Knitch Magazine

Styles come and go with the changing seasons, so just as with adult fashion trends, our children’s clothing and accessories need to reflect the latest styles. Some of those same trends and designers of women’s and men’s fashions also create gems for our wee ones especially in terms of knitwear. Stellar haute-couture designers feature children’s collections and do quite well with them. For example, Ralph Lauren has partnered with Bloomingdale’s to introduce his Children’s Virtual Storytime where children and their parents can check out new school fashions and then shop for the featured Ralph Lauren pieces. So which adult trends are fascinating the wee ones and preteens this autumn and which styles are all their own?

The cardigan is definitely reigning supreme over the younger set, especially for little girls as in the feminine Sublime Posh Cardi. The asymmetrical or wrap style is particularly in vogue and ranges from novelty yarns used in such sweaters as the Splendido Ballet Cardigan. Also Fair Isle designs are well represented with this type of jacket including the Baby Crofter Ballerina Cardigan knitted in a self-patterning yarn. Even babies can easily get in on this trend with such adorable projects as Crystal Palace’s Bunny Hop Side Wrap Baby Kimono and the MinnowMerino Baby Wrap Cardi from Jil Eaton.

The military look is another adult trend that wee ones can enjoy with specific tailoring details suitable for girls and boys. The Sublime Little Military Coat is a marvelous example of subtle design details like shoulder epaulettes added to a classic jacket style. Also the double-breasted look is back for wee ones this fall, and Debbie Bliss gives us a sensational option with the Eco Baby Double Breasted Coat crafted of a yarn that is eco-friendly and multi-seasonal as well. Or for an easier project, check out the Sublime Vintage Duffle Coat with its double-breasted front closure too.

The third adult trend that has carried over into the children’s market for fall is an interest in capes although other types of outerwear are also on tap to protect little ones from autumn’s chilly weather. The Cotton Classic Butterfly Capelet from Interweave Knits is ideal for any little girl who likes a bit of feminine drama. But hoodies are once again the dominant choice in outerwear and all types of hooded sweaters are available. From Jane Ellison’s Furin Alex Hooded Jacket to the adorable Hooded Pixie Coat, the hooded jacket or sweater adds great versatility to any child’s casual wardrobe. We especially like Rowan’s Calmer Ashton Hooded Jacket because of its unisex styling and multi-seasonal functionality.

And, of course, we can’t leave out the urban cowgirl trend, which little girls enjoy even more than their grown-up counterparts we suspect. The only difference here is that instead of a sophisticated, Spanish-gaucho approach, the young ones are sporting their fringe attached to garments reminiscent of the American West. For example, boys and girls will say giddy-up when wearing the Unisex Fringed Jacket or Louisa Harding’s Handknit Cotton Sheriff Jacket. Or our babies might enjoy the comfort and pizzazz of the Suede Baby Moccasins with their own retro/boho look. Or we could go all out and make the complete outfit following along with the designers at Berroco in the Jesse Fringed Jacket Set.

Now instead of the heavy emphasis on accessorizing with boots and the taller the better, children’s fashions show the predominance of what is being called “visible socks.” In other words, any footwear that is visible as part of the overall outfit is an important fashion statement. Knee-high socks are all the rage, and we love the bright colors in Crystal Palace’s Mini Mochi Toddler Knee High Socks as just one example. Also self-patterning legwarmers are very much in vogue, and the Fortissima Cozy Crawlers are colorful and comfy, while the Crofter DK Leg Warmers are terrifically easy to create. Or we can add the animal-print trend to our newborn’s wardrobe through the Cashsoft Zebra Socks if we prefer.

And last but not least, we need to be sure that the popular colors of the season are well reflected in our little ones’ clothing and accessories. Red is the hot color for children as shown in the collections of Roberto Cavalli Angels. Sirdar’s Little Miss Scarlet Set is a perfect illustration of how lovely this hue can be on many wee ones. Red is often combined with gray, navy and deep green and has been translated into gorgeous plaids, tweeds and tartans by such high-fashion designers as Jean Paul Gaultier. One project that combines the tweedy effect with the asymmetrical jacket is the Tiny Tots Side Tie Cardigan. Or we might go with the brights mixed with neutrals that textile guru Eisaku Noro does so well as in the auto-striping Silk Garden Sock Girl’s Cardi. But no matter which style we choose, there are plenty of wonderful shades to suit any little one’s coloring and skintones.