Childrenswear has firmly found its place in the fashion market, with Mummy and Daughter dressing carving out its own little niche – typing it in Google can lead to you some pretty murky waters (try it – I dare ya). However, your options needn’t be limited to synthetic prom dress styles or exclusive designer looks as modeled by Beyonce, Kim Kardashian and their minis. There are an increasing number of modern and stylish options to choose from in today’s market.
Rylee & Cru Baby Ruffle Tube Top, $77 and Flutter Bloomer, $68 and Rylee & Cru Women’s Ruffle Tube Top, $146 and Mila Maxi Skirt, $107 from Little Bambinos (left), Numero 74 Womens Ava Long Skirt, $129 and Girls Ava Long Skirt, $89 from Kinsfolk (centre), Rylee & Cru Women’s Hibiscus Layla Dress, $107 and Rylee & Cru Hibiscus Layla Mini Dress, $85 from Little Bambinos (right).
Admittedly the scope for mother and daughter designs is more prevalent from international brands – Rylee and Cru is a Californian company helmed by a designer who was formerly a graphic designer and illustrator, originally producing children’s wear and have since expanded into women’s wear. Their designs are typically made from cottons in neutral colours with whimsical prints and we particularly love the seafoam set (singlet and bloomers for baby, singlet and maxi skirt for mum) and the saffron dress as seen above left and right which can be purchased from NZ online boutique Little Bambinos. European label Numero 74 crafts beautiful handmade children’s items (mainly décor and a small range of clothing) in organically grown fabrics with a few women’s garments also included in their range, pictured above in the centre is their adult and kids long skirt in a pretty dusty pink – which has also been organically dyed. Numero 74 is available from NZ online retailer Kinsfolk.
Love Shack Fancy Juliet Dress, $595 USD (left) and Billie Skirt, $95 USD from LoveShackFancy (right).
American brand LoveShackFancy originated as a women’s label and a few seasons in started producing a girl’s line, no doubt inspired by founder Rebecca Cohen’s first daughter (now a mother of two – Cohen’s personal Instagram is perhaps the ultimate inspo for mother-daughter-dressing). Known for her hyper feminine designs – ruffles upon ruffles, floral prints and lace trims all feature heavily – the designs for LoveShackFancy girls are not replicas of their adult counterparts, though the fabrics used are the same as seen below, the younger styles are decidedly designed for the younger customer.
Tutu Du Monde Femme Night Sky Skirt, $949 (left) and Mini-Me Tutu Skirt, $162 (right).
Tutu Du Monde have long been crafting whimsical collections for little girls, their signature of tulle dresses are usually embellished with exquisite embroidery or sequins and beading in beautiful soft shades – really the stuff that dreams are made of. Recently they released a small Women’s offering ‘Femme’ of very pretty tulle skirts that you may consider twinning with your little one in-perhaps for a photo shoot or a birthday party (or ya know purely for the ‘gram – we won’t judge). The ‘Night Sky’ skirt pictured below is one such design that is replicated in both ranges.
Trelise Cooper Off Shoulder Love Dress, $300 (left) and Sweet Chilly Frilly Dress, $80 from Little Trelise (right).
Similarly closer to home, our very own uber feminine designer Trelise Cooper who produces a mainline, a diffusion line and Little Trelise, doesn’t replicate the adult designs for her younger clientele – though her signature fun and romantic aesthetic is evident in both. Tulle skirts, smocked tunics and gingham dresses as seen below are a few crossover items that you can find.
Beth Ellery High Noon Dress, $449 (left) and Florence Dress, $145 (centre), Désirée Solar Sparkle Kid’s Dress $80 and Women’s Dress $229 (right).
Late last year local independent designer Beth Ellery launched ‘BE’ a small range of delightful kids designs – the idea sees Ellery utilise waste blocks or surplus production at the end of her womens production to create these pieces. We especially love the ‘Florence’ dress as pictured below in the centre, which is made from the same French navy cotton as from the ‘High Noon’ dress pictured on the left – though sadly the ‘High Noon’ dress is sold out now. Ellery designer Kym Ellery plans on releasing her next children’s range only after her next women’s collections are released, to stay within her principal of eliminating wastage. Wellington-based label Désirée have designed this pretty pink dress in both women’s and children’s sizes – can you just imagine the joy of a little girl being able to wear the same dress as her Mum.
Superette Women’s Band Tank, $79 (left) and Mini Band Sweat, $79 from Superette (middle left), Anine Bing Vintage Sweatshirt, $279 from Superette (middle right) and Bing Eagle Tee, $US39 from Anine Bing (right).
For the street wear inclined, local streetwear retailer Superette has these slogan tees and sweats from their in-house label available in a few different colour ways for Mum’s and their minis, pair one with a rah rah skirt which can also be found in both ranges and you can be matching from head to toe! Also stocked in Superette is L.A based designer Anine Bing whose designs are always imbued with a rock ‘n roll edge, this vintage inspired print is available on both an adults’ sweatshirt and kids t-shirt as pictured.
Amanda Alexander Pink/Grey Tartan PJ Bottoms, $69 and Kid’s PJ Bottoms, $25.
And for those who would prefer to keep the matchy-matchy in the privacy of their own home, might we suggest these pretty pajama bottoms from Amanda Alexander Collections. Made from 100% flannel and produced right here in New Zealand, we think they are perfect for evening snuggles.
Images supplied.