Boutique Designer Children’s Clothing and Toys
Did you check out the poll in the sidebar to your right? I think our next one should ask how much you spend on children’s clothing.
Me? I spend practically nothing because our friends and family give us plenty to keep my son and another like him clothed for at least a full year in advance.
So it just boggles my mind that people (like my sister-in-law *cough*) spend money on “boutique” children’s clothing and toys. Now, toys I can understand simply because they all have different features and unique qualities. But clothing is clothing - a neck hole, two sleeves, two pant legs or a skirt. What’s the big deal especially when it’s for children who will first get them stained (thus resulting in many mommy hours oxycleaning and scrubbing) then outgrow them?
Channie Gilreath of Marietta, Georgia, is with my sister-in-law. She just opened Rockets and Roses Goods for Children.
I carry boutique designer lines, almost exclusively. If you do find these things in a department store, they’ll have a much higher mark-up.
The toys and accessories in the shop are what would appeal to me. Some are replicas of tin toys from half a century ago along with party, travel games, and vintage style tricycles.
We have a lot of children’s shops like Rockets and Rose in my part of West London but I’ve never gone in because I’d feel too out of place in our discounted Gap and Gymboree. That and I know I’d probably faint from sticker shock. ;)
Have you and would you buy boutique children’s clothing?
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POSTED IN: Children's Clothing and Accessories, Children's Toys
11 opinions for Boutique Designer Children’s Clothing and Toys
Deb L
Jul 13, 2006 at 10:09 am
Cheap stuff is often made of poorly made cloth, or the pieces were cut out of the cloth wrong so the garments get warped when you wash them, or the sewing is crap and the seams come undone, etc. For play clothes that are just going to get muddy, it really doesn’t matter to me if it’s junk like that. For clothes worn in public, I’d rather it be of better quality.
That doesn’t mean boutique shopping though. I find perfectly good, nice quality, clothing at regular retail shops and outlet factory stores. I think shopping for kids clothes at a boutique is like buying haute couteur for adults. Justifiable for special (and would it ever have to be special to spend That Much Money on it) occasions, but insane as a way of life. heh.
Kerri Aldrich
Jul 13, 2006 at 10:32 am
I only buy girl’s clothes. 95% of my boys clothes come from my friends who have boys a couple of years older. One shops a ton at Gap and Old Navy (though she gets most of it from the Gap Factory Outlet), and so my boys are almost always in name brand, w/o me paying a penny! The girls clothes I buy get passed by their way for their girls. Because, no, I wouldn’t spend a ton on what they will no doubt stain the moment it goes on!
Hsien-Hsien Lei
Jul 14, 2006 at 6:26 am
Deb: Good point. Lots of the stuff I got in Vietnam is already falling apart without much use. Grrrr.
As far as insanity as a way of life, I’m afraid I’ve got that mastered. hehee
Kerri: Waaah. I want to buy girls clothes too!!! You are one of the few friends I have who has a girl. Lucky. ;)
Kailani
Jul 16, 2006 at 6:04 pm
I’ve also been fortunate that my sister had a daughter before I did. I get all her clothes! Since I really don’t spend money on everyday clothing for her, I’ve been guilty on occasion to buy pretty expensive clothes for my older daughter. I guess it’s because I know that one day my younger one will wear it, too. Thank you for sharing this post with the Carnival of Family Life.
Hsien-Hsien Lei
Jul 16, 2006 at 9:29 pm
Kailani: Hi! I think if I had a girl, I’d be more inclined to splurge. But I’ve just got my one boy and you know boring boys clothes are. LOL
And thank you for starting a great carnival!
Antique Mommy
Jul 17, 2006 at 7:38 am
No I do not buy expensive designer clothes for my 2-year-old. Ever. Not because money is an object, but because it does not reflect what our family values, which is people not stuff. I want him to understand the measure of who he is, is in no way related to what is on his back. In fact, I make an effort to find t-shirts that don’t have anything plastered on the front and it’s a challenge. We are lucky to be the recipient of a lot of very nice hand-me-downs and when we do need something, it’s Wal-Mart.
Hsien-Hsien Lei
Jul 17, 2006 at 7:46 am
Antique Mommy: Hi!! I just finished visiting your blog a couple of hours ago and read your incredible personal story.
I gotta say, though, maybe us moms of boys might feel a little differently if we had girls? /me ducks
Deb L
Jul 17, 2006 at 10:14 am
*g* If I had a girl, I would find it impossible to resist getting (or maybe even making!) cute outfits- whether they were pant/shirt combos or darling dresses wouldn’t matter. Although, if I had a girl, I would probably be ranting and raving about the inappropriateness of the clothing styles marketed to little girls. It’s dreadful.
pinkdiary808.com » Carnival of Family Life #10
Aug 9, 2006 at 4:03 am
[…] Hsien of Play Library wants to know . . . Do you spend money on expensive clothing for your kids? Find out her views on the subject at Boutique Designer Children’s Clothing & Toys. […]
Alexix
Sep 8, 2006 at 5:23 pm
I love desinger baby clothes! I just cant help it! I shop at sandboxcouture.com. They have a huge selection of designers and hip boy clothes to die for!
Hsien-Hsien Lei
Sep 9, 2006 at 1:25 am
Alexix: Thanks for the link! There’s gotta be a market for these clothes because they truly are beautiful and adorable.
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