Childrenswear - what's missing?

[getawiggleon]

Just wondering if anyone thinks there's a gap in the market (no pun intended!) or a certain style of children's/ baby clothing at a certain price that isn't currently available?

I've read a couple of threads bemoaning the lack of decent boyswear/ logo free clothing etc and just wondered what people would like to see more/ less of available on the market.

[Collision]

Brighter colours for boys clothes

Less logos - who wants a surfer dude under the age of 10!

More choice of shoes for boys. Stacks of styles and colours for girls but little choice for boys.

[Sunshinemummy]

I'm fairly happy with boys clothes but would like more colour choice for girls as I get fed up with the glut of pink when buying for DD.

[cahu]

Less trashy skin tight 'urban wear' for girls under the age of 10. Girly but not as girly as Monsoon.

[MillyMollyMoo]

I agree once you get to 9-10 for girls it's a disaster in most of the high street shops.

[MaineGirl]

i can definatley see a market for joules/bodenesque at more high street prices. As in t-shirts with nice patterns and appliques that aren't either rude slognas/brands or skate/surfer barbie/bratz type girls.
also more stripes, brighter colours for both sexes. I really like boden style, fit and cut for the girls and younger boys clothing so to be able to buy something like that on the high street would be brilliant.

[Kyrie]

I think there is a gap for stuff like Poppy & Ned clothes. Classic, unbranded plain clothes for kids but hopefully a bit more affordable.

Obviously couldn't be in cashmere etc but made in cheaper material with the same style.

[LynetteScavo]

cahu sums it up well.

I would like to see more traditional girls clothes, but not too frilly.

[getawiggleon]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I'd been thinking along the same lines. Classic, brightly coloured basics, poss with a little design (poss not) and different colours without sludgy colours for boys and a variety of colours for girls other than forty shades of pink/ lilac.

I do like a lot of the Boden designs (although I think their stuff is pitched to a certain income bracket)

DD is only 12 months so I haven't ventured much beyond the realms of babywear but I have noticed leopard print leggings in the older girls section in Next - wtf??! Do they also do leather bodices to match? And everything in M&S these days appears to be a migraine-inducing shade of sugared almond pink and/or has Peppa Pig emblazoned all over it.

What are general thoughts on Gap Kids/ Baby Gap?

[MaineGirl]

Gap kids /baby gap is really good, its about the only place i shop on the high street for the childrens clothes.
my ds2 is 8 and is tall for his age so he often is wearing clothes that are too grown up for him. thishappened even more when he was 3 or 4 as he was in a 5-6 or 6-7 and it was all skater wear so boden and gap were my life savers and the odd bit from m&s.
dd1 whilst she loves pink and glitter she actually prefers clothes in brighter colours, so again we usually shop in gap. Good priced basics that last for ever, and vigourous washing and tumble drying. Their padded winter jackets are really good as well. i also like that you can buy a fully co-ordinating outfit, tops/jumper, jeans/skirt wiht embroidery and tights or socks and often knitwear, and hair accessories.
the boys jeans are good as come in a range of widths, so a good fit for all 'types' of children.
the only downside to Gap is that they used to use chail labour, i beleive they have cut down now and maybe stopped but tbh i haven't researched and do forget this point when looking for clothes for the children.

also some of john lewis own brand clothing is good too. non logo, bright colours and more classic designs.

[Fruitbatlings]

I love love love Joules for my boys, I can't afford full price but buy lots when there's a sale
I avoid the high st for childrens clothes, apart from Gap which, again, I buy from if there's a sale on

[Marne]

I'm fussy when it comes to children's clothes, i like my dd's to look nice but different (not to wear what all other children are wearing). There seems to be a lack of childrens clothes shops, where i am it either Next, Primark or BHS. We do have a small childrens boutique near by with lovely clothes but the prices are way too high, no way i'm paying 30.00 for a skirt or top.

Dd's wear mainly Boden, Next, Joules as well as some george clothing. I tend to buy supermarket clothes for nursery as its cheep and dd2 gets very grubby.

I was just thinking today that i might start customizing some clothes for the dd's using some flowery fabric, cutting out shapes and sewing them onto plain t-shirts as i can never find designs that i like in the shops.

I have also been hunting hi and low for dungarees for the dd's as its hard to get them for children over 3 years old.

A lot of the girls clothes in the shops (Next Adams etc..) are too grown up for younger girls, i don't want my girls wearing crop tops and mini skirts, dd1 is a bit of a tom boy so i find it hard to find clothes that are not pink and girly.

Dd2 gets dirty easily (always covered in pen,paint, glitter and food) so i struggle to find her clothes in darker colours, its a waste of time buying her pastel colours of white as they get stained straight away.

So i would like to see:

Darker coloured clothing (not pastel colours)

Dungarees (trendy ones)

More exciting designs, similar to Boden but more affordable.

Clothes that are made to last using nice fabrics.

Clothes that are not too grown up.

Clothes that are practical (that can be worn for playing in).

[getawiggleon]

Wow, some really good comments here. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. It does seem that the baby market is reasonable well catered for but then things seem to slide off the scale when it comes to 7/8 year olds etc (esp girls)

Totally agree re comments about Gap too. Their stuff washes very well, is usually age-appropriate and they cover a whole range of colours. Plus if you're canny they regularly have sales/ 30% off promos etc.

I think there's a gap for hardwearing, brightly coloured basics in jersey, cotton etc - materials that are comfortable to wear and easy to care for etc. I love the Boden designs but £24 is a bit steep for a (fairly thin) cotton dress with an appliqued strawberry on the front - as cute as they are I'd love to know how much they actually cost to produce!

Never really looked into Joules though. Will check out their site now...

[Shinyshoegirl]

I really like the French retailer Du Pareil Au Meme (aka DPAM) who have a UK website and one or two shops here. Good quality, very strong design and reasonable prices. Plus the fit is really good for slimmer children; it's the only place I've found that has jeans to fit my DD's.

[hollypocks]

Love Cyrillus and wish there was a UK cheaper equivalent.