It's totally true, the French just dress better (even Emily in Paris agrees!) and in extension, French KIDS are dressed better for their every day, for school, and for special occasions. When I first found out I was having a little girl who is now already 5 (time flies, my gosh), I swear my eyes got wider just thinking about the adorable baby girls clothing. I love so many classic French kids clothing brands and have always dressed her more classic/vintage than with the big prints and writing outfits that you might find at say Old Navy (no shame, I love you old navy, just not for this!!). 

Recently I met Charlotte of Ile aux Fées (the sweetest children’s clothing boutique in the 6th arrondissement of Paris) and Charlotte sy Dimby (their online boutique for worldwide shipping!! ) clothing and absolutely fell in love and wanted to share it with you if you're looking for the perfect French style vintage clothing for your kids. I don't get any kickbacks or anything writing this, this is simply because I think the quality is spectacular and that each piece is it's own work of art (and also because they are the PERFECT outfits for your paris photo shoots!). I also love these French kids dresses and would HIGHLY recommend them for our Paris photo shoots. 

It's easy to walk into the beautiful kids boutique here in Paris located in the 6th arrondissement, or order from anywhere world wide via their website. If you're interested in what new arrivals they have, pricing, delivery times, early sale access, exclusive offers, size guide, regular opening hours, or exchange policy, you can find their website and info at the bottom of this post!

I asked Charlotte (who runs the boutique and who is absolutely DARLING and the kindest and sweetest person you'll ever meet) a few questions about the Paris boutique and brand, but before I go into her responses, here are a few reasons I love the brand and why I absolutely wanted to share this vintage French smocked clothing with you. 

Why I Love the Children’s Paris Clothing Brand Charlotte sy Dimby

1. Quality - If you're a parent, you know how quickly kids go through clothes with growth and with dirt! I swear 15 minutes into any outfit my kids are somehow dirty. I want clothes that are adorable but also highly washable and easy to scrub a mud or grass stain out of. These are it. 100% cotton, easily washable, they're so so easy and the quality is top notch. You can tell from the feel of each piece. 

2. Each piece is unique! How cool is that? Each design has only ONE of each size made so each piece that they sell is absolutely unique. You can also do totally custom orders or have a model designed for your children for special occasions. The added benefit of this is that you can coordinate your kids outfits for special events like photo shoot or holidays without them all totally matching. I got a dress for my daughter and a short and shirt outfit for my son that are similar and from the same style but not identical. I absolutely LOVED the fun print they used that was sailor themed. 

3. The vintage style never goes out of style for little girls or little boys. It's classic. You just cannot go wrong. 

4. Comfort - What I also love is that even though these styles are so classic, the kids are really comfortable in the clothing. The dresses are perfect for twirling and the little boy clothes are very moveable too. It's a timeless classic for your little kid or an incredible present for someone else. Size wise, they run true to size but are easily tightened, hemmed, or let out to be a bit longer. My daughter fits well into a size 7 because we can make the bow tighter. My son fits well into the size 2/3 because we can bring in the waist with buttons. It's so easy. 

5. I absolutely ADORE the iconic Charlotte sy Dimby Bow! There's a whole video on how to do it properly, but essentially it's like tying a bow tie and it looks so beautiful and chic and you recognise the dresses instantly. It photographs beautifully from behind too so it's perfect for your Paris Family Photo Shoot with us (all of the portraits here on this post are with clients who dress their children from Charlotte sy Dimby Paris kids vintage clothing boutique)!

I had a chance to ask Charlotte a few questions, here's what she said!

What makes your Vintage Kids Clothing boutique in Paris different? 

More than a boutique, we envision L'Île aux Fées (which means fairy island) as a haven of joy and love, as a dreamy bubble out of time and space in which to celebrate the magic of childhood. Our deepest wish is to make families feel at home : to enter as guests and to leave as friends. 

When informed in advance, we love preparing customised welcomings by having a personalised sign on the door and giving little certificates with names to our little visitors.

To add additional magic, our collections are very limited to make each child feel utterly special and unique. There is only one dress or outfit of each size per design. This makes the process of finding the perfect one a treasure hunt and fun experience.

We are amongst the only ones to still offer timeless handmade smocked dresses in Paris. It is a disappearing art and craftsmanship which we are very committed to keeping alive. The same applies to traditional couture : our buttons are self-covered, our skirts fully lined ensuring a perfect twirl (a must for little princesses), our hem are hand stitched... 

Lovingly made by our very own team, we imagine each piece as an heirloom to be cherished and passed down from generation to generation. "It is truly useful since it is beautiful" - Le Petit Prince de Saint Exupéry is our motto.

Can you talk about how the brand got started? 

We have deliberately kept the old world charm of the boutique, it has been a pillar of the arrondissement (neighbourhood) for decades. It was initially a children's boutique with several brands including our dresses. When the owner retired in 2009, we took over. Yet our smocked dress story began much earlier. Our designer, Monique Ramahay, now aged 76, began making dresses almost 50 years ago. It's been a true adventure and journey of passion and perseverance yet we would not trade it for all the gold in the world. It's a deep privilege and daily joy to be part of some many children's milestones and happy moments. And of course what better place to do so than in the heart of Paris!

You can find so much more about this beautiful boutique here: https://charlottesydimby.com/blogs/news/tagged/our-world

Styling: How Would You Recommend Styling Your Baby and Children for a Timeless French Look? 

We believe "less is often more"! The beauty of the handmade smocks and embroideries allow the dress to speak for itself. A pretty hair bow and a pair of classic shoes such as Mary Janes is all it takes to achieve a chic Parisian look.

And of course tying the butterfly bow sash correctly. We even have a little tutorial for it - see here

Last but not least, one element is absolutely key : happiness! You're never fully dressed without a smile!

For portraits and photos, we tend to recommend classic styles and pastel colors to allow the emphasis to be placed on your child's features. Soft pastels such as white, baby blue and blush pink are always a safe and sweet way to highlight the innocence of childhood. They are also easy to match with the rest of the family's outfits. Yet there is no right or wrong, following your heart and emotions is important. No beauty shines brighter than that of a little girl feeling confident and happy in her outfit.

We ship worldwide through our e-shop Charlotte sy Dimby. While the Parisian Boutique is called Ile aux Fées, our online shop is called Charlotte sy Dimby. 

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Thank you so much Charlotte for your dedication and words. We love the magical world you've created for children in Paris and that it's accessible online for worldwide shipping. 

If you're in Paris, I would absolutely recommend stopping by their boutique (see the adorable photos in this post). You can easily contact them on instagram or through their website. You can also simply walk into their magical little Parisian shop. If you're looking for the perfect kids outfit for Paris, you've just found your place!

Boutique: 

L’Île aux Fées / Charlotte sy Dimby

Address: 

66 RUE NOTRE DAME DES CHAMPS 75006 - PARIS

Opening Hours: Open from Monday to Saturday from 10.30 am to 1 pm & 2 pm to 7 pm 

Contact them: 

info@lileauxfees.com / +33 1 43 25 07 59

Website: https://www.lileauxfees.com / https://www.charlottesydimby.com/