L.A.'s children's clothing stores, from designer boutiques to fast-fashion emporiums

The L.A. outpost of this high-fashion emporium stocks the company's private label infant clothing line, featuring classic baby looks such as footie pajamas with baby blue or pink stripes ($36) and a snow-white ribbed cotton sweater-and-hat set ($68). The children's department also features less dressy -- but not much cheaper -- fare, including Levi's Capital E jeans ($148), Vilebrequin swim trunks ($95) and cashmere hoodies by Amber Hagan ($180). 9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 276-4400.

H&M

This fast-fashion chain is a family affair, boasting super-sized kids' departments stocked with shrunken-down looks for infants through tweens at most of its SoCal locations. Prices are already stellar (not much is over $25), but shop the sale rack, and you'll get über-trendy looks at Wal-Mart prices. Recent sale items include a pink babydoll dress festooned with red hearts ($5), madras shorts ($12.90), retro '80s tiered skirts ($9.90) and Spicoli-style neon printed board shorts ($12.90 to $16.90). At the Beverly Center, 8500 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 855-1009, and the Americana at Brand, 891 Americana Way, Glendale, (818) 502-9835.

J.Crew

Crewcuts is this store's "mini-me" line, and it's full of quirky little pieces that resemble the grown-up collection. Metallic stripe linen jackets ($198), sequin cardigans ($168) and posy pouf swing skirts ($328) are perfect for baby Carrie Bradshaws, while rumpled linen button-downs ($32.50), Italian chino sport coats ($148) and patchwork madras bow ties ($19.50) will have the little guys looking like wee Ivy league professors. Crewcuts sizes range from ages 2 to 10. Available at J. Crew stores at Americana at Brand, 857 Americana Way, Glendale, (818) 244-4975, 3 W. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, (626) 568.2739, and online at www.jcrew.com.

Kitson Kids

Kitson owner Fraser Ross doesn't mess around with obscure brands -- even in his kids' boutique. All the big sportswear brands are smushed into this Robertson Boulevard storefront, from True Religion and Joe's Jeans denim ($80 to $165) to Kid La Rok and C&C dresses ($58). There's also a good selection of Little Marc (Jacobs) pieces, including JFK-esque windbreakers for boys ($88) and ladylike cardigans for girls ($105 to $128). 108 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 246-3829.