Dressed to a “T” – Tip to Toe

“You’re never fully dressed without a smile” as the Annie anthem goes, but it doesn’t hurt to also wear coordinating hair accessories, a knockout dress, fancy coat and step-out-in-style shoes. Those who shop for girls want their little miss sunshine to look adorable from top to toes.

Some girls – even at a very early age — insist on certain colors (pink and purple anyone?) and clothes that are “comfortable,” defined by soft fabrics and a casual fit that doesn’t constrain running and jumping, and just plain being a girl. To meet many needs, merchants must consistently stock and display items that grab customers, inspiring them to purchase “can’t-resist” items for both needs and wants.

Styles that go along with what the adult world is wearing are fun for all, especially when manufacturers interpret mini-me clothing that remains age-appropriate. These vendors offer stylish merchandise that’s fashionable, tasteful and well-made. Need immediates? Help your customers dress their best at all the celebrations of fall and the holiday season with Liv and Lily, Donita, Biscotti and Rachel Shoes.

Liv and Lily: Heads Above in Finishing Fashions

Who likes a touch of luxe? Pretty much everyone, that’s who. And, when it comes to elegant finishing touches, be they hair ornaments for girls or hats and bow ties for little guys, Liv and Lily is a winner at the finish line.

A baby looks all dressed up and ready to take on the town when her head is haloed in a mini Adele headband with an adorable bloom. The Harper flower headband comes with a headband sized to fit a newborn up through an adult, so mom and baby can adopt the same style in a petal pink, platinum, cream, chocolate or black band with a ruffled flower and a choice of glittering Swarovski crystals in the center.

For a special party photo op, suggest the Olivia hair band with three rosettes in gorgeous hues including cappuccino, cornflower or berry and the elegance of crystals. Hair can also be dressed with an alligator no-slip clip in a choice of flower styles and colors. Madeline, a pleated flower design with an intricately beaded center, comes in ivory, apricot or mauve, while Charlotte features rose-shaped clips.

For the youngest of ladies, stock up on Everley, an especially delicate flower that is sold as a set of four. Single and double hair ties add a touch of designer elegance with Japanese covered buttons and matching elastic bands.

When it comes to a finishing touch for boys, Liv and Lily has that covered, too. The Fedora is a hot seller, adding sass to a guy’s outfit while Newsboy caps lend a vintage look in fabric or suede. Display the Studded Belt in black or cognac and watch shoppers respond to the luxury of leather with smart metal trim, sized for kids from two to ten.

Silky neckties in a variety of stripes and solids lend a manly look to little guys and come with elastic for easing on and off. If customers prefer the sophistication of a bow tie, Liv and Lilly has them with an adjustable neck that grows along with the wearer.

Accessorize with the finest: www.livandlily.com

Donita Combines Style and Sense

Retailers should take a good look at Donita Fashion, a brand introduced to the U.S. and Canadian market last fall that has achieved recognition in Europe and Indonesia for its large collection of on-trend fashions at prices that will assure motivating margins for domestic retailers. Donita’s dreamy party dresses make any occasion special.

At the August trade shows, Donita premieres its Spring/Summer 2013 collections, plus they offer immediate delivery for fall and holiday dresswear. Style D853 is a flirty cotton number with a delightful all-over red and pink flower pattern on a gray ground with a white bolero in the same print. DNB002 , also in cotton, is pure enchantment in cream with a flower print, side pockets and light green flowers on the bodice.

Shoppers who gravitate towards blue will fall in love with E170 that displays squares of different blues, rick-rack at the collar area and darker blue emphasizing the waist and hem. For those in search of a girly yet bit more sophisticated look, show DNU2, a fabulous look for tweens, with a waist loaded with sparkle and a row of flowers adorning the neckline. This style comes in both a chic eggplant plum and cheery crimson.

For holidays, a long-sleeved red top with a ruffle, satin-trimmed jewel neckline and flower at the waist tops a black and red skirt blooming with flower power. The same black-and-red flower print is also available as a dress with shoulder straps and red trim that meet with a perky bow at waist side.

A Donita party dress with a “big seller’ vibe sports ruffles at the waist and bottom of the skirt, trimmed with faux ivory pearls. Another dress just made to delight young twirlers is available in pink, with embroidered pink flowers.

