Children's Products Retailers


Figure 1.--Eton suits remain a traditional favorite for yonger boys' formal wear. This Eton suit has suspender short pants and is worn with a shirt that has a Peter Pan collar.

HBC has received numerous requests from readers on where to purchase classically styled boys clothes. If you know of any or have comments on their merchandise, please advise HBC. Many visitors to HBC have asked about clothing retailers. While we can not answer individual requests for information about where the classic clothing depicted in HBC can be purchased, HBC has decided to compile a list of clothing retailers that stand out among the mass of clothing retailers that normally emerge from a normal internet search. We have begun to collect details on such retailers. HBC can not endorse specific retailers, but will indicate what makes the following retailers special. In general these are companies that offer classic, traditionally styles clothes or accessories. There are thousands of sources for "T"-shirts, sweatsuits, and baggy trousers on the internet. The companies listed here are a bit more difficult to find as the specialize in classic, traditional styles. HBC readers are incouraged to report back on their experiences with these retailers.

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Reader Requests

"Are any of these boy's sailor suits pictured in your HBC website for sale? Or do you know where I can purchase some for gifts for three toddler boys?"

I will be celebrating my 5th wedding anniversary with a ceremony and reception. My theme/colors are Victorian. I really like the boys attire shown in the HBC website. My 3 year old son will be my ring boy. Is an Eton suit close to the Victorian look? Is that ok for a November wedding? Can you gear me to a website that sells Victorian suits for boys. I am also looking for Victorian cake tops.

"I am looking for an Eton suit for my 3˝-year-old grandson. He will be a ring bearer at a mid-October wedding in New York City (I live in California). I remember purchasing one for my son many years ago, also for a wedding. I do feel little boys look adorable in short pants, hence my desire for a navy blue wool Eton suit."

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Selected Children's Classic Clothing Retailers

Here are some retailers that offer classic fashions. In most casrs theybare not replicas of classic styles, but rather modern updates based on classic styles. This varies greatly from company to companmy. HBC does not endorse these companies, but they do offer a range of classic styles that HBC readers have enquired about.

Baby Ultimate Sailor Suits

Navy Infant Sailor SuitInfant shorts set features an adorable nautical look in navy , including square back collar trimmed in double white ribbon and front square knot at neck. Buttons down front and at bottom for easy on and off. Shorts button to top all the way around. Makes a wonderful gift. 65% polyester / 35% cotton is machine washable. Imported. By C.I. Castro. Light Blue Infant / Toddler Sailor SuitInfant / toddler shorts set features an adorable nautical look in light blue , including square back collar trimmed in double white ribbon and front white square knot at neck. Buttons down front and at bottom for easy on and off. Shorts button to top all the way around. Makes a wonderful gift. 65% polyester / 35% cotton is machine washable. Imported. By C.I. Castro. They also offer Eton suits.

Bauchmueller

Bauchmueller is a German website with English-language pages available. The offere many different styles of lederhosen and other leather pants. They have both traditional and modedrn styles. HBC readers speak very highly of the company. One reader indicated that they have great service and super quality.

Bubbs

Bubbs is a British firm hand sewing classic baby and little girl dresses. They feature hand smocking. They feature: ** Beautiful Hand Smocked Dresses For Babies and Children ** Matching Knickers ** Each Dress Individually Styled ** Traditional and Modern Hand Smocking ** Beading * Lace Trim * Piping * Fully Lined ** Various Colours On Request

Dapper Lads

DapperLads: A clothing store for boys. Please browse through our store departments. We offer special occasion, holiday & a designers outlet (Regal Wear) , quality sportswear & pajamas (Classic Lads) , fun & durable playclothes (Rogue Wear) , swim and beach wear (Vacation Boys) , suspenders & hats (Accessories) , plus Gifts Sets and Toys. All especially for BOYS. One classic garment offered is the Eton suit. Detail and style are abundant in this classic eton by Royal Boys. The jacket has a black embroidered crest emblem. The shorts are cuffed and have attached suspenders. The short sleeve shirt has a peter pan collar and the bow tie is a full cut. The suit is poly/rayon. Dry clean. NOTE: The older boys eton does NOT have attached suspenders and the shorts are a walking short style- zip front, elastic back, no cuffs.

