museums&MORE Summer 2016

Tyke Trends By Zeke Jennings

Acquiring a fashion sense usually comes after things like potty training and eating without a bib in a child’s development. However, the ideas of parents and grandparents on how baby should look and play are already in the works even before they come home from the hospital.

Insiders from companies that make clothes and toys are for babies and toddlers provided some insight as to what buyers for tots are looking for these days.

MM: What are the hot colors for baby clothing, accessories and toys?

Ellen Fruchtman, director of public relations, Mud Pie: The palette for baby clothing and accessories is definitely trending softer and more neutral — soft pinks and blues, grey, and cream. Grey is definitely the new gender neutral.”

Nadine Avola, SheKnows.com: “This year, you’ll see more emphasis on pastel colors, as well as soft vintage palettes. That’s colors like dusty rose, light jade, soft pinks and golds.”

Andrea Elliott, HABA USA/Habermaass Corp. Inc.: “As a company we focus on play value and bright colors with high contrast, which have always been and continue to be in style, as well as natural companions to children. Over time we have consistently added products made of different materials to broaden our appeal. For example we started with, and still use natural materials such as beech wood, and have expanded to innovative silicone and safe plastic rattles which allow for diversity in design and hygiene.”

MM: Are baby and infant color trends typically the same as adults and teens?

Ellen Fruchtman, Mud Pie: “There is a distinct difference between our children’s apparel and our women’s fashion. Our kids collection tends to be softer and sweeter — pinks, blues, grays — or whimsical with detailed appliques and brighter colors and prints. Our Women’s Fashion tends to be print driven or neutrals with pops of color.”

Dress-Trends.com: “Designers have decided that kids deserve not only comfortable but also stylish outfits. The materials from which it is proposed to sew fashionable kids clothing, accessories and used trends looks like they’re copied from adult magazines.”

MM: Are any animals particularly popular right now?

Andrea Elliott, HABA USA: “Dinosaurs always tend to top the list. Farm and zoo animals are always popular with children.”

Ellen Fruchtman, Mud Pie: “Elephants, giraffes and puppies are perennial favorites, as are mermaids, sharks and alligators. We are also seeing a resurgence of classic farm animals designed with a vintage cottage feeling.”

MM: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Ellen Fruchtman, Mud Pie: “(There is) a trend toward hand-drawn, painterly prints versus bold, graphic prints.”

Andrea Elliott, HABA USA: “Play is about developing the brain to be STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) prepared, so it is playing with the simplicity of things like blocks, games, puzzles and construction toys. Some refer these to these as ‘old-fashioned toys,’ simple toys, battery-free or unplugged. STEM toys develop the parts of the brain that will help children to excel in school and in life.”

Zeke Jennings