The cold weather has arrived in Vancouver, which means it’s time to start bundling up your little ones before heading outdoors. Cozy is the watchword for kids fashion at this time of year, and I’ve rounded up some great winter styles that you can find in most kids stores. Best of all, there’s no need to compromise with these trends as they are both warm and stylish. So read on, and get ready for a very chic holiday season.

Jacquard Sweater and Cardigan

Vintage look

These sweaters are perfect for a holiday photo with Santa.

Checked Shirt

Unisex “Country Chic” look

Great for a playdate, or casual get-together.

Corduroy Pants

Classic and durable fabric

Easy to dress up or down, and ready for rough-and-tumble play.

Duffel Coat

A versatile wardrobe basic

A kids fashion must-have for staying warm and looking great.

Poncho and Cape Coat

Little Red Riding Hood for a romantic princess look

A coat your kid will actually want to put on.

Faux Fur Vest

Warm boho kids fashion

Fun, funky and practical, layer up to stay warm and look great.

Large Bow

Transforms any outfit into something special, perfect for the holidays

If you’re feeling crafty, here are some straightforward instructions on how to make your own bow.

Where to Find Kids Fashion for Winter

If you’re ready to put together some great outfits for your little ones, here’s where I went to track down these fabulous kids fashion trends.

Emilie Sarkissian owns Apricot Culotte, an online store selling affordable European kids fashion. She carries previously loved baby clothing directly imported from France, and end of season baby clothing at up to 50% off retail value. To keep up-to-date on her latest news and specials, follow Apricot Culotte on Facebook.

MacGillycuddy’s Children’s Consignment

I remember driving by MacGillycuddy’s all the time when I was a kid, since a friend lived only a few blocks away. It is clearly doing something right to have survived that long and the small store was buzzing with at least half a dozen shoppers when I was there on a Saturday afternoon. On my recent visit I found a huge selection of winter coats, rain coats, all sorts of boots, along with pants, sweaters and clothing of all types. The store, while small, was really well organized and neat and it was easy to find the sections for the sizes I was looking for. They also had a big selection of toys, books and games.

Classy Kids Consignment for Children

Classy Kids is slightly more spacious, but just as well organized. I was impressed by their large selection, especially of shoes and coats. I found the prices at both stores to be really reasonable and the quality of the merchandise to be very high. Both stores also had a few larger items for sale, such as cribs and strollers.

While consignment stores can sometimes be hit or miss, their regular turn-over of merchandise always draws me in. Add to that the fact that you never know what you’re going to find, and a stop at a consignment store is always an adventure. It doesn’t hurt that the deals are pretty good too, which is especially exciting when we’re talking about kids consignment and the ridiculous rate at which our little munchkins grow out of things.

MacGillycuddy’s Children’s Consignment

4881 Mackenzie Street, Vancouver,  604-263-5313

Classy Kids Consignment for Children

3712 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver,  604-222-4035

Vancouver Consignment Stores

Beansprouts is a good place to find pre-loved designer outfits for your little one. It’s at 4305 Main Street, just south of 27th Avenue. You can’t miss the cute bean sprout bars on the shop window. Beansprouts is a well-organized little store which has a small selection of consignment clothing and shoes for children alongside their beautiful new high-end clothing, wooden toys and a selection of new carriers. There’s also a play area to amuse your younger family members while you shop.

Just a few blocks north of Beansprouts on the same street is Kiddo, another great stop for consignment shopping. They moved to a new location at 3950 Main Street in November of last year, so they have a little more room now. This bright store has a small variety of gently-worn clothes for kids up to eight & consignment maternity wear. Don’t miss the shelf of preloved toys at the very back of the store. Their new books section is full of great titles too. Their little play area includes a kitchen and lots of toys to keep your little ones occupied while you shop.

Last, but certainly not least, is Wee Ones Reruns: a hidden gem if you’re looking for a great kids consignment store. Look for the mauve facade and planters outside 612 Kingsway, one block west of Fraser Street. When you step inside, you find yourself in a quiet environment, away from the traffic noise of the street, with a couch to breastfeed on if needed and toys your kids can play with. Wee Ones is a fixture of East Vancouver, having been open 16 years. Sandra, the friendly and knowledgeable owner, has usually got time to chat and is happy to answer any questions.

