Brands to Love: 10 Unique Kids' Clothing Brands

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Written By Maggie Panos

Have you ever been on the playground with your kid, minding your own business, when you look up and realize half the kids are wearing the same print in various iterations? Your daughter has a dress with a cute floral pattern and she’s playing with a girl with pants made of the same material. Over on the monkey bars, another girl has an identically patterned sweatshirt. 

Nothing against major brands — my kids have closets full of Carter’s, Cat & Jack, and Old Navy items too — but it couldn’t hurt to venture out into more unique territory, right?

The following brands have flown a bit under the radar, with the exception of a couple companies with a large international fanbase (I see you, PatPat). You'll find flouncy skirts, matching sets made to withstand the test of a hot-water hundred washes, and custom denim jackets fit for the pickiest princesses.

Young Days Helinski Shirt

  1. Young Days

Comfy basics from a family-founded company.

Launched in 2022 by father-son duo Jeremy Fischer and Jeff Fischer, Young Days has been one of my favorite brands since my toddler tried out their bestselling Helinski Shirt and Stockholm Sweatpants. My friends and relatives are very familiar with this set, because he's been wearing it for over a year. (In toddler years, that's a lifetime.)

It's the easiest set to toss on him for daycare, a field trip, or a walk around the neighborhood. He sleeps in it, he eats in it, he poops in it. It's been washed probably over 50 times at this point and it still fits him. Think of this set like the jeans in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but for toddlers.

2.

Lola + The Boys

Unapologetically girly dresses for her inner princess.

If you have a little girl, social media has tried to sell you one of two things: Portrait sessions at Enchanted Fairies or clothes from Lola + The Boys. One of these things is an insane scam designed to sell you "priceless" memories for thousands of dollars — I should wear a badge that says "Ask me about my Enchanted Fairies experience" — and one is a trendy kids' boutique with dozens of ruffled skirt options. 

Lola + The Boys is an absolute dream for girly-girls, to the point where I wouldn't even dare show the website to my 5-year-old because she would want everything. They have bejeweled clothes for girls, a fairly large mommy-and-me collection, and even some boys' stuff. Though they run on the pricier side, you really can't beat one of their dresses for a special occasion.

Bonus: The company, founded by Irina Ovrutsky in 2016, has two storefronts in Chicago. Be warned that if you bring a little girl in there, you might not make it out without having to take out a second mortgage on your home.

3.

Monica + Andy

Disney prints on an unbelievable budget.

It's been a decade since Monica Royer launched her too-cool-for-school kids' brand, which makes super-soft clothes meant for rough-housing. It's one of the few niche brands that caters to kids from birth all the way to 14 years — and it even has some maternity and some family matching options.

One of the nice things about Monica + Andy is that they've partnered with Pixar to come up with some truly creative collaborations. (My daughter is, in fact, wearing their Sporty Sweatsuit Bundle in Disney Princess Checkerboard as I type this.) Trust me when I say these clothes will draw envious stares from kids at the park — and their parents will not believe the price point.

  • Sizes: Newborn to 14 years, plus adult sizes

  • Price point: $5 to $48

  • Buy: The bestselling Sporty Sweatsuit Bundle ($14 to $48), which comes in several rotating patterns

4. Forever French

A minimalist baby brand with flair.

If you’re not sensing a pattern, let me lay it out for you: Our household is all-in on matching sets. I outfit both my kids in the modern equivalent of a tracksuit because I don’t have to think about how to coordinate a top and bottom and, as an added bonus, these sets are usually machine-washable.

Occasionally, my inner Laura Ashley comes out and I want to match with my daughter, which is where Forever French comes in. This brand was started by Chantelle French, who wanted to raise awareness after her daughter’s Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis. It’s blossomed into a formidable company that boasts three brick-and-mortar locations — two in Arizona, where the family is based, and one in Montana — and a huge selection of minimalist pajamas, sweat-sets, and loungewear for kids and moms.

Almost all the prints are in neutral tones and there’s nary a ruffle in sight, which is a huge relief for those of us who don’t want to stuff ourselves into flowing gowns just to match with our minis.

5. Livly

Splurge-worthy baby clothes from Sweden.

