Kit+Lili specializes in very retro looking children’s clothing. All of their pieces are very bold and very cute without the frills and bows. I particularly like this soft, pleated corduroy skirt with the adorable and simple owls making up this unique pattern.

Available at Black Wagon for $58.00.

Via Baby Gadget.

There’s a company so cool there aren’t words to describe them. Just numbers. 686 specializes in sport gear. Mainly snow and skating gear. While I neither ski nor skate, I sure can appreciate the convenience of having some basic tools handy. Especially when they are cleverly disguised in an accessory such as a belt. A toolbelt.

This belt integrates a #2 Phillips and #2 flathead screwdrivers, and 1/2, 9/16, and 3/8-inch wrenches as well as a bottle opener. Such tools are pretty convenient to have on hand for a number of chores, but supposedly they are particularly advantageous while on the slopes.

There is also a skaters version available which incorporates a #2 Phillips screwdriver 1/2, 9/16, and 3/8-inch wrenches. I guess a skater needs one less tool than a skier. Both go for $34.95 on Dog Funk.

The snow belt is also available for women (I guess women don’t skate). The womens toolbelts run between $49.95 and $69.95. Why more expensive? Because they’re prettier. The one for $69.95 is encrusted with Swarovski crystals so that your #2 Phillips is sparkley! Throw in a pink hammer and I’ll whack you with it.

Swarovski Crystal Snow Belt:                  Skate Toolbelt:

Let’s face it, most baby clothes readily available on the market are as generic as the companies that produce them. Sure they’re cute, in that “I’ve seen all that pastel before” kinda way. Mostly, they’re cute because they’re small, and miniature versions of anything always takes the cuteness factor up a few notches. And lets not even mention the stereotypical way they color code those little outfits to distinguish genders. Well let me assure you, generic baby clothes manufacturer, that my little girl will be no less a girl if she’s wearing, oh, I don’t know – green, or even *gasp* blue!

Anyway, all that cutsey-wootsie stuff is all well and good – until that child grows up with no taste and the poor thing is reduced to shop the likes of Gap and Abercrombie & Finch; overpaying for ugly, mass-produced clothing all just because they don’t know any better instead of rightly overpaying for proper couture like good little fashionistas!! Is that what you want?! I didn’t think so.

So start developing their fashion sense early and here’s a great place to start: Dragon Tail Baby is a designer and manufacturer of Asian inspired clothing for the little ones and they’re absolutely adorable and very original. This Flower Kimono One Piece is particularly appealing with it’s colorful print and intricate detailing. It’s also made in the USA with fabric imported from France. That makes it even fancier! And with it being mostly cotton (93%) and machine washable, it’s couture that’s still practical for baby.

Available at Cute Little Clothes for $40.00