When couturiere Jeanne Lanvin debuted a high-end children’s clothing line in 1908, she unknowingly gave birth to a new trend that would span more than a century to come. With her daughter, Margueritte, serving as model and muse, the French designer created mini-me versions of her iconic womenswear in the same sumptuous materials and celebrated styles, and after the mother-daughter duo were spotted around Paris wearing the coordinating couture, mothers across the globe began following suit with their own offspring. What resulted in the subsequent decades was a surge in such pairings, from Joan and Christina Crawford’s identical ruffled pinafores and puffy-sleeved blouses in the 1940s and the matching household outfits emblazoned atop mothers and daughters on 1950’s covers of Ladies’ Home Journal to the colorful Lilly Pulitzer mommy-and-me dresses of ‘90s and early aughts.
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While the idea of mother-daughter twinning might be far from revolutionary these days, the concept has only intensified in recent years and has grown to include matching pieces for the whole family--be it father-son swimwear, aunt-niece handbags, or pajamas for several generations. Whether you’re on the hunt for coordinating outfits for your family Christmas card, scouting cute gifts for the holidays, or looking for everyday ways to connect with your loved ones from afar, these modern takes on pairings ensure there’s truly something for every type of little and big in your life.
Petite Plume Navy Gingham Pajamas
There’s something undeniably charming about the idea of matching family pajamas. Images spring to mind of traditional button-up sleepwear in stripes, solids, and ginghams of every color, but with the array of often-tacky and over-the-top family pajama sets on the market today, it can seem as though the classic look is one of a bygone era. Luckily, Petite Plume is here to save the day. With sophisticated yet comfortable cotton pajamas in countless patterns, prints, and styles, the brand is an obvious choice for anyone in search of elevated sleepwear, and with every pair made in infant, toddler, children’s, women’s, and men’s sizes, it’s once again possible for families to wear matching pajamas that are elegant and practical. Although there’s no shortage of designs to choose from, you can’t go wrong with the Navy Gingham Flannel--available in a romper for infants; a long-sleeved nightgown, shorts set, and classic set for children; a nightshirt, long-sleeve short set, and classic set for women; and classic set for men.
Lingua Franca “I’ve Got This” Sweater
Lingua Franca has made quite a name for itself since launching just four years ago, and unlike other players in the sweater space, the embroidery brand knows how powerful words can be. The New York-based line has gained recognition for its indulgent cashmere and empowering messages, ranging from the everyday to the deeply political, and with options for adults and children alike, Lingua Franca allows everyone the opportunity to say what they mean loudly and clearly (and stylishly!). For that extra boost of confidence that we could all use right now, go for the “i’ve got this” sweater in red, and extend the sentiment to the kids in your life with the same sweater in their size.
Sleeper
While Sleeper may have risen to fame for making sleepwear so effortlessly chic that many treat it more like streetwear, the brand has also expanded into equally fashionable dresses, including the signature Loungewear Dress. The 100-percent linen dress is the ultimate sign of the times: perfect for long days spent at home but put-together enough to hop on a Zoom call or make a quick grocery run, and with an elastic neckline and buttons from top to bottom, it can be worn off-shoulder, buttoned up or down, or topped with a belt. And since kids have just as great a need for beautiful and comfortable looks as their grown-up counterparts, the Loungewear Dress is available as a mini-me in the Linen Petit Dress.
Tod’s Gommino Driving Shoes
Tod’s has been synonymous with luxury Italian shoemaking for nearly 100 years, and with that reputation has come somewhat of a cult status for the brand’s Gommino driving shoes. The timeless design embodies elegance and simplicity without sacrificing comfort, and, as they’re available in a wide variety of colors and fabrics, the driving shoes really are a staple year-round. Since it’s truly never too early to imbue a sense of style on the younglings in your life--be them your children, your siblings, your grandchildren, or your friends--Tod’s makes the iconic Gomminos in Junior’s, as well as Men’s and Women’s. You can snag the driving shoes in every color of the rainbow, but for a truly versatile option (and one that Elvis would certainly approve of), the Blue Suede is an excellent choice.
