Newcomer Angela Amos introduced girls' sportswear that blends a playful spirit with an eye for easy, elegant pieces. The tops, skirts, and dresses, in a mix of soft denim, plaid and wool, have a western mood, in keeping with the designer's concept: girl's love to play dress-up, so each season she'll offer pieces that reflect a different theatrical event. My guess for Fall 2012: "Annie Get Your Gun."

Outstanding Pieces: A denim top and flounced skirt: Who knew a work shirt could look this chic? Sizes: 2T to 6X; Wholesale prices: $18-$35; Tel: 212-470-0149; somaakids.com.

REDFISH KIDS

Designer Lorraine Kitsos wants children to have the courage to express their individuality. She helps them along with a collection of black, gray and white pieces that can be mixed and matched and brightened with a saturated tee or accessory. Her shapes are loose and easy, sometimes with a flattering obi-style sash to draw attention to the waist.

Outstanding Piece: Drawing on the inherent drama of wide black and white stripes, Kitsos cuts a dress with a pretty bodice, an obi and wide skirt for dancing. Sizes: 3 months to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $7- $68; Tel: 800-862-2608; redfishkidsclothing.com.

Designer Afton Farley waves the flag in a collection of tees, skirts and leggings in stars and stripes. Burn-out and a palette of mauve, gray and black add interest.

Outstanding Pieces: Take stars and stripes out of the nautical, red and navy combination and you have a look that's utterly original and so much fun! Sizes: 6 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $13-$18;

Designer Hilda Yim opens a book of fine watercolor illustrations of swans and magic rabbits, foxes and hedgehogs, then casts them as graphics and sweater designs. Colors are saturated yet dusty and patterns range from Islamic tile designs to Guatemalan weavings and plenty of dots and stripes. There's charm galore.

Outstanding Pieces: Three outfits that Yim makes work for any girl! Sizes: Girls and boys apparel: 12 months to 8 years, shoes: 4 to 13; Wholesale prices apparel: $18-$54, shoes: $33-$46

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In switching to colder weather fabrications, designer Wati Grossman finds the ideal backdrop for the jewel-toned embroideries she favors.

Outstanding Piece: Gray, yes, but neutral this dress is not. Not when the shape is this feminine and the details this lush. Sizes: 4 to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$49; Tel: 650-224-7478;

TWIRLS AND TWIGS
Bold and bright, more is more, no detail left behind…that's Twirls and Twigs, a collection for the extroverted child.

Outstanding Piece: What's better than one great piece? Two great pieces worn together. Sizes: 12 months to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$48; Tel: 818.436.0425; twirlsandtwigs.com.

BABY CZ

For Fall 2012, Baby CZ offers top-of-the-line classics with a twist.

Outstanding Pieces: Designer Carolina Zapf gives a cashmere pullover retro styling with elbow patches and pairs it with a crisp striped button-down and soft black cords. Sizes: NB to 14 years; Wholesale prices for cashmere: $36-$265; Tel: 212-580-5190; babycz.com.

It's all fun and whimsy with designer Sophie Maarek's animal motifs, bold stripes and appliqués in carefully color-coordinated groups that easily merchandise.

Outstanding Piece: Getting foxy. Sizes: NB to 18 months; Wholesale prices: $14-$24; Tel: 213-489-3050; beesanddragons.com.

A multi-piece collection of crisp, sporty shapes for girls and boys in deep neutral tones enlivened with flashes of royal and bright orange.

Outstanding Pieces: Casual stripes and plaids look pulled together when topped with a streamlined navy coat and an orange cable-knit sweater. Sizes: 4 to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $20-$48; Tel: 617.755.6808;

For fall, Vivian Reisman colors small scale prints in elegant tones of pale blue, soft gray and yellow for boys, and offers girls a bouquet of soft pinks to deep rose on one-pieces, two-piece sets, gowns and matching blouses.

Outstanding Piece: A rose is a rose is a rose? Not when the print is this lovely and the colors this soft. Sizes: Girls NB to 9 months; Wholesale prices: $6-$22; Tel: 201-641-0672; bsteps.com.

