Heidi is fast approaching her first birthday. Perhaps strangely, she’ll be celebrating this on her very first family holiday in Lanzarote. We won’t be packing any pressies for her as we’re at the mercy of Thomas Cook’s strict luggage allowance, but I will be getting her the perfect birthday girl dress so she can look extra cute on her special day in the sun. In fact, given her days of bloomers, frills and cotton blouses are numbered, I’m determined to make the most of them and make her the envy of every baby girl on our holiday.
Thankfully the stores are now welcoming in their SS15 collections and they perfectly encapsulate care-free summer days. Checking out the trends on Melijoe (Europe’s leading fashion e-commerce site for children’s wear), the main thrust of this year’s designer baby girl collection is whimsical & romantic. As Melijoe stock the most couture of European brands such as Kenzo, Catimini, Tartine et Chocolat, Monnalisa and Rykiel, you can get a good feel where the leading fashion houses have hung their hats this season - and unfortunately for Craig’s bank balance, I want it all!
Left to right: Monnalisa sleeveless crepe voile dress £117.10 / Catimini sleeveless cotton voile dress £46.84 / Monnalisa flowing printed silk dress £81.59 / Lili Gaufrette sleeveless cotton and polyester jacquard dress £61.95 / Miss Blumarine organza dress with flowers £141.27 / Catimini printed percale sundress £49.10 / Miss Blumarine lace dress with taffeta details £99.72 / Monnalisa flower-shaped printed cotton dress £85.37 / Monnalisa light pink daisy dress £60.44
With pastels punctuated with bright details and loose Boho cuts, this season’s dresses are exactly what I’d envisioned Heidi in. Skirts are full enough to cover her modesty yet allow in a summer’s breeze to keep her cool, with plenty of applique, pintuck and broderie anglaise detailing around the chest for structure.I’m also loving all the oversized bows and pleats this year which add an extra layer of femininity.
On the dress front Monnalisa and Miss Blumarine just have it so right with fun prints and clever cuts that are both practical and flattering on the littlest of women.
Left to right: Dolce & Gabbana signature print cotton poplin dress with smocks £147.31 / Rykiel Enfant tangerine butterfly dress and bloomers £57.42 / Paul Smith Junior flower-printed cotton dress and bloomers £69.50 / Rykiel Enfant cotton voile dress and bloomers £86.88 / Rykiel Enfant printed cotton voile longall £56.66 / Absorba printed cotton poplin dress and bloomers £34.75 / Stella McCartney Kids flower-printed cotton shortall £56.66 / Ralph Lauren flared flower-printed cotton satin dress and striped belt £71.77 / Petit Bateau short printed poplin coverall £32.48
There are also the cutest of cotton rompers and all-in-ones to match mummy’s tea dresses for an altogether more vintage look. Blouses and bloomers feature bright vibrant prints alongside the more traditional pastels and are just perfect for lazy days in the sand dunes. Cotton voile is a saviour in warmer climates, allowing the skin to breathe yet retaining the warmth when the sun goes down. For me Rykiel and Stella McCartney have pulled this off best with pops of colour to suit every skin tone.
Left to right: Billieblush terry shortall £26.00 / Armani Junior sleeveless striped cotton dress and bloomers £174.51 / Petit Bateau striped cotton jersey dress £21.91 / Catimini sleeveless dress with yarn-dyed stripes and stretch jersey leggings £52.13 / Tru Trussardi striped poplin dress with lace £74.03 / Armani Junior sleeveless pleated cotton jersey dress with a Peter Pan collar £69.60
Alongside these trends are timeless Parisian bold stripes, mainly by the masters of French chic, Petit Bateau. Their jersey dresses look adorable on Heidi and very grown-up for evenings on the town. They disguise ketchup mishaps with ease yet look altogether more sophisticated than powder pinks. Team these with patent red shoes to help your mini-me channel her inner Suri Cruise.
To check the latest styles out for yourself, head to melijoe.com/uk where you’ll find children’s wear from 0-16 years from all Europe’s top fashion houses. With shoes, swimwear and accessories for boys and girls, it’s impossible not to find something for your mini fashionista. So come on then, who do you think has got it right this season?
