Comfortable in style...

KIDS WEAR

Gone are the days when fashion was the exclusive preserve of adults. The exposure to mass media, peer pressure, a growing sense of awareness about fashion trends and the overwhelming variety of choices even at an average clothes store mean that they are spoilt for choice.

And to cater to this ever-growing segment of fashion-conscious children, a host of apparel brands have sprung up. They are not only in touch with what goes down well with the picky children, but have also mastered the art of keeping the parents happy with their selection of trendy and practical offerings.

No fuss, really

For starters, anything that’s too fussy, flimsy or high maintenance will never make the cut — neither for children, nor for their parents. This is why the latter have been leaning in favour of western outfits — they seem to be perfect for their children’s active lifestyle, by offering durability and convenience.

They have also been a hit with the children by assuring them that they can look like their peers even as they stand out for their individual style. An aspect of this overarching trend is the bent towards outfits with a contemporary touch, whether it’s in terms of the styling, motifs, colours, silhouettes or accessories. Bye-bye nursery prints and cutesy frocks, the “mini me” junior is here to rock the faux fur, asymmetrical zips and berets with equal ease and finesse.

A common trend across girls and boys clothing is, however, the growing awareness about the material being used. The fact that it needs to be soft, durable and easy to wash and maintain form the chief concerns of anyone wanting to make a wise purchase. So, fabrics such as cotton-based denims, twill, yarn-dyed checks, georgette, rayon and crepes are the preferred options. Needless to say, the choice of fabric gone wrong can mean that the entire look takes a beating. So, children (yes, they are taking sartorial decisions independently these days) are exercising their right to choice very carefully. 

Style check

Talking of specifics, shorts, skinny jeans, jeggings, printed bottoms and one-piece dresses are here to stay for young girls. The fact that these garments are versatile and can be mixed and matched to create new ensembles each time, lends them that adaptability that children’s clothes often lack. For instance, your little one’s summer shorts can be worn over thick jeggings in solid colours to turn that summer essential into a winter outfit. Similarly, those one-piece dresses can be teamed with stockings and thick blazers.

For formal or festive evenings, remember, a hint of glitter won’t hurt — be it on shoes, hemlines, collars or as small details on that party wear. As the season changed to winter, a switch from soft pastels to deeper hues that create a warm, fuzzy feeling, has become quite evident. Cute mittens, caps and mufflers are seeing many eager takers.

Boys can get by this season by layering like a pro. Let the trusted denims stay, but improvise with cardigans and printed shirts, hoodies and denim jackets and sweaters with leather jackets. A trend that’s making news is the sleeveless jacket with coloured pants. This is the best bet for those casual, afternoon get-togethers.

Staid hues will be passé as the quintessential blacks and blues will lose out to brighter colours. Digital and animal prints are going to be popular, bringing in that fun element that forms the basis of kids’ clothing. Just because the weather is grey, doesn’t mean that the funky floral shirt is forgotten — paired with a cardigan and muffler, it can make quite an impact.

The good news is that these trends are easily available. Getting the best bargain no longer includes a visit to the overcrowded mall. For super busy parents, there’s a wide selection on offer on online shopping portals. Just a couple of minutes spent with junior on that kids’ apparel site can help you choose the best at a competitive price. A smart shopper will specially benefit by keeping track of online sales so as to make the most of the discounts.

(The author is co-founder and CCO, 612 League)