When sisters Elizabeth Barrett and Caitlin Purcell teamed up with their sister-in-law Megan Barrett to launch Little Derby Boutique, they weren’t just starting a business—they were solving a problem they knew firsthand.
Opening April 22 on Clayton Road in Ladue, the boutique is designed as a one-stop shop for children’s clothing, offering everything from newborn gifts to polished looks for older kids. For the founders, who collectively are raising a growing crew of children, it’s a concept born directly out of lived experience.
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“As moms, we kept running into the same issue,” Purcell says. “You could find great options for babies, but it was much harder to find stores that carried those same styles for bigger kids. We wanted a place where you could shop for all your children at once.”
Between Purcell and Megan Barrett, the pair will soon have eight children, and their day-to-day routines helped shape nearly every detail of the store. Rather than sending parents to multiple retailers or forcing them to rely on online orders that may not meet expectations, Little Derby aims to streamline the process.
Inside, shoppers will find coordinated sibling outfits, with prints and styles that carry across age groups, as well as a carefully curated mix of brands. Megan Barrett, who grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana, brings a Southern influence to the selection, leaning into classic, traditional styles with a preppy edge.
“We wanted to bring in brands that feel timeless but still practical,” she says. “Pieces that look special but can hold up to real life with kids.”
That balance between elevated style and everyday wear extends to pricing as well. The boutique will carry a range of price points, from more affordable play clothes to heirloom-quality pieces for milestones such as baptisms, first communions, and weddings. Shoppers can expect recognizable names alongside newer labels discovered at Dallas market, where the founders personally vetted fabrics and construction.
The emphasis on variety is intentional. In addition to baby and toddler offerings, Little Derby will stock clothing for older children, which they describe as an underserved category in the local market, as well as expanded options for boys, another frequent request from parents.
“We’ve heard from so many moms who struggle to find nice boys’ clothing or anything beyond the younger sizes,” says Elizabeth Barrett, who brings a background in retail to the venture. “We really wanted to change that.”
Special-occasion wear is another standout. The shop will carry items such as christening gowns, flower girl dresses, and boys’ sport coats—pieces that are often difficult to source in person. For parents tired of ordering multiple sizes online to find the best fit, the team is hoping that the ability to try on clothes in store will serve as a major draw.
Beyond clothing, Little Derby Boutique is focused on creating a welcoming, family-friendly shopping experience. The space will include toys and accessories, a small play area to keep kids occupied, and a bar stocked with juice boxes and, occasionally, wine for parents.
An in-house embroidery service will add another layer of personalization, allowing customers to customize items such as sweaters, blankets, and baby accessories—ideal for gifting or special keepsakes.
The decision to open in Ladue felt natural, the sisters agree. The founders, who live near one another, were drawn to the walkable Clayton Road corridor and its alignment with the boutique’s aesthetic. The space itself, located near Ladue Taco, came together serendipitously through a family connection.
As opening day approaches, the trio is most excited about becoming a go-to resource for local families. “I want someone to be able to walk in and think, I need outfits for all my kids, and I need them now,” says Purcell. “And we can say, ‘We’ve got you.’”