Grammie’s Attic

I sell vintage and heirloom children’s clothing as well as lovely classic clothing including nauticals. Scouted from attics across America, we bring you one of a kind heirlooms for your little one. Mostly handmade from the finest cotton batiste, lawn, and handkerchief linens, these dresses, gowns, and rompers feature exquisite details--hand smocking and delicate embroidery, tiny pintucking, and intricate drawnwork. In whites and baby pastels, these vintage garments have endured for 50 to 75 years and have been lovingly restored to showcase their original charm and beauty. Most of these lovely heirlooms were hand made, unique, one of a kind garments. In the rare instances in which we've been fortunate to find two matching items, the product description will indicate that more than one is available. We may be able to find you one of a similar style or with similar embroidery, but please understand that unless otherwise indicated there is only one of each of these special heirlooms.

Haute Paré

Haute Paré heirloom creations for special occasions: flower girl, ring bearer, bridesmaid, First Holy Communion, antique reproductions. Boys' wedding apparel: Little Lord Fauntleroy would feel just as proud as Aaron wearing this darling little ensemble. The shirt complements Sydney Ann's dress. Made in Swiss batiste, it features three rows of puffing on the front with a round silk organza collar with Madeira applique and edged with French lace, it has straight short sleeves and buttons onto the knickers with beautiful pearl buttons. The knickers are of silk dupioni, fully lined in cotton with a back fastening (straight leg pants are also available). Available in white/ecru (as shown), white/white Sizes: 2 - 4 years.


Figure 2.--Purchase your cap online! Propellerhead Alert!! Now You Can Show The World! From Interstellar Propeller the Company That's "Changing The Way America Flies" Comes The Most Fun Hat In The World Today! Now Available With The Incredible Glow In The Dark Propeller!

Handmades

Handmades offers a variety of classic styles for younger boys, including shortalls, ring bearer suits, play clothes and other styles. They also offer a line of patterns named "Michael". It is a versatile collection of shirts and pants for boys. Pants have pleated front and elasticized back waistline. Shirt buttons in the back.

Hollydays

Classic ring bearer costumes are available from Hollydays. The company ring bearer costumes in perfect harmony with the entire wedding party. This boys outfit, with square Battenburg Lace collar and knickers or short pants, is availiable in all frabrications and colors. Collars in white or ecru. Other boys styles include "Richard"-round Battenburg collar. "Johnny"-round self collar with piping and "William"-square self collar with piping. The designer explains, "My creations reflect the finishing touches of a cherished past...Lura-Margaret's freckles, Holly's greeting eyes, Clair's sense of humor, Brooks' simplicity, Byron's strength and Hunter's gentleness.

Interstellar Propeller

Purchase your cap online! Propellerhead Alert!! Now You Can Show The World! From Interstellar Propeller the Company That's "Changing The Way America Flies" Comes The Most Fun Hat In The World Today! Now Available With The Incredible Glow In The Dark Propeller! The propeller beanie or the 'beany cap' as we like to call it in tribute to 'Beany and Cecil' the children's puppet and cartoon shows that first popularized the cap, has been America's number one choice for funny hats since 1950. Although it's presence sagged in the 60s, starting in 1976 it was revived with the founding of Interstellar Propeller and it's innovation of creating the baseball cap or brimmed model of the propeller hat. Since then the propeller beanie, or beany as we call it has enjoyed a much deserved renaissance.

If the Shoe Fits

If the Shoe Fits offers saddle shoes for boys in blue and ecru. They are the best selling dress shoe style for younger boys. The ecru is not a traditional color, but the saddle shoe style is.


