Kids fashion has come a long way. Designers are recognising that practicality is as important as style, and the result is some pretty funky fashion that manages to please parents and kids alike.
And pleasing kids isn’t always easy. As they grow they’re making up their own minds about what they like, who they are and what they want to wear.
Fortunately more and more Australian designers are creating fun, practical fashion for kids, guaranteed to please even the fussiest dresser. Here are some of our favourites …
Paper Wings
Born in Australia 10 years ago in Northern NSW, Paper Wings Label create imaginative, original and fun products for children, and in doing so, always celebrate what it is to be a child.
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Bold, colourful, original designs made superbly mean that your child can be decked out in funky fashion that will last through whatever paces they put it through.
Paper Wings is all about colourful, whimsical and practical fashion for your little rockstar.
(Image: Paper Wings)SunSoaked
SunSoaked has all the gals covered from baby, tween, teen to mama and grandma. Twinning never looked so chic and sunsafe. 50+ protection means the whole family can get out in the sun.
SunSoaked’s Australian designer and founder Kate Davis-Steer, who is a sun safety and body positivity advocate says;
“Mothers especially love that our SunSoaked BELLA range allows them to twin with their daughters and at the same time pass on the sun safe and body positivity messaging. Sun safety is a form of self- love and now with the baby sizing mothers can promote that self-love habit even earlier.”
Holly & Beau Kids’ Raincoats
Upper Notch Club have just launched Holly & Beau, a brand new range of children’s rainwear that literally transforms in front of your eyes when the pattern comes in contact with any form of liquid!
It’s time to chuck out your boring black and navy umbrellas and raincoats and don one of these insanely cute designs. With patterns ranging from dinosaurs to unicorns and everything in between, little ones will be begging for it to rain!
Holly & Beau’s colour-chafe raincoats will have your kids begging for it to rain!
(Image: Holly & Beau Kids’ Raincoats)Lullaby Riot
Lullaby Riot specialises in children’s fashion that is handmade by Amanda in Shellharbour NSW.
Lullaby Riot is a mixture of ‘sweet and street’ styles, so there is something to suit all tastes. All pieces are made to last with great attention to detail, and the fabrics have been sourced for their high quality and uniqueness.
Lullaby Riot also stocks a cute range of Australian designed teethers, tights and socks.
Lullaby Riot is the perfect mix of ‘street’ and ‘sweet’.
(Image: Lullaby Riot)WATCH: Kids give their opinions on fashion campaigns. Continues after video …
Infamous Swim
As a shopaholic teenage girl, Gemma Crowe had no idea the impact her eye for design would have. Years later she is now the founder of emerging swimwear label, Infamous Swim. Gemma has hit a niche market and is responsible for the latest local fashion craze: matching mother and daughter swimmer.
Infamous Swim taps into another digitally driven trend, body positivity, with the brand showcasing models in a range of sizes. This commitment is a taste of the ‘mum magic’ which Infamous Swim runs on. Like the best kind of mum, this brand is realistic and yet glamorous, down to earth and yet fun. Perhaps this is why Infamous Swim has taken off, making waves in the online shopping world.
Is there is anything cuter than a little Infamous Swim mummy and me matchy-matchy?
(Image: Infamous Swim)Ever Australia
What better way to keep them warm, dry and feeling comfortable than a pair of the gorgeous shoes from Ever Australia. As one of the country’s largest UGG boot producers, Ever Australia is dedicated to producing the highest quality shoes for every member of the family.
From beautifully soft sheepskin UGGs, to cute mini biker boots, and fun white sneakers, Ever Australia has the answer to child and parent friendly winter shoes. Both fun and practical, the kids range is full of a variety designs to suit every personality.
Ever Australia kids’ shoes are warm, snuggly and incredibly funky!
(Image: Ever Australia)Funky Trunks & Funkita
Adored by parents and kids alike, Aussie swimwear labels Funky Trunks & Funkita have just dropped the latest collection, On The Surface. Kids go crazy for the kooky, fun designs while parents love the durable, chlorine resistant fabric that offers 50+ UV protection, a must in the Aussie heat.