Designer Margery Frank is known for her Pima cotton collection of softly colored pieces with elegant touches such as embroidery and chenille trim. For fall, she's added a few pieces that pack a stronger punch of color.

Outstanding Piece: Kimono styling and a lace-like floral motif update a wallpaper rose print. Sizes: NB to 12 months; Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer; Tel: 516-505-1818; margeryellen.com.

  LUCKY JADE

Unique animal motifs and the lush hand of a cashmere/cotton blend make for an irresistible fall collection. The coordinating blankets ensure more "ca-ching" at the cash register too.

Outstanding Pieces: The colors, the motifs, the hand: it's all there for gift buyers. Sizes: NB to 24 months; Wholesale prices: $38; Tel: 310-929-0285; luckyjadeproducts.com.

Preppy meets Paris in a collection with several groups that lean toward irreverent collegiate styles, and a few groups that combine trend-driven patterns, such as dots, stripes, antique florals, and animal skins with trompe l'oeil touches and playful graphics. A palette of charcoal, tomato, denim, black with jolts of fuchsia and royal, tie the groups together.

Outstanding Pieces: A kimono shape and elegant tone-on-tone bouquets make a sophisticated one-piece.


There's no need for accessories with shirts as detailed as these. The tops have just enough oomph to work with the tiered minis. Sizes: Girls and boys: 3 months to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $9.50-$32.50; Tel: 866-262-2654; claesensusa.com; creationsrobo.com.

CUPCAKES & PASTRIES
In recent seasons, designer Inshi Khanna has branched out from dresses to sportswear separates. Her tunics, tees and blouses, skirts and bottoms exude the same rich palette, unusual details and embellishment and knack for pattern selection.

Outstanding Piece: A breezy tunic with wooden buttons paired with gathered leggings evoke the detail and depth of color of an Indian miniature painting. Sizes: 12 months to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $13-$56; tinyginger.com; cupcakesandpastries.com.

 COCCOLI

 Boutique buyers shop the line for beautifully made, cotton layette wear in sweet, quietly colored solids as well as a mix of bold stripes and understated prints.

Outstanding Piece: For the holidays, Coccoli offers this on-trend wallpaper-print unionsuit strewn with delicate roses. Sizes: NB to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $5-$27; Tel: 212-695-2300; alismarket.com; coccoli.com.

In addition to ultra soft organic cotton, the Sage Creek design team offers three color groups that are just fashion forward enough to look fresh on the retail floor, yet classic enough to appeal to anyone but the most "out there" parent.

Outstanding Piece: If this two-piece set with the appliquéd car and car print pants doesn't scream "boy," what does? Sizes: NB to 24 months; Wholesale prices: $4.95-$25; Tel: 877-513-2183

While some lines offer ruffles, jewel tones and flashy patterns, designer Jennifer Connaughton finds beauty in quiet: quiet colors, clean shapes, subtle prints, and building interest with texture.

Outstanding Pieces: The designer uses sophisticated gray to make a statement. For girls, she plays with a ribbed bodice and a muted print skirt. For boys, she manages to mix plaid, stripes and tweed allowing tones of gray and layers of texture to do the work. Sizes: 12 months to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $20-$50; 347-394-3151; lolligo.com; ferdkids.com.

ELIANE ET LENA
Rich, rich color as well as black and white combinations, textures from faux fur to tulle, with the thread of the designers' ruffled, feminine silhouettes pull the fall groups together.

Outstanding Pieces: She's as chic as mommy in this little boho outfit with a faux fur vest and gypsy inspired print dress. Sizes: 2 to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $29.50-$49.50; Tel: 480-619-5515; elianeetlenausa.com

PETIT PATAPON

Luxury knits and coordinating, understated wovens are Petit Patapon's trademark. Coloring the pieces in fresh ways make every collection exciting.

