What's with all these high-end designers creating clothes for tots? First, Karl Lagerfeld announced his children's clothing line, which came as a huge surprise since he and his brand aren't exactly "kid-friendly." Now, Missoni is launching Margherita, a collection for kids. Mark the date, because I am calling it: the North West Effect is officially a thing.
The Margherita collection, which will feature a smiling daisy as the logo, will dress baby boys from their infancy to the terrible twos, while the girls get an extension, as the line will have offerings for female infants up through seven years of age, according to WWD. The pieces go on sale on March at Nordstrom and Yoox.com.
Since Kim Kardashian's spawn has been known to rock leather and fur, all before her second birthday, isn't it pretty much the birthright of other kids to at least try to, well, keep up with the Kardashians? It doesn't need to be exotic and ridiculous fabrics like those which North wears, but extreme luxury in the kid apparel sector is big right now. North, and therefore her mother (who we know is the mastermind behind North pint-sized fabulosity), is definitely part of the inspiration. There's no way she can't be.
Margherita Missoni is preggers with her second child, so the desire to do children's clothing makes total sense, but are high-end baby clothes becoming a bit ridiculous?
At first, the idea of such chic wares for kids stirs up my desire to procreate — hormones, maybe?— and the fashion lover in me squeals with glee, overcome by the desire to shop for any babies in my family.
Then, I gather my thoughts and my brainy, budget-conscious side realizes the absurd nature of this trend, for a variety of reasons.
1. Kids Outgrow Their Clothes Quickly
Growing babies change and morph daily. They outgrow their clothes on the quick, so spending a lot of loot seems wasteful, even if there is the possibility of luxe hand-me-downs for the next kid in the family.
2. Babies Make Messes
Babies aren't really able to control their bodily functions because... they're babies! So spitting up, burping, pooping, and making messes doesn't bode well for the longevity of fancy attire.
3. Impracticality
At this stage of their lives, clothes are really a matter of practicality. Babies aren't really supposed to be super fashionable, save for cute details, like, say, a bow in the hair a la Blue Ivy. Comfort mixed with cuteness, not couture, should be key. BTW, this is one of my fave Blue looks.
4. Babies Have No Innate Sense Of Style
Precious little babies are born naked and not knowing how to feed themselves. They have to learn how to meet their own needs and the same can be said for dressing themselves. They have no innate sense of style, so what does that tell you? It tells you that high-end baby dressing is all about the parents. Because of course it is.
5. Dressing Babies Well Is Fine, But...
Let me clarify by saying yes, fancy and adorable baby clothes can be great. Stylish kids are awesome. I'm all for them. But when the clothes have majorly hefty price tags or don't seem appropriate for baby pursuits, like crawling or playing in a sandbox, I start questioning the lack of pragmatism. Let's hope that parents who treat their kids like mini models actually step up and donate some of these barely-used threads to those in need.
And if Jimmy Choo or Christian Louboutin or Brian Atwood ever do a line of mini heels, I will officially think this trend has jumped the shark.
Images: Getty (5)
