9 clever kidswear essentials we can’t stop thinking about
Coveting a clever capsule closet for contemporary kids? Our editors review Whistles best childrenswear buys for autumn/winter
The best high-street clothes for kids combine kudos with comfort – playful enough to keep your little darlings happy, but practical enough to keep parents sweet too. Thankfully, the new autumn/winter 2022 kidswear collection from Whistles does that, and then some.
A capsule closet designed for style-conscious little ones, the 76-piece range at John Lewis borrows design details from the grown-ups, piggybacking on their brand bestsellers, so you can dress a fashion-forward mini-me (until they loudly request otherwise, of course). Plus, these clothes are designed to last – fashionable, of course – but classic enough to be cherished for years to come.
‘We are very excited to be working with Whistles, and be the first retail partner to offer the new Kids collection,’ says William Burton-Smith, John Lewis & Partners Childrenswear Buyer. ‘We know our customers love the Whistles brand and hope this mini-me line resonates with them. We look forward to seeing the response to this fantastic AW collection.’
Made for three- to nine-year-olds, and designed with all genders in mind, the £16 to £65 easy-wear line is mindfully created for comfort to ensure that your pint-sized protégé feels fun and free-spirited. Best of all? It’s completely interchangeable, meaning you can invest in as many pieces as you please, safe in the knowledge that they work better together.
Designed for everything from Sunday strolls and school discos to treasure hunts and pre-tween harrumphs, Whistles’ best high-street buys will satisfy their every wardrobe whim. Here are the pieces we’ll be snapping up first…
The sequinned number
Best for: Christmas Day, parties and school discos, this term and next.
What makes it special: Crafted from recycled sequins in an unexpectedly fabulous forest green, this dress is full of surprises. Sparkly enough for days when they want to go all out (because what kids don’t have better social lives than their parents/PAs), it also doubles as a joyful day dress, layered under cosy knits when winter rolls in. The best bit? It’s been designed with just the right amount of fullness in the skirt, perfect for any budding Strictly Come Dancing fans.
The cord-co-ord
Best for: Bonfire Night, Sunday strolls and playdates with new school mates.
What makes it special: Playful, practical and in Barbiecore pink (so very 2022), we cannot resist this highlighter-hue cord co-ord. It’s bright enough to keep your spirited little adventurer smiling 24/7, yet durable enough to please parents too. Made for playing conkers and kicking up autumn leaves, this imagination-sparking, dopamine-rich, unisex double act strikes just the right chord.
The trophy knit
Best for: Christmas jumper day, Boxing Day, every day…
What makes it special? Move over naff novelty knits, this modern (unisex) take on trad argyle has cool Christmas kidswear covered. But while it’s a serious contender for best Christmas jumper of 2022, this joyous knit will easily see them into spring too. Consider it a clever investment that they’ll want to wear all year round.
The retro go-to
Best for: Pumpkin picking, Christmas markets and decorating the Christmas tree.
What makes it special? Crafted from super-soft, comfortable jumbo corduroy and cut to a relaxed shape for playtime, these easy-dress dungas do it all. Whether you’re grotto-bound and geared up to meet Father Christmas, off trick or treating (hello, Max from Stranger Things), or their BFF is coming over for tea, dungarees are undeniably practi-cool. Team with chunky knits, a bijoux blouse or a polo neck for serious Gloria Steinem vibes.
The pink pick
Best for: Netflix film nights, casual-clothes Friday and seasonal strolls.
What makes it special? From bubblegum co-ords to candyfloss party dresses, pink is the colour du jour – and for all of 2023, too, for that matter. Got your own take, but need to update your little one’s wardrobe? Think pink-on-pink for hot-chocolate-fuelled autumn walks, dodging rain showers or cosy movie days (yep, Hocus Pocus 2 is available on Disney+ this September). We’re loving Whistles’ Crew Neck Sweater, which will help beat the brrr and keep kids sweet – simply team it with (Battenberg) yellow or pink cords for a top-to-toe Taffy feel.
The do-it-all denim
Best for: Rainy days and half-term cinema trips.
What makes it special? For those days when you don’t want to overthink their outfit, there’s hardworking, durable, double-duty denim. Whistles’ denim drop is packed with 1970s separates, including the wide-leg jean and Peter Pan-collar ‘Sofia’ blouse. Worn separately or doubled up, they’ll add instant comfi-cool to any indoor craft day. Pair with a cosy knit – red and/or stripes are an easy-win – for serious snug points.
The heritage hit
Best for: Harvest Festival and birthday parties
What makes it special? Crafted from crisp organic cotton poplin with oversized puff sleeves and a Peter Pan collar, this dress has (in Whistles’ words) an ‘air of the 1970s’. This grants the piece instant heirloom status, making this shimmy-it-on trapeze dress easy-dressing at its most stylish. Perfect for twirling, be sure to pass it down to siblings (or a pal’s little one) because children will go wild for it for decades to come.
The birthday blouse
Best for: Gifting.
What makes it special? Calling all godparents, aunts, uncles and general parent pleasers – blouses are easy separates and a staple for sensible shoppers (and stylists) alike. But Whistles’ kidswear blouses include extra-special detailing to elevate the everyday – think colossal collars, puff sleeves and smocking galore. Guaranteed to dress up denims and leggings, and relatively growth-spurt resistant, bijoux blouses are the smart person’s go-to gift idea for Christmas, birthdays and special occasions.
The one-and-done dress
Best for: Pantomimes and theatre trips, Eid al-Fitr, Boxing Day, Communions and carol concerts.
What makes it special? Crafted in luxuriously decadent velvet, Whistles’ Sawyer dress is the dress to be seen in right now. Designed to be loved by kids and parents alike, it captures the spirited sense of joy that comes with dressing up, and – crucially – is swishy enough to endure endless rounds of musical statues, Twister and hide and seek. A surefire crowd pleaser they’ll merrily slip on, you simply can’t go wrong with this one-and-done hero piece.
