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Mommy Gearest

Real life. Real reviews.

Souris Mini spring summer 2016 collection

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Although it kills me to see my littles grow out of their clothes, because it means they’re getting bigger faster than I’d like, it does mean that I get to go shopping.

And we all know how much I heart shopping, right?

I also love checking out new brands, and was thrilled when Souris Mini — a Quebec-based label — invited me to do a little online shopping for Miss Q and The K Man to see what’s new for the spring-summer season.

There are a few musts I have when shopping for the kiddos:

  • Clothes need to look good. I’m not interested in cutesy stuff that looks like it’s made for babies, but I also want my kids to look like kids. At the end of the day, I’m keenly aware that the way they look is a direct reflection of me. Right or wrong, that’s how it is
  • But their clothes also need to be easy in which to play. I don’t want my kids to feel like they have to be precious with their clothes. I don’t want to have a separate “school clothing” pile, or worry that they’re going to get rips and tears too quickly (if at all)
  • I don’t want to hang-dry kid clothes. My clothes, sure. Their clothes? Ain’t nobody got time for that
  • And stuff has to wash well and stand the test of time
  • Maximizing our seasonal clothing budget comes down to choosing pieces that can be mixed and matched with each other and with everything else in my kids’ closets that still fits. If it can’t be layered, or go with at least five other things we own, I’m not interested
  • Finally, sizes need to be consistent across the brand. If two size 6 pants aren’t the same length, that’s a problem, because it makes online shopping a disaster (and for busy parents, online shopping is a huge time-saver)

Souris Mini delivers on every must.

GIRLS’ COLLECTION

Souris Mini - spring summer 16 girls (2)

Even though she just turned five in December, Miss Q wears a size 6 in most brands right now. So I ordered everything for her in a size 6 and was pleasantly surprised that it all fit bigger than most of what’s in her closet, which tells me that Souris Mini is a larger-fitting brand. She’s a rather tall five year old, and it’s nice that she has room to grow in her new Souris Mini duds and will likely still be wearing a 6 when she’s actually six. Go figure.

Souris Mini - spring summer 16 girls (4)

My daughter is a fashion lover. (She takes after her mama.) And as I pulled out each piece I’d ordered for her, the ooohs and ahhhs got bigger and bigger — until she finally flung her arms around me and cheered, “Mommy, you’re the best shopper EVER!” Easy to do when you’re shopping the Souris Mini collections.

Souris Mini - spring summer 16 girls (3)As we were doing our photo shoot, Q turned her foot and reminded me, “Don’t forget to show them the details!” Details. Yes. She’s five, but she understands that the details are important. Details like a braided cotton belt that came with her jeans, little hearts on the backs of Souris Mini socks, or interesting pattern combinations on tights. Though she was especially enamoured with the knit dress that has detachable sleeves — she was loving that little bow. I was loving the idea that a dress could go from winter to spring to early summer.

Souris Mini - spring summer 16 girls (5)

Many of the girls’ fabrics have some stretch to them. This is great for a gal who likes to get down on the ground to play like mine does.

Souris Mini - spring summer 16 girls (1)Yet after a long day at school, Miss Q reminded me of one of the best reasons to buy clothes with a little give to them: they’re easier for kids to take OFF themselves…even when they’re exhausted from a full day of learning and mucking about.

Whether or not your child has a little extra pudge around the midsection or not, doesn’t matter. All of the Souris Mini trousers have those fabulous elastics inside the waistband to ensure a custom fit.

And the end of all my online shopping for this girl of mine, I just couldn’t help snapping up this adorable swimsuit with SPF protection:

Souris Mini - spring summer 16 girls bathingsuit

BOYS’ COLLECTION

While I knew that Miss Q would be easy to please, The K Man is my tougher customer. For a seven-year-old boy, he does actually care about style — but it can’t come at the cost of comfort. For him, anything that feels too stiff, stuffy or severe is out. And there’s no negotiating.

So it was with trepidation that I showed him the pieces I selected — all in size 10 because that’s what he’s been wearing for the last month or so. Even though he’s not even eight yet. (Again, the good news is that Souris Mini 10s are much roomier than what we’re used to, so he’ll get a tonne of wear out of these clothes.)

Souris Mini - spring summer 16 boys (1)

His face doesn’t lie. He’s happy in Souris Mini, and was excited to try everything on — not exactly always his favourite sport.

The K Man loved that Souris Mini jeans are stretchy and have a waistband and cuffs like trackpants. That sort of hybrid styling is ideal for a boy like this who wants to wear jeans but doesn’t want them to feel like jeans.

