I went shopping recently with my 7 year old niece Kamya, and the experience was an eye opener! Kids today seem to know confidently what the "in" thing in fashion is and what suits them the best! Comparing this to my own embarrassing childhood memories of "matching" skirt-top-socks-shoe outfits or the frilly pink birthday dress, mom proudly got for my sister which ended up making her look like a cake! Let's just say, I was no fashion icon in those days! I'm marginally better now and find it safer to stick to classic dressing to avoid any faux pas! So when K and I walked into a newly opened shop in our neighborhood I was reasonably confident that I would be able to help her choose some nice, pretty dress for her school Xmas party.
Me: "Kamya, check out these cute frocks! You would look so lovely in this pink dress!"
Kamya (ignoring the pink frills I'm holding, heads to a rack of outfits in colorful denims and embellished jackets): "Wow! This jacket is cool!"
Me: "Er... Are you sure?"
Kamya: "And these black slacks would be perfect with it! The spaghetti top too!"
Well to sum up the 5 minute conversation that followed, Kamya ended up choosing her own clothes and surprisingly it looked great on her! And that's when I realized Kamya is indeed a little fashionista! Whatever she had picked looked comfortable yet unconventional and still perfect for party wear.
How did she grow up to be so confident and fashion forward? I wondered again.
Is it the influence of TV/movies?
Did she pick it from peer group? Her school/dance class friends/skating class buddies?
Or does she just have a keen sense of style at such a young age?
I ended up narrating this incident to Kamya's mom, my sister, who burst out laughing. Fashion for kids it seems has evolved a lot! (And I clearly had a lot to learn!) My sister shared how she often shops for Kamya online from stores like Unamia and she only picks stuff she knows Kamya will love to wear. Kamya sometimes even chooses them herself!
So for those of you who are planning to gift a party dress for a kid in your family, here are some does and don'ts (my sister swears by this!)
Nothing "too cute" please! - Everything pink or blue does NOT mean cute! Anything over the top or too much frills is a no-no!
Style first! - If it's not something a kid would love to wear, do NOT buy it!
Brush up your fashion IQ! - Do some research before shopping (note to self!) It's a good idea to check with friends who have kids what's the latest in style - be sure you know what's a Gangnam style Tuxedo jacket is or that red jeggings need not match with the polka dot top to make it look stylish!
Comfort is a must! - Kids wear is all about comfortable dressing so pick the right size and fit to ensure they wear it comfortably.
Quality worth the price - Expensive outfits do not always mean it's the best quality! Do check out what material the dress is made of, if it's easily washable and easy to maintain. Moms would appreciate it much more if you buy something that's practical than a pain to maintain!
Dressing up is fun! - Fashion for kids is also about fun! Neon colors, funky designs, crazy prints, metallic hues, velvets, a little bit of glitter and shine - kids can carry them off better than we think they can!
Accessories are the icing on the cake! - The right dress is only the beginning! It's the right accessories that complete the outfit and make kids look smart! So if you are packing a gift, be generous and throw in something extra like a cool sunglass or a funky watch or a pretty hair accessory! Helps you score brownie points!
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