They can't help but be cute, and with so many adorable options out there in Phnom Penh it really is time to dress the kids.
Unlike us, toddlers have no concept of 'fat days' or concerns over "but I wore that two days ago" and will never retort with "floral?! That's so 2007!" Sure, they go through phases when all they want to do is run around naked or to be Batman forever, but these phases are still cute. Seeing a boy dressed as Spiderman in a supermarket aisle is something that never fails to raise a smile. Dressing children is great fun.
However, it is worth noting that restraint is best exercised at times. My love of Dr. Seuss and the Cat-in-the-hat series of books mean that my nephews and niece often end up in red and white stripes. When I see photographs of them together, I realize that I may have some explaining to do when they hit puberty. As for the time I dressed the two year
old as a pimp for a birthday party - it was the first and last time I was in charge of fancy dress. Phnom Penh undoubtedly has some adorable clothing for small people. The options are limited, but what's available is very lovely indeed. The undisputed champion in this area is the Russian Market.
There is an area in the market I like to call Baby Junction- five stalls in close proximity that house the best selection of baby clothes in town. Stall 1062 (it's unnumbered, but it is next to 1061, so I took the liberty) has more clothes for newborns, in particular, than I have seen anywhere else. The vast majority of it is from GAP and offers sensible options for that stage in life when we can't even hold our own heads up unassisted.
Long-sleeved cotton cardigans for newborns come in grey and blue. Plain white cotton babysuits come in packs of four and there are plenty of different colours and designs sold individually too. Plenty of stripy options... Also look out for the Kiks label, which I had not seen until this latest trip to the area.
Kiks make delightful long-sleeved turtleneck babysuits in very funky colours. One design features an overlapping heart pattern in different shades of pink and purple and the effect is pure psychedelia. I was also rather taken by another design with a pink background featuring chocolate brown horses. The soft cotton blend is pre-washed for minimal shrinkage and they also promise 'no tag comfort' for your bundle of joy.
But it's not just the infants who emerge victorious at Baby Junction. Toddlers also stand to benefit in the fashion stakes here. The Children's Place label have a particularly adorable strappy sundress with wide bands of unexpected colours such as brown, yellow and pink that make one wish that we were toddlers again, or that the label would branch out into womenswear. Other wardrobe staples to be found here include jeans, skirts, shorts and bathing costumes. In fact, most events and occasions are covered.
Moving away from Baby Junction, there are a few more stalls with children's clothing sprinkled around the market. Stall 1262 is also a good option and stocks a wide variety of short-sleeved GAP shirts for boys up to the age of six in a range of different patterns. Also stocked here is the label Oshkosh B'Gosh and Sprockets. This is a good place for colourful t-shirts and shorts for toddlers and older.
On the quest for kiddie clothing, I had to pay a visit to Baby Farlin on Monivong to see if they do fashion as well as all the other millions of items newborns seem to need upon entry into the world. I didn't find any clothing as such, but they do have good quality leather shoes in simple designs for toddlers, and, among the breast pumps, I found socks and bibs and sleeping bags - practical and simple.
Another one of Monivong's shopping experiences is BIG A Superstore, and although I wasn't too hopeful I can report a few surprise findings: adorable caps for newborns and cute Hawaiian shirts for boys. Not in that overweight-old-menstanding- around-a-poolwith- sunglasses-and-acocktail Hawaiian-shirt kind of way! Boys really can pull the look off. I also found Santa hats (in June!) I'm already thinking of Dr Seuss meets Santa for the next family photo - and the expression on my sister's face.
Russian Market
Big A Superstore: 266 to
272 Monivong Boulevard
Baby Farlin: 175A Mao
Tse Tung Boulevar