Kid Couture

Dressed to Impress

For kids, white is considered the new black.

"I was somewhat surprised white was coming into the children's market, especially considering how hard it is to clean," says LaDonna Felke, owner of LaBella Flora Children's Boutique, an online store launched in March 2005.

Felke moved her Indiana-based business to the Web in order to reach a larger audience. "By having an online [business], I can offer a lot more variety of brands which I wouldn't be able to offer in a small community," says Felke, who admits she still gets excited by shipments of the latest baby clothing. A mother of three adopted children, Felke shares a percentage of her sales with orphanages around the world.

Felke formerly owned a traditional children's retail store and noted that girls' clothing sold three times over boys'. Therefore, she has catered her site toward the female niche.

With free shipping for orders over $75 -- which is hit very quickly with any of the several designer offerings -- her business has grown rapidly. The shop highlights unique, high-quality brands with quirky names such as Baby Nay, Chicken Noodle and Cozy Toes.

And the most expensive order a customer has made? Over $600, which was spent on several baby gowns and headbands.

Why spend so much money for infants and children? "It's about the compliment. It's really an ego issue [for the parents]," Felke explains.

Parents often splurge on spectacular take-me-home outfits for newborns, Felke adds. A lot of friends and relatives may be seeing the baby for the first time, which motivates parents to spend the extra money to make sure their latest addition looks perfect.

And "they want all the matching accessories -- hat, hair bows, matching blanket and booties," says Felke.

One extravagant example is a beautiful silk pink parfait gown designed by Biscotti ($84). The dress is traditional, with intricate floral details.

"You want your baby girl to look precious on her big day, as there are going to be plenty of photos," Felke explains.

These outfits can be more of an investment than a one-time wear.

Professional dry cleaners can have the special ensemble sealed and preserved so parents can have it as a keepsake for years to come -- Felke still has the take-me-home outfits for each of her children.

Of course, buying such extravagant clothing is more for the parents than for the tiny wearers. But few parents can resist the lure of a designer-clad baby.

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