Charlie Barley

Whilst Cat & Mouse aspires to dress children in designer outfits, Charlie Barly aspires to dress them in clothes that are fun and stylish. Tucked away in the Lanes, their shop stocks a great selection of colourful and cute clothes from their own and various European labels. Ranges start at 0 – 3 months for babywear and go up to 8 years old. Alongside stripey tops, flower print dresses and hard wearing trousers, they stock cute tee-​shirts and sleepsuits with slogans like Enjoy Milk and Bedtime Sucks.
Admittedly, the Agatha Ruiz de la Prada range is ludicriously expensive but most of the other labels are easier on the pocket. Handily, Charlie Barley also stock macs, wellies, kids brollies, sheepskin booties and — just in time for summer — jelly shoes.

My boss needed to a buy a birthday present for her niece. She seemed to know where to go («We must go to Charlie Barley!» she said) and I just followed her inside.
I must say, this store has some of the cutest clothes I’ve ever seen. There was a particular Cardigan that would fit an 6-​year old version of me very well. It made me think back to my childhood, and how I pretty much wore the same clothes to school everyday. I wasn’t as self-​conscious back then as I am now, so it was acceptable then. But, man, I wish I had better clothes when I was a kid. I think I had suspenders as well. I don’t see many people wearing suspenders anymore. That’s something that needs to change!
Oh, there was also this adorable fire suit. I guess it’s there for parents who ask themselves, «Why can we buy a fire suit for little Timmy?» Well, make-​believe parents, I can answer your question, and you can go to Charlie Barley! The prices are a bit high, but the quality of the clothing is absolutely superb and very stylish. And there’s a large selection for boys and girls, from ages 0 — 8. This is quite a good shop.

The coolest children’s clothes and shoes in town. Probably also the most ridiculously expensive too, with a whopping £49.99 for a linen shirt and trouser set, £36.99 jelly shoes, or a ludicrous £92.99 for a pair of D & G Junior jeans.
Yes, that’s right, £92.99! I had trouble justifying £25 for a cute rockabilly dress in Camden the other week and would never be rich (or stupid) enough to spend a ton on a pair of jeans that’ll last a 9month old five minutes.
After you’ve had a sit down and come to terms with your financial inadequacy, check out the slightly cheaper items like the dinosaur rain jackets and matching dungaree sets, cute little hats and tees.
But be warned, fellow shoppers. This place bites.

I popped into Charlie Barley to look for a Christmas gift for my 6 month old nephew. I was drawn to a really cute, fire-​engine red rain jacket as soon as I entered, but alas, it was too big.
The prices here weren’t too bad — some children’s clothing stores can be a bit outrageous, I’ve recently discovered — but these cute styles were affordable.
Most of Charlie Barley’s stock was, indeed, clothing, although some basic items were available at the rear of the store: baskets, towels and baby bottles.
I’d recommend shopping here if you’re looking for baby-​to-​toddler size clothing for the smartly-​dressed child.