The store is packed with good-quality consignment clothing and shoes for kids up to about age seven, cloth diapers, carriers, toys, books, safety equipment, furniture, strollers and more. The racks are well-organized by gender and age. Most things are about half the cost of buying new. They also carry some new clothing, toys, sunscreen and other items for decent prices.

Consignment Shopping Tips

Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping at a consignment store:

• Selection varies each time you go, so go often.
• If you see something that you like, buy it, because there’s likely only one and it may not be there if you wait a week.
• Check out the Green Zebra coupon book for further savings–Beansprouts and Wee Ones both have coupons in there.
• Look over each item before you buy, just in case there are any flaws.
• Ask about the returns policy–it’s often more limited than when you buy new.
• Sign up for their mailing list so you can get advance notice of sales (Wee Ones has a big on on Earth Day, for example).

What are your tips for getting the best bang for your consignment shopping buck?

Guest post by Jenny Lutes

Fun design

The bandanas allow for fun and whimsy and are something sweet and carefree for children to wear. Shoppers can select from a variety of fabrics and colours to match the bandanas to the little ones’ personalities. Colours and fabrics change often as the bandanas are made in small groups since quality over quantity is important to Tsitah Threads. Ava is sporting the purple and pink dragonfly and butterfly motif, with sparkles of course.

Ava wearing her bandana reminds me of her ancestors’ Babushkas in Hungary … except her head attire attaches at the back, and I am pretty sure the ladies of our family did not have shimmer on their fabrics. (I bet they would have wanted to though.)

Little heads in mind

Tsitah Threads uses Velcro for the closures, which allow little fingers to put on and remove the bandanas. Plus, adjust as the little craniums grow.

The fabrics are 100% cotton (pre-washed in natural hypoallergenic soap) and are ready to wear upon arrival. Baby and toddler sizes are available.

I like that Ava’s bandana allows for another option for all of her hair to be back and out of her face. Everyone with daughters knows how tough it can be sometimes to put hair elastics in. First you have to catch the child, make her sit still for 5-10 seconds, gather the hair and wind the elastic around, and then hear whining about how uncomfortable the ponytail is. Moms can probably put the bandanas on the children while they run by. (Maybe I will test this theory.)

Other products

Along with the bandanas, Tsitah Threads sells baby and toddler tuques, baby blankets, and baby quilts. The tuques are reversible, 100 per cent cotton, and pre-washed. Parents will also be able to have cool head attire – adult sizes in the tuques will be available soon.

Whether running errands with the stroller, or hiking in the mountains, the blankets are great for keeping baby cozy in our West Coast weather. A combination of fleece on one side, and water-repellent ripstop nylon on the other, allows for a comfortable child.

Individual and unique baby quilts are created from the fabric scraps of the other items. (They have their local factory keep the leftover fabric cuts, re-purposing the pieces, and avoiding waste.) The quilts embrace the old fashion scrappy quilt concept and eco-friendly values.

Dry and snug

We live in a city where it rains many days of the week and, as parents, our goal is to have smiling dry children. Now we can achieve this with a hip tuque and snuggling under a warm blankie.

Jenny Lutes was a single mom for two years. And now she’s not! Jenny blogs at Ruminating Mommy about what she’s going through as a mom and the spiritual and emotional journeys of being a woman.

Buy local

Local manufacturing is kinder to the earth by saving the fossil fuels and emissions produced by shipping garments internationally. Locally-produced clothes are also usually manufactured in more socially responsible conditions, which makes them an especially good choice.

Buy pre-loved

Let’s face it: kids grow fast. Babies especially seem to grow out of their clothes as soon as you blink. Buying a brand-new wardrobe in three or four different sizes for baby’s first year is not only expensive, it’s also unnecessary when so many good quality used baby clothes are available. Whether you accept a box of hand-me-downs from a friend or shop boutique consignment stores, used clothes are a budget- and environmentally-friendly choice.

Buy natural

Clothes are worn directly against the skin and the fibres in fabrics make a difference to how the clothes wear, breathe, wash and eventually biodegrade. Natural fibres, such as cotton, wool, linen, silk, hemp, bamboo and new high-tech soy, are all renewable resources and are healthier to wear against your body.

