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Flowery and feminineGood news for parents who are weary of battling their daughters over clothing that is too sexy, too soon. Girls will look just right in this season’s pretty florals, whether it is a classic spring dress or a flowy top paired with capris and ballet slippers. “It’s really age-appropriate for girls this year, which is thrilling,” says Michelle Kouzmine, who writes the online about.com Kids’ Fashion column. “It’s a sweet, endearing look for girls.”What she’s wearing: Faux Wrap Dress, $19.50 Where to get it: The Children’s Place; more than 20 stores in Southern California Website: childrensplace.com Got the blues?Europe’s runways were full of blue this year, including many navy-dyed dresses for a formal look, reports New York children’s fashion writer Tina Barry. Sky blue and aqua work for both boys and girls. And when it comes to blue jeans, look for a lighter wash to be popular this spring.What she’s wearing: Lacey print Easter skirt with leggings, $19.95; puff-print sequin top in Arctic, $14.95 Where to get them: Naartjie at Irvine Spectrum Center, Mission Viejo Mall and Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga Website: naartjie.com Sparkle and shineA girl can really shine in T-shirts studded with crystals, metallic fabrics, silver ballet slippers and sequined tennis shoes. “There’s lots of sparkle,” says Johnson of Lola Rouge Kids. “You’ll think you’re shopping for the holidays in spring.”What she’s wearing: A fuschia and gray tie-dyed “burnout” T-shirt with black crown and fuschia crystals, made by Sassy Stars, $35 Where to get it: Hush Baby in Aliso Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Huntington Beach and Tustin Website: sassystars.com Layers, layers, layersSpring days often start out chilly, but warm up quickly in the Southern California sun. So it makes sense to pair ankle tights or leggings with a dress or skirt, says Jacqueline Ardrey, vice president of clothing design for Hanna Andersson. “Leggings with tunics, ankle tights and pieces that you can layer are very big for us,” she says. As for keeping warm on spring evenings, Barry notes that belted trench coats are a hot item this year, as well.What she’s wearing: It’s a Playdress, It’s a Daydress, $34; opposite-stripe bike shorts, $18; Cutout Clogs, $52. Where to get them: Hanna Andersson at Fashion Island Website: hannaandersson.com It’s organic, baby!Parents are concerned about their kids’ exposure to harmful chemicals, as well as the environment. So, they are seeking out organic cotton and even fibers made of milk proteins or bamboo, says Barry. “It’s definitely one of the next big things for kids’ fashion,” agrees Kouzmine. “And not just whether it is organic. Where is it made? Is it from child-free labor? People are wanting to purchase safe, ethical clothing for kids.”What he’s wearing: Organic cotton Polo shirt, $24; deck pants, $34; reversible bucket hat, $16. Where to get them: Hanna Andersson at Fashion Island Website: hannaandersson.com Go big, go brightThis season, look for bold yellows and oranges. Many clothes are evoking an earlier age, with fun, almost “hippie-chic,” dip-dyed fabrics. “Things are kind of disco-inspired,” says Johnson, of Lola Rouge Kids, “but it’s a modern take on the ’70s style.”What she’s wearing: Flowers by Zoe Peasant Square Dress, $84.95 Where to get it: This Little Piggy Wears Cotton, in Fashion Island, or online Website: littlepiggy.com Mr. ‘T’The graphic T-shirt is a fun, must-have item for all SoCal kids, and boys love them! “It’s not really a trend, so much as a constant now,” says children’s fashion writer Tina Barry. Look for T-shirts with vintage-looking decals and surf or skater prints to be hot this spring. Pair them with plaid shorts for a fashion-forward look. And, adds Michelle Kouzmine, boys love T-shirts from hip labels, such as Small Paul, Charlie Rocket, and surf and skate companies. That includes etnies, Hurley and Quiksilver– right from our own back yard. What he’s wearing: A Billabong Roseskull T-shirt ($18.95) and Billabong Jackson plaid shorts ($48.95). Stamp Youth Twill A-Flex Hat by etnies, $21.99; Toddler Cinch shoes by etnies, $25.99. Where to get them: This Little Piggy Wears Cotton, in Fashion Island; hat and shoes available only through etnies.com Websites: littlepiggy.com and etnies.com THIS SEASON’S HOTTEST COLORS>> Blue is the biggest color for 2008>> Shiny metallics, for shoes and fabrics >> Bright yellows and oranges >> Black and white *Sources: Tina Barry, Michelle Kouzmine and Sandy Johnson Recycled ragsA great way to stretch the fashion dollarBy Kathleen Crain Ladies, it’s time to do a little spring cleaning. Throw out the idiom, “One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure.” Change it to: “One woman’s recycled clothes are another woman’s spring wardrobe.” Just because you buy something second-hand doesn’t mean the quality or style is less than that of a Nordstrom’s purchase. Second-hand stores, a.k.a. consignment stores, purchase “gently used” clothing to re-sell to the public. Most consignment stores only accept top designers. Thrift stores, however, are different. They accept all donated clothes; consignment stores have a strict rubric that follows trends and seasonal wear. Sonia Petrovski , a single mother of 4, is one fashionista on a budget. She loves designer brands, but lives by the motto, “We need to be smarter than our money.” She says, “People need to consider consignment stores as just another option. I got my daughter these cute Louis Vuitton hair clips at a consignment store. People forget that not all of their stuff is used; some of it is wholesale.” Rick Potter, owner of Once Upon A Child, a consignment store in Temecula, offers this advice on second-hand buys: >> When you walk into a store, notice how organized it is. The quality of the store dictates the quality of the clothes. >> Don’t buy anything with even a thread of stitching loose! >> The most durable and classic brands are Gymboree, Gap and Old Navy. You can count on their clothes for excellence. Like Petrovski says, we just need to look at consignment stores as “another option.” Incorporate it into your family’s normal shopping routine. Coats, dresses and shoes are timeless treasures that can be purchased at 1/10 the cost of new ones. Who knew spring cleaning could be so fun? Other consignment stores in the Inland Empire: >> Blossom Boutique 28636 Front St. Old Town Temecula 951.506.5293 Blossomtemecula.com >> Children’s Orchard 9359 Foothill Blvd., Ste D Rancho Cucamonga 909.581.3161 childrensorchard.com >> The Mommie Store 1680 Hamner Ave., Ste. 19 Norco 951.738.1544 >> New To You 22400 Barton Road, Ste. 3 Grand Terrace 909.688.2829 |
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