American Made Dreams

According to a nationally representative survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, if shoppers were allowed to choose between a U.S.-made product and something identical made abroad, 78% of people opted for the American-made product. The reasons? Many respondents cited a wish to retain manufacturing jobs and to keep American manufacturing strong. Others expressed concern about the use of child workers or cheap labor overseas, and still others felt that American-produced goods were better quality. The Giggle Guide^® spotlights products made in the USA, including: Royal Baby, Dreamspun, Suoak and Polka Dot Moon.

Royal Baby: Ready to Welcome Baby

A baby on the way is an invitation for grandparents-to-be, expectant parents and friends to shop. To fulfill longings for exquisite layette items, stock Royal Baby, a leading layette brand since 1993. Known for its charming ribbons and elegant embroidery, this brand’s items are featured in discriminating stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York, and are made of super-soft Peruvian Pima cotton.

An adorable giraffe in pink, blue or yellow, graces the chest of a one-piece footed coverall, as well as a tee shirt that can be paired with matching, solid pants. The giraffe also adorns a three-piece set consisting of a hooded jacket, tee shirt and pants that would work brilliantly for a baby’s “coming home from the hospital” outfit. In addition to the giraffe, the footie also comes with a friendly dinosaur on the chest.

A smart kimono-style jacket banded with a trim of tiny navy sailboats comes with pants that have the same trim –– a stylish hat completes the look. Royal Baby is pure luxe that wears well.

Other goods include burp sets that come in a number of ribbon styles, including pink hearts, navy stars, the navy sailboats and more. Whisper-soft blankets with delicate edging are available in trims of pink hearts, pink vines and navy sailboats.

Royal Baby prides itself on deliberately keeping the brand quality-focused, while delivering complete shipments in a timely manner — a huge boon to retailers.

Pretty and sweet, fit for a regal welcoming: www.royalbabylayette.com

Dreamspun Creates Fabulous Frills

For twirly-girly looks, nothing beats a pettiskirt. Inspired by the tutu, but far more versatile, frilly skirts from Dreamspun more than fill the bill. Sweetheart, that comes in Caribbean with lime ruffles as well as red, royal blue, different shades of pink, orange, cocoa and many other colors, pulls on for dressing ease, especially useful in the newborn to 2 size. This charmer is also available in sizes to fit a toddler, little girl 6-8 years old and big girls from nine years to adults.

A satin bow at the hip lends just the right note of sassy style. The Petttidress, a superb choice for a flower girl or other special occasions, shows flounce to the max with vibrant lace trim and a large bow front and center on the bodice.

Designer Korrie Ottenweis ships her pettiskirts, ruffle bum bloomers, rompers, tights and other offerings all over the globe. Lacy boot toppers, microfiber tights embellished with a delicate chiffon tutu ruffle around each ankle, and hand-knit knee sox with the added impact of a ruffle at the top make irresistible fashion choices.

Take them for a twirl: www.dreamspunshop.com

Suoak Soaks Up NY Style

Mix and match is a key element in garments from Suoak, a New-York-based company whose creator draws on her design background gained from working in Tokyo. Look for lots of pattern contrast and different textures based on working with thick and fine Italian corduroys, soft ultra-suede, triple gauze, faux fur, quilted double-sided velvet and other unique fabrics.

Any young man would draw raves decked out in Suoak’s Purple Collar Shirt with a triple gauze camel body made extra special by the addition of an ultra-suede collar and pocket. Both boys and girls are candidates for the Faux Fur Collar Coat with a cotton quilted body and detachable snap-buttoned skirt, made unisex by unsnapping the skirt. Kids exude class when clad in a maroon quilted coat with a corduroy collar and snazzy, decorated pocket.

Lassies get a grown-up twist in a faux fur vest with purple suede trim. In a great double play, take note of a reversible that appears either as a gauze top with a denim skirt or a daisy floral top with a maroon quilted jersey skirt.

Suoak clothes are made by hand in the famed Garment Center in the heart of Manhattan. Special detailing such as piping and detachable parts and pockets are signatures of this collection.

Sensory and playful: www.suoak.com

Polka Dot Moon Makes Fun Bibs and Burps

For gifts, baby showers or the perfect item for a new family member, show shoppers too-cute-for-words newborn-sized biblets from Polka Dot Moon. Biblets snuggle right under new babies’ chins and are available in chocolate, orange, pink and turquoise with an easy to use snap closure. For older kiddies who need a “going out” bib, display reversible charmers with a contemporary design like Go-Cars and Trucks for boys or Mod Owls in pink or orange for girls on one side and soft, dimple minky in a coordinating hue on the reverse.

Other patterns include the manly All Star and Bullseye, or the feminine Sugar Stripe and Sweet Divinity Garden, all with solid undersides for a ‘two bibs in one’ item.

Polka Dot Moon offers a stylish balance of fashion, fun and function with products made proudly in the USA. Even their burp cloths have a trendy look. Made of six-ply one hundred percent cotton, the cloths get softer with each trip to the washing machine so they feel comfy against a baby’s delicate skin. Eye-catching patterns include Garden Giraffe, Sweet Nothings Dots and Flowers, All Star Orange and Brown and many more.

Stroller blankets, travel baby blankets and pacifier holders, all in the whimsical patterns that are a hallmark of this line, round out the collection: www.apolkadotmoon.com