Unboring Sweaters for Boys 2009

It's sweater weather! and time for our annual round-up of the hippest, sweetest, and off-beatest sweaters for boys, starting with our favorite this year, the irresistible Rodgers Cardigan from Knuckleheads ($57, 2T-6T), above, which successfully fuses grandpa fussiness with rock-and-roll edginess that would look adorable on any little man.

Season after season, Tea Collection carries some of the most inspired styles for boys, and their recent Indigo Arts line is no exception. We've featured the Kimono robe ($75, 6 mos - 8 yrs.) from this line before because we think it's amazing. But we also adore the Nippon Pullover ($65, 6 mos. - 8 yrs.) because of the gorgeous colors and texture.

If you haven't heard, GapKids has teamed with designer Stella McCartney to create a new line of children's clothing that we are falling for big time. At first glance, the gray Stella McCartney Cardigan ($58, S-XL) may look ordinary, but then you notice the delightful off-center buttons and thumb holes in the sleeves. Very unboring! For baby boys, we like her Fair Isle cashmere wrap cardigan ($58, 6 - 24 months). And though it's not a sweater, we have to point out the fabulous Band jacket which has been selling out like crazy. Rumors are some petite women have been buying the larger kids sizes for themselves!

Moms looking for holiday-themed sweaters should check out Janie and Jack's Nutcracker Sweater ($43, 3 months - 8) and Hanna Andersson's collection of colorful and stripey unisex styles, including the All is Bright penguin sweater (on sale for $38.40).

Sweaters with a twist

We finish our sweater series with an eclectic collection of sweaters that put the spin on some traditional styles.

First, the holiday sweater. This offbeat patchwork Intarsia Halfzip Sweater from Baby Gap is the holiday sweater for unboring boys. We love how they mixed up a bunch of traditional holiday/winter patterns and prints such as plaid and snowflakes to create something unique and unexpected. (sizes 12 mos. to 5 years, $39.50).

There's something endearing about little boys dressing like old men. But Hanna Andersson's Double Elbow Cardigan isn't your typical grandpa sweater. There's just too much going on--stripes, colors, pockets--and that's why we love it. (10 mos. to teen, sale $25).

I can already hear the groans... Arrrgggyle vests??? You're killing me. But take a look at Hurley's punked out version. It's the anti-argyle vest!

Unboring Sweater Vests

Some boys, like my Henry, are just born to wear sweater vests. One of my favorites this season is this adorable frog sweater vest from Marika Hahn Design. This shop carries a collection of fun, colorful, hand-knitted sweaters for boys (and girls) featuring Marika Hahn's graphics and prints (up to size 7).

Argyle vests are everywhere this season (as they are every season, right?), but how many have you seen with a hood? IKKS's Adventure Toddler Argyle Hoodie is so cool ($56.95, 12 mos.-3). Also in the not-so-ordinary-argyle category: Tea Collection's Viking Vest ($55, 6 mos.-8 yrs.). Can I just say that Tea is really showing the love to boys this season. Have you seen their new Nordic Navigator collection?!

For something a little different (and interesting from a design standpoint), check out the ribbed vest from Chasing Fireflies ($58, sizes 2-8).

Finally, the fall colors in the Duex par Deux Origins vest at Baby Boy Style are so rich ($26.40, 12 mos.-4t). Can't you just see your unboring boy wearing this at the pumpkin patch?

More Cute Sweaters

How adorable is this Andes Mountain sweater from Blue Eye Boy? It's got to be one of our favorite sweaters for boys this fall. Blue Eye Boy carries a collection of these beautiful, one of a kind sweaters handcrafted in Peru that are decorated with different scenes, from a farm to Noah's Ark to a rainforest. I spoke with Tamara, the owner of Blue Eye Boy who told me there is currently a two-week back order on these, so e-mail her through her website to reserve one for your unboring boy.

Another of our favorites this fall is the Lobster Sweater Hoodie from Then There was Jake. This division of My Boy Sam has a wonderful collection of boys' sweaters, including holiday, that are available through boutiques. We also like Baby Gap's Whale Sweater and for older boys, Mulberribush's Guitar Sweater, which goes all the way up to size 14 and is on sale right now at CWD Kids.

Hanna Andersson always carries the cutest sweaters, especially for babies. Our favorite this fall is the Penguin Hoodie romper, which fits babies up to 2 1/2 years.

Coming up next on the blog: our favorite sweater vests; a feature about another fabulous boys only boutique (hint: we mentioned them in this post); and a plea to boys' pajama makers.

Sweater Series: Preppy

Georgie World's Grandpa Sweater last week got me thinking about sweaters in general, so for the next couple of weeks Unboring Boys is searching far and wide for the cutest, classiest and funkiest sweaters around for boys of all sizes, and to fit all budgets.

Our sweater series starts today with the clean and classic, or preppy, look. Boring, you say? There's nothing boring about good taste. We love Crewcuts for Kids (by J.Crew) for classic sweaters with a twist, like the argyle shawl collar sweater above ($62.50, sizes 2-10). If you really want to splurge on your little man, consider their handsome heirloom quality cashmere cable cardigan.

Brooks Brothers, in business since 1818, makes fine clothes for men, women and boys. What, no girls' clothes??? I'm in shock. :) We like the understated yet refined Merino Striped V-Neck Sweater ($79.50, in sizes 3-16) that can be dressed up or down.

I'm loving Janie and Jack's new Uptown Holiday line for boys, especially the Diamond Pattern Sweater ($42, sizes 3 months-8 yrs.) and matching socks!

Cardigans for boys are hot this season. Check out Baby Gap's adorable shawl cardigan ($29.50, newborn to 24 months).

And if all of these are little too uptight for your unboring boy, you'll love the Striped Sweater Hoodie, also from Baby Gap, for a classic yet casual look ($$39.50, 12 mos.-5).

Next time: Our picks for the cutest sweaters for boys this season (think: awwwww)

What's your favorite sweater style? Classic, cute, edgy? We want to know! Post a comment!

Georgie World

I always get excited when I run across little boutiques just for boys.

Not that I want to exclude girls, but have you ever gone into a so-called children's boutique and had to walk all the way to the back of the store to find the one rack for boys? Even in the retail chains, it's hard to notice the boys' clothes because the girls' clothes are so colorful and there's so much of it.

Anyway, I love finding boys' shops, and Georgie World is my favorite right now. Not only are the clothes adorable, hip and unboring, they are well made, comfortable to wear, and made in "Sunny California." My favorite piece is the Grandpa Sweater (above). It looks like a sweater, but it's made of fleece, so it feels like a sweatshirt. What a great idea! And it looks fab with the Cammer Trouser seen here.

Right now I'm really loving retro cars, so there was no way I could resist this cool tee with a Pinto on it. It's so unbelievably soft. My son Nick never wants to take it off.

I like that Georgie World offers complete outfits for one price (and the prices are excellent for the quality and detail). We picked up the playdate outfit. The Sk8 Monster shirt has flannel sleeves sewn in. How neat is that?

Sizes run from 2T all the way up to 12.

Shop Georgie World here!