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-   -   Liberty print dresses in London? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/liberty-print-dresses-in-london-920460/)

colonna Jan 20th, 2012 12:35 AM

Liberty print dresses in London?
 
Can anyone please recommend a good shop for Liberty print children's clothes in London? Liberty has no children's department at the moment. I'm not looking for starchy party dresses, rather dresses for barefoot summers.

Also for those who will be in London before January 29 who are interested in Arts and Crafts, there's a William Morris exhibit at 2 Temple Place exploring his fascination with myth and story-telling. The venue may be more amazing than the art-- W W Astor's little castle by the Thames, not generally open to the public. A real fairy-tale house.

KayF Jan 20th, 2012 01:15 AM

I'm wondering if people know what Liberty print is. I don't. It might help to describe what you are after.

I think John Lewis would have nice childrens clothes.

Kay

Dr_DoGood Jan 20th, 2012 02:53 AM

Dresses for barefoot summers? In London in January? Any retailer basing their offering around August-wear during the coldest month(s) of the year is likely to be concidering Retail Suicide.

As to where to find girlswear which might be appealing to the "Liberty-print cognoscenti" I suggest Laura Ashley and Monsoon on the high street (along with John Lewis as above) and Westbourne Grove/Portobello Road/Kensington High street/Notting Hill for those Boho independents - and hasn't Alice Temperley been doing some childrenswear of late...?

Dr D.

RM67 Jan 20th, 2012 03:53 AM

Liberty had a massive brand overhaul a few years ago, and the prints are now used in very different ways to the 70's cotton dresses you are most likely thinking of. They are now mainly on high-end goods, like silk lingerie, or embossed leather bags and diaries. I really like them, but I doubt they are what you are looking for/thinking of. You probably could still buy the cotton fabrics by the metre in the haberdashery dept of Liberty and make up your own childrens clothes if you are any good at needlework.

tahl Jan 20th, 2012 04:12 AM

Again, not Liberty fabrics, but Cath Kidston is known for charming bright cotton prints, and has a kids' line. Her style is very much 'barefoot summers.' She has several stores in London.
http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/c-107-kids.aspx

Tulips Jan 20th, 2012 04:38 AM

Rachel Riley do flowery dresses for children (don't know if they're Liberty print, but look like it).
Or buy the fabric at Liberty and have them made? I don't know if they have summer dresses in store now.

mamcalice Jan 20th, 2012 05:11 AM

There is a large baby and children's department in the Liberty Store. I haven't been for several years so I'm not sure it they still have items in the Liberty print.

tarquin Jan 20th, 2012 05:24 AM

Brora, the cashmere specialist, also do a few blouses and frocks in Liberty prints, adult's and children's sizes. I am not sure what you would find until the spring collection arrives in the shops. I seem to remember that Cacharel use the prints as well, in fact you might find more in Paris than London.

Tana lawn, the wonderful Liberty lightweight cotton, is available in their shop in many choices at £21 per metre. I haven't seen baby or children's clothes at Liberty's for years.

In spite of the unwelcome changes, Liberty's remains a wonderful shop to visit.

flanneruk Jan 20th, 2012 05:36 AM

"There is a large baby and children's department in the Liberty Store."

There isn't.

Liberty are revamping their children's offer, and that includes the physical department, which is now closed. The new Little Liberty opens March 1 this year.

Though there's no childrenswear on the Liberty
website, there's a wide range of Liberty print fabric.

Cathinjoetown Jan 20th, 2012 05:47 AM

I'm guessing you want simple little dresses. Your best bet is to buy the fabric and have the dresses run up. Jumpers or shifts that tie at the shoulder, for example, shouldn't cost much to be run up.

colonna Jan 20th, 2012 05:50 AM

Thanks to all. I'll check out your suggestions (and thanks, tahl, I didn't realize Cath Kidston carried clothes and some of those dresses are pretty and reasonable).

Unfortunately, I am not gifted with the needle.

annhig Jan 20th, 2012 06:58 AM

Unfortunately, I am not gifted with the needle.>>

but you might be able to find a dressmaker locally who is. buying the fabric and having it made up will probably be cheaper than buying the clothes ready made, and a dressmaker can probably make allowances for growth too!.

thanks for the info about the william morris exhibition, sadly I won't be in london to see it, but i'd love to!

hetismij2 Jan 20th, 2012 07:05 AM

Oilily have a shop on Sloane Street Knightsbridge.
You may like their style - have a look at their US webshop:
http://www.oililyshopusa.com/en/shop.../dresses/p.all, though that is still showing winter season clothing.

janisj Jan 20th, 2012 08:08 AM

"<i>I'm wondering if people know what Liberty print is.</i>"

they do -- unless they're from OZ ;)

colonna: As the others suggest, at this time of year your best bet is probably to buy fabric and have them made.

But if you can wait until Spring there will be lots to choose from

ESW Jun 18th, 2015 02:41 AM

There's something special about Liberty prints. I still remember my first Liberty lawn dress and that's over 50 years ago now...

Doing a web search, I've come up with the following two websites.
This one sells some ready made Liberty print dresses.
http://www.brora.co.uk/Product/Categ...goryCodeStr=IC

This one makes to measure.
http://www.tinkerandbelle.co.uk/

Rubicund Jun 18th, 2015 03:17 AM

ESW, this post is over 3 years old.

tarquin Jun 20th, 2015 07:42 AM

That doesn't matter - the clothes in the second link are lovely!

Heimdall Feb 23rd, 2016 03:02 AM

It seems that in the three years since the original post, Liberty has reopened their children's department: http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/categor...ept/kids_girls

For Liberty prints you can order the fabric, and this page has international contact information:
http://www.liberty.co.uk/liberty-art...le/fcp-content

Jennifer_Travels Feb 23rd, 2016 06:36 AM

And, in the US, Jcrew sometimes has clothing made with Liberty fabric. Right now, they do have some girls dresses.

https://www.jcrew.com/girls_category...8835/E8835.jsp


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