The Aussie kids-fashion brands you need to know about
Fun, practical, local kids fashion to get to know and love.
Kids fashion has come a long way. Designers are recognising that practicality is as important as style, and the result is some pretty funky fashion that manages to please parents and kids alike.
And pleasing kids isn’t always easy. As they grow they’re making up their own minds about what they like, who they are and what they want to wear.
Fortunately more and more Australian designers are creating fun, practical fashion for kids, guaranteed to please even the fussiest dresser. Here are some of our favourites …
Marmalade Lion
Marmalade Lion are known for evolutionary, practical and sustainable designed children’s products and fashion.
The fun company has quickly built a cult following amongst local celebrities including Megan Gale, Tiffany Hall, Emily Syke, Carrie Bickmore and Turia Pitt who credit the brand for their thoughtful and sustainable creations, unique designs and quality manufacturing that grow with your family!
We’re big fans of the washable sun hats with a UPF 50+ and the super-fun TPU fabric Art Smocks!
Marmalade Lion is all about sustainability and operates as a 95 percent plastic free business.
Bobux
Developed by our neighbours in New Zealand, Bobux began in 1991 in an Auckland garage, when co-founder Chris Bennett invented the world’s first pair of Soft Sole shoes for his baby girl, Chloe.
Celebrating their 30th birthday, the Bobux brand is still family owned and are reknowned for creating shoes that embody comfort, care, love for people, the environment, and for the adventurous kids who wear its shoes.
“Bobux creates well-fitted shoes suitable for each stage of development, allowing children to explore their environment and develop their walking skills,” said children’s foot and leg expert, and AJC podiatrist Antoni Caserta.
The Bobux Tidal and Zap II sandals are made from quick-dry leather, making them a summer favourite.
Mahana Kids
This Aussie run and Aussie made company really nails gender neutral, play-friendly, funky fashion!
With sizes ranging from 2-10 you’ll find adorable matching sets, on trend tie dye and more PLUS unique accessories that pull all the looks together.
If Mahana Kids has not been on your kids fashion radar, it’s time to get familiar.
ada + lou
Known for their gorgeous bohemian fashion for curves, the gals at ada + lou have now created gorgeous clothes for kids.
Releasing a kids dress for each of their drops, matching mum and mini moments are now here for fans of the brands incredible prints and styles which are all designed right here in Australia.
Matching mum and me moments are adorable with ada + lou.
Mr Mimmo
Designed in Melbourne, the Mr Mimmo clothing range is described as being in the “beautiful space between cool essentials and styled-up sophistication” and we couldn’t agree more.
Whether your little man is going to the park, attending a wedding or a birthday party, the clothing pieces are stylish, feel great on and offer amazing versatility, whatever your boy’s adventure holds.
From simple T-shirts through to bomber jackets, chinos, flat caps and more, check out the launch range online at Mr Mimmo.
Mr Mimmo boyswear clothing range is stylish and cool.
Little Auguste
Dreamt up by Creative Director Ebony Eagles, Little Auguste is the (super) sweet little sister of Australian label, Auguste. With a vintage tilt and in all your favourite matching Mini and Me prints, each piece is made for the tiny dancers, the tireless adventurers and the little ones with their faces full of sunshine. Full of vintage florals and fun-loving details each piece is a childhood memory soon to be created.
Little Auguste is available exclusively online and in Auguste’s Brisbane and Byron Bay boutiques.
Little Auguste provides dreamy bohemian threads for your little gypsies.
Jojo Siwa’s Eco-friendly Aussie Apparel Collection
Nickelodeon Australia has teamed up with edgy Gold Coast fashion label, Jnr Nation, to release a limited edition, eco-friendly JoJo Siwa kids’ apparel collection – JOJO SIWA x NICKELODEON x JNR NATION.
The 14-piece collection ranging from party dresses and skirts, to leotards, leggings, swimwear and more, is all handmade in Australia with the highest quality, eco-friendly fabrics produced from recycled plastics, making it Nickelodeon’s first sustainable apparel line.
Jnr Nation was founded in 2015 by Sarah Richards, a Gold Coast Mum of three, and produces ethically-made apparel for kids.
Jojo Siwa x Nickoledeon x Jnr Nation is Nickelodeon’s first sustainable apparel line to go to retail globally!
Minnow Designs
These cute Minnow Designs booties are just perfect for keeping little tootsies safe while exploring Australia’s seaside, rock pools, beaches, creeks and rivers. Made from quick-drying neoprene with a thin, flexible rubber sole for more robust beach, boat and water play these little beauties will quick become a must-have in the beach bag!
Minnow Designs booties are perfect for exploring Australian seaside rock pools and beaches.
Holly & Beau Kids’ Raincoats
Upper Notch Club have just launched Holly & Beau, a brand new range of children’s rainwear that literally transforms in front of your eyes when the pattern comes in contact with any form of liquid!
It’s time to chuck out your boring black and navy umbrellas and raincoats and don one of these insanely cute designs. With patterns ranging from dinosaurs to unicorns and everything in between, little ones will be begging for it to rain!