Buy organic

Cotton is a natural fibre that is comfortable and commonly used, but it is one of the most pesticide-intensive crops grown today. These pesticides are damaging to the environment and the workers who pick and process the cotton, so choosing organic cotton is a environmentally- and socially-responsible choice. Organic cotton is often more expensive and can be harder to find, but Mountain Equipment Co-op has a great line of affordable organic cotton clothes for kids and adults.

Buy quality, not quantity

Good quality clothes last longer and wear better. It’s a greener choice to have fewer high quality clothes that last several years rather than buying cheap clothes that wear out or go out of style after a few months. It can certainly be tempting to buy cheap clothes when they seem like such a deal, but you’ll save money and the environmental cost of producing and transporting those clothes by buying the best quality you can afford in classic, long-lasting styles.

Choosing clothing is a great way to make green lifestyle choices. Whether you start small by purchasing a 100 per cent wool sweater instead of a wool and acrylic blend, or go all out by swearing off chain stores and instead source your family’s clothes from shops selling only pre-loved, organic and locally-made garments, every little choice makes a difference. Even mending a toddler’s torn knee with a colourful patch is a green clothing choice. Extending the life of our clothes and choosing well-made clothes in natural, organic fibres reduces pollution and helps keep everyone healthy.

Michelle Carchrae is a freelance writer and homeschooling mom to two girls. With a serious love for Vancouver and an equally serious need to get out of the house with two young kids, Michelle searches out the best kid and parent friendly places to go. Michelle also writes about parenting at her blog, The Parent Vortex.

Photo courtesy of www.zooluorganics.com

Multi-purpose

Agoo leggings are similar to our old oh-so-cool legwarmers, but they’ve been updated and redesigned with little ones in mind. Snug and cozy, the leggings stay up to make sure legs stay covered. This makes them ideal for crawling around on hard floors, wearing during potty training, and running around outside.

Stylish look

The leggings come in lots of fun colours and creative designs for both boys and girls. The boys will love the ones with soccer balls or dinosaurs, while the girls will go crazy for the penguins or flowers. And no matter what colours are your little ones’ favourites, Agoo has them covered, with pinks, purples, blues, oranges, and greens galore.

Practical fabric

The local leggings are made from 100 per cent sustainable and super soft bamboo with a UPF 50+ rating to protect your kids from the sun. The fabric is also stain-resistant (which we all know is uber-important) and is made to wick away moisture from your child’s skin. And since the bamboo is so silky and cozy, you’ll never hear your child complaining that the leggings are itching them.

Rave review

Our tester was thrilled with the Agoo leggings. She loved how soft the fabric was and thought the funky patterns were great. “But the best thing is,” she said, “They are super long. That means they won’t droop and can be worn by both older kids and babies.”

Special offer for you

Want to try Agoo out for yourself? Stock up now because Agoo is pleased to offer 70 per cent off everything for VancouverMom.ca readers, including their active wear, leggings, and more. To redeem, just use the code “cleanup70″ when ordering. (Only while quantities last.)

Agoo
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We’ve rounded up a few great ensembles and matched a pre-loved with a brand-new version for each one. Can you tell which is which?

That special piece

A unique zip jacket that brings out the outfit.

Left (new)
Converse slip shoes, $34.95 (Dandelion Kids), Quicksilver shirt: $30 (Dandelion Kids), Noppies jeans, $46.95 (Dandelion kids), Duns terry jacket, $49.95 (Dandelion kids)

Right (pre-loved)
Ralph Lauren shoes, $16.50 (Beansprouts), Children’s Place shirt, $6.50 (Beansprouts), IKKS jeans, $14 (Apricot Culotte.com), Hurley zip-up jacket, $22 (Beansprouts)

Mix and match

The combination of a shirt with a hoodie for a chic yet relaxed look.

Left (new)
Mexx shirt, $29.99 (Peekaboo), Mexx shirt, $29.99 (Peekaboo), Mexx hoodie, $34.99 (Peekaboo), Kai Run shoes, $45.99 (Peekaboo)

Right (pre-loved)
Aubisou shirt, $13 (Apricotculotte.com), Kitchoun hooded vest, $15 (Apricotculotte.com), Bout-chou pants, $10 (Apricotculotte.com), Oui Oui shoes, $15 (Apricotculotte.com)

Breton-style

French sailor stripes, a classic and timeless style.

