Made in U.S.A. Fashions with Global Style

We are all aware that our country has economic problems and the job market is challenging. Merchants can do their part to help correct this situation by showing customers a wide variety of American-made goods. By selling products made in the U.S.A., you are supporting important safety regulations, helping the economy, protecting workers and helping to save environmental resources. The Giggle Guide^® salutes four companies that produce fashion for kids, made in the U.S.A: Dillonger, Milly and Tate, Alivia Simone and Max & Bean.

Dillonger Sports On-the-Go

Youngsters are always on the go, whether their travels take them around the block or the world. Looking cool at all times is important, and there are no better clothing choices than those from Dillonger.

Get off a bus, a car or a plane in easy-wear Hangman pants made of a comfy poly, rayon and spandex blend and dazzle onlookers with slouchy style. Available in olive green or charcoal gray, these pants work on boys and girls and can be worn with practically any top , including the Line Up Sweatshirt in French Terry Cotton with bold orange accents or the Patch T Shirt in snappy black and white leather and cotton.

All cotton Ziggy Pants feature a relaxed fit for kids sized 2 through 12 who want to make it clear they are citizens of the world, and can be topped with the Zipper Hoody with zips that are functional and others that are just for fun. Don’t overlook the gray and black Dino Sweatshirt with black leather points running from the front of the head to the back of the neck –– like all Dillonger clothes for kids it is fresh, modern and a hoot to wear.

Too cool to fool: www.dillongerclothing.com

Milly and Tate Offers a Taste of Soft and Easy Fashion

Customers are always on the lookout for clothing for babies and toddlers with style that doesn’t take second place to comfort. Milly and Tate combines the best of comfort casual and fashion forward. Girls will swoon over the long sleeve tee shirts that are full of funk with designs like the Sequined Heart, Gold Lightening Bolt, Glitter Star and Lace Heart –– all great for layering or wearing on their own. To complete the look, Milly and Tate offers a choice of great-fitting pants, one design with a fold-over top; another with a generous ruffle for the cuff and a third in the popular wide-bottom Dance Yoga shape.

Boy’ tees come in short sleeves emblazoned with retro sunglasses, a heather green shirt with a navy mesh spider or a classic camo guitar. Little ones will stay cozy inside a super-soft, hooded jacket that comes in an astounding number of chenille patterns. Adorable, yes but also well-crafted so it warms but doesn’t overwhelm a toddler.

Chenille blankets offer the same comfort and can be personalized with that special baby’s name. Blankets are available with solid or scalloped edges; for bigger kids, they come in hockey or baseball motifs for guys as well as the peace sign or stylized flower for little misses.

Modern, hip and super-soft: www.millyandtate.com

Alivia Simone Adds Touches of Leather and Luxe

Beautiful clothes for beautiful souls is the mantra of Alivia Simone, a company dedicated to making clothes for girls aged three to twelve. Fabrics are chosen with an eye to luxury and brilliance so that every wearer feels special in a garment from this company. Shirley and Simone, the mother and daughter team behind the brand, pay close attention to details so that each item is a showstopper.

The Fall 2014 collection features stylish yet insanely practical dresses, skirts, tunics, blouses, pants and jackets, all with the hallmark of Alicia Simone that employs couture techniques and exquisite finishing details.

Leather hit this collection, but modified with an optional faux leather snake print to offer an important choice to vendors. Silk dresses are fully lined in contracting colors. Among the fall highlights are a rose embossed skirt; poly satin pants; digital printed silk dresses and blouses in animal print and orchard vines; Jacquard dresses in aqua, pink and lilac; a crepe du chine hand embroidered leather sequin blouse; and quilted silk satin pieces. The silk limited edition “Leo Dress”, a season favorite, is fully lined in a yellow charmeuse.

Lively, lovely luxury: www.aliviasimone.com

Max & Bean Knows Fashion Chameleons

It can be difficult to shop for girls aged tweens to teens. They are so diverse in their prefs, faves and lives, changing like chameleons from one style to another. Some are into comic books, while others are wild for mani-pedis. Many brands are either too young or too mature for them, but Max & Bean has nailed it with sportswear that is uncomplicated and easy to wear.

The line includes the popular Foundation Basics for young ladies who want sophistication as well as support as their bodies mature. You’re the Best Racerback Cropped Camisole has a cami tank top combined with a fun lace racerback in stretch cotton jersey that girls find super comfortable.

The Tree House Short Pant is a stretchy cotton short finished with soft elastic to pair with any Foundation top offered in small, medium, large and extra large to fit fourteen year olds. Hi-Low skirts with the trendy back long hem come in many colors and patterns, while the Have a Party chiffon skirt and Glad You’re Here skirt in lace provide great dress-up looks. Dresses in lace and chiffon are big sellers, while Skater Dresses in stripes come on bold and energetic.

Tops and jackets have the same easy flair and include the Breaking News Hoodie that flips over anything for an extra layer; the Peplum top with a flirty end at the waist and the Frankie Drop Shoulder top, a young take on sophisticated fashion.

From rompers to camis, Max & Bean offers customers a range of looks at appealing price points, especially useful as tween girls are still in their growing days and what fits now may not in a few months. Layering options abound and girls are relaxed in items from this young, sporty line by Dawn Nguyen Murnik who cut her fashion teeth at companies like Juicy Couture and Forever 21.

For direction in tween lines: www.maxandbean.com