Outstanding Pieces: One way to update a traditional pattern such as argyle, is to color it unexpected tones then add more pattern - a striped tee with metallic threads, a bold stripe on the sweater's back, and more argyle in the tights. Sizes: 1 month to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $16-$36; lepassageshowroom.com; petitpatapon.com.

KAPITAL K
Hipster meets prepster in a fall collection that blends quilted knits with corduroy, herringbone with faux fur and throws plenty of dinosaur graphics into the mix.

Outstanding Pieces: He's come undone in a jersey bodysuit with graphic bow tie and suspenders worn with five-pocket denim pants. Sizes: NB to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $7-$33; Tel: 973-256-5275; kapital-k.com.

Based in Los Angeles, Albert Lee's collection reflects the edginess of the city with the sunbaked tones of a California beach.

Outstanding Piece: Lee takes the skull about as far as it can go in this pixelated version where the motif comes together in the back. Cool! Sizes: 2T to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$24

BUNGALOW BEBE
All organic basics with a bit more: rich color, attention to detail and, for girls, pretty peasant shaping.

Outstanding Pieces: A classic navy tee is updated with serged trim and snap closures at the neckline. Mustard cargo pants in French Terry complete the look. Sizes: NB to 2T; Wholesale prices: $12-$25; Tel: 914-433-4509; bungalowbebe.com.

What's Gnu? Vests and hoodies in amusing robot patterns, sweat pants with interesting seaming, and animal and robot appliques.

Outstanding Piece: A cool T-shirt, and look at the work that went into that applique! Sizes: 2 to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$39

Designer Uli Belenky channels the wonders of nature in charming screen prints and all-over patterns, mixing them with bold stripes, herringbones, gingham and plaid, and keeps boys happy with cars and dinosaur designs. The palette has never been richer with pimento, sky blue and teal, leaf green and fuchsia, as well as rich chocolate to deepen and define.

Outstanding Pieces: No one works color or mixes pattern with Belenky's ease. Sizes: Preemie to 4T; Wholesale prices: $5.25-$27; Tel: 802-563-2961;

PETIT LEM
Peaches and lush, fruity tones update traditional silhouettes and familiar patterns in this classic collection.

Outstanding Pieces: When is a plaid dress more than a plaid dress? When it's colored in lush apricot tones and paired with coordinating tights. Little details such as the curved bodice, gathers and tiny velvet bow add up to big impact. Sizes: NB to 24 months; Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer; Tel: 514-748-6234; petitlem.com.

KNOT


"Do what you love, love what you do," is one slogan this design team embraces. Their love for children starts at layette and goes all the way to shoes, with stops along the way for elegant knitwear and casual, understated sportswear.


Outstanding Pieces: Oh baby, do you look timely. The deep taupe one-piece in cashmere and wool blend is a fresh alternative to gray and that smoky teal sweater coat - divine! Sizes: NB to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $21-$54; Tel: 212-594-3364; lepassageshowroom.com; knotkids.com.

OLIVE JUICE
There's a little of the Sixties' child in this multi-piece collection; not the wild colored, big patterned side, but the understated, round-collared, smocking and suspender dress pieces. Designer Maryellen Kane pulls everything together with a palette of dusty tones.

Outstanding Pieces: The soft tones and small scale prints keep checks and dots in harmony. The lambswool sweatercoat is a wear-with-everything piece. Sizes: Girls and boys: 12 months to 16 years; Wholesale prices: $12.75-$79.25. Tel: 800-595-8870; olivejuicekids.com.

Sweet looks for girls with stripes, vintage florals and a palette of rose, pink and charcoal. For boys there are layered tees printed with vintage-like graphics in weathered tones and vibrant blues, comfortable pants and hoodies.

Outstanding pieces: A variety of textures: cotton knit, sweater knit, stretch lace, add interest to mixed, flirty shapes and a unique embroidered T-shirt.

The colors and splashed on graphics provide drama to a T-shirt and comfortable drawstring pants. Sizes: Girls NB to 10 years; boys NB to 7 years; Wholesale prices: $7-$29

NEIGE
 It's all about the luxurious peasant with simple gathered necklines and wrists, a single bow and drop-waists in Liberty cotton and corduroys, silky jerseys. Ultra-soft cotton, and wool and cashmere blend sweaters finish the looks.