Left (new)
Miniman T-shirt, $30.25 (Apricotculotte.com), Miniman pants, $40.15 (Apricotculotte.com), Kai Run shoes, $45.99 (Peekaboo)

Right (pre-loved)
Baby club T-shirt, $7 (Apricotculotte.com), Sergent Major pants, $12 (Apricotculotte.com), Creeks shoes, $15 (Apricotculotte.com)

Other sources of boys’ clothes

If you still find yourself frustrated with the selection of boys’ clothes available to you, check out some of these great sources that specialize in boys’ clothes (all of them ship to Canada):

• littleboychic.com
• thelittlekingboutique.com
• shopnogirlsallowed.com
• littledudesonly.com
• grubbiestyle.com

Where to buy

Dandelion Kids, 1206 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Peekaboo Baby Boutique, 4229 Dunbar Street, Vancouver
Beansprouts, 4305 Main Street, Vancouver
Apricot Culotte online store, apricotculotte.com, Local Vancouver pick-up available on Commercial Drive

Emilie Sarkissian has a background in fashion and is a self-proclaimed shopaholic and bargain hunter. She recently launched the online store Apricotculotte.com specializing in affordable baby clothing with second-hand directly imported from France.

The specific things you need will depend, of course, on the ages of your kids and the length of hike you’re planning, but here’s some gear that’s great to have on a family hike.

Hiking boots

Anyone who is going to be walking a significant distance will need good, sturdy footwear, especially if the terrain is anything more challenging than a stroll along a paved sidewalk. Casual hikers who will be walking for an hour or less will probably be fine in runners or a casual shoe, but going for a long hike on mountain terrain will be safer and more comfortable in a hiking boot.

While it can be impractical to purchase hiking boots for fast-growing kids, a good quality shoe for kids makes hiking much more fun for everyone.

Rain gear

Here in the Pacific Northwest rainforest, it tends to be very wet between September and May. Having comfortable rain gear for everyone opens up the possibility of hiking year-round in Vancouver.

Adults can choose waterproof-breathable options like Gore-Tex, which keep the rain out and allow moisture from sweat and condensation to evaporate through the fabric, or conventional raincoats, which are cheaper but a little less comfortable.

School-aged kids will need rain pants and a rain jacket, while babies and toddlers stay snug and dry best with one-piece rain suits like the Muddy Buddy.

Baby carriers

Families with babies and toddlers will also need some kind of baby carrier, either a frame-style backpack or a soft carrier like an Ergo or a wrap. Frame-style backpacks shift the child’s weight off your back and onto your hips, which can make carrying for long periods more comfortable. Soft carriers are lightweight and easy to tuck into a backpack when not in use, which is handy when your toddler decides today’s the day he’s going to hike it himself.

Lighter hikes

If your family is curious about hiking, but you don’t want to shell out a lot of money on gear that you may not end up using a lot, don’t let the lack of professional hiking boots or Gore-Tex rain gear stop you from going hiking. Choose a more urban trail with few rocks and uneven terrain, like the trails in Pacific Spirit Regional Park, and start by going on short warm-weather hikes instead of all-day excursions. These kind of hikes will be fine with regular athletic shoes, jeans and a T-shirt.

If you discover a true love of hiking and want to go year-round or on long, steep hikes, that’s the time to invest in more specialized gear for your family. Happy trails!

Michelle Carchrae is a freelance writer and homeschooling mom to two girls. With a serious love for Vancouver and an equally serious need to get out of the house with two young kids, Michelle searches out the best kid and parent friendly places to go. Michelle also writes about parenting at her blog, The Parent Vortex.

We’ve decided to make your job easier and thought of some great spring/summer outfits for your trendy little girl, whether you are looking to spend less or more! (Don’t worry, we’re doing the same thing for boys very soon–watch for it.)

Each outfit shows a pre-loved and a new version. Try to guess which is which.

Remember that if the new version is off-budget, end of season sales are a very good way to get your hands on these fabulous finds (that is if you can wait or are willing to take the chance of it becoming unavailable).

Denim in style

A simple yet unique shirt that adds to the usual jeans and T-shirt outfit.

