Featured Boys-Only Boutique: Ochanga

What I love about Ochanga--besides the fact that it's a boys-only boutique--are the shirts they sell. Talk about ultra hip! And forget boring boy colors. These are bold! Bright! LOUD! (Just like my boys.) My favorite has to be the Rainbow Polo (right)($32.50, 2T-6), but there are so many other fabulous pieces in their shop to choose from.

Recently I spoke to Cynthia Betterson, owner of Ochanga, about how she goes about selecting the pieces she sells and what inspired her to open a boys-only boutique.

Cynthia: As a mother of two boys, I was unhappy with the selection for boys at department stores and children's clothing chains. Also I didn't have time to travel to Manhattan to shop the trendy boutiques because I'm a full-time working mom. So I turned to the Internet and started shopping at small online boutiques for unique styles of boys clothing. This inspired me to put all the venders I liked in one convenient place.

Unboring boys: What are the unique challenges of owning a boys-only boutique?

Cynthia: I find that many moms love my styles, however, their boys wear the bigger sizes. I don't carry anything over a 6 yet but I'd like to soon. Another challenge is going to children's clothing trade shows looking for new venders. There is a dominance of girls clothing, which can be frustrating.

Unboring boys: How do you go about selecting the brands you sell?

Cynthia: First I think, will this style look cute on my son? Is this something that I would like him to wear and will he enjoy wearing it? I also ask myself, is this style different and unique enough to make him stand out from the crowd? I also consider the product quality. How will this product handle the wear and tear from an active young boy? I try to stick to 100 percent cotton fabrics when possible. Last and most importantly, I consider the manufacturing location, making sure to avoid countries known for usage of child labor.

Unboring boys: Which items are your bestsellers?

Cynthia: Anything from Wonderboy. No matter what style or season, I always sell plenty of this brand. The designs are unique and trendy, the pricing reasonable, and the quality exceptional. I also sell a lot of euro-style swim trunks from Claesens. They are the number one underwear manufacturer in the Netherlands. The swim trunks are so unique and cute and they come in a cute plastic carrying case for wet transport.

Unboring boys: Where do you see boys' fashion going in the future?

Cynthia: I see trendier designs for boys in the future. Venders are finally beginning to understand that mothers of boys want their sons to look cool and hip and are looking for styles that set them apart.

Unboring boys: Can you give us some hints as to future trends in boys' clothing and accessories?

Cynthia: I see lots of miniature versions of adult male styles. Really cute.

Unboring boys: Anything new and exciting coming up for Ochanga that you can tell us about?

Cynthia: I'm looking to widen my age base to include bigger boys, perhaps up to 10 years. I am also looking to offer a signature line of Ochanga jeans and tees for boys!

Thank you to Cynthia for taking the time to speak with Unboring Boys! She is offering a 20 percent discount for Unboring Boys readers through 3/1/09! Use code UBB09 at checkout!

A Tribute

Shopping for hip and adorable clothes for Nick and Henry was something my mom and I did together from the time they were babies.

When she died of cancer in 2007, just four months after being diagnosed, I lost my heart for a lot of things, including shopping for the boys.

It took time, but I'm now at a place where it's fun again. Often when I run across a cute outfit, I find myself thinking, Mom would love this.

This being her birthday, I wanted to dedicate Unboring Boys to her. It may sound silly--this being just a blog about kids' clothes--but I feel like I'm carrying on with something we started together.

(This photograph, by the way, is of my mom in her early twenties. It's one of my favorites.)

Not Your Common Toboggan: Hats from ThatFunkyBoutique

There's a lot about winter I don't like: icy roads, germs, being stuck inside. One thing I love: outerwear. Maybe it's from growing up in south Florida, where I owned maybe one sweater as a child, but I am obsessed with winterwear.

There's nothing cuter than my boys all bundled up in coats, mittens and scarves on a snowy day. I especially love hats, and ThatFunkyBoutique's hats for boys are the cutest I've seen this year.

Each is funky, unique, and hand made from recycled 100 percent wool sweaters lined with comfy fleece. Our favorite is the Black Deer hat (above) but there are other adorable hats to choose from in their collection. We dig the vintage look and fun details, like tassels and patchwork and quirky shapes, that make each piece special. If you haven't gotten your unboring boy a winter hat yet (hurry, it's getting cold!), or if you're looking for a boys' hat with more personality, check out ThatFunkyBoutique.

