Though sometimes choosing your own clothes may seem like a nearly insurmountable challenge, dressing your child can be an even more vexing process. Perhaps your child will wear only one shade of purple, or won’t consider an outfit that doesn’t meet his or her ever-shifting definition of “cool.” While you can’t change your child’s fashion sense, this guide makes the shopping end of clothing a lot easier. Parents will rejoice in a selection that goes beyond Yashow Market.
American Eagle Outfitters
Popular with the tween and teen crowd, American Eagle Outfitters brings their casual, American aesthetic all the way to Beijing. Not a far cry from the likes of Gap or Hollister, American Eagle is yet another choice for teens looking for colorful, comfy clothing with plenty of trendy logos and prints. Prices start at RMB 99 for simple tanks and tees to RMB 399 for board shorts.
Archie & Rita
This New Zealand-based corporation prides itself on providing European clothing labels. The brands at Archie & Rita are more high-end, with lines like Trelise Cooper kids, Jottun, Jean Bourget, and Room Seven. With clothing for babies and kids up to age 6, Archie & Rita should satisfy children or parents with a keen fashion sense.
BabyGro
beijingkids Board Member Johanna Selth started her own store after
being faced with the challenge of finding safe, high-quality products for her babies. BabyGro has now grown into a trusted, one-stop shop for clothing, toys, and baby products that meet the highest safety standards.Infant clothing items include organic cotton onesies, shoes, bathing suits, tights, and tutus. Clothing prices start around RMB 200.
Baobao Taobao (Online only)
The kid’s section of Taobao covers anything anyone could ever need for a child directly or tangentially. In addition to child products, Baobao Taobao has sections based on a child’s age and suggests necessary products, including clothing. With such a comprehensive supply of clothing, Baobao Taobao has an enormous selection of Chinese brands, and foreign names like Bob the Builder and Disney.
Boshiwa 365
This China-based retailer aims to be the one-stop shopping place for all your baby- and child-related needs. Girls will love the extensive selection of pretty pink dresses and comfy hoodies. Boys will have no shortage of selection in t-shirts and shorts. In addition to baby clothing,they carry lines for children from 3 to 14 years old. Brands include Disney, Harry Potter, and Thomas the Tank Engine. Dresses start around RMB 199, and t-shirts average about RMB 150 apiece.
Counting Sheep
Counting Sheep provides some of the best and most trusted brands in baby and maternity gear, including Little Wings, Simply Colors, The Gro Company, and Kushies. Most clothing costs between RMB 100 and RMB 300, and you can buy at the physical store or online. Shipping within Chaoyang District is free for orders over RMB 350, and orders over RMB 500 are shipped free to the rest of Beijing.
Gap
A US-based retail giant known for its all-American style, Gap is the place to find reasonably-priced staples for kids’ wardrobes. It’s easy to find t-shirts, polo shirts, sports clothing, jeans, sleepwear, underwear for boys, girls, teenagers, and adults alike. Styles are laid-back and generally clean cut; shirts start at roughly RMB 100 and jeans at RMB 200.
Forever 21
Another American favorite, this fast-fashion store has just opened its first store in Beijing. Beloved by tweens, teenagers, and young adults, Forever 21 is another staple in the cheap, yet trendy clothing business. Teenage girls will love picking up bright skinny jeans and sundresses, while the lads have their pick of preppy shirts, jeans, and jackets. Can’t make it to the store? Test out your Chinese language skills by purchasing from their site.
H&M
H&M is a Swedish chain that features low-cost, fashion-forward clothing.H&M often recruits high-fashion heavyweights like Marni, Versace, and Stella McCartney for limited runs. H&M has a wide selection of clothing for men and women teenagers will love. They also have clothing lines for babies 0-6 months and children 9 months to 14 years old. Prices are a bit lower than Zara’s and generally range from RMB 99 to RMB 500 for adult clothing.
Hollister
Shopping for teens who love the all-American surfer look got a lot easier this year when Hollister opened its first store in Beijing. Teens and young adults will find short skirts, beachwear, jeans, and athletic wear coveted by American teenagers. The relaxed, beach-lifestyle attire does come with a price, however; simple t-shirts start at RMB 220.
Les Enphants
This Taiwanese retailer has been around since the 1970s. With dozens of stores all over the city, Les Enphants is never far, and it’s a fine shopping alternative to larger retailers and malls. They carry baby products and clothing by their own brand, as well as Disney Baby, Barbie, Peter Rabbit, and more.
Naturino
Since kids seem to grow out of their shoes almost as soon as you buy them, it’s good to know there are Naturino stores in Beijing to replenish kids’ soles. Naturino shoes have a special design feature they call the “sand effect,” which mimics the feeling of walking on sand and adjusts to the shape of the foot. With input from pediatricians and orthopedic doctors, Naturino shoes promote good posture and ultimate comfort in styles your kids will want to wear. Prices start at RMB 300. Don’t know what size to buy? Naturino has an iPad app that measures your foot.
Okaidi
Okaidi makes clothing for kids up to 14 years old. This French retailer designs kids’ clothing that respects every child’s identity and personality.The baby line Obaibi covers children from 0 to 18 months, while the children’s lines are divided into boys’ and girls’ clothing for ages 2 to 14 years old. The modern and sustainable clothes are casual and comfortable, with items like t-shirts, hoodies, cargo pants, jeans, and simple skirts.
Plastered T-Shirts
For kids who prefer t-shirts that make a statement, bring them to Plastered T-shirts. The shop sells cotton t-shirts with fun, China-related pictures like a cartoon traffic cop or three-wheeled bikes. Tees come in adult and children sizes. T-shirts start around RMB 150.
Tang’roulou
Chic baby clothing that pairs styles from the past with modern-day
aesthetics may have seemed like a stretch for Beijing in years past. Since Tang’roulou came into existence in 2007, baby fashion has had much more street cred. Founders Amélie Peraud and Pierre-Yves Babin found their muse in traditional Chinese images, from dragons and phoenixes to hutongs and bingtang hulu, the sugar-covered hawthorn skewers Clothing for babies starts around RMB 300 per piece. All materials are sourced from local markets, and everything is handmade and hand-embroidered. Purchase online at Tang’roulou’s Taobao shop, or visit their brick-and-mortar store in Sanlitun.
Uniqlo
Uniqlo is a great place to get basics for infants and children (and adults). The baby line includes basic onesies, easy tops and elastic pants; the kids’ line has comfortable, casual clothing and t-shirts featuring beloved cartoon characters. Low prices of RMB 30 to 200 are easy to accept, knowing your kid will eventually outgrow the clothing. There are nearly 20 Uniqlo locations around Beijing.
Zara
For fashionistas in the making, the children’s line at Zara is likely to appease any child’s fashion sense at a moderate price. Spanish retail chain Zara has clothing lines and accessories for babies 0 to 9 months old, boys and girls 3 to 36 months old, and boys and girls 2 to 14 years old. There are many Zara stores around Beijing, but not all of them have a kids’ section.
This article is excerpted from beijingkids September 2012 issue. View it in PDF form here or contact distribution@beijing-kids.com to find out where you can pick up your free copy.
