Kids will be kids — that’s why the Swedish brand Polarn O. Pyret has been a hit in Scandinavia since 1976. Their high-quality clothing for children ages 0-12 is designed to withstand countless washes, tumbles and play dates while still retaining its shape and color.
“The most important thing for us is the quality and functionality,” says Mikael Solberg, CEO of Polarn O. Pyret, which roughly translates to “baby and his friend.”
Solberg stresses the brand’s belief that the clothes kids wear should be able to hold up through
their adventures. “Children should be children — these clothes are about not dressing them up as little adults, but rather keeping them kids for a while.” To do so, Polarn O. Pyret boasts items in bold hues and whimsical patterns — especially stripes. Solberg likens their popularity to Burberry plaid: “If you see a baby in Sweden wearing stripes, you know it’s Polarn O. Pyret.”
More good news for parents: One-third of the clothing is unisex, so big brothers can pass the items on to their little sister, maximizing the duds’ longevity.
Swede deal
The partnership of Nordstrom and Polarn O. Pyret was born out of a commonality — both brands have Swedish heritage. The department store’s roots can be traced back to 1887, when 16-year-old John Nordstrom left Sweden for America to find gold in the West. He lucked out and opened up a Seattle shoe store called Wallin & Nordstrom — and the rest is history.