Holly & Beau’s colour-chafe raincoats will have your kids begging for it to rain!
Lullaby Riot
Lullaby Riot specialises in children’s fashion that is handmade by Amanda in Shellharbour NSW.
Lullaby Riot is a mixture of ‘sweet and street’ styles, so there is something to suit all tastes. All pieces are made to last with great attention to detail, and the fabrics have been sourced for their high quality and uniqueness.
Lullaby Riot also stocks a cute range of Australian designed teethers, tights and socks.
Lullaby Riot is the perfect mix of ‘street’ and ‘sweet’.
WATCH: Kids give their opinions on fashion campaigns. Continues after video …
Infamous Swim
As a shopaholic teenage girl, Gemma Crowe had no idea the impact her eye for design would have. Years later she is now the founder of emerging swimwear label, Infamous Swim. Gemma has hit a niche market and is responsible for the latest local fashion craze: matching mother and daughter swimmer.
Infamous Swim taps into another digitally driven trend, body positivity, with the brand showcasing models in a range of sizes. This commitment is a taste of the ‘mum magic’ which Infamous Swim runs on. Like the best kind of mum, this brand is realistic and yet glamorous, down to earth and yet fun. Perhaps this is why Infamous Swim has taken off, making waves in the online shopping world.
Is there is anything cuter than a little Infamous Swim mummy and me matchy-matchy?
Ever Australia
What better way to keep them warm, dry and feeling comfortable than a pair of the gorgeous shoes from Ever Australia. As one of the country’s largest UGG boot producers, Ever Australia is dedicated to producing the highest quality shoes for every member of the family.
From beautifully soft sheepskin UGGs, to cute mini biker boots, and fun white sneakers, Ever Australia has the answer to child and parent friendly winter shoes. Both fun and practical, the kids range is full of a variety designs to suit every personality.
Ever Australia kids’ shoes are warm, snuggly and incredibly funky!
Funky Trunks & Funkita
Adored by parents and kids alike, Aussie swimwear labels Funky Trunks & Funkita have just dropped the latest collection, On The Surface. Kids go crazy for the kooky, fun designs while parents love the durable, chlorine resistant fabric that offers 50+ UV protection, a must in the Aussie heat.
Your mini-mermaid will be bang on trend in living coral with Sweet Venom, Bar Bar, Flaming Stripes and Cumulus all boasting Pantone’s 2019 colour of the year.
There’s no chance the boys will be outdone with a wondersul mix of bold and brillant blues. Ice Fortress, Tweety Tweet and Check Republic hit all the right notes.
Funky Trunks & Funkita use durable, chlorine resistant fabric that offers 50+ UV protection.
Kind is Cool
The 100 percent cotton t-shirts from Kind Is Cool are fashion with a message. Beautifully soft, classic t shirt styles that mean you can roll the sleeves up or leave them down to suit your child’s look, but that’s not even the best part.
Emblazoned with slogans that promote kindness, Kind is Cool also donates $2 from every item to support Bully Zero. It’s no wonder their Instagram feed is full of families rocking this latest fashion must-have.
Kind is Cool donates $2 from every item to support Bully Zero.
NAME IT:
NAME IT is a long standing Scandinavian children’s fashion brand, which has launched into Australia via MYER this year. Inspired by the free spirit, creativity and playfulness of children, the brand sees the world through children’s eyes, creating comfortable and functional clothing for every occasion that never compromises on quality or fit.
NAME IT endeavour to always provide the right styles at the right time at the right price.
NAME IT makes an effort to produce responsible fashion for kids and tweens.
REAL PRETTY KIND
This Sydney lifestyle label for eight to 14-year-olds has a simple philosophy: Pretty is as Pretty does. They design to empower pretty bold, pretty smart, pretty strong, pretty stylish, fun-loving tweens.
Founded by designer Katie Rockliff, Real Pretty Kind (RPK) supports the Alannah+Madeline Foundation a charity dedicated to protecting children from violence and The Butterfly Foundation who represent all people affected by eating disorders and negative body image.
“Real Pretty Kind is beyond proud to be supporting these two incredible charities with a brand designed for every (tween) body,” says Katie. “A percentage of RPK profits across our product range will be used to kick bullying and negative body image to the curb!”
REAL PRETTY KIND believes we’re our best selves when we’re our real selves, and when we cheer each other on. Here, here!
Olga Valentine
Designed in Bali by Sydney mum of three, Natasha Nowak, the Olga Valentine swimwear range is made from recycled ocean plastics, including bottles and fishnets recovered from the ocean floor.
Ethically produced in Bali, the plastics are spun into high quality fabric blends that are long lasting and sun-safe with UPF protection. The fabrics are also twice as resistant to chlorine, fading, sun creams and oils than other fabrics.
Check out the gorgeous range and know that your purchase helps make the world a better place.
Olga Valentine swimwear is made from recycled ocean plastics. How cool is that!?
