Kaleidoscopic hues take center stage for playful summer threads. Remember to choose kid friendly fabrics that will stand up to the surf and sun for those unbeatable dog days of Marin’s Indian Summer.
1. The Mermaid Let the kids play dress-up with this two-tone towel by Chasing Fireflies, $40. 888.700.9474, chasing-fireflies.com
2. The Swimmer TYR—a brand known for its roster of Olympic athletes also makes suits for future champions who still sport floaties. $26 by order at Fleet Feet Sports (San Anselmo). 415.258.8190, fleetfeet.com
3. The Bathing Beauty The Byzantine Beauty suit by San Francisco-based Tea clothing line is inspired by cultures around the world. $40 at Giggle (SF). 415.440.1884, egiggle.com
4. The Freestyle Confident kids will love this bright gold foil tankini in a timeless horizontal print. $17.50 at Old Navy (Novato). 415.892.8766, oldnavy.com
5. The Wader The friendly wading flamingos on this Banana Cabana swimsuit are the perfect print for splashing at Stinson. $44 at Neiman Marcus (SF). 415.362.3900, neimanmarcus.com
6. The Sailor The checkered print and nautical inspired hues complement this tankini by SeaFolly. $62 at Mill Valley Baby and Kids Company (Mill Valley). 415.381.8639, mvbabyandkids.com
7. The Lifeguard Cover them up with sun protection swimwear by Mill Valley-based Sunbusters. The line provides an ultra violet protection factor of 50. $39 at Heller’s for Children (San Rafael). 415.456.5533, hellersforchildren.com
8. The Surfer Kids can hit the waves (or hang in the break) with the aloha print board short from Dogwood clothing. $28 to $32 at Mill Valley Mercantile (Mill Valley). 415.388.9588
Kids Take Spotlight at New Boutiques
After years working for Gap and Old Navy Alanna Klein set out to open Pumpkin in San Francisco’s Presidio Heights neighborhood. The success of the store and the demand for a line for the tween market got the 15-year industry veteran thinking. “As I saw the kids I was working with at Pumpkin grow up I knew I needed my business to grow with them,” says Klein. With a large number of customers already traveling across the Golden Gate, the obvious choice was to open shop in Marin.
Her new Mill Valley store Honeys and Heroes at 23 Sunnyside Avenue carries lines that parents would be thrilled to wear: Ella Moss, Splendid and True Religion but in sizes for a younger audience. Klein’s approach is to let kids develop their own style. “It’s so much fun to work with kids, I’ll ask them what their favorite color is, what they like to wear and really let them drive the process.”
Kristin Douglas, owner of the new shop Grommets at 401 Miller Avenue in Mill Valley, share’s Klein’s outlook. Douglas stocks items by skate and surf brands Hurley, Roxy and DC in sizes seven to 20. “My entire life I’ve wanted to open a store where kids can feel comfortable expressing themselves and don’t have to feel intimidated,” says Douglas.
In San Anselmo fashionable baby items are big business for new boutique Dixie Park at 718 San Anselmo Avenue. Camela McLanahan and Elizabeth Freskos (formerly of Fairfax’s Bugaboo) carry a selection of maternity wear and clothing for ages newborn to six-years-old that can’t be found at big retailers. McLanahan says supporting local companies like San Rafael’s Fleurville is important to her—she’ll even take a chance on an unknown designer if the product is stylish, well made and suits her bottle sipping clientele.
Honey’s and Heroes 23 Sunnyside Ave (Mill Valley) 415.380.1782
Grommets 401 Miller Ave (Mill Valley) 415.381.2535, mygrommets.com
Dixie Park 718 San Anselmo Ave (San Anselmo) 415.457.2884
Image 2: Anna Klein of Honey's and Heroes
