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Young order
By Catherine Berlin
Sometimes it seems impossible to pick just one outfit that showcases a particular line, especially when dealing with children’s clothes. Kids’ clothes look so fresh and clean, allowing us to pretend that our tots and teens and their clothes are always that way, too. Plus, there is less focus on body types. When it comes to shape, most kids have the rectangular kind, so we can spend more time enjoying the patterns and colors.
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Dresses by Tea, Blush, and Lito.
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Blush, by US Angels (carried at Pumpkins Fine Children’s Clothing and Gifts, 5220 Main St., Williamsville), offers a collection of girls’ dresses (7–14) that defies natural selection. All the styles win, whether it is a black textured sheath with prism buttons to a satin dress with mesh hem, or a floral shift with the hint-of-edge black trim to the bias cut dress in printed ombre, each of these dresses incorporates a grown-up fashion trend, without the grown-up restrictions. They are light, they move, and they never constrict, all the while looking the quite the opposite of “not enough” or “out of place.”
The choices don’t get any easier, either, as we bob around and shop the stores and the Internet. We had the same dilemma with Tea (www.teacollection.com). With outfit names like Jardim Botanical Halter Dress (named after the famous tropical garden in Rio and part of the Viva Brasilia collection) and the Chrysanthemum Banded Dress in Raspberry (from the Spring Break Daily Tea collection), how does one even care what balance is left on the debit card? We are buying these outfits for children and therefore no one can yell at us, not even ourselves.
Le Top demonstrates that nature—from floral to reptile—still rules in kids’ wear, but with Le Top it was more like a trip to the Botanical Gardens or the Zoo. We enjoyed the florals more and found the ghastly lizard beasts almost compelling. Le Top is carried at Kid Biz, at 658 Main St., East Aurora. Kid Biz also carries raingear, and as we are big fans of playing outside regardless of weather, we were happy to see boots that bring smiles, from cowgirl to alligator. The boots have handles, too, a big help in a downpour. (We are more than happy to set a good example by getting a new rain boot for ourselves, like any sidewalk brightening offering from DavRain.com.)
Moving from day-to-day to the special occasion, how about a junior bridal dress line that has us considering renting out our children as flower girls just for the photo op? For 2009, Lito offers an orange dress that reminds us of beautiful begonias, while we were equally amazed at a vibrant blue beauty, the same color that highlights so much of this year’s big girl couture. The line, along with a world of junior bridal and prom, is available at M.C. Carr, 3716 North Buffalo Rd., Orchard Park.
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Wee stylings from ShirleyandMe, Tea, and Le Top.
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For anyone new to Buffalo, or simply new to having a baby, White’s (1330 Kenmore Ave.) is one of those places that is a must visit. You’ll find all the things you didn’t even know you will need, without all the noise of national chains. It’s the baby supply version of a great hardware store: no frills and completely spot-on perfect, with a staff that knows everything you don’t. Or, if you are headed out for the day to visit Artpark, stop in at Sister & Brother Children’s Apparel (484 Center St., Lewiston).
Are you the kind of mom who when out exploring, likes to keep her chicks in similar clothing so it is easier to keep track of them? We understand. ShirleyandMe.com may make it easier for you to coax the kids into their day-trip uniform, with Shirley’s mug on the front, in a backwards cap for boys and Swarovski crystals on Shirley’s collar, for girls. The long sleeve version is perfect for cool nights, too. Visit ShirleyandMe.com for color options.
Style is more than about clothes. It is a frame of mind. Inspire youthful imagination by demonstrating a bit of your own. From place settings to landscaping, get your kids involved and figure out ways to incorporate their design ideas. Create a cake with more than just candles; decorate together with Sixlets, a brand owned by SweetWorks, a local company, and available at Candymakers (3528 Genesee St., Buffalo); or charge up your teen’s next party with dipped fortune cookies. The fortunes are usually printed with a reference to the event, like “John and Jill’s Big Day,” but we like the idea of using the cookies for games or matching people up. Put a special message inside and let the invitees pick a cookie that contains a message like “You are on team 2!” for party games. (Avoiding hurt feelings is always in style.) We haven’t figured out an economical way to make the cookies help with surprise seating arrangements (each printing has a separate $35 charge), but there has to be a way, because these should be used often. The cookies are so delicious, and moms are in charge of leftovers.
Catherine Berlin is a writer, photographer, and lawyer, raising children and a husband in Buffalo, and currently has a second home in Sweden.
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