Totshop.com: Baby Bean Vintage-Fabric Clothing

Is your fashionista a true individual? Then it’s time to dress her like one. Each adorable Baby Bean piece is constructed of, or accented with, one-of-a-kind vintage fabric. From the denim Tuxedo Pant to the Audrey Day Dress to the Peacock Patch Tee, the comfort and style of this unique collection makes it fun to be a girl!

Girlshop.com: Geren Ford 40’s Vest

It’s a vest season but let’s admit it, vests can be difficult to pull off or too specific for some tastes. No so with this Geren Ford’s incarnation. Not only is it incredibly smart looking and beautifully detailed, the empire waist and longer length with curved shirt-tail hem make it incredibly flattering… almost too perfect for concealing post-baby bellies.

Guyshop.com – Hummel Track Pant

Your man would be wise to stock up on these track pants by Hummel. Firstly, they’re on sale and secondly, they’re available in several great colors so more than one is justifiable. Equipped with front and back pockets, these super comfy, substantial weight pants offer a bit of style in the form of chevron stripes fashioned down the outside legs. Not restricted to athletics, they’re absolutely presentable casual wear.

Totshop.com: Pooki Plush Toys & Bags $14-$30
Both you and your little one will fall hard for the whimsical characters and handmade style of plush Pooki dolls! Reminiscent of Japanese anime, these endear-ables are actually the work of a French artist. The super-cutsie Pooki Bags and Backpacks make great fashion pieces – for older girls and women too.

Girlshop.com: Sue London Travel Ballet Flats, $142
Ok, you’ll be out pounding the pavement and anticipate throbbing tootsies by days end. But instead of stowing a pair of kicks in your tote, choose a more fashionable option. Sue London ballet flats. The foldable shoes come stored in a compact leather pouch so it takes up almost no room in your bag. They’re available in beautiful classic colors that’ll take you from season to season. Fashion emergency averted.

Guyshop.com: Spragwerks Jewelry, Money Clips and Belt Buckles, $45+
I completely dig this handmade and found-art jewelry designed especially for men and I’m not alone. It’s a favorite of my husband’s. Skulls, vintage car emblems and interesting original cast metal pieces are styled into money clips, rings, cuffs and pendant necklaces. It’s hip without trying too hard and any piece makes a very cool and unique gift.

Totshop.com pick: Julep Junior Striped Hoody $78
Grab one of these Julep cozy cover-ups for your little one and enjoy endless wear. The striped hoody is just the thing for end-of-summer nights and will fit right in with back-to-school duds. Julep uses it’s trademarked Kashwere yarn—a luxuriously soft Chenille Synthetic microfiber that’s machine washable and dryable, stain resistant and non-wrinkling. Fleece seems so ordinary!

Girlshop.com pick: Candela Sweater Jacket $322
Itching to invest in something deliciously cute yet practical for Fall? I can’t say enough about Candela’s super chunky, casually sophisticated sweater jacket. It’s perhaps the perfect wrap with a longer length, dramatic oversized collar and a bit or Lurex for subtle glitz. Throw this on over jeans and a tee and you’re instantly chic… and plenty warm.

Guyshop.com pick: Hummel Zip Front Track Jacket $90
Meet a track jacket that’s fashionable beyond the runner’s path. Yes, Hummel’s jacket is 100% polyester. Yes, it has a think ribbed hem, collar and cuffs with yes, multi stripes. But wear this with a polo, dark jeans and a pair of Toms and you’ll be sporting retro-inspired fashion right from the pages of GQ.

Totshop.com: Jenerations Baby Hair Gel
When I first learned of Jenerations Baby Hair Gel, it made me giggle. I had funny visions of ultra styled newborn locks in spiked mohawks. But then I thought: this is actually the most brilliant product! Little ones have flyaways too, especially when hair cleansing involves a simple lathering of multi-duty head-to-toe body wash. Jennifer Reilly, NYC hair stylist and the mother of two, uses salon quality ingredients that are baby friendly for her hair and body care. All her products have a gentle scent and the hair gel is light and non-sticky. I’m glad someone addressed this too-vain-to-mention issue.

Girlshop.com: DRU Peep Toe Flats $121
Fashion meets comfort, finally! Leggings, skirts, skinnies and trousers will all look chic with these low-to-the-ground kitten heels. Perfect for the mom about town, there’s no need to pull a nonchalant footwear change from sneakers to cute shoes after you drop the little one off at pre-school. Subtly spiced with a bit of toe cleavage and patent details, these are comfortable enough to wear to wiz the Stokie cross town and continue on to a breakfast pitch meeting. Ditto for DRU’s scarf-print slingback flats.

Guyshop.com: Drifter Tees $59
More cool t-shirts from Guyshop. Drifter tees are made from a double layer of tissue fine cotton and involve intricate silk screens from the artists/design team. Recently seen on Entourage, the David Letterman Show and just the other week, Shayenne (the country western singer with an MTV reality show) came in to the Drifter showroom to pick out some clothes! Also available for women on www.girlshop.com.

