When Charlotte Green first had kids, twenty-three years ago, she longed for clothing choices outside of the then-standard pink and blue. Cotton Caboodle was born out of that longing, and has since become a staple of colorful cotton basics for baby to size eight. The lines of easy-to-layer , fun-to-wear pants, dresses, tees, and more, is available on a plethora of web sites and in stores around the country.

The best kept kids' shopping secret in Seattle? Cotton Caboodle's outlet store just West of Seattle Center (now with Saturday hours). Everything in the neatly-organized shop is sold at deep discount wholesale prices; we found oodles to drool over for less than $15. There's also Extra Credit, a line for girls sizes eight to fourteen, and Sucre Soir, a line just for grownup ladies. Mom and Little One can don matching camo tees or cuddle up in the same solid color - choose from a rainbow of pinks, reds, blues, oranges, and greens. Because the clothes are all garment dyed, they've already been through the wash and any shrinkage that will happen, has happened. These playtime favorites hold up to wash after wash to become ideal hand-me-downs. Green's husband, Michael, sells his streamlined-designed leather handbags at the store as well. Grab what you can before this secret hits the daycares, karate classes, and playdate scene.

Cotton Caboodle Outlet Store
203 W Thomas, (West of Seattle Center)
206.352.3763
Mon. - Fri., 10-5; Sat., 10-3