Labels Splendid, Splendid Mills, Splendid Girl, Splendid Littles, Ella Moss, Ella Moss Black Label, Ella Moss Girl and Little Ella are all holding a super sample sale next Friday.  If you’re in the area and are needing new threads for you, a family member or a gift, this sale is calling your name.

WHERE: Cooper Building: 860 South Los Angeles Street, 8^th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90014 [Googlemap]

WHEN: Friday, June 4 – Saturday, June 5, 9am-4pm

While perusing through the latest Stella McCartney for Gap Kids lookbook, I happened upon a rather hyped child wearing an anchor sweater.  It was one of those things itching at me – where had I seen that before?

It was actually at Net-A-Porter, months ago when Stella released her Intarsia sweater in creme; which is the same anchor design as the new Gap Kids sweater, only in blue this time around.

Considering the Intarsia sweater was nearly $700, if you can squeeze comfortably into the Gap Kids version you’re good to go for a fraction of the original’s cost!

Rad kid’s shoes are hard to come by, especially affordable ones. Even if you’re rabidly anti-baby such as I, there is a need for kid’s shoes, and it’s largely being met with crappy footwear. Gravity Pope has a wicked selection of affordable ankle biter foot covers, so let’s explore the options beyond utter child kick catastrophe.

Converse is (of course) a staple for any pre-adult, and Gravity has colored pairs for $24 a pop – how rad is that! If you’re not a parent that is feeling the bold colors, take a peek at Ked’s distressed stripey slide in sneaks; they’re just under $7 per pair (for kiddies against stripes, there is a navy blue design for $5)

If your kid is into day-glo, the Converse neon canvas trainers are pretty awesome, if you like boiling your retinas (and what kid dosen’t?) – those will set you back $34. For the girlies, there’s no reason to have lame, un-sparkly flats. To remedy boring shoe-dom, try Puma’s Espera glitters, who ring in at $30 per pair.

No, seriously – these are children’s drop crotch leggings.

Denmark label Popupshop has created some fantastic legwear for the wee ones, including two pairs of harem leggings ($49).  I can imagine these would be pretty damn comfortable for the super youngins to loll around in, and even the older kids.

Popupshop has sizing which ranges from 6-12 MO to 7-8 years, so some pretty rad clothing for those who really need it the most.  If you think of the scores of sloppy, style void little ones running around then you’ll need no more prying to pick up some of these pieces.  After all, kids learn from you so start dressing them creatively from the get-go.

There aren’t only leggings available; there are animal pattern tights ($28), v-neck sweatshirt ($58) and a whole host of other items to check out.

This baby harem design has American Apparel‘s steeze written all over it – I imagine it won’t be long before we’re seeing inspired by pieces!

Burberry has extended their kids range and have some snappy new additions as of right now.

I’m particularly fond of the gray check trousers ($80), wee kilt ($110) and the ruffle front check button up ($90). I realize it’s exorbitantly, but kid’s clothing is truly undervalued in this society.  Take cues from Burberry’s children’s range and dress your mini you accordingly.

There’s nothing worse than a child in tacky kid’s clothes – style them into mini adults for a true win.

For once it seems that concerned groups actually have something here (there’s a first for everything, I know).  It’s wee Tavi Gevinson that has parents’ knickers in a knot, as she takes to the internet and the world with her quirky take on designer’s works, she’s posting regular photos of herself with her creations.

I think it’s wonderful that she has so much creativity and an outlet to express it, but it seems that these style enthusiasts appear more interested in becoming an internet celebrity than someone known for posting intelligent, unique content on their blog space.

I get the impression that Tavi’s efforts are likely genuine and that she actually has a true love for design and expression via clothing, but there has to be another way for a child to express themselves in this way without smattering their face across the electronic world.  Not only for her safety from potential physical harm, but protection from industry exploitation, which appears to have already begun.

Aside from the apparently very minimal issue of shameless self pimping, I’ve found that more often these bloggers are simply using their ‘fashion’ blog to post photos of themselves wearing outrageous clothing.  In the former social world, it was considered a massive faux pas to discuss one’s salary; I consider a blogger standing beside a Chanel gown rack and having their blog acting as a shrine to themselves to be committing the current equivalent of the the old world social error.

I realize that all blogs are built on the basis of vanity, but there seems to be a great decline in pride in workmanship these days.

It’s a curious thing to be marketing to youngsters; lamé leggings aren’t considered typical kids clothing.  It seems that  American Apparel has taken their designs for adults and created mini versions  – for a not so pint size price.

The kid sized lamé leggings, for instance, will cost you a grand $35 (the adult version is only $11 more).  The same story goes for the little gingham button up – it’s $47, and a similar adult oxford shirt is $27 more.

I get the appeal of kids dressing like wee adults (it’s the best way to design children’s ranges), but this kind of pricing for what you’re buying is insane.

Have you seen any youngsters rocking the AA of late? I haven’t, though I partially blame Vancouver for largely being a lot of  style challenged lovers of yogawear and Crocs.

