Parents know they are huge influence on their kids.  Even when you don’t think they’re paying attention, they are!

Have you ever had one of those moments when you look at your child and realize they are a mini version of you?  Could be in their mannerisms, the phrases they use, the tone of their voice or even their fashion sense.  Imitation is the best flattery and the kids love to flatter… good, bad or ugly! 

Why not take this imiation to the next level and let your kids dress like you too?  Children’s fashion trends feed off of adult styles.    Take this cute little orange trench (pictured left) from Gymboree and the handsome boys ensemble from crewcuts by J. Crew (above right).  Both are styles that could most definitely be worn and loved by adults and kids alike.  The key is keeping these mini adult versions in kid friendly fabrics that wash well and most of all, are comfortable.  Kids don’t want fussy and parents want function.

Little girls and little boys love to emulate mommy and daddy.  As parents, we strive to provide a positive, well rounded example for our kids to learn from.  Why not make your style part of the example?

Loobalee.com:  Your premier site to buy and sell quality kids’ clothes!

Hanna Andersson is doing their part to help support the oil spill crisis in the Gulf of Mexico by making a donation to the National Wildlife Federation. 

The National Wildlife Federation has done some amazing work to rescue wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico due to the damaging effects of the BP oil spill a few months back.  To date, over 1,100 mammals, birds and sea turtles have been cleaned and released and 278 sea turtle nests have been relocated.  The oil spill not only poses an immediate risk to the wildlife but has a long term impact on sea creatures in the Gulf and beyond.

You can do your part by purchasing one of Hanna Andersson’s “Save the Sea” cozy cotton tees for just $12.  These adorable cotton t-shirts sport a turtle graphic and are appropriate for boys and girls.  They are available is sizes 80 (10-24 months) to 140 (9-11 years) and are the same Swedish quality you would expect from your favorite Hanna kids-wear.

What’s better than getting new clothes and helping a wonderful cause?

  Loobalee.com:  Your premier site to buy and sell quality kids’ clothes!

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Just when we thought we would never see Oilily again, we are so excited to learn that they are back! 

Oilily has just completed their Autumn/Winter 2010 collection along with a new collection of bags for women and children.   The new lines will be available worldwide at department stores, children’s specialty boutiques and on the official Oilily webstore.  

Visit Oilily Shop to save 30% on past clothing styles for women and children for the entire month of July.  Tune back in for the new range and new web shop in August. 

Need your Oilily fix now?  Pre-order “The Gypsy Tales of Winter” collection for girls sizes newborn to size 10 online at Tyler and Tullulah.  You can also shop for Oilily on Loobalee. 

We’ll keep you posted on more Oilily news as it happens. 

Loobalee.com:  Your premier site to buy and sell quality kids’ clothes!

Exciting news for all you American Eagle fans!

77 Kids, American Eagle’s little sibling is opening up their first stores this July.  Each store opening will be preceded with a traveling Yummobile giving away free goodies, toys and coupons.

Here’s the scoop on the 77kids store opening and location…

The Mall at Robinson in Pittsburg opens July 15.

Danbury Fair Mall in Danbury opens July 22.

Carousel Center Mall in Syracuse opens July 23.

Cherry Hill Mall in South Jersey opens July 29.

Mall of America in Minnesota opens July 30.

Check the 77kids website for the store opening schedule and to get details on the traveling Yummobile locations and dates.  Don’t miss the free coupon download for 20% off during your first in store visit.

We hope this opening of 5 stores is just the beginning for 77kids!

  Loobalee.com:  Your premier site to buy and sell quality kids’ clothes!

Macy's Kids Department Display - Spring 2010

While you have probably noticed that Peace Signs adorn absolutely everything in kids apparel, accessories, and merchandise this year, you may not know that 2010 is the 50th anniversary of the introduction to the Peace Sign to the U.S.   In 1960, the  peace sign button was imported into the United States by a student who traveled to England to meet with British peace groups as a delegate from the Student Peach Union (SPU).  The student brought them back to Chicago where he convinced SPU to use it as its symbol.  Peace Sign buttons were then sold by the thousands on college campuses and became internationally adapted by anti-war protesters by the end of the 60′s.

So, it stands to reason that exactly 50 years later,  Peace Signs would be back in the mainstream.  And, it also stands to reason that 60′s styles of clothing would also be trending.  I’m sure you’ve seen versions of “hippie clothing”, “gypsy clothing”, and “bohemian clothing” on babies, kids, teens, and people of all ages.

I recently went on a trip to Chicago,  scouting out the spring shopping – of course!  I live in an area with relatively little good shopping, so I like to go to a bigger city to experience and feel the trends.   Perhaps just to confirm what I already knew — there is no bigger trend in kids clothing than Peace signs (and not just for girls!).  I thought maybe Justice just lacked creativity — given about 50% of everything on their website right now has a peace sign on it.

But it’s not just Justice. Peace signs are everywhere.  You’ll find peace sign baby clothes, peace sign shirts, peace sign dresses, peace sign bathing suits, peace sign beach towels, peace sign jewelry, peace sign bags and purses peace sign accessories, and peace signs on shoes — you name it!  This trend already started last summer, and while we saw some of it the Fall/Winter collections, this spring the peace sign has hit “mega trend” popularity status.   From a designer’s and manufacturer’s perspective, it must be a trend sent from heaven — since I’m sure its just so easy to throw a colorful Peace sign screen print on summer tee’s, tank tops, knit shorts, etc.

