Wee Mondine
A mother to three young girls, ELIZABETH CROSBY has loved the brands she discovered while dressing her daughters over the years. But with her youngest growing up and out of onesies and bonnets, who would she have to share her precious finds with? Lucky for us, she channeled her passion into Wee Mondine, a Darien shop that houses all of her collected treasures under one roof.
Visitors may not immediately recognize the global labels that line her shelves: Soor Ploom, Bobo Choses, Misha & Puff and Little Cotton Clothes to name a few, but that curation is part of what makes her selection special. Each of the pieces she brings in are thoughtfully chosen for their hand-crafted quality, organic fabrics and timeless silhouettes (think Peter Pan collars, Liberty floral prints, muted color palettes, and cozy knits). Wooden, wicker and cloth toys and dolls from Maileg and Olli Ella are also available alongside recent additions that include women,s wear, pottery, linens, candles and clean beauty products. As if the petite pinafores and baby bathing suits were not enough of a draw, now you can get something for yourself too.
1921 Post Road, Darien
weemondine.com
Egg
With its Manhattan roots, Egg New York was always going to be cool. From its inception, the children’s line appealed to style-minded mothers both uptown and downtown, but the brand isn’t just for city kids. As Michelle Smith, wholesale director and local mom says, “Egg New York is a brand that resonates with and appeals to the Connecticut family lifestyle. Many of our customers who shop in Darien have been loyal customers for many years, visiting our stores in Tribeca or Dumbo, and are excited to see us establish a presence in town.” A mix of prints that are preppy (summer-ready sailboats and ice cream cones) and playful (metallic and tie-dye) make for plenty of options, whether you’re looking for dress up or play time clothes. Matching sibling sets are hard to resist, especially when it comes to the pajamas and new season separates.
1060 Post Road, Darien
eggnewyork.com
Coco + Lala
Shannon Doherty, owner of Coco + Lala likes to have fun. You can tell by the way she stocks her store with sparkles and tutus, frames her front window with flower installations, and fills her social feed with videos of dance parties alongside her four adorable kids. Her boutique for women and children began with a location in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, the idyllic beach town where Doherty and her family spent summers. Darien is where she calls home, though, and it soon became clear that her community needed its own Coco + Lala. What started as a pop-up has now become a permanent fixture downtown, much to the delight of families who frequent her sunny shop. In addition to the colorful wardrobe staples and accessories for littles, be sure to check out the “Mommy and Me” options for twinning opportunities with your mini.
1090 Post Road, Darien
cocoandlala.com
