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Photo: Petit Couture’s new Ready-to-Wear Simone Pleat Dress in Mod Grey/Yellow, with Ruffle Cardigan in Light Grey

I’m one of those mothers who always worries that their children are cold. I shove knitted cardigans in my handbag wherever I go in case the weather changes. Open my car door and out tumbles an assortment of coats and jackets, of varying weight, ‘just in case’. And that’s just for a trip to the store. 

Imagine my dilemma packing for a trip away… where I can’t be sure of how weather patterns, altitude, and revised distance from the equator will affect our plans. So when a good friend of mine added a line of travel-ready knits to her already gorgeous basics, I was in cardigan heaven! 

Petit Couturelaunched their debut line of cool kids’ basics last year, and it has grown in leaps and bounds. Now based in San Francisco, owner Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff, has done what few fledgling businesses can handle in their first year, and launched not one but two lines concurrently – her new Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear Collection, and what I’m here to sprout from the rooftops – her Travel Sweater Knit Collection. 

Photo: Petit Couture Travel Sweater Knit Collection

Rebecca produced the knit pieces to compliment her new Ready-to-Wear, and to transition the line into seasons to follow. Mixing textures, fabrics and styles, she was just doing what her kids were doing naturally when they donned their wardrobe – and it all works to create a look of eclectic and effortless chic.  

All knit pieces are rayon/cotton mix fiber and are manufactured in a family-run co-op in Peru that currently supports 22 families in Lima. Why Peru? “I believe in supporting and creating a business I can feel good about,” says Rebecca. “I came upon this co-op as I reached out to a Portland-based company who runs this special facility for their family. I’ve chosen to partner with them to construct the Travel Sweater Knit Collection and we manufacture all other items exclusively in the USA. Plus I’ve been able to use some sustainable fibers in this collection, like 100% bamboo fabrication for a few of the pieces.” 

Photo: Petit Couture Classic Boatneck Sweater and Classic Ruffle Wrap Skirt in Black, with Simone Pleat Dress in Multi Stripe

Like I said, I love a good cardigan, so my pick of the bunch is the Ruffle Cardigan in light grey (though the Kimono-Style Dress with Easy-On Leggings would be perfect plane-trip attire!) Sizes run 3-6 months to size 8 with classic fit, so size 6 does in fact fit my 6-year-old perfectly. 

Select items from this collection are available for purchase now from www.petitcouture.com, with prices starting from $50rrp. The entire Petit Couture Ready-To-Wear and Travel Sweater Knit Collections are available for pre-order now through October 2010. Contact sales@petitcouture.com to reserve pieces now! Follow them on Facebook for updates on when the new collection will be in-store. 

Petit Couture GIVEAWAY! 

Photo: All the gang in select Petit Couture Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear Collection pieces

As a special treat, we’re offering one lucky reader a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to spend on Petit Couture’s new collection, plus one of their fabulous Signature Burn-Out Crews in your choice of size and color, valued at $38. Here’s how to enter: 

1. Sign up for HipTravelMama via email (it’s at the top of every page on the right hand column). 

2. Leave us a comment here on this post, or on our Facebook wall to tell us: What kids’ fashion item always gets packed for your trip? 

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hiptravelmama where we will announce the winner Friday August 27 at 5pm PT. 

Enter to win by Friday, August 27 at 12pm PT.One lucky winner will receive a $25 Petit Couture gift certificate and a Signature Burn-Out Crew valued at $38. Total prize value is $63. The winner will be selected at random and the winner will be announced on our Facebook page on Friday, August 27 at 5pm PT. 

Rules: 

Many thanks to Petit Couture for their generous donation of these coveted items! 1 entry per person. No purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. You must be a US resident, 21 or older to participate. Employees, partners, agents, vendors or immediate family members of HipTravelMama are not eligible to enter. This is a random drawing, so odds of winning will depend on number of entrants. Rules are governed by the state of Washington. HipTravelMama reserves the right to cancel, suspend and or modify a promotion if any problem corrupts the administration, security or proper play of the promotion. In the event of a dispute as to the winner’s identity, entries will be deemed made by the holder of the email account associated with the entry. Entrants agree that HipTravelMama is not responsible and cannot be held liable for any unauthorized intervention, technical errors, printing errors, mail delays and any other errors in connection with the administration with this program.