So, while I too am enjoying some of the Peace Sign merchandise out there, one or two items in my kids wardrobes are plenty.   But, it concerns me from an environmental perspective (this being Earth Day week and all), that these sort of fast fashion trends, capitalized on  by the mass manufacturers who seem to lack creativity for anything else, are perhaps filling our landfills faster than anything!

Have you noticed that Peace Signs have  replaced the Disney and Nickelodean themed T-shirts — I’m seeing very  little iCarly, High School Musical, Jonas Brothers, Sponge Bob, Hanna Montana etc.  This was a trend we previously wrote about.  Where are all those zillions of Hanna Montana and High School Musical shirts now?  Does anyone want to wear them anymore?  I’m thinking not.  I bet they have very little value at garage sales, and will soon find their way into our landfills.

For not going all the way there, I applaud the likes of  Gymboree, Hanna Andersson, mini Boden, the Gap, and others.  While you can find an occasional Peace Sign, you can also find inspired designs and lines for the times, yet respectful of our history.  For example, check out “Woodstock” by Gap – now in their Spring line up.

What do you think?  How “into” Peace Signs are your kids?  And, here’s a question…what do you predict will be the next ‘fast fashion’, mega-trend that can easily be silk-screened on zillions of garments?  I’m seriously worried that for lack of anything else, it will just be the next big Disney or Nickelodean teen superstar.

Reselling kids clothing is a fantastic way to extend the life of your child’s wardrobe while being environmentally friendly by re-purposing them.  For those clothing items that will not earn a good return on resale but are still perfectly wearable, consider donating them. 

Now through April 28,  H&M is hosting a Clothes for Kids drive that will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in celebration of Earth Day.  Donate you gently worn kids clothing to any H&M store that carries the children’s collection.  As a thank you, you will receive a 20%-off coupon good on a future children’s purchase.  Click here to find a location near you. 

Don’t forget to take advantage of our Resell to Recycle program and get 4 months of free selling time on LoobaLee.  Clean out those closets full of outgrown kids clothing and start selling or donate to help kids, the economy and the environment!

Loobalee.com:  Your premier site to buy and sell quality kids’ clothes!

Madonna (singer, director, producer and fashion trend setter) and Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (whose brands include Ed Hardy, Ecko, Mudd, Roca Wear and Candie’s) is slated to launch a new MG Icon clothing line for junior girls sold exclusively at Macy’s.  

The 51 year old icon is looking to her 13-year-old daughter, Lourdes for inspiration in designing the line which is to be appropriately named, the “Material Girl” collection.  The newly created line is to debut at approximately 200 Macy’s stores and at Macys.com this August, just in time for back to school.  

The young collection will include fashion apparel items and accessories such as jewelery, footwear and handbags ranging in price from $12-$40.   In addition, Macy’s will have the opportunity to expand the brand by introducing merchandise such as perfume and beauty items under the MG icon in the future.  

Macy’s chief merchandising officer, Jeff Gennette, said in a press release; “We believe that ‘Material Girl’ will be a dynamic exclusive brand for Macy’s, and we look forward to working with Madonna, Lourdes and the Iconix team.  Madonna is a fashion icon who can bring a new dimension to our juniors customer.  Material Girl’ will enhance the excitement of fast fashion at Macy’s.”

We look forward to the new designs and only hope that her promiscuous and infamous cone shaped bra, garters and thigh high boots won’t be a part of the trendy collection.

ll
 

Loobalee.com:  Your premier site to buy and sell quality kids’ clothes!

J. Crew has custom designed a special “Hands Helping Haiti“ t-shirt just for their little customers. 

The unisex style shirt, designed by J. Crew’s in-house artists, has handwritten Creole phrases.  The best part is that all of the profits from its sale will be donated to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.  The fund specifically raises money for Haitians who are in most need of  immediate and high-impact relief as well as long-term recovery efforts. 

The shirt is priced at $25 and is available in sizes 2 to 14.  Online orders on crewcuts, including the special hugs to Haiti shirt, ship for free.

Loobalee.com:  Your premier site to buy and sell quality kids’ clothes!

Spring is finally on it’s way!  As the snow slowly melts and the sun starts enticing kids outside for more play time, be prepared for muddy shoe syndrome.  Avoid sacrificing your kids shoes to moisture and mud by picking up a pair of rain boots or as we like to call them, slop boots.   

They are perfect for running around playground and in the backyard in the spring as well as for exploring the beach when temperatures rise.  The bonus, just hose them down and you’re good to go.  

Rain boots are not just for rainy days anymore.  They are quickly becoming a fashion statement.  Girls love them with skirts and dresses, like little fashion icon, Suri Cruise does and boys just love wearing them.  It’s an affordable way to bring a little more fun into your children’s wardrobe. 

Not only will a cool pair of kid friendly boots make exploring more fun but will but will put parents at ease knowing their good shoes won’t be sacraficed to the mud monster. 

Finding the perfect pair that your kids will love is easier than ever.  We’ve got a few ideas for you below that won’t break the bank (all under $35).  

Loobalee.com:  Your premier site to buy and sell quality kids’ clothes!