Kids Clothing Stores
Janie & Jack
LOCATION:
The Atrium Mall
300 Boylston St.
617-527-0456
The Natick Collection
1245 Worcester St.
508-647-0146
250 Granite St., Braintree
781-843-3180
Is it just us, or do most little boys' collections these days look like a football lineup? We get the quasi cuteness of premature testosterone dressing, but hasn't it all gone a little far? When you're aching to see your pre-K pal dressed like a little guy who actually knows how to dress, Janie & Jack's dapper-but-cool seasonal collections are one-stop shopping for sizes 6 months to 8 years. Think snuggly intarsia sweaters and overalls with appliquès of cars to wool vests and elbow-patched houndstooth jackets and matching newsboy caps. In short, stuff that is darling to us, but never embarrassing to them. JanieandJack.com
Children's Orchard
LOCATIONS:
807 Boylston St., Brookline
617-277-3006
446 Boston St., Billerica
978-671-0008
139 Endicott St., Danvers
978-777-3355
861 Edgell Rd., Framingham
508-788-0072
196 E. Main St., Milford
508-473-3383
1 Merrymac St., Newburyport
978-462-5437
1001 Providence Hwy., Norwood
781-769-4388
225 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley
978-948-6600
425 Iyannough Rd., Hyannis
508-775-4121
20 Commerce Way, Seekonk
508-336-7757
18 Lyman St., Westboro
508-366-KIDS
We all know how fast the little buggers grow - and how fast the cash flies out of our wallets trying to keep them in knickers that fit. Here's one place you can finally use the situation to your advantage: Children's Orchard resells gently used (read: practically pristine) pieces in sizes from newborn to teens, at a teensy fraction of the original price - often for just a few bucks each. Find everything from still-shiny patent leather maryjanes and dependable classic brands (Carter's, Levi's) to designer getups. (We recently scored a Tartine et Chocolat boy's button-down shirt for $3.) A selection of new shoes and used toys in good repair rounds out the score. ChildrensOrchard.com
Pipsqueak
42 Maple St.
Danvers, MA
978-777-2005
Sure, you'll count the usual designer finds (Cakewalk and Bébémonde, Baby Lulu and Deux Par Deux) here, but it isn't the names themselves that make for the perfect gifts. Rather, it's the singular sweetness of each and every outfit you come across. Pipsqueak's staff meticulously sifts through each season's collections and always manages to stock only the most special and most noticeably adorable pieces for newborns, toddlers, and older kids. In other words, they've done the hard work of gift selecting for you. So all you have to do is buy it, fork it over, and take all the credit. PipSqueakKidz.com
Pixie Stix
131 Charles St.
Beacon Hill, MA
617-523-3211
A temple to girlie-girldom if there ever was one, Pixie Stix pulls together all the fun of being female, without drowning itself - or you - in an overload of saccharine shades of pink. Swirly blue-and-taupe dresses, cool graphic T-shirts by Paul Frank's Small Paul line, topstitched denim in bright teals and violet, and A-line dresses that are as cute for the beach as they are for a birthday party. Sizes run from ages 6 to 16. Products available at TheRedWagon.com.
Lester Harry's
LOCATIONS:
115 Newbury St., Boston
617-927-5400
134 Washington St., Marblehead
781-631-4343
140 Washington St., Marblehead
781-631-4343
A spot dedicated to the notion that bald can indeed be beautiful: This little jewel box of a shop is filled top to bottom with pieces for swathing baby in luxury. Imagine newborn onesies in superplush terry cloth and velour (most imported from France and England), hand-knit hats and socks, soft-as-you-can-be baby towels, and teensy nautical-striped Petit Bateau swimsuits. Sizes do go up into children's, but the newborn sets are some of the most darling things in the store. If not the world. LesterHarrys.com
Calliope
Harvard Square
33 Brattle St.
Cambridge, MA
617-876-4149
Two parts toy and clothing store to one part shoe shop, Calliope's shelves are a hodgepodge of stuffed animals and puppets, bright hoodies, and fuzzy hats made by local crafters. But the shoe offerings (for babies, toddlers, and children to tweens) stand out for two reasons: First, the thoughtful selection. Imported high-enders like Elefanten sit next to funky leather sneakers, flower-festooned maryjanes, patent leather high-tops, and beautiful suede boots. Second, and of no small importance, the staff offers the kind of highly personal, ultrahelpful service that parents long for during the time-honored ritual of buying shoes for kids.
Bonpoint
18 Arlington St.
Back Bay, Boston, MA
617-267-1717
The ne plus ultra of clothing for wee ones, Bonpoint is where to head when your kids have been very, very good. (Or, failing that, at least when you want them to look very, very good.) The France-based company churns out the works for babies and children (into early teen sizes): velvet pinafores, matching floral tights, and precious eyelet jumpers for girls; crisp linen suits, argyle vests, and sharp corduroy trousers for boys. It's all the kind of heirloom-quality stuff worthy of all manner of picture days, holidays, pre-K graduation days, and birthday parties galore. Bonpoint.com
Red Wagon
69 Charles St.
Beacon Hill, Boston, MA
617-523-9402
Crammed with the kind of selection that makes you want to blow your own personal clothing budget on threads for people one quarter your size, Red Wagon basically nails that irresistible combination of European eclecticism and classic simplicity - a mixture of brightly swirled sweaters from Clayeux, dresses by Deux Par Deux, loud prints by Baby Lulu, and quietly patterned jackets by Tea Collection. Sizes run from newborn to 6X, but the standout outfits are for the playdating set. A modest but thoughtful book selection plus great toys made by the likes of Eboo and Brio are here as well. TheRedWagon.com
Olivia Rose
1945 Ocean St.
Marshfield, MA
781-834-8851
When it comes to kids' clothes, there are two categories: too cute for words (good), and too cute to get dirty (bad). Finding pieces that are both adorable and substantial enough for outside play isn't easy, but Olivia Rose rises to the challenge. Racks here are hung with loungewear sets in tiny prints by Sweet Potatoes, denim galore, casual sundresses by Baby Lulu, and sweet-but-sturdy sweaters and shirts by Le Top that are built for both relaxing and looking great. Finally, a selection of clothes that hit that elusive happy medium - and as a result, keep everyone happier. OliviaRoseChildrensBoutique.com