Thoughts: Minimalist Baby & Kids’ Clothing?

Last Friday, there was an article in the Wall Street Journal on the increase in minimalist fashion for kids. Designer baby & toddler clothing brands like Neige, Makie, Album di Famiglia, and Vince were all cited as examples of lines who offer more elegant and sophisticated pieces that stand in stark contrast to the graphic t-shirts, light-up sneakers, and sequin girls’ tutus that kids know and love. The pieces are still sweet and playful (think empire waist girls’ dresses or liberty prints), but more understated and chic. The author writes:

“American parents are increasingly taking a page from their European counterparts and outfitting their kids in more tasteful fare. Think pared-down cotton dresses for girls and engineer-stripe pants and logo-free T-shirts for boys.

“There’s a growing trend toward minimalism, toward something that’s a little more timeless, a little more quality,” said Adrienne Sugden, the designer, and owner of Neige, a California-based company that designs children’s clothes that are classic with clean lines…  [Sugden] began to entertain the idea of starting her own children’s line and noticed that the kids’ department was in need of a refresh. She saw the category as either overly decorated or far too traditional and conservative. Her wares have a sense of playfulness—”not scaled-down adult clothes,” in her words—and a refreshing sense of simplicity.”

Reading the comments & tweets in response to the article was fascinating. On one hand, kids may resist these neutral basics in favor of logo-filled t-shirts for boys or elaborate dress-up costumes for girls. And then there is the cost factor. But there is also an argument to made for purchasing high-quality pieces that are ethically produced and will be passed down for years (as opposed to their disposable, polluting counterparts). Plus, kids are so sweet as is that perhaps additional colors & details are unnecessary. Thoughts?