Finding truly stylish clothing for babies and children can sometimes be an arduous task. Too often are chic parents left to choose between gaudy colours, cartoon characters and sequins or twee mummy-and-me matching sets. Good news, then, that London boasts some of the country’s finest childrenswear stores, offering quality, contemporary clothing that both you and your child will love. Here’s our guide to the capital’s best boutiques for babies and children.
La Coqueta, Notting Hill
With a flagship boutique on Notting Hill’s Ledbury Road, La Coqueta has a traditionally Spanish aesthetic, honed by founder and mother of five, Celia Muñoz. Kitting out kids from birth until the age of 10, the label is known for its pastel-hued merino wool baby sets, adorable romper suits, hair bows and Mary Jane shoes in a rainbow of colours. Prince Louis was photographed wearing one of the brand’s blue and white rompers to ring in Prince Charles’ 70th birthday celebrations, while fans also include Keira Knightly, Sabine Getty and Millie Mackintosh.
61 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, W11 2AA. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm. Visit lacoquetakids.com
Caramel, Notting Hill and South Kensington
With outposts in Notting Hill and South Kensington — as well as concessions in Harrods and Selfridges — Caramel offers a gorgeous array of sustainably produced lifestyle wares, spanning home decor, toys and clothing for both babies and adults. Rompers, bloomers and dresses are designed with a vintage sensibility, in striped linen and printed cotton, adorned with ditsy florals and paisley pattern swirls.
For the colder months, there are cosy alpaca wool cardigans and cashmere jumpers in grey, navy, blush pink and popping marmalade hues. Caramel has also collaborated with Kids O’Clock to encourage customers to exchange pre-loved children’s clothes for a voucher to spend in-store. This is part of the brand’s new focus on eco-conscious shopping, which also includes working with select makers and sustainable fabrics.
Notting Hill: 77 Ledbury Road, W11 2AG. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm. South Kensington: 291-293 Brompton Road, SW3 2DY. Open Monday-Thursday 11am-7pm, Friday-Saturday, 11am-8pm. Visit caramel-shop.co.uk
Papouelli, Parsons Green and Belgravia
Footwear doesn’t come sweeter or smarter than Papouelli. Another royal favourite — Princess Charlotte wore a pair of its ballerina flats at Princess Eugenie’s wedding — shoes are designed in London and handcrafted in Portugal and Italy. With shops in Chelsea and Belgravia, the boutique stocks baby slip-on styles for tiny toes but also goes up to size 39 for teenagers (and perhaps mums too).
Parsons Green: 187 New Kings Road, SW6 4SW. Belgravia: 51 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9PP. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm. Visit papouelli.com
Marie-Chantal, Knightsbridge
Marie-Chantal is best known for gorgeous cotton velour baby grows for boys and girls, adorned with angel wings on the back. This signature motif also appears on bodysuits, sweatshirts and hoodies, in an array of dusty pink, pale blue and ivory tones. A brand truly fit for little royalty, it is so-called after its founder, Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and specialises in beautifully made, classic pieces for babies and children. The Angel Wing Robe also comes in adult size, crafted from super-soft fleece.
4 Motcomb Street, SW1X 8JU. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm. Visit mariechantal.com
Trotters, across London
For many well-heeled London residents, a first haircut at Trotters is a rite of passage. Sophie Mirman and her husband Richard Ross opened the childrenswear institution on the King’s Road in 1990, after growing frustrated at the limited offering of high-end clothing for little ones. Catering to kids aged 0-12 years, it now has several outposts across the capital from Kensington to Westfield White City, as well as smart concessions at Harrods and Liberty. Shoes are professionally fitted onboard the renowned Trotters train or plane and the shop also offers an array of beautifully crafted wooden toys, books and home decor.
Find addresses and opening times at trotters.co.uk
Pepa & Co, Belgravia
Pepa & Co is positioned on London’s eminently charming Elizabeth Street. Founded by Andalucian designer Pepa Gonzalez, clothing is designed in London and crafted in Spain. Think adorable bloomers, Fair Isle sets, hand-smocked dresses and smart double-breasted coats, all of which are accented by ruffles, velvet trims and cute collars. It also has the royal seal of approval: the Duchess of Cambridge dressed Prince George and Princess Charlotte in Pepa & Co at aunt Pippa Middleton’s wedding in 2017 and the children are frequently photographed in the brand’s beautifully made ensembles.
40 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9NZ. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm. Visit pepalondon.com
Luna and Curious, Shoreditch
Luna and Curious in Shoreditch is a cornucopia of trendy childrenswear, toys and accessories by European labels like FUB, Bobo Choses and Barn of Monkeys. We love the colourful pom-pom hats, woollen cardigans and Haptic Lab sailing ship kites. There are plenty of treats for adults too — the boutique showcases a curation of independent jewellers, stationery and homeware.
24-26 Calvert Avenue, E2 7JP. Open from Monday-Saturday 11am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm. Visit lunaandcurious.com
Alex and Alexa, online
Considered the Net-a-Porter of childrenswear, Alexa and Alexa is where you’ll find baby Gucci, Burberry, Stella McCartney, Fendi and Dior. The brand stocks a diverse range of international fashion and sportswear brands, alongside homewares and toys — it’s a one-stop shop for all your children’s lifestyle needs.
Visit alexandalexa.com
Otis And The Wolf, online
Otis and the Wolf offers a gorgeous array of toys, kidswear and nursery furniture with a Scandinavian aesthetic. There are beautiful wooden teething toys, tactile garlands, patchwork blankets, mobiles and Moses baskets, from brands including Maileg, Konges Sløjd and Fabelab. In short, it offers everything you need to create a calm, modern and stylish space for your little one.
Visit otisandthewolf.co.uk
Rachel Riley, online
Rachel Riley gained worldwide recognition after the Duchess began dressing Prince George in her ensembles. Sarah Jessica Parker, Beyoncé and Claudia Schiffer followed suit, leading to a standalone boutique on Marylebone High Street and a concession at Harrods. The designer has since moved her store online, specialising in decorative ensembles for newborns and children. Riley, a former model and Cambridge graduate, studied pattern cutting at an atelier in Paris before launching her label in 1994. Shop timeless smock dresses, floral prints and embellished cardigans for girls, and classic corduroy trousers, smart shirts and cable knits for boys, as well as nursery furniture, newborn gifting bundles, toys and books.
Visit rachelriley.co.uk
Read more: The best boutiques in Notting Hill
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