Dôen Forget-Me-Not Cardigan
We typically think of cardigans almost as accessories, something to accent an already-assembled ensemble, a sort of cold-weather insurance to throw atop your shoulders on your way out the door. But as ethically-conscious brand Dôen proves with its Forget-Me-Not Cardigan, the garment can be a statement or outfit-making piece all on its own. The cotton-wool blend cardigan comes in either navy or cerise red and features hand-embroidered flowers, crocheted buttons, braided cables, and mini poms. It has enough personality to work as a top with jeans or as an accent to a colorful get-up, and with Dôen’s Little Forget-Me-Not, your favorite kiddos can get a piece of the action for a subtle but incredibly cute matching look.
Hill House Home Hotel Robe
Although Hill House Home has risen to fame this year with the success of its Nap Dress, the brand’s buttery bath linens are just as worthy of your attention. Much as we wish we could, though, we know we can’t exactly spend our days wearing a towel, but Hill House’s Hotel Robe does permit us such a chance. The 100-percent cotton robe comes in white with classic navy piping or with more playful rainbow piping and is available for children from six months old to six years old, as well as women and men, so every member of the family can get in on the comfort, whether fresh out of the shower or lounging around in the living room.
Bearaby Weighted Blanket
A weighted blanket may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of matching items for kids and adults, but after the behemoth of a year that has been 2020, we’re looking for any calm and relaxation we can get. Available in 15, 20, and 25 pounds, Bearaby’s Napper weighted blankets are known for striking the difficult balance of soft, breathable, and impossibly stylish, so they offer medically-proven aid to better sleep and increased serotonin production without being an eye-sore. Because adults are far from the only ones in need of a better, less stressful night’s sleep, the brand also makes the Nappling, a mini version of the classic blanket designed specifically with children in mind. The eight-pound blanket is perfect for kids between the ages of four and 14 and comes in five colors to match the larger Nappers.
Susan Alexandra Seltzer Bag
Susan Alexandra’s fun and flirty creations are the ultimate play things. Full of colorful beading, the brand’s signature bags immediately liven up any ensemble and bring out the inner-child in every adult. It therefore seems only fitting that kids also get in on the enjoyment, and with mini versions of each Susan Alexandra bag, it’s easy for every little to match their big. The Seltzer Bag is a particular stand-out, what with its spritzes of color against a sparkling, seltzer-water-like white, and the Mini Seltzer Bag is sure to delight and entertain any child and complete an unexpected yet adorable pairing.
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Same Los Angeles Grace Swimsuits
While there’s certainly no shortage of wonderful swimwear on the market today, Same Los Angeles has long set itself apart from the rest, making the smallest of clothing also some of the most fashionable. In the few years since the brand’s launch, it’s created many alluring styles, but there’s perhaps none more memorable than the members of the Grace collection, named for the ultimate style icon, Grace Kelly. Available in a short-sleeved top, tank top, low-rise bottoms, high-rise bottoms, and a one piece, every iteration of the Grace has a mid-century vintage look mixed with the utility and function of today. Same’s childrenswear, fittingly called Samesies, brings the timeless look to the little ones as well with the Gracie one piece, so you can bring the matching glamour poolside.
Maison Me Cropped Teddy Coat
Teddy coats have been everywhere in the last two years, and with the cozy-yet-cute nature of the fluffy style, its appeal is stronger than ever before. Since kids are the target demographic for teddy bears, it seems only natural that they’d be equally enthralled with a coat inspired by the cuddly stuffed animals. Maison Me, the in-house label of childrenswear retailer Maisonette, has made just the thing in the form of its mommy-and-me teddy coats. The Penelope is an ultra-chic, eternally warm cropped teddy for women, while the Phoebe is the children’s version, both available in a perfectly dusty rose color as well as coco brown.
Vilebrequin
Although men’s swimwear doesn’t quite garner the same attention as its women’s counterpart, Vilebrequin has always been a star of the category, appearing on fashion-savvy beach bodies from coast to coast. The St Tropez-born brand carries the promise of sun, sand, and holiday, all in the most understatedly extravagant of manners, and it passes this concept on from each generation of father to son. It’s with that in mind that Vilebrequin makes swim trunks as memorable for little guys as they are for the big ones. The packable Starfish Dance swim trunks, available in the classic men’s size and a mini-me boys version, boast a lazuli blue color that will bring the beach vibes with you anywhere you go, and the coordinating trunks are perfect for some seaside family time.