Mom-owned Swedish brand Livly supplied my daughter with hands-down the best coat she’s ever tried on. Made of shiny gold and featuring a cinched waist, lightly elevated shoulders, and the brand’s signature “sleeping cutie” pressed onto the buttons, it is nothing short of a damn shame that it’s not stocked on the website anymore.

No matter! They still have fluffy onesies that will turn any baby into a pile of soft mush (what every parent actually wants), machine-washable sweatshirt dresses for toddlers, and the wool coats for the most proper of tiny humans.

Items from Livly will run a pretty penny — the average top runs around $52 — but these pieces are more than worth it for a special occasion or if you know your kid will wear it over and over.

Girls' outfit from Kidpik

6. Kidpik

A subscription service with unique style.

Not all heroes wear capes, and not all moms know how to style an outfit. My kids are lucky if their socks are matching. Kidpik exists for those of us who wouldn’t thrive as momfluencers; they create full outfits, so you don’t have to.

Technically, Kidpik is a subscription service. You take a little quiz, pay a monthly fee, and get sent a curated boxes for your kids. Shipping and returns are free, in case your kid isn’t into any of the items.

I prefer to purchase the items solo so I can have a bit more control over what I’m buying, which is why I love the outfits page. I know exactly what I’m buying, but all the items are coordinated so I don’t have to henpeck around a website. The clothes are, dare I say, cool? There are a ton of basics with flair, though perhaps not as many cat-centric items as my daughter would like.

  • Sizes: 12 months to XXL (16)

  • Price point: $5 to $25

  • Buy: A full outfit like Paris to Rome ($64), with or without shoes

7. Stonz

The greatest shoes your toddler isn’t wearing.

Do you have a toddler? If there is one product you buy off this list, please let it be the Cruiser™ Original Shoes from Stonz. I have been singing the praises of these shoes for years, and I will never stop.

Founded by a mom over 20 years ago, Stonz makes high quality outerwear — think snow suits and rain jackets — for babies and toddlers. But their crown jewel? The Cruiser™, a ridiculously functional shoe that is brilliant in its simplicity. It’s a breathable mesh sneaker that fastens with not-technically-Velcro. There’s a baby version for first-time walkers and a toddler version made for running.

They can be tossed in the washer and won’t come out looking like the dog’s chew toy. Toddlers can put them on and take them off themselves (a very important feature for tiny humans who want to do everything). I will continue to buy them in every size until my kid is too big, at which point I will beg this company to make them in larger sizes.

8. Little Chicken

Custom clothes as unique as your kid.

Founded in 2021, mom-and-pop shop Little Chicken — not to be confused with the also-adorable brand Pink Chicken — has a few signature items. The ever-popular “SNACKS” T-shirt ($28) is a winner, but their custom items are the real draw. Based out of a New Jersey storefront, they ship customized jean jackets, bombers, backpacks, and duffle bags. You pick the letters, patches, and style.

I used to have a fear of putting my kid in clothes emblazoned with their name. (Blame it on an upbringing saturated by ‘90s stranger danger.) Then I realized how many times I shout her name in public, anyway. May as well put her in a cute jacket.

9. PatPat

The most bang for your buck.

With over 2 million followers on Instagram, PatPat is the biggest company I never see kids wearing. They have basics for babies and kids, along with family matching sets, but you can get those anywhere. Instead, opt for the brand’s character clothing. They’ve licensed the characters from just about every Disney property, Paw Patrol, Baby Shark, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Peppa Pig — the list goes on.

Now, these clothes aren’t hand-stitched from the finest bamboo and cotton. They’re definitely more Charlotte Russe than Versace, if you catch my drift. But if you’re just looking to stock up on some sweatshirts with Anna and Elsa on them, this is the spot.

Caden Lane Onesie

10. Caden Lane

Buttery-soft pajamas and swimwear.

Caden Lane has gotten so big it almost doesn’t fit on this list. What started at a small, mom-founded company based out of South Texas has grown into a huge brand that offers not just clothes, but crib sheets, blankets, custom step-stools, and more.

Without a doubt, their biggest category is still bamboo pajamas for infants and kids, but I’m partial to their swimwear. You’ve never seen so many ruffles! And if there’s one place ruffles belong, it’s on the booty of a little girl’s one-piece. You can get matching family pieces for a coordinated day at the beach, or just one outfit, complete with a matching personalized towel.

Maggie Panos
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