For a sophisticated look that’s catwalk-ready, show a sleeveless long dress in deep crimson with black lace on the bodice, a cascade of black flowers on the shoulder and black border at the hem. Equally glam, another sleeveless dress features a black swirl pattern overlay on the top, black flower with a jeweled center at the waist and a bright red skirt with a black ruffle peeking out below.

For portrait-perfect holiday photos or candid snapshots, girls will be make a lasting impression in Donita’s red skirt with large black polka dots, topped by a black, puff-sleeve top with blingy-buttoned front. The red and black dot pattern is also available as a longer dress, spotted from top to bottom, embellished with a black-sashed waist and sparkled middle.

The company will also introduce its new casual separates collection at ENK Children’s Club and KidShow. Donita fashions, all from corporate manufacturer Liza Garment, are designed in a range of sizes for infants through tweens.

For higher-end looks with sell-through sensibility, contact Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mike Berens at (310) 968-5558. www.donitafashions.com

Biscotti and Kate Mack are Hot for the Cold

For runway-worthy outerwear, look to Biscotti for sublime style with the whimsical trims that are the hallmark of the brand. Fabrics include both solid and animal print faux fur, polar fleece, down, polyfill, ponte knit, cotton velvet and wool.

The winter 2012 line for newborn through girls’ size 16 includes varied silhouettes, including the ever-popular trench coat, retro swing shape, short and long puffy filled ski jackets, hoodies and full-length dressy coats for those special occasions. Biscotti trims garments with all kinds of fabulous embellishments like bows, girly-girl ruffles, flowers, ribbons and faux fur collars and cuffs.

Among the outstanding looks from this popular line, Biscotti Coat Essentials is a ruffle trim wool trench coat in black for sizes 2 toddler through girls size 16; Twinkle Twinkle, a cotton velvet coat with faux leopard fur trim that can be had for tiny ones starting at three months through girls size 6X and – the icing on a scrumptious cake — a matching faux fur trim hat in infant 9 months up to girls 6X.

Biscotti’s multi-award-winning Kate Mack brand of coats includes Boho Ballerina, a lilac polyfill jacket, and A Dozen Roses, a smashing red faux fur jacket for sizes 4 thru 10. Other knock-outs are the Lilac Fairy solid gray cotton poly Spandex leggings that pair with a gray stripe cotton cotton/poly Spandex and nylon netting dress and the Blue Moon look that includes periwinkle stripe poly cotton Spandex leggings, a periwinkle faux fur tie front vest and the grace note of a periwinkle faux suede hat

Check with Biscotti for information about immediate buys for Fall/Holiday, and see the Spring 2013 fashions at upcoming regional and national trade events. Biscotti and Kate Mack are always must-sees for the best in children’s fashion for every season: www.biscottiinc.com

Rachel Footwear: Footloose and Fancy

The perfect outfit ends at the feet, with shoes and boots that are on-trend, well-crafted and comfortable. Rachel Shoes has been producing foot-happy gear since 1982, offering dress shoes, school shoes, dress and play sandals, boots, flats, thongs and Mary Janes.

Boots continue to be best-sellers for Fall 2012, among them Athena, in brown or black distressed leather with a faux fur cuff and pom-poms. Gidget, a shortie boot, comes in black or natural suede and laces for a femme twist on a rugged, outdoorsy look. Isabella, in go-with-everything black suede with a “furry” lining, has two side buckles in sizes 12 up to 5.

For those who favor a sportier boot, there’s Seneca, complete with heavy-duty laces, pom-poms and a ridged sole to keep kids from slip-slidin’ away. Seneca and its baby sister, Lil Seneca, both come in black, brown and taupe suede, to provide a natty neutral for every outfit.

Show off Lil Fiesta and customers can’t help but know they have found a fabulous pair of party shoes for the small diva in their life. This model, in Black Caviar, Pewter Glitter and Purple Glitter, has sparkle aplenty, a favorite look among girls who crave bling down to their toes.

Another dressy shoe that wins hearts is Brooke that also comes as Lil Brooke for toddlers, offered in Pewter Metallic or Black Patent. Brooke and Lil Brooke sport the tiniest of heels for a touch of sophistication.

For shoppers who prefer flats as dressy shoes, consider Gemini, a winner in cunning combos like Pewter Metallic/Glitter, Black Patent/Glitter and Bronze Metallic /Glitter, in sizes 6.5 to 12 and 13 – 5 .

Rachel Shoes are made with great attention to details, fashion and fit: www.rachelshoes.com