Is it true that Scandinavian producers of children's wear are much more concerned about the kids' feelings? I know that a lot of new brands have been popping up here in the USA recently but can't we get the same things at Walmart? I think so.

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One of the first things that impressed me in Scandinavia were the infants clothes I saw at Engelborne, which was on the Stroget in Copenhagen. Instead of putting bears and trains and balls and birds in pastel patterns, there were colors, shapes, stripes and the sort of feeling that babies would see and enjoy, especially since very young tykes don't know what a football or stork or locomotive represents. Strong colors seem pleasing, not overexciting, to younger children. This persists...look at the designs of the Brio toys from 30 years ago, for example.

Older youngsters winter clothes from Scandinavia are made with the durable, tough quality that is needed in a rugged climate with wet, cold and wet weather. They don't just appear to be sturdy, warm and dry...they really ARE made that well. On the other hand, such handwork makes them expensive, and in most parts of the USA, such quality, perhaps where it's not necessary, is usually eliminated from the market by the sheer force of lower priced, similar-looking fashions.

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When my kids where toddlers, I always had to buy rain gear in Sweden. It was impossible to find boots, pants with suspenders and jackets that could handle mud and serious rain. I don't know if there still is a lack of good rain gear for kids in the US. I never understood why kids are walking around with umbrellas.

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in general with Swedish children's wear there are quite some substantial differences if you compare to especially the mass produced chain stores like walmart etc...i would say the most differences are:

QUALITY. walmart and other mass produced items cannot even the slightest be compared to high quality made products that you can hand down child after child, year after year. Scandinavian design have a nice reputation for its high quality FORM and FUNCTION, which is very much what Scandinavian design is all about.

FUNCTION. Scandinavian designers children's clothing are usually focusing on function: kids wear should be practical in any weather and any activity, so less looking just pretty clothes and more combined cute with function.
For example, high end Scandinavian outer and rain wear do not compare to cheap outerwear found at for example target etc. Kids are not meant to play in the playground in pooring rain with most american rain gear, but they work if you are just running from the rain!

DESIGN. Scandinavian design have a very different look to most american brands. Less bows and ruffles and princess dresses and more gender neutral designs yet rich in unique color combinations and patterns are often meant to work for both boys and girls. For example you may see a pink or purple tone in a boys tshirt or a dress with motorcycles.
Many Scandinavian designers have a very retro inspired look so lots of kids design is quite 60's -70s inspired...and overall there is a just a very different look to the typical Swedish design compared to the typical american walmart look.

ENVIRONMENT. Many Scandinavian designers are a BIG step ahead when it comes to environmental focus, and organic children's wear are much more exciting with so much more options when it comes to patterns and prints. Many designers in Sweden are working with fair trade certified factories where the work environment is close to Swedish standards. Operations like walmart or target with an ocean of mass produced cheap labor items, unfortunately contributes to extreme poor work environments throughout the world... that especially in the textile industry unfortunately more often that not is far from humane.
When it comes to toxic materials and dangerous chemicals, Sweden have a stricter import and chemical regulation. There are quite a few more labeling requirements in place and in general SADLY more chemicals are allowed here in the states but that does not only apply on clothing but everything from toys, skin products and food!

When i had my daughter I actually missed so much from the Scandinavian children's wear that i opened up my own Scandinavian kids shop here in the usa

You can visit my store www.vyssanlull.com, we carry about 10 different Scandinavian, organic, ecofriendly and ethical brands. We are even starting to represent some of them for wholesale so I am hoping to get my Nordic brands more exposure nation wide!!

If you want to find out more about Scandinavian design you can read how our brands have been
reviewed here in America - for quality, function, environment and design!
http://vyssanlull.com/press.php


Hope you will enjoy!

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