Giveaway update: Congratulations to Natalie from Maine who won the free Times Square t-shirt from TotStops (featured previously on the blog). Thanks to all our readers who participated and to TotStops for being a sponsor. Just a reminder that all readers who sign up for e-mail updates from us are automatically entered in our giveaways! So sign-up! We promise not to harass you with junk mail and it's a great way to stay up to date with what's happening on the blog.

Unique Baby Gear for Your Little Adventurer

Whether you're embarking on a trip around the world, or just crossing the park, your little explorer-to-be will know exactly where he is with this fabulous World Traveler burper set from BabyBoss. The set includes two oversized burp cloths made from light-weight cotton and chenelle ($15 for the pair). A matching bib and blanket are also available.

Unboring Boys applauds BabyBoss for their willingness to take risks with fabric and prints for children. There is nothing too cutesy or expected in their collection. We adore the Early Riser pants (we just can't resist anything with chickens on it). Some prints like the one used for the Longitude Bib seem very grown-up, yet work beautifully for little boys. If you're looking for Dad-approved gear for the diaper bag, look no further.

BabyBoss does custom orders! Just send them a request through their Etsy shop.

Just a reminder that it's not too late to win a free Times Square t-shirt from TotStops (see our previous post). Simply sign up for e-mail updates in the box to the left through December 31. We'll pick a winner at random in January. We promise not to inundate your inbox with mail. Signing up for updates is an easy way to catch up with what's new on the blog.

Happy holidays to all our readers! See you in 2009!

~Denice, editor

Featured Boutique: TotStops

It took less than a New York minute for us to fall in love with TotStops's fun and funky take on souvenir t-shirts.

The big city, bright lights-inspired tees are available in sizes 3-6 months to 4T. Designs are taken from original works by New York artists and illustrators. Our favorite is the Times Square t-shirt (left) featuring a design from an original painting by children's book illustrator Selina Alko.

One lucky Unboring Boys reader will win a Times Square short-sleeved t-shirt or onesie from TotStops, in the size of their choice! To enter the giveaway, sign up for our e-mail updates. The winner will be chosen at random in early January. Good luck!

TotStops's tees look great on boys or girls, but boys especially will love the taxis, skyscrapers, bridges, and subway trains.

Check out this adorable video, filmed during a TotStops photo shoot.

Featured Boys-Only Boutique: Blue Eye Boy

As any mom of unboring boys knows, finding cool clothes for our little guys can be a challenge. In too many stores, the boys' department (if there is one) is an afterthought. That's why I love Blue Eye Boy. It's a one-stop-shop that caters only to boys, not just to babies and toddlers, but big boys too. Because while we wish our boys could stay little forever, they do get bigger, and that's no reason to give up on style.

Recently I interviewed Tamara Nonamaker, owner of Blue Eye Boy, asking her what inspired her to open a boys-only boutique.

Tamara: In 2004, when I was pregnant with my son, I realized the clothing market for infant and toddler boys was quite bleak. I wanted more of a selection for my son in apparel, shoes and decor. Since I couldn't find a store with more than a quarter of their inventory dedicated to boys, I created my own store.

Unboring boys: What are the unique challenges of owning a boys-only boutique?

Tamara: The number one challenge is getting the word out to parents that they have this wonderful opportunity to shop at an all-inclusive store for boys. No more walking around in the children's section trying to find boys' apparel amongst the myriad array of girls' items. No more shoes in just four styles and three colors: black, brown, and navy.

Unboring boys: Of your current offerings, which items are your bestsellers?

Tamara: Our best selling items are Knuckleheads and Dogwood apparel. Both companies know boys, as their owners have boys of their own. They know boys want durable, comfortable and fun clothes that accentuate their unique style.

Unboring boys: Where do you plan to take Blue Eye Boy in the future?

Tamara: We will be incorporating a blog in the near future where our customers will be able to recommend products and comment on featured items. We also will be revamping our homepage and streamlining our checkout process.

Unboring Boys: Can you give us some hints as to future trends in boys' clothing and accessories?

Tamara: For spring and summer we're seeing bright and colorful looks for boys with more apparel and shoe options.

Unboring Boys: When you're not running Blue Eye Boy, what are you doing?

Tamara: We're playing hard and carrying on as boys only know how to do. My boys keep me on the go and on my toes.

Thanks to Tamara for taking the time to speak with Unboring Boys! Blue Eye Boy carries a wide range of awesome products geared to boys, from toys to room decor to hip apparel, from such brands as Knuckleheads, Eclectikid, Instinct, and Dogwood.

They are offering a 10 percent discount for Unboring Boys readers through 12/31/08! Use code PROMO88 at checkout!

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!