Figure 3.--Double strap shoes were once a popular summer style for children in the days before sneakers became the shoe of choice for both boys and girls.

J-Ray Shoes

A contemporary supplier of boys' 2-strap and T-strap sandals. J-Ray Shoes has been family owned and operated since 1955. They are dedicated to selling high-quality children's shoes. They specialize in hard to find styles and sizes. We particularly focus on traditional children's shoes to compliment classic and heirloom clothes as well as popular new styles such as the Bear Feet® Brand. They also concentrate on carrying shoes that come in various widths to accommodate narrow, medium and wide feet. J-Ray Shoes has many other styles not shown on this web site so feel free to call and inquire if you have special needs. You may also want to ask about the beautiful line of socks and tights as well as shoe care products.

Little One

Little One is a Union Alley Compamy specializing in the finest christening gowns. Little one offers a white Little Lord Faunleroy suit. The company describes it as "The perfect suit for very special formal occasions: christenings, weddings, Easter, portrait sessions and picture taking! Off white silk knickers and a linen shirt trimmed in English Nottingham Levers lace. Truly a handsome combination! Available in infant sizes too! Sizes 0-3m and 3-6m each come with a matching bonnet." The sizes run up to 7 years.

Nell Butler

Nell Butler offers various classic styles of pageboy and ringbearer fashions in sizes 2-5 years. Butler Manufacturing is located in Seffner, Florida.

Old England Paris

Welcome to Old England in Paris.

Pegeen

Pegeen, an Ironia, New Jersey manufacturer of children's special occasion clothes, has a double-breasted Eton suit in douppioni silk with a white silk shirt. It comes in many colors.

Perfect Pear

The Children's Boutique at The Perfect Pear offers special occasion clothing for infants and children, both boys and girls. Outfits are available weddings (flower girls and ring bearers), christening, First Communion dresses and suits as well as holiday wear, including velvet suits. A wide selection of classic and heirloom styles awaits you. Baby dresses and Christening gowns include some of the finest handwork and our Boys' Department includes classic knicker and bubble suits, smocking, and Eton suits.

Polzela Hosiery

This Slovenian company makes tights and kneesocks for boys and girls as well as hosiery for adukts and babies. Tights are worn by younger boys in several European countries during the winter. Boys and girls: Socks, tights and knee socks for boys and girls, made of cotton and also cotton combined with LYCRA.

Precious Child

Precious Child offers a wide range of Eton suits, sailor suits, velvet shirts, and short sets. There are both Spring/Summer and and Fall/Winter styles. Most are available only in todler sizes. Click on categories to get boy's fashions. Their web site is set up so that we can not take you directly to the boys' pages.

Prom4u: Clothes

Here you can read about the most fashionable types of dresses, gowns and styles. The site help you to plan your event.

Sandy's Shoes

Sandy's Shoes offers a wide range of shoe styles, both modern and classic. Their offerings include saddle shoes, "T" stap shoes, double strap shoes, single starp shoes in several different styles and colors.

Stitches in Time

Stitches in Time handmade children's clothing. Custom made clothing in vintage styles. Other custom made clothing: brother-sister outfits, little boys' suits, circle skirts, bloomers, sailor suits, made to your special order.

Shortalls and Smocked Blouses

As all my regular customers know, I have two sons and one grandson. Although I sewed for my boys when they were young, they wanted to dress like all the other boys when they entered school. Then I discovered how much FUN it was to sew for the little girls using all the heirloom laces and beautiful embroideries. However, I have been remiss in not having a selection of fine apparel for the boys. I plan to remedy that situation now. Please enjoy the following -- I will be adding more as I get it completed. As always, if you do not see what you have in mind, contact me and we will work on it together. Also, these selections can be coordinated to match the dresses for brother/sister outfits.

