Continuing with our series of highlighting people who we love, we are excited to welcome Megan Rees of Little Dogwood Vintage to MitP!
Hi, I’m Megan, and I run Little Dogwood Vintage, where I sell children’s vintage clothing. I’m a mom to three wild little boys and my day job is working in PR. I’m also the board chair for WeeCycle, a local nonprofit that collects gently used baby gear and gives it to families in need. We also run the state’s largest diaper bank. I’ve always had a thing for vintage clothing and decor. When my oldest son was a baby, I quickly realized the struggle of finding cool, unique, well-made clothes. I didn’t want to settle for boring, mass-produced stuff. So, I started hunting for fun, authentic vintage pieces to dress him in. Then when my younger two grew out of them, I thought, “Hey, these clothes are too cool not to share.” That’s when I decided to start selling. It’s been a fun little side hustle that helps fill my creative bucket. I’ve been collecting kids vintage clothing since 2016 when my first son was born, and I’ve been selling “officially” since 2021. I sell online on Etsy and Instagram but am admittedly inconsistent with posting and listing because it’s hard to find the time in this stage of life for me!
Why children’s vintage specifically?
The modern children’s clothing market is, let’s just say, seriously lacking — especially for boys (boy moms, you know what I’m talking about). I’m not about to dress my kids in cheaply made, cheesy shit that says, “I get my muscles from daddy.” I felt like there was a gap in the market for well-curated vintage kids clothing, so this is my way of offering something that feels a bit more intentional and less disposable — clothes that last, have personality and aren’t just one more thing for a landfill. There’s also the element of nostalgia too — it’s often the pieces from the past that evoke a certain feeling or remind you of your own childhood, which brings a whole new level of meaning to dressing your kids in something vintage. It’s like a bridge between generations. Plus, vintage lets your kid stand out and helps them develop a style that’s unique to them, so they aren’t running around in the same generic outfit as everyone else.
What’s one of the best things you’ve ever found when on the hunt for vintage?
When one of my kids was in his volcano-obsessed era, I stumbled upon an “I survived the eruption of Mount Saint Helens” T-shirt from 1980. That was pretty cool. I think my other favorite is a 1970s brown and orange velour baby jumpsuit. I can’t bring myself to part with that one.
What’s something that the average person might not understand about the world of children’s vintage?
Vintage clothing is often way better made than what’s on the shelves today. You get these durable, high-quality pieces that can be passed down multiple times, and they’ve got way more character. You won’t find the same attention to detail in things that are made today. You’re not dealing with cheap fast fashion that falls apart after a few wears. Vintage also means you’re giving a second life to something special, rather than constantly contributing to the “buy, wear, toss” cycle.
Another thing people might not realize is how much work goes into finding and curating children’s vintage. It’s not just about grabbing anything old and calling it vintage. It’s about sourcing quality, unique pieces that still have life left in them. With kids’ clothing, I have to be pretty selective — certain materials or styles that would’ve been great in the past may not work as well for today’s kids. It’s a little more thoughtful than just thrifting for the sake of it.
Are there benefits to dressing your children in vintage clothing? If so, what are they?
Definitely. The most obvious is durability. I have three boys, and they are hard on everything. Vintage is often made from materials that can stand the test of time, so I’m not replacing clothes every couple of months. There’s also the uniqueness factor — when my kids wear vintage, I know they won’t look like every other kid at school. It’s a way of helping them develop their own style that’s more personal and authentic. It’s also better for the environment — we’re buying less new stuff and reusing what’s already out there, which feels a lot better than supporting fast fashion.
Is there anything in particular you’re bringing to the next market that you are excited to share?
I’ve started making kid hats using vintage patches that I’ll be bringing to the next market. I take vintage patches and sew them onto new hats. All of them are hand-sewn and one of a kind. I have some adult versions too. It’s been a fun project and I’m excited to share them! Other than that, I’ll have a ton of spring/summer kids vintage for all ages — babies through young teens —that I’ve been hoarding and haven’t had time to list online.
Where can we follow you, support you, catch you, etc?
You can follow me on Instagram @littledogwoodvintage and Etsy. I don’t do very many in-person markets so if you want to shop IRL, definitely get to the May 18 market! I might try to do some other events this summer but haven’t committed to anything else just yet.