Outstanding Pieces: Little girl without being overly sweet, understated without the blahs: easy elegance is Adrienne Catrina's forte. Sizes: 2 to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $21-$65; neigeclothing.com.

 SIERRA JULIAN
Designer Sophie Jaworski lends a sophisticated, European aesthetic to her collections, so trends look timeless and classic shapes and colorations possess fresh appeal.

Outstanding Piece: In a collection rich with "wow" pieces, this dress is a standout. The sculpted detail in the pleather bodice is edgy yet feminine and the full, crinkled skirt is like a wink to the demure party dress. Sizes: Girls 2 to 16 years, boys 2 to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $26-$165; Tel: 212-359-9531; sierrajulian.com

TOM & DREW
For the dapper young man about town, Alexia Panza offers casual separates with plaids, stripes, herringbones, and wool too, in cardigans, narrow pants and tapered jackets. Perfect for a day at the Museum of Natural History.

Outstanding Pieces: The designer works pattern over pattern in casual, pulled-together pieces that are body conscious yet easy for a boy to move in. Sizes: 2T to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $12-$40; tomanddrewboys.com.

LIV
Designer Alexia Panza's collection mixes refined shapes with sequins, neutrals with rich plum and ruby, narrow with full-skirted tulle party dresses. Lots of contradictions, and yet the collection is cohesive and easy to merchandise.

Outstanding Pieces: There's no following the crowd for the girl who chooses this dramatic plaid suit with bespoke tailoring and glam-rock touches and a form fitting shirt with a removable sequin collar. Perfection top to bottom.

More than a dress, this stunner in the prettiest berry tone of the season is an event in itself. Sizes: 2 to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $16-$88; Tel: 212-600-1278; tomanddrewboys.com.

THE LITTLE HUMMINGBIRD
The designers work smocks, tees, minis and wide-leg pants in a palette of pale gray, denim blue and red. The look is classic yet fun with bold plaid and animal graphics adding charm.

Outstanding Pieces: A comfortable cotton top looks effortlessly chic with the pants or any of the bottoms, skirts and jumpers in the collection. Sizes: 2 to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $24-$39; Tel: 714-494-6076; thelittlehummingbird.com.

 LE VESTIAIRE DE JEANNE
"As usual," says designer Charlotte Stum-Meyer, "it is the utilitarian aspect of the clothes that interests us. We took clothes from the various social groups to create our ideal cloakroom (cloakroom : vestiaire in French). So you can find in the collection the coat of a vagrant, the blouse of a farmer or a sage, and the trousers of a farmer." The garments, often cut in exaggerated rounded shapes, and in neutral tones, have the serious mood of an old-world dauragatype.

Outstanding Pieces: Timeless pieces that reflect more than trends. Sizes: 2 to 12 years; Approximate wholesale prices: $36-$378; Tel: 646-662-5074; enekony.com; levestiairedejeanne.com.

SAM'S FRIEND
AND THEN THERE WAS JAKE
Buyers love Shelley Hunt's gift collections of hand-loomed cotton sweaters, blankets and accessories in happy tones and kid-friendly patterns.

Outstanding Pieces: For her, irresistible critter-knit sweaters in exuberant pink tones.

Little brother's in on the action, with the And Then There Was Jake crew neck with felt appliqués. Sizes: 12 months to 7 years; Wholesale prices for Sam's Friend sweaters: $34-$38, wholesale prices for And Then There Was Jake: $34-$36; Tel: 860-210-0005; samsfriend; andthentherewasjake

Designer Gabriela Mavros specializes in Pima cotton knits in modern shapes with a few whimsical touches.

Outstanding Piece: Vibrant red is the backdrop for a "corsage" of fluffy textured posies. Also available in black. Tel: 210 827-9600

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NOSILLA ORGANICS
A well-edited and easy-to-merchandise collection of soft, organic cotton sportswear.

