In 2020, expecting her first child, Savannah Egan stumbled upon a baby item she simply couldn’t pass up. As a historian with a love for classic styles and intricate handiwork, Savannah dreamt of a stroller that embodied timeless elegance. Her search led her to a rare, vintage Silver Cross Balmoral pram, a British classic, and she instantly knew it was ‘the one.’ Undeterred by its 80-pound weight, Savannah drove from San Diego to Los Angeles to collect her prize. At $900, it was a steal, considering these exclusive Balmoral prams often fetch over $3,000 on the resale market.
“It’s truly the Rolls-Royce of strollers—enormous and not exactly practical,” admitted Savannah, now residing in North Carolina, “but it’s absolutely stunning.”
A TikTok video by @whatsavsews showcases the elegant vintage Balmoral pram, with the caption humorously defending the purchase to her husband, who questioned its practicality. The video highlights the pram’s beauty and its current use as a stylish storage for stuffed animals.
The allure of Silver Cross Balmoral strollers, long favored by the British royal family, has now captivated American influencers and luxury enthusiasts, largely thanks to social media. Podcaster Jackie Oshry, for instance, famously shared a photo of her exquisite pram, and countless TikTok users proudly display their own Balmoral carriages in viral videos.
This surge in popularity places restored Balmorals at the pinnacle of a burgeoning luxury stroller market. This segment now features not only traditional high-end baby brands but also exciting collaborations with renowned fashion houses and even prestige automotive manufacturers.
Since Silver Cross no longer produces the Balmoral, acquiring one means seeking out specialists like Scott Frew, proprietor of Britain-based Prams With Pizazz. Frew founded his vintage stroller restoration business a decade ago after beautifully refurbishing a Balmoral for his pregnant daughter, even hand-painting a ladybug design on its hood. He estimates he’s since restored “thousands” of prams, including a six-figure family heirloom for a client who required a strict non-disclosure agreement.
With a warehouse in Scotland holding around 300 prams, Mr. Frew ships these meticulously restored pieces worldwide, including to the U.S. Starting at approximately $3,300 (2,500 pounds), he emphasizes their exceptional durability justifies the investment. “They offer far more longevity and aesthetic appeal than many modern strollers, which often barely survive one child,” he noted.
For parents seeking high-end options without the complexities of restoration, luxury fashion houses are diving into the ‘status stroller’ trend. Brands like Dior and Fendi are collaborating on their own designer baby transport. Loro Piana, for example, offers a ‘thermoregulating’ stroller in a surprisingly impractical cream hue, priced at about $5,800 (5,000 euros).
A sleek, modern stroller, part of a new collaboration between luxury car brand Aston Martin and British stroller company Egg, signals a fresh entry into the high-end baby gear market. Silver Cross recently joined forces with Lamborghini to unveil a $5,500 stroller, while British company Egg revealed its upcoming collaboration with Aston Martin on a bespoke, ultra-luxury stroller. Meanwhile, Cybex, renowned for its chic designer partnerships, presents a $2,499.95 stroller inspired by 1950s aesthetics, conceptualized by Jeremy Scott.
Baby gear expert and registry consultant Rebekah Kimminau notes that, aside from high-end imports like Silver Cross, many of the most sought-after luxury stroller brands in the U.S. have stood the test of time. Brands like Bugaboo, famously boosted by “Sex and the City” two decades ago, continue to thrive. Kimminau often recommends models like the $1,500 Bugaboo Kangaroo or the $2,250 Cybex e-Priam, which even boasts a built-in motor for effortless uphill pushing—both lauded for their luxurious feel and lasting durability.
Kimminau also observes that many of her clients prioritize convertible luxury options with extensive customization potential. The Uppababy Vista V3, a go-to for influencers such as Campbell Puckett (aka Pookie), exemplifies this with over 30 possible configurations and optional canopy and seat fabric kits, allowing for a fresh look whenever desired.
While undeniably stylish, these adaptable options often prove more practical for daily use than even the most classic Balmoral.
Despite its charm, Savannah Egan admits her Silver Cross pram has seen limited use—just once or twice. Its substantial weight and inability to fold make it impractical for car transport. Like many of her peers, she opts for a Vista for everyday outings. Yet, she has no regrets about her Balmoral purchase.
“It mostly lives indoors now, used for photoshoots and as a cozy bed for my kids’ stuffed animals,” she explains. “They love to climb in and play with it. Ultimately, I just find it incredibly beautiful.”