Category Archives: Retro Modern

I see London, I see France…

Kiddo Style: Modern, Kiddo Style: Vintage, Retro Modern

Knickers, panties, underwear. They were often the forgotten child in kid’s clothing. Totally utilitarian and nothing but white white white.

That is until the ultimate kiddo underwear line came along in the seventies and redefined the meaning of fabulous knickers. Underoos.

Yup. That’s right. Admit it—you would have sold your kid brother to get your little paws on a pair of the Wonder Woman ones. I know I would have and thrown in a year’s worth of cutsies in the lunch line just to seal the deal.

If I had a 1979 edition of Webster’s dictionary, I’m sure it would have had this picture next to the word AWESOME.

Or this one:

Alas, Underoos are no more. But never fear–your Modern Kiddo gals are here to save the day and find some equally sassy and cute underpants for your little ones.

Like this dynamic duo of cuteness from Little Miss Matched! Great knickers on sale with matching tank tops!

Give the boy in your life this week of great underwear from Paul Frank‘s great kid’s line, Small Paul.

The force will certainly be with you as the world’s best parent if your boy finds these Star Wars inspired briefs in his dresser drawer.

I saved the best for last with these adorable dotty friends. Dots! Ruffles! Ricrac! People you know how I feel about ricrac!

But before we bid you adieu for the week, I’d like to take a moment to salute that fallen hero, Underoos with some photos of the lucky few who actually owned a pair. You can see the unbridled joy in their faces!

Photos via: Flickr, Awesomeoff.com, PlanetDan and SteveJaime

Happy weekend, everyone!

Knit Wit :: Retro Modern Crocheted Dressies

Crafts + DIY, Kiddo Style: Modern, Retro Modern

Howdy gang! OK this one goes out to my girl Dottie. This is totally her kind of post! Growing up I had the most amazing godmother. My Tante Judy was very creative and a talented seamstress. She knit me the BEST little dresses (in fact, you can see one here). Because of this, I’ve always had a fondness for little vintage knits. Aren’t these just the cutest?

This is where I admit to you that, while I’m a creative person and love craft projects, I can’t figure out knitting to save my life. Don’t even get me started on crochet. I want to learn, really I do, but I think I have a knitting block. For those of you who are talented Knit Wits, bravo! But for the rest of us….check out these charming knit dressies from Melanies Masker. Born out of “Yarn-O-Mania” (their words!) and filled with quirky details, each yummy design is so vibrant and cute. I’m also so in love with the photoshoot they did, where all the sweets are made of yarn too. Clever, clever!









“Hello Dottie…it’s me. Yeah….so while Alix is out shopping I found a free dress pattern for you to make! You’re going to love it. Seriously. Take a look at this awesome little jumper!!!”

If you’re a Dottie, download this adorable pattern at penelope craft (click “free patterns”).

If you’re an Alix, go shopping at Huset and snag a Melanies Masker dressie. They’re 40% off right now!

Retro Modern :: Cape Crusaders

Kiddo Style: Modern, Retro Modern, , ,

What can I say? Capes rock. Remember when they were back in style for like a millisecond a couple of winters ago? Man, I should have bought one then—I don’t know why I waited. But I will not make that mistake for the Peach.  In my mind, capes make complete sense for little girls.  They are not as fussy as proper coats but have oodles of swish and sass which I think is a prerequisite for all things kid!  Plus capes are just more fun than coats.

Fortunately Etsy is awash with awesome capes like these from Etsy seller,  Katie Patatey who blew my mind with this demin cape with a vintage bit of cloth with a bird on it. Katie, you are killing with all this cuteness!

ASboutique is selling this gorgeous handmade cape with a ruffle neckline and a straw ticking lining.

I love upcycled wool projects and Handmade Charlotte’s clever use of a vintage mohair sweater to create an extra snuggly and extra gorgeous detailed collar for this this brown corduroy cape won me over.

Clearly I’m in a ruffly mood, because I can’t get enough of this ruffle cape in purple wool herringbone from Red Possum It is so cute that I think she should make this in a mommy size (hint hint, Red Possum…I’m just sayin’…)

I was about to leave Etsy, but then I saw this Valentine Heart Cape made of wool felt from brand spanking new Etsy seller, Heartfelt4Kids and I nearly plotzed, it is so adorable. I need to look away or it will steal my soul–IT IS THAT BEWITCHING!

Capes are also one of those things that seem very sewable.  And if you are one of those people that think capes are sewable, would you please make me one with this divine vintage cape pattern from Mom’s Patterns?  This particular pattern is available in two sizes–6 and 8 at Mom’s Pattern Website.

Heck, I wouldn’t mind if you made me the dress too! Man, that is cute! Just imagine making the dress and cape lining match? Ooohhh…..  Dream a little dream!

Retro Modern: Jumping for Jumpers!

Kiddo Style: Modern, Retro Modern, ,

When I found out I was having a girl, my thoughts immediately turned to how I was going to dress the little elf. And one thing came to mind: a jumper.

To me, nothing is cuter than a little girl in a jumper. Or pinafore, or whatever people are calling simple sleeveless  little A-line dresses that are popping up everywhere with button on the shoulders. Just toss that over a onesie or plain shirt and your little girl is good to go! And as my little sweetie grows it turns from a dress into a tunic!

I found a vintage one on eBay for a song that is my FAVORITE little piece for the Peach. It is just cotton fabric featuring blue hens and a sassy red rooster pattern that makes me smile every time I look at it. Here’s the Peach modeling it in all her Peachy goodness.

As we all know, eBay can be a cruel mistress, so who knows what my chances will be for hitting jumper pay dirt there again. But fortunately, I’m not the only one who likes jumpers because they are popping up all over the place.

Like these amazing ones from Australian Website, Soda Pop Kids which are begging to be worn, aren’t they?Just look at that bird! And did you notice the mismatched button colors?? Pure KOOTNESS!



And April Scott, you had me at vintage with your very charming jumper using vintage bark cloth and a green back panel. Again, the buttons!


Check out this fancy pants version made of velveteen by New York designer Dan Dan. What can I say–I love love love it! This little sweetie is available (and on sale!) at Ele-abaant, another great online store for kid’s clothing based in Australia.


And if you are the crafty kind of lady, I would highly recommend Alicia Paulson’s delicous Bella baby dress jumper crotchet pattern.  It is blissfully easy. And just stunning to boot.

I do hope the jumper trend is here to stay….dare I say it has me jumping for joy?

Fit to be Tied

Retro Modern

OK, how amazingly adorable are these little baby onesies and Big Kid tees from Etsy seller Krafty Kym?? I’m definitely going to be making a purchase. Kym Macfarlane is a Minneapolis-based art director (aha! I knew she was a designy type in addition to being a crafty minx, just look at how fabulously she styled these photos!) and she’s also a mother of three. How she finds the time to work, mommy AND make cute stuff like this, I’ll never know—but I’m sure glad she does!

Get yours HERE.