The Bean Counter

Sometimes you have to shell out big bucks to kick it in style. But while that makes perfect sense for say, a New Year’s limo ride in hot new heels, when buying edgy street wear for baby you can’t keep pretending you’ve got Brangelina’s budget.

But that doesn’t mean you have to boycott stylish shops or settle for cheapie pastel onesies smothered in unicorns.

Instead hit up Kona-based Koko Bean’s boutique-quality, adult-inspired infant clothes for prices so low you’ll do a double take. And there’s nothing cutesie or cheap about the bold colors and trend- and humor-conscious designs, such as That’s How I Roll, Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner, 100% Kama‘aina, or Made from Recycled Genetic Material.

Koko Bean owner and self-taught designer Toccara Chrisman manufactures their 100-percent cotton, tag-less garments herself to keep prices affordable (and out of sweatshops), and the clothes easily customizable. On their brand new web site – which launches Friday – you can virtually build your own keiki fashions, putting the Om sign on a pink T-shirt instead of a green longsleeve, iPood on yellow instead of brown, and Got Diapers? on a bib just because.

Whatever your little celebrity’s heart desires.

Koko Bean designs are available online, at Hot Mama Maternity, 3435 Waialae Ave. (behind Town Restaurant), Kaimuki, 808.736.2737; and on the Big Island at Mama Ala Mode , 74-5615 Luhia St., Kona, 808.328.3398, and Kona Inn Children's Wear at the Kona Inn Shops, 808.329.5516.