| Shopping for kids clothes is, if not fun, at least a | | | | which means parents need to keep an eye out |
| relatively painless parental task. All a parent needs | | | | for peeping underwear and "plumber's cleavage," |
| to know to buy clothes is the child's age and | | | | but the right fit can be found. As silk scarf belts |
| favorite over-commercialized cartoon character. | | | | are in for girls, obtaining this accessory for your |
| He then need only buy something with that age | | | | daughter might help keep the jeans up at their |
| printed on the tag - 2T for a two-year old, 6X | | | | proper height. Popular with boys is the silk (or |
| for a tall six-year old - bearing the appropriate | | | | silk-like) shirt over that white tee. Untucked, this |
| Elmo or Dora the Explorer images. Not a flawless | | | | also can help disguise pants that seem to be |
| system, but one that has stood the transition | | | | hanging at knee level. |
| from shopping moms to shopping, clueless dads | | | | One way young ladies can be "skin-fashionable" |
| like me. However, this system starts to unravel | | | | without being inappropriate is by wearing Capri |
| as your child approaches the tween years - | | | | pants coupled with the ped-like "no-see" socks |
| generally recognized as the ages between nine | | | | that don't rise above the tops of the sneaker. |
| and twelve. The tween years are similar to the | | | | Showing a little ankle may have been risqué |
| toddler years in that your child feels the need to | | | | in Queen Victoria's day, but in today's Britney |
| assert independence, test limits, and even push a | | | | Spears boobs-and-bellies world, the ankle is an |
| few buttons. But there is the added confusion of | | | | easy compromise. These socks are also worn by |
| raging hormones causing body changes, mood | | | | boys, so stock up. |
| swings, and occasional fits of pique. At this age, | | | | What's this going to cost me? |
| clothing not only fits differently due to growth | | | | Let's face it - fashion can be expensive. And if |
| (and those darn hormones), but your young | | | | my tween is going to be growing out of her |
| person begins to have a sense of his own style, | | | | clothes in three months, outfitting her could |
| or at least a sense of what his peers are wearing. | | | | become prohibitively expensive. Fortunately, part |
| No more Rugrats, Blue's Clues, or Barbie clothing | | | | of the problem is solved by the fashion itself. |
| themes. No more kids clothes. | | | | White tees, ankle-height socks, and even polo |
| What will my kids want to wear? | | | | shirts are relatively inexpensive, and can be |
| Tweens begin feeling the need to express their | | | | purchased at Target or Wal-Mart. However, some |
| independence from their parents by emulating | | | | of the retailers that are offering these trendy |
| their peers. It's the prelude to full-blown | | | | kids clothes are on the higher end of the pricing |
| teenager-hood, and as such, fashion plays a role. | | | | scale. Abercrombie, American Eagle, Old Navy, and |
| However, fashion and popular culture should never | | | | Gap are on the frontlines of kids clothes fashion, |
| override parental wisdom, or common sense. Do | | | | and are more expensive. It's best for the |
| we really need to see an eleven-year-old boy's | | | | budget-conscious parent to pick a few pieces of |
| boxers billowing out of his low-slung pants like the | | | | "anchor" clothing from these places that can be |
| braking chute on a drag racer? Should we really | | | | accessorized or added to from discount stores. |
| know what color underwear a ten year old girl is | | | | Remember: You are the parent |
| wearing as it climbs over the top of her jeans? | | | | As your child grows out of her kids clothes and |
| Tweens will look to teens, and teen pop icons, for | | | | into tween clothes, remember who is in charge. A |
| what's "cool" to wear, and in so doing will see a | | | | tween is yet a child, and needs parental guidance |
| proliferation of skin and undergarments. Leaving | | | | and supervision. You decide what is or is not |
| aside the issue of whether this attire is | | | | appropriate attire. And, unless your tween has a |
| appropriate for anyone, these are definitely not | | | | high-end, low-carb, no-sugar lemonade bar, you |
| kids clothes. Yet they may very possibly be the | | | | are probably the one paying for the clothes. You |
| clothes your kids will want to wear. | | | | can allow your young person to grow and |
| No kids clothes? What should I buy? | | | | express herself within your parameters, and |
| Fear not, all is not lost! The aware parent can be | | | | make the transition out of kids clothes a smooth |
| fashion-forward and still lose the "babyish" kids | | | | one. |
| clothes. Today's tween/teen fashion seems to be | | | | There are many resources for parents to |
| centered on baggy and low slung, with an eye to | | | | communicate with and help each other through |
| 80's Prep. Plain white tee shirts are popular for | | | | each stage of child development. One such is the |
| both boys and girls, as are polo shirts (yes, the | | | | website, which has message boards and forums |
| collars are back up!). Loose fitting cargo pants, | | | | for each age group. Check the tweens board to |
| jeans, khakis and chinos are also worn by both | | | | see what other parents are thinking of doing |
| girls and boys. Many of today's jeans are low-rise, | | | | regarding their tweens. |