Snips 'n' Snails

Snips 'n' Snails offers a three-button navy Eton suit in poly/rayon and a short-sleeve white cotton/poly shirt in sizes to 4 years. A pair of check suspender shorts with a Peter Pan blouse is available to size 5.There are also shoralls and a velvet bib-front shorts set. This Midlothian, Virginia-based company is online.

Swann's Way

Swann's Way has gathered a charming collection from Schneiders of Salzburg, Rosevita Bles, Hammerschmid, Rascher and Giesswein . The shop is a unique exponent of traditional Austrian styles (Trachten) in London and the garments, which include such classics as Loden Coats, Dirndls and even Lederhosen, mix perfectly with the stock fashion items such as jeans, t-shirts, shirts, and skirts. The store offers lederhosen in men's and boy's sizes. The shop stocks leather breeches. These leather garments are made in traditional style by Hammerschmidt, a well-respected German company.

T-Barry Knickers

Boys' knickers went out of style in the 1940s. They have not, however, totally disappeared. Kniclers and flat caps with bright argyle kneesocks are still worn by fanshion concious golfers. This company offers golf knickers for boys--"Master T. Barry's" They advise: The future of golf through the tradition of the game. Dress like the greats of the game in the classic tradition of golf. Knickers are offered in black, red, and navy with contrasting argyl kneeocks as well as sweaters.

Tootsies

Tootsies is a 21 year old children's retail business located in Richmond, Va., that has 3 online stores since 2003 selling shoes, rainwear, and dancewear. The link information for these 3 stores is as follows: 1. Tootsies Stride Rite - Children shoes from Stride Rite, Keds, New Balance, Nike, etc., from size toddler 3 in all widths up to older child size 6. 2. Tootsies Kidorable Rainwear - Adorable child raincoats, rain boots and umbrellas based on animal characters and colors that will brighten up your child's rainy days. 3. Tootsies Chidlren Dancewear - Child dance shoes from Leos Dancewear and child dance clothes from Danskin from toddler sizes to young adult.


Figure 4.--This classic sailor suit is available from TessaG's Specialty Clothing.

TessaG's Specialty Clothing

TessaG's Specialty Clothing offers clothes from "The Wooden Soldier" and/or "Hartstrings". One of the garments offered is a classic blue and white sailor suit. It is a suspendered walk-short set, button front sailor shirt. Cuffed, fully lined, pleated front short with elasticized back waistband. Grosgrain ribbon trim. Also offered are shortalls and shorts sets.

Wholesale Baby Clothes

Online specialist in high quality wholesale children's and wholesale baby clothes. Supplying retailers, boutiques, mail order and party planners.

Reciprocal Linking

Our primary interest in the retail page is companies offering the classic clothing styles for children that HBC and HBC describe and assess. We have also decided to create links for other companies which have contacted us. This is primarily to increase HBC's visability. Google and other search engines use the number of links leading to a site to decide how to rank that site in search results. The more links the higher a site ranks. HBC appears quite high in many searches, but is very low in other searches. They ranking process is quite complicated and we do not fully understanded it. We have created these pages to increase the number of reciprocal links HBC receives. If readers know how to structure these links to make them more effective, just let us know. My undersanding is that Google does not rank links very highly that have huge numbers of links on a page. So we will limit the number of links on each of these pages.

Customer Assessments

HBC readers who purchase from the above retailers are incouraged to provide an assessment of the merchandize. This will help HBC decide which retailers to list here. HBC does not endorse any of these retailers, but will be delighted to include customer comments. Do let us know if any of these links lead to companies that arenot legitimate or you feel are legitimate enterprises.

Additional Listings

Retailers who offer vintage or traditional clothing and costumes are incouraged to contact HBC and request listing as a link here. HBC readers who know of such a retailer are also incouraged to contact HBC. Retailers who would like to be listed are also encouraged to contact HBC.







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Created: September 8, 2000
Last updated: 6:37 AM 12/16/2010