Souris Mini - spring summer 16 boys (2)

2016-03-13 21.33.29

(You’ll have to forgive the quality of this one photo…I had to take it on my smartphone at the end of our shoot after my camera battery died from snapping more than usual. Because, hello — CUTE CLOTHES ALERT!)

The bonus of shirts that have adjustable sleeves is that you can get a lot of extra wear out of them, both by layering them with other shirts and because as long as the torso still fits, it’s OK when your child’s arms get just a bit too long to wear them rolled all the way down. Plus it makes it easier to dress for these soon-to-be-spring days that can’t quite decide what temperature it’s going to be all day.

He’s recently gotten into the SIMS video game, and this long-sleeved shirt was a big winner with its cityscape print. Not to mention the easy-to-manage snaps.

But if there’s one thing that I know The K Man always appreciates, it’s fashion-forward track pants. “Comfy pants,” he calls them. Souris Mini’s version have a slim-fitting leg and the same waistband and cuff details as the jeans.

T-shirts — and this goes for both the girls’ and boys’ varieties — are cut really well. They’re not typical and boxy. They’re shaped nicely, which makes them perfect for wearing out, tucking in or doing a bit of both.

BABIES’ COLLECTION

It’s a scientific fact: there is nothing cuter than baby clothes. So if you’ve got a shower coming up or a special newborn to buy for this spring or summer, check out Souris Mini’s baby collection. Here are just a few of my faves from SS16:

Souris Mini baby

 

 IT’S A CONTEST!

How’d you like to win a $150 Souris Mini gift card to get your little one styled for the season? This contest is open to Canadians (except Quebec — and, no, the irony is not lost on me…) and will close on April 1, 2016 at 12 a.m. ET. Enter here.

 

Check out these related posts:

Things to do on Vancouver Island with kids & grandparents
6 summer family activities in Lake Placid
Dog-friendly Tremblant hotel: Fairmont Tremblant

Comments

  11. The clothing looks really nice for kids. This is my first time hearing about them. I like that they have a nice variety to choose from.

    Reply

  12. The clothing looks really nice for kids. This is my first time hearing about them. I like that they have a nice variety to choose from.

    Reply

  17. These clothes look super comfie and durable for any child. I would be proud to have my children wear this line of clothing

    Reply

  18. These clothes look super comfie and durable for any child. I would be proud to have my children wear this line of clothing

    Reply

  27. These outfits are so adorable! I have a baby girl and would love any of these for her!! The blue swimsuit is my favourite for sure! They look very comfy too!

    Reply

  28. These outfits are so adorable! I have a baby girl and would love any of these for her!! The blue swimsuit is my favourite for sure! They look very comfy too!

    Reply

  29. omg these clothes are so adorable!! i love that you can detach sleeves on some of the shirts thats amazing. double the use 🙂

    Reply

  30. omg these clothes are so adorable!! i love that you can detach sleeves on some of the shirts thats amazing. double the use 🙂

    Reply

  51. Oh my goodness !! Grandma just found a new web site to shop at 🙂 Thank you for the chance to win this Great giveaway !!

    Reply

  52. Oh my goodness !! Grandma just found a new web site to shop at 🙂 Thank you for the chance to win this Great giveaway !!

    Reply

  55. Wow, Souris Mini has the coolest spring/summer collection (the kids look like runway models!) These clothes are superb quality & they have styles with details I’ve never seen featured anywhere before. Truly excellent.

    Reply

  56. Wow, Souris Mini has the coolest spring/summer collection (the kids look like runway models!) These clothes are superb quality & they have styles with details I’ve never seen featured anywhere before. Truly excellent.

    Reply

  75. What a wonderful cute line for babies, girls and boys, my daughter is starting her little family and I cannot wait to start shopping, Souris Mini has some great items that I’m going to get for sure

    Reply

  76. What a wonderful cute line for babies, girls and boys, my daughter is starting her little family and I cannot wait to start shopping, Souris Mini has some great items that I’m going to get for sure

    Reply

  77. I absolutely adore Souris Mini clothing. I only have a few pieces, sent to me by my loving aunt from Quebec City, but I cherish those pieces and I’m actually keeping them as doll clothing for when my daughter is older.

    Reply

  78. I absolutely adore Souris Mini clothing. I only have a few pieces, sent to me by my loving aunt from Quebec City, but I cherish those pieces and I’m actually keeping them as doll clothing for when my daughter is older.

    Reply

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