Your mini-mermaid will be bang on trend in living coral with Sweet Venom, Bar Bar, Flaming Stripes and Cumulus all boasting Pantone’s 2019 colour of the year.
There’s no chance the boys will be outdone with a wondersul mix of bold and brillant blues. Ice Fortress, Tweety Tweet and Check Republic hit all the right notes.
Funky Trunks & Funkita use durable, chlorine resistant fabric that offers 50+ UV protection.
(Image: Funky Trunks & Funkita)Kind is Cool
The 100 percent cotton t-shirts from Kind Is Cool are fashion with a message. Beautifully soft, classic t shirt styles that mean you can roll the sleeves up or leave them down to suit your child’s look, but that’s not even the best part.
Emblazoned with slogans that promote kindness, Kind is Cool also donates $2 from every item to support Bully Zero. It’s no wonder their Instagram feed is full of families rocking this latest fashion must-have.
Kind is Cool donates $2 from every item to support Bully Zero.
(Image: Facebook/KindIsCool)NAME IT:
NAME IT is a long standing Scandinavian children’s fashion brand, which has launched into Australia via MYER this year. Inspired by the free spirit, creativity and playfulness of children, the brand sees the world through children’s eyes, creating comfortable and functional clothing for every occasion that never compromises on quality or fit.
NAME IT endeavour to always provide the right styles at the right time at the right price.
NAME IT makes an effort to produce responsible fashion for kids and tweens.
(Image: Name It)REAL PRETTY KIND
This Sydney lifestyle label for eight to 14-year-olds has a simple philosophy: Pretty is as Pretty does. They design to empower pretty bold, pretty smart, pretty strong, pretty stylish, fun-loving tweens.
Founded by designer Katie Rockliff, Real Pretty Kind (RPK) supports the Alannah+Madeline Foundation a charity dedicated to protecting children from violence and The Butterfly Foundation who represent all people affected by eating disorders and negative body image.
“Real Pretty Kind is beyond proud to be supporting these two incredible charities with a brand designed for every (tween) body,” says Katie. “A percentage of RPK profits across our product range will be used to kick bullying and negative body image to the curb!”
REAL PRETTY KIND believes we’re our best selves when we’re our real selves, and when we cheer each other on. Here, here!
(Image: Real Pretty Kind)Olga Valentine
Designed in Bali by Sydney mum of three, Natasha Nowak, the Olga Valentine swimwear range is made from recycled ocean plastics, including bottles and fishnets recovered from the ocean floor.
Ethically produced in Bali, the plastics are spun into high quality fabric blends that are long lasting and sun-safe with UPF protection. The fabrics are also twice as resistant to chlorine, fading, sun creams and oils than other fabrics.
Check out the gorgeous range and know that your purchase helps make the world a better place.
Olga Valentine swimwear is made from recycled ocean plastics. How cool is that!?
(Image: Olga Valentine)Little Auguste
Dreamt up by Creative Director Ebony Eagles, Little Auguste is the (super) sweet little sister of Australian label, Auguste. With a vintage tilt and in all your favourite matching Mini and Me prints, each piece is made for the tiny dancers, the tireless adventurers and the little ones with their faces full of sunshine. Full of vintage florals and fun-loving details each piece is a childhood memory soon to be created.
Little Auguste is available exclusively online and in Auguste’s Brisbane and Byron Bay boutiques.
Little Auguste provides dreamy bohemian threads for your little gypsies.
(Image: Little Auguste)Minnow Designs
These cute Minnow Designs booties are just perfect for keeping little tootsies safe while exploring Australia’s seaside, rock pools, beaches, creeks and rivers. Made from quick-drying neoprene with a thin, flexible rubber sole for more robust beach, boat and water play these little beauties will quick become a must-have in the beach bag!
Minnow Designs booties are perfect for exploring Australian seaside rock pools and beaches.
(Image: Minnow Designs)