A photo posted by Disney (@disney) on Jul 19, 2016 at 11:54am
PDT

The children’s wear market is currently growing at a faster rate than ever
before, driven by the increasing demand of mini versions of adult trends
and styles, including activewear and bomber jackets. Mini-me fashion has
never been hotter than before, according to new data from retail analytics
firm EDITED, as children are becoming more aware of fashion at a younger
age and making fashion decision for themselves.”Children’s fashion is
becoming more like adult fashion. We’re seeing success on styles similar to
women’s and menswear,” commented Shamiran Michael, Kidswear E-commerce
Merchandiser at River Island.

Average prices for children’s wear grow 29 percent

“These days parents want their children to look more mature and cool.
That’s conveyed through Mini Me best sellers.” A number of luxury retailers
have been fast to tap into the Mini Me trend and launch collections which
closely resemble their womenswear or menswear collections. For
example. Dolce & Gabbana developed an eveningwear capsule collection for
mothers and daughters, named “Like Mother Like Daughter: Partytime” which
features matching dresses and celebrated the bond between the two by
sending mothers and daughters in matching outfits down the catwalk in its
autumn/winter 2015 catwalk show.

Other luxury fashion brands, such as French fashion house Balmain, have
looked to the emergence of child fashion icons, such as Kim Kardashian
West’s daughter North, as a source of inspiration for their own collection.
Creative director Olivier Rousteing previously announced the launch of
fashion house’s debut children’s wear line on his personal Instagram
account earlier this year, which heavily features many of the womenswear
and menswear design touches.

WELCOME TO MY
NEW BALMAIN KIDS #thisisthefuture #balmainkids #FashionisFun #miniBalmains
#balmainlove

A photo
posted by OLIVIER R. (@olivier_rousteing) on Jan 25, 2016 at 5:46am
PST

However, at the moment, Burberry, Stella McCartney, Gucci, Fendi and
Moncler remain the most stocked luxury brands in childrenswear. In 2015 the
children’s wear market was valued at 5.8 billion pounds, according to data
from Euromonitor, a market which is poised to offer sizeable returns for
retailers able to navigate its waters. According to data from EDITED, the
children’s wear market grew by 2 percent within the 20 largest
childrenswear retailers over the past three months (April 15 to July 15,
2016) in comparison to the same period in 2015.

But, this sudden boost in children’s wear has not occurred in total
isolation. In fact, it has led to a increase in average prices for
children’s wear according to EDITED children’s wear tool. Over the last
three months, the UK childrenswear market’s average price has grown 28.6
percent over the same period in 2015 to hit 49 pounds, with the average
price for a pair of children’s shoes coming in at 51 pounds and average
price of a t-shirt at 26 pounds. Nevertheless, for luxury fashion houses,
the average price of these items is more than double the market average –
with the average price of a pair of luxury children’s wear shoes being 131
pounds and a luxury t-shirt 60 pounds.

In the red.
Duffle coats, sweaters and capes for #Burberry boys and girls.

A photo posted by Burberry (@burberry) on Jul 24, 2016 at 10:35am
PDT

Another big trend for children’s wear – as well as adult fashion for that
matter – remains active wear. In the US and UK, childrens’ activewear,
which includes printed leggings, motif sweaters and sneakers, has seen a 27
percent increase in new arrivals over the last three months in comparison
to the same period last year. In comparison, adult activewear has seen a 20
percent boost in new arrivals in the same period. In addition, childrens’
bomber jackets have grown by 263 percent, more than twice the 93 percent
growth in adult lines during the same timeframe. Other styles, such as
cold-shoulder tops and dresses have also seen huge growth spurts;
childrenswear was up 120 percent, following the lead of adult lines, which
were up 237 percent.

Photos: Dolce & Gabbana website

Infographic: EDITED