If you prefer to style your little one in something other than frilly pink florals or sports-themed onesies, then it might be time to look outside the chain retailers we sometimes frequent by default. Think outside the big-box stores and scope our picks below for fun prints, luxe styles, and one-of-a-kind finds for babies and kids. Whether you’re finding the perfect outfit for bringing your baby home or curating a tiny wardrobe that rivals Blue Ivy’s, your little one is guaranteed to be Insta-ready in adorable duds from these sites.
Winter Water Factory
When vibrant and original prints meet soft organic cotton, you’ve got a winning combo of outfits with gold star hand-me-down status. Stock up on colorful onesies, like this French Terry Jumpsuit in Traffic Red ($44), and more from this Brooklyn-based online store. Bonus: Many of the same prints for babies and kids come in grown-up sizes too!
Kutikati
This Los Angeles-based Etsy shop offers a creative organic collection of handmade baby clothes and accessories. With a fun variety of items from bloomers, like these Red Fox Organic Baby Shorts ($19-$30), to matching hat-and-leggings sets, you’ll want to treat your baby to some new outfits — and you might even find a gift or two for your next baby shower.
Smallable
Keep your baby seriously on trend with the unique designer finds on Smallable. The price point is more toward the Kardashian end of the affordability scale, but label-seeking bargain hunters can score some pretty good finds in the outlet section of the site. This 1 + In the Family Tim Panel Striped T-Shirt ($42) is a classic cool-kid option, and the luxurious Camion Fur Lined Velvet Burnous Coat ($153) is an easy cold-weather favorite.
Lenny Lemons
Fair warning — the outfits and prices on this site are hard to resist. From hilarious graphic tees to mini-me pieces that you’ll want to twin, like the Dana Baby Romper ($25), you can find everyday clothes, special occasion outfits, and everything in between.
Nununu
If you’re searching for edgy yet cozy minimalist style, then Nununu is the answer. With sizes ranging from newborn through adulthood, this is the place to find cool, uncomplicated options for everyone’s closet. Looking for a fun gender-neutral pick? This Skull Onesie ($42) is an easy favorite for your little tough guy or girl.
Primary
On the opposite end of the color spectrum from Nununu is Primary. With brightly colored basics like this Zip Romper ($18) and sweatshirts, leggings, and tees, this brand prides itself on not using slogans or bling and bringing parents a great lineup of super soft and reliably durable clothes for little ones.
Lola and the Boys
If your personal style swings from boho to biker, then Lola and the Boys is your mini-me fashion soulmate. With sizes that range from babies and toddlers to tweens and teens (and mommy too!), this is a one-stop shop to keep the whole family looking good. How rad is this Baby Denim Romper ($28)?
Fawn Shoppe
Similar to Smallable, the Fawn Shoppe has a huge selection of designer pieces, like the Oeuf Rainbow Skirt ($100), that will keep your baby on the best-dressed list. If you’re looking for high-end style at a lower price point, be sure to cruise through their sale section on the regular.
Thimble Collection
This site is full of sweet outfits that would work for a photo shoot or the playground. Small details make all the difference (think zipper closures for easy diaper changes). Another great design feature is making one outfit more versatile, like the Reversible Swing Tunic in Royal Dots ($72). It’s an easy favorite that will give you two outfit options in just one piece.
Juniper Baby + Kids
This site showcases a collection of clothing that allows your little one to play comfortably while looking effortlessly stylish. These sweet Donsje Kapi Lined Booties ($69) with fun animal details will kick any outfit up a notch or two.
Mama Owl
This London-based shop specializes in curating natural and organic clothes for babies and kids of all ages. Scroll through cozy wool pieces, like the Disana Organic Merino Baby Cardigan ($39), and soft cotton classics to discover your baby’s new wardrobe staples. If you’re bargain hunting, don’t miss their outlet section to score some great deals on an otherwise investment piece for your kiddo’s closet.
Mini Boden
You’re likely familiar with Boden as a go-to shop for grown-up duds you love, but did you know it’s also a great place to find amazing clothes for your little one? Discover unique finds for special occasions and colorful everyday favorites, like these Reversible Knee Patch Pants ($34).
Chaboukie
If sourcing responsibly made fashion is at the top of your list, take a look at Chaboukie. The entire line of clothes is released in limited-edition batches, so you’re likely to have a truly unique find in your selection. Cruise through virtual racks of fun graphic sweatshirts, soft tees, and one-of-a-kind options that you’ll want in your size too, like these Cuffed Pants ($45).
Peek Kids
If you don’t have a store location in your neck of the woods, you may not know about this boutique of pint-sized fashion. This is a hotspot for trendy tees, beautiful sweaters, soft newborn basics, and perfect picture-day outfits. The styles here look more like a shrunken version of clothes you would wear, like the Baby Vivienne Sweatshirt ($36), but the overall feel is 100-percent age appropriate.
Nature Baby
This New Zealand-based store ships worldwide and offers clothes and products that are produced with Earth-friendly practices. With simple yet beautiful prints in a variety of styles, there’s something for every baby in every season. This Light Cotton Knit Jumper ($55) comes in a sunny print that’s perfect for brightening up the dark, dreary days of winter.