Left (pre-loved)

Confetti shirt, $10 (Apricotculotte.com), Petit Bateau denim pants, $15 (Apricotculotte.com), Shoes, $8 (Apricotculotte.com)

Right (new)

Noppies shirt, $36.95 (Dandelion Kids), Noppies trousers, $32.95 (Dandelion Kids), Salt water sandals, $36.95 (Dandelion Kids)

Floral patterns

A gorgeous and sophisticated print for a special summer dress.

Left (pre-loved)

Savannah Dress, $16.50 (Beansprouts), Stride Rite sandals, $20 (Beansprouts)

Right (new)

Redfish dress, $48 (Kiddo), Kai Run shoes, $45.99 (Peekaboo)

Sportswear with a special touch

A T-shirt with a subtle print combined with Converse shoes for an easy yet cool look.

Left (pre-loved)

Fig Organic T-shirt, $8.99 (Kiddo), Gymboree shorts, $8.99 (Kiddo), Converse shoes, $14.50 (Beansprouts)

Right (new)

American Apparel t-shirt, $26 (Kiddo), Mini Ungara shorts, $16.95 (Kiddo), Converse slip shoes, $34.95 (Dandelion Kids)

A Perfect Accessory

Jeggings or skinny jeans, great accessories to complete any outfit.

Left (new)

Roxy dress, $32.99 (Peekaboo), Roxy jeggings, $39.99 (Peekaboo), Kai Run shoes, $45.99 (Peekaboo)

Right (pre-loved)

Purple Candy dress, $30 (Treasure Express), Gap skinny jeans, $15 (Treasure Express), Gap shoes, $15 (Treasure Express)

Where to buy

Dandelion Kids, 1206 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Peekaboo Baby Boutique, 4229 Dunbar Street, Vancouver
Beansprouts, 4305 Main Street, Vancouver
Kiddo, 3950 Main Street, Vancouver
Treasure Express Children’s consignment, 5585 Dunbar Street, Vancouver
Apricot Culotte online store, apricotculotte.com, Local Vancouver pick-up available on Commercial Drive

Emilie Sarkissian has a background in fashion and is a self-proclaimed shopaholic and bargain hunter. She recently launched the online store Apricotculotte.com specializing in affordable baby clothing with second-hand directly imported from France.

Guest post by Emilie Sarkissian.

We know, sometimes clothes just seem so expensive! Have no fear, our thrifty fashion-savvy writer Emilie Sarkissian is back with Part 2 in her series on saving money on kids’ clothes (and yours too!).

Look for local sample sales

Some local companies will organize a sale after each season to sell their samples. They are definitely worth checking out as the products are usually sold 50 per cent off and are in great condition. You will find a list of all of these sample sales on websites such as ilovesamplesales.com or motherofadeal.com

Keep an eye out for daily deals

Daily deal websites only offer one deal per day but just make sure that it is still a deal after you factor in shipping costs. Watch for Canadian daily deal sites such as motherofadailydeal.com

Some US daily deal websites are specialized in kids products and ship to Canada:

• ecobabybuys.com
• mamabargains.com
• kidsteals.com
• babysteals.com
• oliviaplace.com
• hippobargains.com

Research online and bookmark websites

If you are looking for something specific, make sure to Google the product name and shop around before you buy it full price. Optimize that time spent online by bookmarking the websites you like for next time.

Become a Facebook or Twitter fan of your favourite stores and brands

If there are any online or physical stores that you like, make sure to “like” them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. They will frequently post great deals or discount coupons. When you’re ready to shop, just remember to log on to their Facebook or Twitter page and check out what the latest posts are—you might find a coupon code.

Receive newsletters from your favourite online magazines and blogs

There are many great online blogs and magazines where you can read about all kind of cool products (like VancouverMom.ca!).

Most of the time, bloggers and writers are able to obtain regular deals from brands or stores. Make sure to register for their newsletter in order to be informed when these special deals or promo codes become available. Some even have a “special offer” section where you can have access to all the current existing promotions.

There are also blogs that only post coupons and deals. Check out bargainmoose.com and motherofadeal.com

Emilie Sarkissian has a background in fashion and is a self-proclaimed shopaholic and bargain hunter. She recently launched the online store Apricotculotte.com specializing in affordable baby clothing with second-hand directly imported from France.