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7 kidswear brands to keep your little ones looking sharp

Kip&Co

Kip&Co

Acorn

Acorn

Love Mae

Love Mae

PLAE

PLAE

Coco and Ginger

Coco and Ginger

Salt Water Sandals

Salt Water Sandals

Peggy

Peggy

WORDS BY FASHION JOURNAL

Child’s play.

Shopping for kids can be as hard as shopping with kids, especially when the hot weather rolls around.

That’s why we’ve put together a list of all the best brands in kid’s fashion, footwear, accessories, and even dinnerware, to help you tick some things off your list this Christmas.

Acorn

In the warmer weather, bucket hats and caps will keep your little one protected from the sun, and we know just the right place to get them. Acorn Kids was created in 2010 by Fiona Savaris after an elusive search for the perfect hat for her daughter. The Melbourne-based brand specialises in children’s headwear and accessories made from 100 per cent cotton. Its summer range spans sun hats, bonnets and rompers printed with flamingos, confetti and rainbows. The label has thought about all the finer details too, like reversible options and adjustable toggles.

acornnkids.com.au

Love Mae

Adults place a lot of importance on owning nice crockery. Now, Love Mae is extending that sentiment to kid’s dinnerware. Tailored to appeal to the young, and young at heart, Love Mae’s offering is designed to be beautiful, while also protecting little tots from chemicals. Made from bamboo, the dinnerware is 100 per cent biodegradable, BPA and phthalate free. Designs are illustrated with Australian flora and fauna, woodland creatures, dinosaurs and more, meaning there’s something for every kid (and parent’s) taste.

lovemae.com.au

PLAE

After becoming a father, Ryan Ringholz realised there was a gap in the market for kid’s shoes which were tough and flexible. Drawing on his experience designing footwear for the likes of Puma, Diesel and UGG, he set about to change things. His brand, PLAE, provides shoes for little ones that are durable, washable and customisable. The eco-friendly range is made to allow for the natural development of children’s feet, while also providing full support. Each pair is handcrafted by Ryan’s team, with super shock absorption for little athletes, plus toe guards and microbial inserts.

plae.com.au

Coco and Ginger

Coco and Ginger is a Bali-based childrenswear label taking inspiration from island life. It began when founder, Saffron Pugh-Blaby, received growing interest for the clothes she had made for her own daughters. This led Saffron to open a studio, where she now employs local seamstresses, tailors and artisans. To produce its collections, Coco and Ginger relies on slow fashion techniques like hand-printing, stitching and embroidery. Expect an offering for babies, kids and tweens that includes ruffled playsuits, ankle-skimming maxi skirts and dresses and leotards for layering.

cocoandginger.com

Salt Water Sandals

A shoe undergoes a great test of endurance on the foot of a child. Kids are constantly running around, pounding the pavement and stomping in puddles. So naturally, they need a shoe that can keep up with them. Not many people know that Salt Water Sandals has a kid’s offering alongside its adult range. Made from the same durable leather, the Sun-San sandals arrive in a brighter colour palette with the option of cute prints like cherries and florals. The range offers the original Salt Water style, plus variations including slides, thongs and crosshatched designs.

saltwatersandals.com.au

Peggy

Peggy is a childrenswear label with old-world whimsy and sentimentality at its heart. Named after designer Simone Ryan’s grandmother, the brand merges classic cuts with contemporary details. Think adorable plaid playsuits, denim dresses and pink gingham bonnets – all of which can be mixed and matched. The girl’s offering spans infant pieces up to size 8 and Peggy also stocks a range of kid’s accessories and decor. Think dreamcatchers, cushions and headwear.

peggy.com.au

Kip&Co

In a world where ‘safe’ bedroom interiors are seemingly everywhere, Kip&Co is a vibrant breath of fresh air. Since its launch in 2012, the Melbourne-based bedding and homewares brand has been a destination for designs inspired by adventure, celebration and fun. Its most recent Animalia collection delivers a serious dose of nostalgia. In collaboration with the popular book of the same name, the release includes pieces for kids and infants. Everyone’s favourites from the animal kingdom have been printed on bed linen, beanbags, play mats, pyjamas and more, introducing a new generation to Graeme Base’s much-loved title.

kipandco.com.au

This article was originally published in Fashion Journal 174.

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