It looks like American Apparel is taking more of their designs and making mini version for the kiddies.

Their current kids’ selection is fairly dull, but their ‘coming soon’ section illustrates some more interesting choices. So far, the preview photos indicate new onsies, bloomers and tights. Since the price points have not been released yet, I’m assuming the pieces will range from $15 – 20.

If you’re a parent, would you buy any of this for your kids?

I’ve been hearing this everywhere, and finally the straw broke the proverbial camel’s back earlier today.

Just because a jacket is designed in a band style does not mean it evokes the look of Balmain’s design house.

Balmain has a typical design style; streamlined fitting with a strong shoulder and fine military piping details.  A jacket may follow the forecasted band jacket trend, but that in no way means that you’re successfully imitating Balmain’s style.

It’s important to understand the earmarks of a brand before proclaiming that a piece follows that design, and please; let’s end the telltale “ohmygawd, that’s, like, sooo Balmain!”

Florals are one of those looks mentally dominated by the frumpiest people alive; women post menopause who haven’t given half a hoot about updating their wardrobe to your friendly neighborhood Hutterites. All this is changing in SS09; we have many different floral cuts designs.

The trick here is to go with polar opposites to create an up to date look; go for something edgy to compliment the softness of the floral pattern. I chose a lot of accessories and footwear with hardware on them, lots of punk influences and generally ‘harder’ accessories that would balance the look.

Try to pick a proper floral piece that has a modern fit. If the piece has any eccentricities (such as an asymmetrical zipper of lantern shape), even better! Match these pieces with plainer clothing that won’t distract but add to the image; I matched the floral jacket on the right with a pair of acid wash shorts that complimented the gray tones in the flower images, and a simple white tank to go with the more overpowering lantern skirt.

If you’re wearing a dress, it’s important not to look as if you’re just ready to hit the nearest garden party. A more intense ankle boot can assist with this; the green studded pair below picks up on the green tones of the leaves on the dress. They give a visual edge while still remaining compliant to the dress’ palate and at the same time you remain feminine with the heel.

An important item to bear in mind is don’t over style; keep layering simple and your floral piece the busiest fabric you’re wearing. Experiment with opposite often and styles like this will become effortless!

Outfit breakdowns:

Left: David Yurman chain necklace ($1,775; Avelle), Rag & Bone asymmetrical tank ($220; La Garçonne), Floral skirt ($65; Topshop), Betsey Johnson stretch bracelet ($45; Nordstrom), Sophia & Chloe silver bracelet ($112; Shopflick), Over the knee socks ($6; Forever 21) Studded vintage boots ($388; Free People),

Middle: Lela Rose dress ($1,295; Net-A-Porter), Cameo necklace ($285; La Garçonne), Fingerless studded gloves ($50; HSN)

Right: Floral asymmetrical jacket ($130; Topshop), Acid wash shorts ($50; Topshop), Roberto Cavalli bracelet ($450), Jimmy Choo ‘Riki’ bag ($1,895; Net-A-Porter), Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘Moto’ boots ($287; Mrs H)

Don’t kid yourself (har, har)…this one isn’t for the faint of wallet.  FCUK has begun creating mini versions of some adult staples;  having pea coats, leather jackets and flapper dresses among them.  After all, what child should have to live without their very own dry clean only dress?

I would suggest these threads for your ankle biters only if you have an abundance of expendable cash, or send your laundry out; since most of the nicer pieces are dry clean only.  With dresses averaging out at $100 and jackets hovering at the $200 mark, these aren’t for thrifty parents.

Though I think we can all admit your kid will look pretty awesome if decked out in FCUK Kids, I can’t get past the fact that a similar jacket can be found at Superstore by Joe Fresh for $39.

From left to right: Miller Leather jacket ($298), Kinicke Pea coat ($178), Starlight sequin dress ($108)

Yea, I was kind of shocked as well, but Joe Fresh has proven me wrong yet again. As I was perusing through the women’s section for myself, I realized I have another cousin just birthed that I need to gift so I migrated over to the terrifying world of children’s clothing. I was mildly shocked that most of the items for youngins and super youngins were decently designed and appropriately priced.

I found one a blush colored long sleeved shirt with a flappy thing at the bottom (apparently they’re supposed to have that) for $5 that has “milk lover” (or something close to that effect) written over it in French for $5. They had a decent assortment of these things, and matching bottoms ran for $8 each.

Some other girly items of note were bubble skirts (printed and solid) for $14, jeans for $14 and tights for $5. I hear tell kids wear out their things mighty fast (I know I did), so I daresay prices like these would be reasonable to child manners.

As for the boys, I found a Kurt Cobain type red and black button up plaid shirt for $10; a super steal. The shirt was soft, and was thick enough to be worn without an undershirt…I was impressed!

The boy’s pricing for denim and shirts were within the same ranges as girls’; $10-14 per piece. The stuff seemed pretty trendy as well; I know I have a hard time finding buffalo check shirts so having them in pint sizes is pretty awesome. I’m still no lover of the young, but at least this way one can afford to keep them looking presentable.