Outstanding Pieces: The charming, retro print and easy-on-the-eyes blue make this cute number a sure sell.

The mix of pale gray in this one-piece softens both the stripe and warm tones. Sizes: NB to 4T; Wholesale prices: $6-$19; Tel: 212-695-2343; alismarket.com; nosillaorganics.com.

GO GENTLY BABY

There's a touch of "grandparent" chic in designer Kristin Coia's collection: a pattern and coordinating graphics are inspired by the designer's grandmother's cameo, while boys' pieces, with long-john button closings and a loose fit, just say "grandpa."

Outstanding Pieces: Casual organic cotton knit pieces with the kind of details that make a difference: contrasting yoke on the T-shirt and generous pockets for hiding treasures. Sizes: Girls and boys 3 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$41; Tel: 310-980-1104; gogentlybaby.com.

MIMI & MAGGIE
Whether she's finding inspiration in California, or working with Peruvian artisans on hand-embroidery and appliqués, designer JoAnne Yamamoto's colorful groups exude a peace-loving, let's-live-on-the-commune vibe.

Outstanding Pieces: Every pretty piece of this outfit - from the hand-embroidered tops to the multi-print skirt - adds up to a glorious whole. Sizes: 3 months to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $10-$44; Tel: 323-264-0200; mimiandmaggie.com.

 ME TOO
There isn't a color this design team can't improve on, especially blue. Boy, do they have a way with blue.

 Outstanding Pieces: Could the hedgehog replace the owl as the "it" animal motif?

 Bright colors may be this company's trademark, yet the tee, worn with a cool plaid shirt, proves the designer knows how to create an unusual graphic too. Sizes: Girls and boys 3 months to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $7.50-$45; Tel: 866-262-2654; creationsrobo.com; metoo.dk.

MIM-PI
Designer Leonora Niewenhuizen tunnels into a girl's imagination and unearths rainbows, a hot house of blooms, tulle galore, and kittens!

Outstanding Pieces: "Smile and the world smiles with you," is a motto Mim-Pi's designers use to describe this exuberant collection. It'll be hard to keep a grin off her face when she wears jubilant blooms and cotton candy tulle. Sizes: 2 to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $11-$48; Tel: 212-354-2371; duokids.com; mim-pi.com.

Not just any designer can make tulle look new, but designer Dipali Patwa does when she blends the diaphanous fabric with Ikats and other ethnic inspired patterns. For boys, dusty clay and stone toned yarn dyed-stripes make shirts special.

Outstanding Piece: Tulle loses its ballerina associations when it's used to trim an earth-toned tunic and animal print leggings.

Boys don't want to look too carefully dressed, so fool them with these pieces that look pulled together yet casual. Sizes: 3 months to 10 years; wholesale prices: $14-$32; Tel: 917-331-1766

LOSAN
 Bright is right in this multi-piece collection that spans tights to knit sportswear, jackets and coats.

Outstanding Pieces: Happy colors turn a knit dress and tights into an event.

Plaid goes posh when it's teamed with a sleek pleather racing jacket. Sizes: Apparel: 6 months to 7 years, tights and socks: S, M and L; Wholesale prices: $6-$32.50; Tel: 866-262-2654; creationsrobo.com; losan.com.

Like the adult Paul & Joe collection, the junior line is print driven, softly colored and features a whimsical kitten graphic and faux fur.

Outstanding Pieces: A softly colored floral patterned shirtdress goes trendy with a faux mink vest. Sizes: 2 to 16 years; Wholesale prices: $22-$180;

BLUSH BY US ANGELS
Fall at Blush is about rich tones, luxe-look fabrications, skirts cut to move and, in several of the styles, a ladylike sensibility.

Outstanding Piece: She'll be the prettiest girl in the room in this flapper-styled, sequined piece. The sequins reflect the colors of the room, hence the glimmering green sparkle. Sizes: 7 to 16 years; Wholesale prices: $37-$74; Tel: 213-624-4155; usangels.com.

Originally published March 28, 2012

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