Totshop.com Pick: Dirty Laundry Onesie and Hat Set $46

When you’re gifting for newcomers, I think it’s so important to be original. Dirty Laundry, known for their hip layered appliqués t-shirt designs and hand cut style, introduces this uber soft onesie and hat set. Each sleeping-style cap blurts words like “bling”, “burp” and “kiss me”, offering baby-speak insight into its paired onesie character. Makes me smile.

Girlshop.com Pick: AKA New York Shirt Dress $355

I’m a complete sucker for shirt dresses. They’re easy and versatile, sophisticated yet comfortable. They’re in the look-great-in-5-minutes section of my closet right next to my DVF wrap dresses – A key piece of wardrobe for a busy (no nanny on the payroll) mom. AKA’s version makes this staple foolproof stylish. The fabric is silk with slight stretch and is available in several vintage inspired fabric designs. There’s hardly a need to accessorize with this head turner. Wear with boots, sandals, leggings… no thinking involved.

Guyshop.com Pick: Kara Janx Men’s Blueprint T-Shirt $55

I love Kara Kanx’s women’s line on Girlshop.com (Her Wrap Kimono Dress fits perfectly into my thoughts for Girlshop pick this week). Now men also get the chance to sport one of the Project Runway star’s designs as well. This nice looking t-shirt has a panel of a blueprint running down one side making a definite style statement. A simple blue X (Kara’s logo for the men’s line) stamps the back. Jeans, an optional long sleeve tee underneath and I say the guy is good to go. Thanks Kara!

Meet Laura Eisman. Eight years ago Laura realized that most stylish women across the country had limitied access to emerging designers. With a resume that included Marie Claire (as senior designer on the US launch of Marie Claire) and iVillage when it was a start up (Laura was Creative Director), Laura took her love of fashion, web savvy and artistic ability and created Girlshop. “Girlshop is like shopping with your best friend. That is, if your best friend is a hip but approachable New York fashion gal,” says Laura. Together with Todd Richter, (Laura’s husband, business partner and father to their daughter Lily), Laura built Girlshop as one of the first fashion retailers on the Internet, then expanded to create the subsequent companion sites Guyshop and Totshop.Clever Parents caught up with Laura to discover how she finds her designers, the most interesting trends in children’s fashion today and her favorite up and coming designers.

Clever Parents: How do you find your designers?
Laura Eisman: I’m always on the hunt for new designers that have a fresh spin. I constantly review lines submitted via email and mail and call in samples if I feel it’s worth taking a look in person. Being in NY is great because there is so much energy surrounding emerging designers. I seek out the small designer markets around town and also attend the larger trade shows.

Clever Parents: If I’m a designer, how do I go about getting my wares on Totshop, Girlshop, Guyshop?
Laura Eisman: Contact the buyer for the website with a submission of your line in the form of electronic photos or line sheet. A cover letter or bio is key because we really buy into the story behind the designer as well. We’re looking for collections and products that are unique and creative: talented designers we feel have real potential and staying power, and a good fit for our savvy shoppers.

Clever Parents: Since you have a number of designers, how often does inventory change on your sites?
Laura Eisman: It depends on the line, and the website. Girlshop is forever adding new inventory. Designer deliveries are received every month but staggered so new merchandise goes up each day. Our customers are obsessive so they check in daily or several times a day. For Totshop (and Guyshop) trends don’t change as frequently. A designer boutique is updated seasonally but also staggered so there is new stuff to see every week.

Clever Parents: Since starting your business, how has fashion for children evolved?
Laura Eisman: There was a real baby boom several years ago that is still happening. More babies mean more diverse people with babies and this keeps things interesting. In addition, there’s a lot of attention on the celebrity babies thanks to the bevy of tabloid coverage. The product selection has gotten more hip with cooler more interesting people in the market.

Clever Parents: Your story is interesting; most people start out with a store and then develop an online presence. You did it the other way around. What did the online world teach you about bricks and mortar selling? Are the challenges different between the two?
Laura Eisman: Online you learn to service your customer very well. They can be very vocal since the communication is so convenient. Loyalty, service and selection is everything. I think this translates to bricks and mortar. But now we get to meet our customers in person and nothing can replace that!

Clever Parents: What are the most interesting trends in children’s fashions today?
Laura Eisman: Children live in tees and so there is a huge market in translating the t-shirt. Screens, appliqués and embroideries are done with original artwork. The children’s fashions are also following the adult trends more than ever, which is great. You see more fashion and less of the typical cutsie stuff. I dress and style my baby like a mini me, with her input of course. As a parent, it gives you a chance to let your child’s personality show through in their what they’re wearing.

Clever Parents: Who are some of your favorite up and coming designers?
Laura Eisman: For kids I love Wonderboy’s mini men’s button downs in fun, old school prints, Decaf plush for mod appliquéd tees and Skelegamink for pima cotton knit dresses and tops. For women, Mike&Chris is my absolute favorite! For fall, they’ve evolved their hoody into amazing coats and tops with oversized buttons and collars. And for lush oversized bags, it’s Goldenbleu.

Look for Laura’s weekly column Laura Shops, where Laura shares stylish picks from Totshop.com, Girlshop.com and Guyshop.com.