bordeaux shoes cost US$42 and Pepi US$48, with shipping to Australia all the way from Croatia a mere US$7. Check LaLa’s Etsy listing for other shoe designs.
Providing great quality and beautiful clothing for our newborns is of utmost importance to all of us, but I think it is especially relevant for parents of premature babies, who for the most part have little choice in regards to suitable clothing for their preemies.
Australian company Earlybirds, established in 2002, provides clothing specially designed for the needs of premature and small babies. With the masses of emotional and physical energy spent by parents of premature babies, finding time to hunt up clothing that suits tiny bodies can often fall to the bottom of the list. Having an entire online shop dedicated to all the necessities of a preemie's early days can help alleviate some of the stress, making life a little easier.
Earlybirds has two collections, Sunnydays and Organics, and offers clothing from Isolette Suits (soft cotton rib garments designed for ease of dressing and attachment of NICU monitors) to bodysuits, jackets, pants and singlets. They also provide wraps, nightgowns, hats and booties for those extra-little feet. All clothing in the Sunnydays collection is made from the softest 100 per cent cotton in rib, velour and pointelle, while the Organics range is made of 100 per cent organic soft cotton.
Earlybirds clothing and accessories are available in sizes suited to babies weighing 800 grams to 4.5 kilos. To purchase, go to the Earlybirds website with prices starting at $8.95.