Anthropologie
While it may not have a dedicated space for kid’s clothing, Anthropologie’s Home category does have a kids’ section. It’s a hidden gem worth checking in on from time to time. There you’ll find unique toys, beautiful big kids’ room and nursery decor, and an outfit here and there, like the Lali Romper ($44).
Estella
This store brings artisan-inspired European-style clothing to New York. And thanks to the internet, anyone outside of the boroughs can shop here too! Check out their collection of whimsical (and organic) graphic onesies and creative knit rompers, like this Sleeveless Organic Baby Romper With Apple ($65).
Bohem
This site is more of a creative collective than just a straight-up kids’ clothing store, but it’s hard to deny that the kids’ section is pretty fun to browse. The clothes available for little ones look like thoughtful works of art but still have a cozy feel to them, like this Giraffe Longsleeve Onesie ($22).
Zara
The same Zara that serves up on-trend grown-up clothes has an entire department devoted to little ones, and they’re just as cool. This Fuzzy Penguin Patch Jumpsuit ($26) is an adorable find for a boy or girl.
Kira Kids
Shopping at Kira feels like cruising an artsy friend’s Pinterest board. With creative prints and hilarious graphic onesies, tees, and sweatshirts, like the “Let’s Taco Bout It” Graphic Raglan Sweatshirt ($48), it’s easy to make this a go-to site for finding personal faves and unique gifts for friends.
Welcome to Selfmade Finance School, our new money series with Block Advisors to help small business owners with their tax, bookkeeping, and payroll needs year-round. This week, we explore the tax implications of bringing family members into your business.
The question for today is this: Does hiring your family members make sense for your business? Let me be clear. This is not a piece about whether hiring your family members makes sense for your relationships with those family members. As someone who is part of a family business, I could fill up a lot more than 600 words on my opinions about that. For today's purposes, we focus on whether it makes sense from an overall "good business and tax implication" perspective. As it turns out, there is a decent amount of tax nuance when it comes to employing your family. Let's break it down based on relationship to the employee:
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Spouses Who Are In Business Together
Personally, if I had to be in business with my husband, it would not go well. However, many couples build viable, strong businesses together and I say, good for them! Depending on how you have your business entity structured, it will make a big difference on the tax treatment of you and your spouse working as partners. Because a business jointly owned and operated by a married couple is generally treated as a partnership for Federal tax purposes, the spouses must comply with filing and record keeping requirements imposed on partnerships and their partners. The election to file two Schedule C (Form 1040) forms, (one for each spouse) permits certain married co-owners to avoid filing partnership returns, provided that each spouse separately reports a share of all the businesses' items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit. Under the election, both spouses will be subject to self-employment tax and on net earnings from self-employment and receive credit for Social Security earnings.
One Spouse Employs Another
If you have a dynamic where your spouse is an employee of your business, then your spouse's wages are subject to income tax withholding, Social Security and Medicare taxes. If you are self-employed (not a corporation or a partnership), your spouse's pay does not have to be included in your federal unemployment tax account (FUTA) contributions and payments. However, if your business is a corporation or a partnership you must include that spouse's pay in your unemployment tax contribution calculation.
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You Employ Your Child
First, let's be clear. I work in my family business, but I am an adult, so I am treated just like a normal employee. However, if you, for example, run a family restaurant and want to hire your children under 18 to work for you, there are some tax benefits. But first, you should check with your state for rules on how many hours minors can work (in non-agricultural jobs) and reference the Fair Labor Standards Act for information on limitations on the kinds of work children can perform.
"This is an often overlooked or under-utilized strategy. Paying your children for true services they provide in your business can be a powerful tax-saving tool," says Cathi Reed, Block Advisors Regional Director. "If you are a sole-proprietorship or single member LLC, and the child is less than 18 years of age, the business is not required to withhold FICA or payroll taxes. The child can use his or her standard deduction against income you pay."
You Hire Your Parent
Oh dear. If you are brave enough to do this, know that you will need to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on your parent's wages and make the appropriate withholdings, but you don't have to pay unemployment taxes. Now all you have to do is convince your parent that you are the boss. Have fun with that!
Is Hiring Family Members Worth It For The Tax Benefits?
"There are some positive tax advantages to hiring family members. It's important to treat a family member like any other employee. Hiring your children can result in substantial savings for businesses. Make sure your child has real, age-appropriate work to do and a reasonable pay rate, comparable to other employees. Consult with a Block Advisors small business certified tax pro to ensure that you are complying with all requirements," advises Reed. "Block Advisors, a team within H&R Block, is dedicated to meeting the tax, bookkeeping and payroll needs of small business owners year-round. To start working with the tax experts at Block Advisors, visit blockadvisors.com."
In my opinion, you should not hire a family member solely because of the tax benefits. You should always hire based on whether that person is right for the job and keep in mind how this hire could materially impact your relationship with that person and others in your family. Finally, as I mentioned, make sure you have a tax professional on your team when making these determinations. As you can see, things can get a little tricky!
*All details were sourced from IRS.gov and blockadvisors.com
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regards to your individual situation. Comments concerning the past performance are not intended to be forward looking and should not be viewed as an indication of future results. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. O'Keeffe Financial Partners and any other entity listed herein is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS Investor Disclosures: https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures